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Judy Manley (Vistah),
Ashtabula, Ohio, USA
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Janet and Chris Christensen,
USA
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I became involved with English Springer Spaniels in the late 70's after watching a pair fetching sticks from the lake. I know from the very start I became a sucker for the spaniel face and expression. My first springer was pet quality but she is who got me started in competition. I was bitten by the competitive bug...At that time it was just obedience. From there I became interested in the conformation aspect of English Springer Spaniels.
Finishing your first show dog is a feeling no one can describe. It’s exhilarating! BUT, I quickly learned, I still had a lot to learn. Its amazing after all these years how much I am still learning about our beloved breed. One thing I have learned, that has been on top of my list of priorities; is to breed for temperament. In the scheme of things revolving around breeding, a well temperament companion should be priority in a breeding program over how beautiful and structurally correct a springer is to the written standard.
I am a breeder of English Springer Spaniels and Papillion’s and have bred a few litters, but enough to produce many champion springers and papillons.
I consider myself open minded enough to respect a well bred springer that comes in many types. We see many types of springers, and I truly think a springer can be correct in the many types we see. It’s a total package that needs to be addressed. "Spaniely" and soundness is important.
Twenty years ago, I realized the need for a springer rescue. I learned that many of the springers in the shelters were not bad dogs but had bad owners. When I took on this daunting project; rescue was not very well accepted but we continued to work on behalf of the dogs that had no voices. I became the National Rescue Rep. for English Springer Spaniels and co founded a National non-profit rescue organization. Through these years of very, very hard work, my effort has paid off resulting in thousands of springers being saved annually.
I have judged several sweepstakes and puppy matches with intentions of one day applying for my judge’s license. But, to date, I prefer to continue to compete with my dogs in the show ring and I wish to continue to mentor people to the best of my ability.
I am on the board of directors for the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Assoc. as a show governor.
Judy Manley / www.VistahKennels.com
Champion English Springer Spaniels and Papillons
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Chris and I met as young people at a Springer national. We each had our first field Springers. I went on with mine to place in both nationals in 1967. Then I won the National Amateur with Misty Muffet in 1970 (she is in the Hall of Fame), Chris won it in 1971 with Saighton's Signal, Chris won the national open with Dewfield Bricksclose Flint in 1973 and 1975 (he is in the HOF) and in 1979 I won the Amat. Nat. with Saighton's Scud (He is in the HOF) and the following year he won all three nationals---Canadian National, Amateur National and Open National.
Chris quit running dogs and turned to gunning trials at that point. I kept running dogs and won the Open National in 1993 with Greenbriar Raider.
Chris passed away in 2005 after a long illness with Alzheimer’s disease. I am still training and running a dog. Both of us are in the Field Trial Hall of Fame.
Janet and Chris Christensen
jc.wvr@wildblue.net
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