Dallas-Ft. Worth Labrador Retriever Club...

Tonja Nordhues-Roesen - Precious For Eternity

NRW, Warendorf, Germany  

Something about me…

First of all I will thank you for the invitation to judge your Labradors.

I´m really looking forward meeting you and all your beautiful Labradors in September 2024.

I had the luck to live with dogs, beginning from my childhood -  they were my friends and constant companions and I remember that I shared all my secrets with them.

As I was a very young woman I saw a black girl and I directly fell in love with her. She was a Labrador and I know directly that I want to share my live with such a wonderful dog. So I bought my first Labrador in 1992  -  it was a yellow male.

Three years later I got my first girl "Grand Ch. Donna Of Paradise Children”. She was black and really a beautiful puppy. She remembers me a lot of the black bitch I felt in love, and she develops into a beautiful girl.     I start showing her and I also wants to start breeding with her. In 1998 my first litter was born under my prefix “Precious For Eternity”. Out of this litter I keep a girl and she won 2 Junior CAC and 1 Junior CAC-Res. and was „Best German Youngster 2000“. Also, one of her litter brothers won 1 Junior CAC and 1 Junior CAC-Res. From this time on I start showing my Labradors constantly and with great success.

Later on in the end of 1999 I bought „Ch. Fameflair Obsession“ from Christina Gabriel´s famous German Kennel “Fameflair”. And with Joyce all starts to change. She was such an easy bitch. So lovely to live with and so very good to show and over this a great producer. I learned all what I know today about our lovely breed together with and from my lovely Joyce. Joyce was two times „German Champion“ (LCD + VDH), several times „BOB“ and „Best German Breed“ in 2004 for Nancy Airbuckle, USA. Joyce produced so very good for me and my little Kennel. Really, I know that she was a „Once in a lifetime dog“ for me and nearly all of my bitches today are going back to her. I sadly lost her in  2013 – but her spirit is here, every day and every where.

Over the years I imported for me and my breeding some very important Labradors, from Finland, France, Sweden and USA – they all finished her Champion-Title with constant wins and so much great pleasure for me.  One of them was my beloved Higgy “Ch. Fogel Hlara Higgins” from France and he characterize the type I prefer more than any other Labrador, I ever met. Words cannot express how much I miss my Higgy and also all my other friends in heaven. “Ch. Gateway´s From Here To Eternity” become Multi-Champion and “Ch. Tekell´s Precious Brave Heart” was such a great producer beside his Show-Carrier.      

I have been a Labrador judge in Germany (VDH) and abroad now for 14 years now after finishing all examinations in 2010. 

I had the luck and honour to judge some very big and important shows. Some of them was 2016 judging bitches at Potomac in Frederick (USA), what was an adventure I never will forget – very special to be a part of one week Labrador City in Frederick. I was very happy to be back in USA for judging a Speciality in August 2019.  2017 I judged at the WDS in Leipzig, invited from the VDH and the famous “German Winner” what was also a wonderful experience.
 
Besides my dog live I´m the mother of a young Lady -Lisa-Marie-, who is now 22 years old and an Architecture student, now. I love to see how Lisa enjoys living with our dogs since she is born and that they are such a big part of her live. I also must thank my husband a lot for building me such a nice dog-place and for loving the dogs like I do. We are living at a big Farm outside the town with plenty of space for our dogs, much of nature and 2 big ponds around us.  I was a Committee Member of the German Labrador Club e.V. (LCD) for 9 years to organize the German Labrador Shows and I am also a Breed Warden to check the German Breeding at home and now I am the chairman of the breeding commission in the German LCD.

So, I can end my introduction with a special feeling by writing it. I never thought of all this happening to me, as I was a young woman and felt so much and deep in love with Labradors. At this time, I only searching for a fur friend - this is what I never will forget by looking at my dogs, going over others dogs now and living together with them in our family. I am looking forward to the middle of September to meet you and your Labradors in Denton.    

Tanja 

Erin McClurg-McRobb - Edlyn Labradors

I started showing Labradors at the age of 10 with a chocolate girl who didn’t quite work out for us. My folks then purchased a Kupros Marshall daughter who I showed in breed and juniors. Molly and I also competed in obedience and I put a CDX on her! When we decided to breed Molly, it was Marge and Chris Hutchins, Balnamore, who took us under their mentorship. Marge took me to the kennel and said choose any dog to show while Molly has her puppies. I chose Ch Balnamores Freestyler, a Borador Lord Travis son. Michael was the first dog I earned a group placing on, achieved national rankings and qualified for Westminster in junior showmanship. I qualified for Westminster multiple years, and travelled to show there twice as a junior. As I continued to show, I finished many dogs and was fortunate enough to be at the end of the leash of Ch Pucketts Ms Alfie. Alfie was the first dog I earned both a Best in sweeps and best in specialty. I campaigned her while I was in college to the number 1 Labrador bitch in the US in 2002. At that time, I decided to have my own kennel prefix of Edlyn. I have bred many champions with my mom, Diane McClurg. We don’t have a lot of dogs nor do we breed often. Our greatest accomplishment most recently being MBISS Ch Maidstone Edlyn Jolly Roger That, JH who is the combination of both of our bitch lines all in one! We are proud to have produced multiple specialty winners, group placers, and top-ranked Labradors.

Candice Moore - Tamerlane

Candice F. Moore of Huffman, Texas, has been a Labrador Retriever lover and owner since 2000. I have been blessed with beautiful dogs over the years, however, it is the mentorship and lifelong friends that has made the dog journey all the more wonderful. Jayson and I will celebrate our 30 year anniversary in December, we have one daughter, Alex, and are soon to be grandparents!!! I just celebrated 17 years as a CMMS Manager with Oshkosh Aerotech. No, not the overall company.

Sue Willumsen - WillCare

For over 53 Years, I have been involved in Pure Bred Dogs and Veterinary Medicine and Industry. I have been able to incorporate my work into my passion for dogs!

It began in 1971 when I went to my first dog show with my aunt, Carol Willumsen, a highly respected Whippet breeder and Hound judge.  We traveled with a professional handler to many shows.

While working at a Veterinary clinic that had many Breeder clients, I became enamored with a lovely yellow female.  In 1979 I purchased my first yellow bitch.  Under the mentoring of Lorraine Robbenhaar, Killingworth, I learned the ups and downs of dog breeding.  After several “experiences”, I leased an imported lovely black bitch whom was bred to CH Clemmson of Killingworth.  The puppy from this litter became my foundation bitch and produced many champions from several litters including a Champion Master Hunter and one of my favorite dogs, CH Willcare’s Masterpiece, CD, CH, TT  aka “Dennis” .  He appears way back in many of the chocolate pedigrees of today. Over the years I have strived to produce typey dogs that have a good work ethic and are a pleasure to live with. I traveled many years with professional handlers helping and showing my own dogs.

My journey in dogs encouraged me to achieve my judge’s license not only for Labradors, but currently for 20 other Sporting breeds and 2 Hound breeds. What travel adventures I have had, what great dogs I have owned and seen and most importantly, the GREAT people I have met and the friends I have made and will always Treasure!
Thank you for the lovely opportunity to judge your Specialty!

Marion Daniel - Mar-Moye

Where does a 76-year-old retired nurse begin in attempting to create a personal bio.  I'll start by saying I’ve lived a happy and diversified life with many interests and hobbies but I believe I have plenty of "kick" left in me.  My father was a Southern gentleman, who was a successful real-estate broker and my mother was a Northern disciplinarian, who counted every penny she earned.  I'd say I was a 50/50 balance of the two....something I'm proud of.
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I've lived both my professional and personal life by the Golden Rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", as I've found it to be applicable in any situation. My personal philosophy involves serving others, helping to provide for my family and making the most of my opportunities.  I'm a care giver by nature & I spent 45 years working as a registered nurse in a local hospital, where I had several staff & administrative positions.

I was fortunate to ride hunter-jumpers from early childhood into my mid 40’s but a bad fall made me realize it was time to “hang up my boots” yet I still love the smell of leather.  This overlapped the foundation of Mar-Moye Labradors some 40 years ago, which started with a laundry basket filled with three Lab puppies, one yellow, one black and one chocolate.  In the mid 1980’s, I met Roy Cone (Waterbound Labradors) who took me under his wing and inspired me to produce a more correct Labrador and through multiple ringside sessions with several “silent” mentors, I learned the value of a solid bitch line and concentrated my efforts on producing correctly balanced Labradors who possessed a sound temperament, lovely breed type, while maintaining their natural retrieving instinct.   I have since bred nine generations of conformation Champions, multiple BISS specialty winners, many with obedience/agility/rally titles and hunt test titles, including the 10th GCH/Master Hunter on record. Nearly 15 years ago, I became an AKC Conformation judge, having judged both nationally and internationally, including our National Specialty.

I’m a founding member of the Coastal South Carolina Labrador Club, having served as President and multiple other positions, I’m a member of the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac, where I’ve volunteered and served on various committees and I’m a longtime member of the LRC, now serving on the Board of Directors.

It is very difficult to share in such a short space all my joys and pleasures these dogs have brought to me in the past 40 years, not to mention the wonderful and caring people this hobby has brought into my life.  Just when I think it can’t get any better, it does.  I guess that’s what keeps me going.

Thank you for the honor and opportunity to judge the Dallas Forth Worth Specialty and best of luck to all the exhibitors.

Pam Harvey - Mountain Meadow

Pam and Gerald Harvey showed and raised Labradors for over 30 years.  We enjoyed showing together.  Our love for the breed came when we discovered their temperament, especially with children.  At 70 years old  I continue to own more Labradors than I should and feel honored to be chosen to judge in Sweepstakes.

Walter O'Brian - Rally

Walter began participating in both Conformation and Obedience with his first Pembroke Welsh Corgi in 1996.   He first started showing in Conformation but, soon became very interested in the Obedience as both a competition and an aid to being the leader of the pack.     

Walter’s work-related travels through the years has given him the opportunity to exhibit throughout the country.  In 2001, in Flagstaff, Arizona, he discovered Rally during the Flagstaff Kennel Club shows and it was beginning of a rewarding journey.  The journey was not always smooth, as he says “I really wasn’t very good at it at first” but that was only temporary.  He finally decided to just enjoy the sport; he needed a good instructor and the dedication to putting in the work needed to be a better exhibitor.  When Rally became a regular titling event in 2005, Walter figured it all out and by May 2005, he showed the first Pembroke Welsh Corgi to earn the Rally Advanced Excellent title; CH. Triad Foreign Affairs CD RAE3 HT.

Walter began teaching Rally in 2006 for the Macon Kennel Club when his work took him to Warner Robins, GA and he taught there for almost 10 years.  During the many years of teaching Rally, he began to utilize his engineering background to expand his love and knowledge of Rally.  During that time, he also was able to build on Rally to earn CDX titles on multiple Pembroke Welsh Corgis.   While he enjoys the challenge of the Obedience Ring, his heart always drifts towards the Rally ring.

Walter showed the first Pembroke Welsh Corgi to earn the AKC Rally Championship or RACH title in 2018; RACH Peri Lane With a Twist CDX PCDX BN GN RM6 RAE4 CGC TKN, and has earned a RACH with a second Pembroke Welsh Corgi as well; CH RACH Foxwood Sunflower At Brista CDX PCD BN GN RM2 RAE2 CGC TKN in 2020.  Along his journey he has titled 6 other Pembroke Welsh Corgis to Rally titles including his first CDX Dog; CH. Triad Celestial Love CDX RAE.

Walter resides in Fort Worth, Texas and works as an Aerospace Engineer.  He is a member of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, the Atlanta Kennel Club, the Lone Star Obedience Club, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Southern California, and the North Texas Pembroke Welsh Corgi Fanciers.

Walter is thrilled to be judging the Dallas – Fort Worth Labrador Retriever Club Specialty and he wishes everyone good luck!!!