I acquired my first Weimaraner in 2000. Riley was purchased as a hunting dog and entered in a field trial on a whim. With this dog, I picked up my first shotgun, and also became immersed in the myriad of activities that Weimaraners as versatile dogs can excel in. Despite my mistakes, Riley ended up becoming a Dual Champion, and I will always be grateful to Gorden and Shirley Hansen of Outdoors Kennels for entrusting me with this special dog and for their mentorship.
Indy joined the family soon after Riley. She sparked my interest in Blue Weimaraners and quickly taught me that the breed was about its hunting abilities and not its color. She eventually became the first Blue Weimaraner Master Hunter. Riley and Indy are the foundation of Touchstone Weimaraners.
After ten years in the breed, I partnered with Steve Reynolds of Snake Breaks Kennels and spent four years learning the ins and outs of professional field trial training and campaigning. I saw dozens, if not hundreds of Weimaraners in the field. Not only did I see these dogs in training and in the rigors of competition, I also lived with these dogs and had the privilege of hunting over quite a few. This is a perspective that few experience and an education in the breed beyond compare. Through Steve, I was also under the tutelage of Virginia Alexander of Reiteralm Kennels. If Gorden and Shirley were my Weim Mom and Dad, Jinny was my Weim Grandma.
A breeder builds on those that paved the way before her, and although I am now on my fourth generation of Weimaraners, I credit Outdoors, Snake Breaks and Reiteralm Kennels for where I am today and for the Weimaraners I produce. Not only have I been blessed with Weimaraners that have succeeded in various competitive venues, most importantly my Weimaraners are enthusiastic and willing bird dogs whether the quarry is chukar in Nevada and Idaho, pheasant in Montana, or quail in California and Arizona.