My goal at Katydid has been to breed, exhibit, and love the Boxer which meets the AKC standard as closely as possible. They will be healthy, happy and beautiful representatives of the breed. The Boxer temperament is the primary characteristic which makes him unique and I am dedicated to preserving that loving, happy and people-oriented temperament which wins our hearts. Their temperament makes them first and foremost our companions and "friends". Breeding only healthy well adjusted animals that closely adhere to the standard will preserve the Boxer as we know it.
My goal is for all of the dogs that I produce to be placed in loving homes where they will be a positive addition to their family and to the public for their entire life. Potential owners are screened via a questionnaire to make the correct placements and I will do everything that I can to be sure that each puppy has the best start in life via nutrition and socialization to maximize this outcome. .
Any dogs and bitches that I use to breed have proven themselves in the show ring and have been OFA screened for hip dysplasia and most importantly OFA screened for SAS and annual holtered for BCM for several generations. I carefully search pedigrees and health history to find animals that have the necessary health clearances. Please see www.americanboxerclub.org for guidelines on health certification requirements/suggestions.
All companion animals are sold with AKC “limited” registration. This means that they will have their own registration number with AKC, but if used for breeding their offspring cannot be registered with AKC. This is done to protect the breed and any animals that I produce from indiscriminate, irresponsible breeding. These dogs will not be eligible to compete in conformation competition, but can still compete in obedience, rally, and agility events. All are raised on a natural diet of kibble and raw meaty bones. I subscribe to the AVMA new guidelines on vaccinations. Fecal samples are submitted for all puppies. For working therapy dogs, fecals are submitted yearly.
All of my puppies are sold on a contract that has a health/inherited genetic defect guarantee through 24 months of age and that requires companion dogs (all those that are not sold as “show potential”) to be spayed or neutered by a certain age. I include on my contracts that all of my dogs be returned to me, or that I approve a new home, if the original owner can no longer/wishes not to keep the dog for any reason at any age. I wish to be responsible for my puppies for their entire life and microchip them prior to leaving to their new homes.
I have been involved with showing dogs since 1983 beginning with Airedale Terriers and even finishing a Smooth Fox Terrier and a Welsh Terrier. My love of the Boxer began years ago at dog shows and my admiration of them increased as I watched how they behaved at the shows and in large groups. In 2000 I had a series of health problems and quit showing dogs. I soon realized I missed the dog shows but I did not miss the hours of grooming involved with the terriers. I began my search for a companion who also met the breed standard so that if I should decide to show that option was open to me. I was fortunate to find "Lucy" who is my companion extraordinnaire. And in 2003 my addiction to Boxers began!
I am and have been an active member of Minnesota Purebred Dog Breeders Association for 16 years, a past member of the Airedale Terrier Club of America for 20 years and past member of the ATCA breed Health Committee. I am a recent newcomer to Missouri Valley Boxer Club and look forward to many years with Boxers.
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I began showing Airedales in 1983 with an obedience dog. Soon after, I purchased my first show Airedale, D'Aire Ruffles and Flourishes, "Katy". Prior to her second birthday she was hit by a car and died. I began again with D'Aire Beautiful Noise, "Chelsea", as my foundation bitch. She produced many generations of champions for me. My last Airedale champion was "Marley" CH Katydid Saltimbocca.
(below, "Chelsea", CH D'Aire Beautiful Noise)
CH D'Aire Beautiful Noise (far right) with her champion get at Twin Cities Airedale Club specialty at Lake Minnetonka Minnesota:
Karen with CH Katydid Water Strider; Judy Howell with Am/Can CH Katydid D'Estiny at Monterra, Can CD; Diane Schlicht with CH D'Aire Apparent; and CH Katydid Up In D'Aire.
Katydid dogs include:
CH D'Aire Beautiful Noise
D'Aire Ruffles N Flourishes
Am/Can CH Katydid D'Estiny at Monterra, Can CD
AM/Can CH Katydid Water Strider, Can CD
CH Katydid Up In D'Aire
CH D'Aire Katydid It
Katydid Lacewing
CH Katydid Arnold Schwarznegger
Am/Can CH Katydid Firefly Snapdragon
Can CH Bulairo Cool Runnings
CH Katydid Saltimbocca
CH Secwynn Pizzazz (Welsh Terrier)
CH Red Oak's Ericka of Katydid (Smooth Fox Terrier)
As always, all were completely health tested with most breedings as excellent (hips) to excellent. During the ATCA Nationals at Montgomery County (Pennsylvania), I attended a session taught by Corally Burmaster (www.clickertraining.com) on clicker training and I was hooked! The method worked so well on my dogs and this paved the way to training all around dogs.
(below "Marley" CH Katydid Saltimbocca)
