Our Clumber Spaniels
When Melissa and Holly got together to begin breeding Clumbers they each brought to the partnership a lot of dog experience. Melissa was a long time 4-H'er and was working in a boarding kennel. She had handled in the AKC ring and was an eager learner. Holly had spent many years raising and showing Newfoundlands, as well as working in veterinary offices and boarding kennels. The first Clumber Spaniel they got was Ch. Kelson 'n Cameos Oreck XL. He turned out to be more than either had hoped for. Melissa was showing in junior showmanship and, in spite of many comments that this would NOT be good idea for her or the dog, she was very successful and it was marvelous for Oreck. She had several big wins including one in Alaska and one at the Clumber Spaniel National Specialty in Denver, Co. Within four months there were three female Clumber Spaniels in their houses and the breeding program began.
This is a good partnership with each person bringing in their own talents. Melissa is the expert on grooming, showing, training and nutrition, Holly tends to be the health advisor and is ever mothering, feeding, cleaning and spoiling. They often have to rotate so that neither one of them can overdue a good thing!