Where to start?….. Growing up I’ ve always had dogs in my life. My dad bred Bassett Hounds and it was with them that I became involved in showing dogs. I got my first“ pit bull” from a friend. She had a pit bull named Voodoo, and I was like“ It’ s a what”??? I had never heard of the breed but once I met her I knew I had to have one. Tai was my first introduction to the breed and had those traits that endear them to us all. He was unregistered as are many of our“ firsts”.
That was in the early 1980’ s, and although I attended the local fun shows and weight pulls I wanted more! When Tai passed on at 14 years old, Dave and I acquired two registered APBT’ s, Shaw’ s CH A / A Little Grim,“ Grizzly” and CD’ s CH A / A Lady Hawke and thus began our point show adventures!
Our first point show was in 1998 in Pico Rivera, CA. Us two newbies with our little trailer and two dogs and off we went! It was at that show that I met Sharon and Mike Sundy who have become lifelong friends and are very dear to me. We came away with so many memories, so much knowledge and many new friends. A few second place ribbons and the weekend was complete and we were happy!!
I loved that the ADBA shows are so family oriented and relaxed, such a nice change from the stuffy rigid shows I was accustomed to! You could actually talk to people and they would give you advice and pointers without making you feel like you were just dumb. One big family!!
People often wonder why I do what I do, traveling coast to coast several times a year to attend shows. Is it only for trophies and titles?? Not at all, those are just icing on the cake. As most know, I lost my husband of almost 30 years in an accident five years ago. This was our retirement plan, travel to places we had never been, see other parts of the country, meet new people and see dogs from other places and see how ours stacked up. After Dave passed, I decided to pursue our dream and I know he rides with me and watches over me wherever I go.
As I tell countless people, I love the shows and the competition but I go for the camaraderie & friendship. Through the hardest time I have ever had to face in my life, I got through it with the love and support of my Bulldog Family and my dogs! If my dogs do well at the shows, it’ s a bonus and enhance the weekend but my world doesn’ t end if they don’ t place, I still come away a winner with the visits
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Breeder Profile: CD Pits
and friendships old and new.
With 20 years in the show world, I have had many in-depth talks with many people and these are the ones I consider my mentors. My fiancé Richard Issel, Sharon Sundy, Stacey Mangat, Marcos Dominguez, Terri Gross, Darla Williams and many others whom I have sat and“ talked dogs” with over the years. The ones above I have spent countless hours with talking about all aspects of the breed, from showing, working, feeding, health, bloodlines, breeding, etc. Every
CD’ s G / C Flying Dutchman time I get to talk about the breed with fellow fanciers it becomes yet another learning experience, and another thing I love about the APBT is there is always something new to discover about them and their care! You always have to have an open mind and be willing to learn. If you get to the point where you think you know it all you’ ll be doing yourself and the breed a disservice.
I enjoy competing in all the events at the shows and have even competed in a Dock Diving event with one of my dogs, CD’ s G / C A / A Lady Calypso. My favorite event at the moment is Top Dog! Took me a while to embrace the idea of letting my dog loose in the lure event. Heavily ingrained in my brain was whatever happened, never let go of your leash, now you want me to do it on purpose??? That event is a blast and I encourage anyone that hasn’ t tried it to give it a go.
I really like working the dogs prior to any shows. Finding out what each one likes and the different ways each one approaches a task. I love watching the way each different workout brings the different muscles out and shapes them into the best they can be. I use combinations of carpet and slat mills including my Dog Trotter that I sometimes travel with, spring pole, ground spring, drag work, swimming, and hand walking. It really builds your bond with your dog doing all the one on one work with them and that is priceless.
As far as breeding goes I have only produced a few litters thus far but have a few planned for later this year! I like to take my time and see how what I have produced matures and what I like and dislike about the individuals and what makes them worthy of becoming part of the gene pool.
I don’ t consider myself having a bloodline and work predominantly with Jeep, Red Boy, Crenshaw, Sorrels, and Tant. It is said to breed the best to the best, however this first time I bred my only to my only. Grizzly and Hawke,