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Foxglove Kennel blends the breeding programs of Karen Niffenegger and Brian Hill. Brian received his first German Shorthaired Pointer from his grandfather as a teenager. He grew up with the breed and GSP's have been part of his 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 member of the GSP Hall of Fame. All of the puppies in Flash's litter finished their field championships and one became a National Gun Dog Champion. Flash's father is also on the top producers list. "Flash" did not finish his championship after being shot in the leg by a sniper at a field trial. This was a tragic moment for us as he only lacked one retrieving point to finish. During Flash's career he 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. Both dogs have been nationally ranked during their careers.
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 was nationally ranked. We had many competitive years with Cash and Cole. We also competed with Chance's sons Joker's Wild and Chance's Always in Demand and daughter Spitting Image. We also had many competitive years with Joy's daughter Talk of the Town and Annie's puppies Foxgloves Just Because and How About Now.
Karen got started with GSP's 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. Her first purchase was "Sara," Ch Buck Hollows Serenade in Blue, from Joan Tabor in Montclair, New Jersey. Sara became the foundation bitch. She was beautiful when shown and has done a great job as a producer.
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 and 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. We called her "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.
During this time Karen 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 sons. Although Trevor is pointed in the field Karen 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.
Karen had always been involved with the hunting end of German Shorthaired Pointers and got her start with the Hunt Test program. After meeting Brian, they have been actively doing field trials, hunt tests and showing. They encourage their 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.
Together Karen and Brian 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. "Annie" was ranked in both the northwest and nationally during her career. Unfortunately, like her father Annie was a hard luck dog and her career was shortened with by a broken leg. Annie's puppies were the first field breed litter to carry the Foxglove name. Much of her blood still runs in their dogs today.
Brian and Karen feel they have been very fortunate during their years with German Shorthaired Pointers. They have made many friends, maintained a nationally competitive breeding program, and have many great memories and dogs.
We hope that you have enjoyed touring our website and getting to know all of our dogs and our extended Foxgloves family. We look forward to having an opportunity to meet you.
Sincerely,
Karen Niffenegger and Brian Hill
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this page was updated on 08/28/2010
