ABOUT US

I began working with purebred dogs when I was 15 years old. A purebred Boxer named Chips made a lasting impact in my life. When I took her to my first obedience class I became hooked forever! Chips went on to earn a Companion Dog title and several awards for highest scoring dog. From there I worked with different breeds trying to find that special one for me, earning both Obedience titles and breed Championships along the way.

   My first German Shepherd was an East German dog named Quando von Gerhardt CD. Quando (pictured above) taught me what a real relationship with a dog could be. He lived to be thirteen and a half years old and I still miss him today. What a wonderful dog! A true representative of the breed, he was honest, intelligent, handsome, loyal and loaded with integrity. This was what the German Shepherd Dog is all about.

   Today, I still show in obedience and conformation, but our main focus is the work we do with our Assistance Dogs. I've been training dogs for assistance work for 15 years now and I've seen first hand how important these dogs are to the people they are partnered with. This is our underlying focus on every puppy we produce, as well as physical soundness and conformation. Most go on to be great companions and pets, but in every litter we look for that one puppy who will do something special with his life!

   "Don't forget the Corgis"!! No, I can't forget them, they won't let me!! We've opened a new chapter here at Arcturus with our Cardigan Welsh Corgis. My daughter Kaitlyn was the one who brought the Corgis into our home (More about that on Patty's page) and I have to say they have been a wonderful addition to our lives! They are loyal and intelligent, much like the German Shepherd, and they are wonderful to snuggle with on the couch at night! I can't imagine what life would be like without a German Shepherd by my side and a Corgi on my lap!