History

How we got started

History Hall of Fame Campaigned Dogs Puppies Started Dogs Stud Dogs Brood Bitches Purchase & Reservations

Foxglove Kennel blends the breeding programs of Karen Niffenegger and Brian Hill. Brian received his first German shorthair from his grandfather as a teenager. Having grown up with the breed, GSP's have been part of the family ever since. In the 1970's Brian began as a competitive owner with Shoot to Retrieve Trials. His first competition dog was Checkmate’s Oregon Wind, she was bred to Quicksilver’s Mag Sparks and her name is still found in many northwest pedigrees. In 1982, Brian purchased a puppy from Dave McGinnis and started AKC field trials. Annie Sweet Sixteen finished both her FC and AFC owner handled and trained.

Brian’s next puppy, Flash Dance, came from Bob and Sandy Deitering and has a very impressive pedigree. His mother was Quailrun’s Roxy Roller. Roxy is the all time top producer of field champions in GSP history and a hall of fame member. All of the puppies in Flash’s litter finished their championships and one became a National Gun Dog Champion. Flash’s father is also on the top producers list. Flash unfortunately did not finish his championship due to being shot in the leg by a sniper at a field trial; this was a tragic moment for us. He only lacked one retrieving point to finish. During Flash’s career his was one of the Northwest’s top All Age Dogs.

Flash is the foundation of our breeding program and his daughters carry on the tradition. His first litter produced, FC/AFC Joy IV and NFC/FC/AFC Benny’s Second Chance. Joy was the number one GSP in the Northwest in 1997 and Chance won the National Gun Dog Championship in 1999. They have both been nationally rank during their careers. FC Flash’s Only Annie Knows was also ranked in both the northwest and nationally.

Our next generation comes from Joy and Chance’s other sister Jessie. She produced FC/AFC Take It To The Bank "Cash" and AFC Coca-Cola. "Cole". Cash started out as the NW Field Trial Council’s number one derby dog and this year was top German shorthair. By the time all the points are in for the year he will also be nationally ranked. We look forward to many more competitive years with Cash and Cole. We also look forward to competing with Chance’s sons Joker’s Wild and Chance’s Always in Demand and daughter Spitting Image. Joy’s daughter Talk of the Town and Annie’s puppies Foxgloves Just Because and How About Now.

Karen started in 1987 when she wanted a dog for her active outdoor lifestyle and to hunt upland birds. She found the perfect dog in the German Shorthaired Pointer. Karen purchased Sara, Ch Buck Hollows Serenade in Blue, from Joan Tabor, Montclair, New Jersey, and she became our foundation bitch. Sara was a beautiful bitch when being shown and has done a great job as a producer. Karen has been very fortunate during her years with GSP’s, having made many friends and many great memories.

Sara has a distinguished family. Her father is Am/Can CH. Tabor’s Zephyr of Orion. He was winners dog at the 1980 National Specialty Show, won at the Westminster Show in 1983 and is a three time Best in Show Winner. Zephyr has sired 25 Champions. He also has many obedience titles and ranks high on both all time Top Producers lists. Zephyr died in 1995 at 16 ½ years of age. Sara’s mother, Ch. Malhaven’s Pride of Buck Hollow finished her show championship with three majors, two being large 5-point Specialty Show wins. She has six champions to date, which puts her on the Top Producers List.

Sara's first litter was only one puppy, the puppy became Am/Can Ch. Foxgloves Impressive In Blue, JH, know as "Lilly". Lilly was a dream come true for a beginner. She had placements at the Nationals and finished at one year of age with 4 majors. Lilly is also an excellent hunter with a Junior Hunter title. Lilly took numerous Best of Breeds while being shown as a special. Sara's second litter was with Am/Can Ch Snowcreeks Tracker. From that litter, three were at the Nationals in 1994 and all received placements. Mazi, Ch Foxgloves Amazing In Blue, then went on to become National Specialty Show Reserve Winners Bitch. Mazi finished with a Specialty Show win. Duke, Ch Foxgloves Hill Street Blues, finished with 3 majors, and Blue, Ch Foxgloves Bourbon Street Blues, finished and went on to get Best of Breeds and Group Placements. From Sara's third litter one has finished and two others are pointed.

I also purchased Tabor’s Foxglove Endeavor " Trevor" with the goal of having a dual champion. Trevor is one of DC Hillhaven’s Hustlers last few son’s. Although Trevor is pointed in the field I was not able to finish him. He did receive his show championship with both a specialty show BOB/BOW/WD and a 5-point major. Trevor has produced six Champions to date with many more pointed.

I have always been involved with the hunting end of German Shorthaired Pointers and started with the Hunt Test program and after meeting Brian we have been doing field trials, hunt test and shows. We try to encourage our puppy buyers to participate in the hunting tests and to personally hunt their dogs but many people just want a family pet and the GSP is great for that too. We arranged for the breeding of Brian’s dog Flash Dance to a friend’s bitch and got to keep the only puppy. She became FC Flash’s Only Annie Knows. A hard luck dog, like her father her career was shorten with a broken leg. Annie’s puppies were the first field breed litter to carry the Foxglove name.

We hope you enjoy touring our web site and getting to know all our dogs and their extended family.

Sincerely,

Karen Niffenegger and Brian Hill.

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History Hall of Fame Campaigned Dogs Puppies Started Dogs Stud Dogs Brood Bitches Purchase & Reservations

this page was updated on 08/01/2008