Crystal’s first welsh springer spaniel puppy

My name is Crystal Nolen and I am a web developer with 25 years of experience. I have lived with and loved animals my entire life, but, in my early teens, dogs became my main focus. I started working for a golden retriever breeder and brought home my first golden, Princess in 1991 (I was 13 years old) and got my first show dog, a golden named Brooke in 1993. Between 1996 and 2007, I owned several more goldens and co-bred several litters that produced two AKC Champions, a UKC Champion, an International champion and an obedience and agility-titled golden.

In 2003, I got a boxer named Raiden and I showed him a few times between 2004 and 2006. Raiden and I earned his CGC title in June 2007. I fostered nine boxers and one Welsh Springer Spaniel in 2008-2009.

My Introduction to Welsh Springer Spaniels

I purchased my first welshie, Tucker, AKC GCH/UKC CH Mystic Acres Kung Fu Fighting BN RN from Keith and Carla Vooris, Mystic Acres WSS in 2007 and he started his show career in 2008. Thank you to Keith and Carla for starting me on the road to becoming an owner and breeder of this wonderful breed! In 2010, Tucker became my first AKC and UKC Champion.  Tucker and I also earned my first obedience and rally titles, as well as, attaining his grand champion title.

In 2010 and 2011, I acquired two more Welsh Springer Spaniels, Tucker’s niece, Leeloo and his daughter, Jasmine from Mystic Acres. Leeloo became my second AKC champion in July 2012. Jasmine finished her AKC championship in April 2014. 

Before producing my first litter of Welsh Springer Spaniel puppies, I had years of experience raising golden puppies, but I felt it was important to update my skills and learn all the latest techniques in raising puppies. I took seminars with Myra Savant Harris and Dr. Gayle Watkins, founder of Avidog International. My first litter was born in 2013. Leeloo’s daughter, Murphy (formally Penny) finished her championship in August 2014 from the 9-12 puppy class and quickly earned her Grand Champion title. She is my fourth welshie champion and my first home-bred champion and grand champion.

I have continued showing all my dogs in AKC dog shows and participating in dog sports when not at home with puppies. I started tracking with my dogs in 2010 and doing nose work in 2011. In 2023, we started doing Barn Hunt and Fast CAT. I also enjoy teaching my puppies tricks and attaining AKC Trick Dog titles.

I became an AKC Breeder of Merit in 2017 and a Bronze-level Breeder of Merit in 2023.

Learn more about my breeding philosophy and the titled Welsh Springer Spaniels, I’ve owned and bred.

Contributions

I am a member in good standing of the:

  • Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America (WSSCA),
  • Dogwood Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of Greater Atlanta (DWSSCGA),
  • Greater Chesapeake Welsh Springer Spaniel Club (GCWSSC), and
  • Richmond Dog Obedience Club (RDOC)

I have always enjoyed serving dog clubs and rescues where I can and I am currently:

In 2014, I raised a rescue litter of Welshie puppies and for that I won the:

  • AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award
  • Silver President’s Volunteer Service Award

Health Testing Practices

It is my policy to thoroughly health test all of my dogs and I require anyone who buys a puppy from me to do the same. Read about the tests recommended for Welsh Springer Spaniels on the Canine Health Information Center website. Visit my Puppy Information page for more details on why we do these tests and require them for all the puppies we breed.

 

“I am as confounded by dogs as I am indebted to them.”
~ Roger Caras, A Celebration of Dogs