I was raised on a small family farm in
Orange County Tx. with my grandfather from the age of
5 at which I learned care and up-keep of the animals,
(at that point in my life I learned of long hours and
hard work). We trained hunting dogs for small as well
as large game. Along with our hunting dogs we raised and
trained dogs for field trials and events, bench as well
as conformation ring shows. I started at the early age
of 7 years in handling/competitions. We boarded as well
as pro-trained and started hundreds and even up into thousands
of all breeds for over 15 years of my life we housed/trained
from minimum of 30 to up and over 200 dogs at a time (full
time job for me and then some).
Let's go back to the
age of 7 when I owned and help train as well as handled
my own dogs, I had the Airdale Terriers, and always have
had a hound or two around. I had rat terriers/fox terriers/beagles/all
the hunting type hounds, Afghan hounds, Rhodesian ridge
backs as well as all types of the bull-dogs. Worked in
Search and Rescue with the Bloodhounds (SAR), trained
and handled dogs for/with professional athletes (Boxers/
Wrestlers/Football, even Golf) Music Super-Stars/Actors
and Actresses. At an early age I learned about judges
duties in all events and helping with sponsors etc....
at all events. I started judge internship at 17 years
old and became an all
breed all event judge as well as Texas State all breed
rep. with the NKC. World Championship in 1979 (ACHA)
with family bred raised and trained "PR.Ch.Grand.Ch.Grand
Nite Ch.World Ch. Merchant's Hustling Billy" as
the Merchant's Kennels have been an established family
kennel (tradition) for many years, along 2 of his brothers
and 2 of his sister (litter mates they all were PR. Ch.Grand
Show Ch, Nite and Grand Nite Champion).
My grandfather
had been breeding this bloodline for over 35 years
at that time, which produced many champions of all levels.
12 years ago we started training our children to handle
aid in training and help in secretarial duties at
conformation shows/trials. My wife was raised by a known
Boston Bull Terrier Breeder and has attended duties and
recently became an all breed judge herself with the National
Kennel Club.
