In The Beginning:
Mike and Lisa were married in 1992 and after the marriage came the purchase of a house. As we all know a house is not a home without a dog. Mike's Aunt, Jeanette Glass (one of the founding members of PCOC) had raised Poms under the kennel name of Ginette, so Mike was keen on Poms. Lisa loved all dogs so a Pom it was! So began the search for their first Pom. That search brought them to Don and Margaret Rovensky's home and resulted in Valentina CD a.k.a "Tina".
Shortly after purchasing "Tina". She managed to escape and after a forty five minute chase around the metropolis of Moose Jaw, it was off to obedience school. During obedience classes someone mentioned that you could not do obedience with a Pom. Wrong thing to say to a stubborn psych-nurse and a behavioral analyst practitioner. Thus Mike vowed to compete in obedience with Tina. This resulted in Mike and Lisa becoming active in the sport; training Tina, and (after hands-on instruction by noted Judge Sue Ailsbey) ring stewarding - Mike in the obedience ring and Lisa in the conformation ring. With this move the seeds of the show addiction were planted and the search for their foundation bitch and first conformation dog began.
What's In A Name?
D-O-G-noir = black dog. Named in honor of their first Pom Tina.
Lisa Hits The Ring.
In 1994, Mike and Lisa were fortunate enough to be offered an outstanding foundation bitch in Ch. La Cherie Hope For Diogenoir from Dot and Ed Martin of La Cherie Kennels. "Cherie" was a blend of Bev Nor, Southland, and Millamor lines - line bred on Am. Ch. Millamor's Mark Tradition. She was owner handled to multi group placements by Lisa. When it came time for their first litter, they selected a son of Am. Ch. Millamor's Mark Tradition that they felt complemented "Cherie" as far as strengths and faults were concerned. This breeding resulted in a litter of three puppies all of which finished quickly. Ch. Diogenoir's Northern Tradition (Am./Cdn. Ch. Rock N Tradition of Oakridge's first Cdn. Ch. offspring), Ch. Diogenoir Tradit'n Rocks North, and Ch. Diogenoir Rock Starr At Samsu CD.
Ch. Diogenoir's Northern Tradition was bred to Ch. Foxworth Frontier Spirit (an Am./Cdn. Ch. Rock N Tradition of Oakridge "Jake "grandson) producing their BISA, Multi BISS, BPISS, Multi BPIS, Multi Group winning and placing boy: Am./Cdn./Int. Ch. Diogenoir The Next Generation a.k.a "Picard" (Ch. Foxworth Frontier Spirit's first of many Ch. descendant)
Mike and Lisa were honored to purchase Ch. Chriscendo Classic Illusion a.k.a "Ramona" from Chris and John Heartz. They finished this lovely bitch and inbred to her father Am./Cdn. Ch. Chriscendo Classico producing Am./Cdn. Ch. Diogenoir Calculated Risk "Cypher", Diogenoir Smoke and Mirrors, and Diogenoir Beyond Belief "Ripley". Creating their line - line bred on Am./Cdn. Ch. Millamor's Rock Medallion.
Watch for the results of the blending of these two lines.
So Far So Soon:
Mike and Lisa attribute so much success so quickly in the sport of breeding and showing poms to:
~ Being lucky enough to be trusted with outstanding foundation stock from people such as Dot and Ed Martin & Chris and John Heartz.
~ Line breeding to studs of outstanding quality that were selected for how well they complemented their bitches as far as faults and strengths.
~ Moving slow and choosing to breed very few litters striving to produce quality not quantity. Mike and Lisa have remained truly a home based kennel. Dropping by their house, one can see from their foundation bitch on down, healthy, happy dogs living with them in their home.
~ Grooming tips early on from such people as Dwayne Ward, Jane Lehtinen and Chris Heartz.
~ On going mentoring from such people as Chris Heartz.
~ On going learning. Mike and Lisa try to attend at least one of the American National Specialties and its excellent breed education seminars and the Canadian National Specialty each year.
~ On going support from Pom friends and other show addicts too numerous to mention.
~ And starting their career in what is the greatest place to show Poms... Saskatchewan! Exhibitors in Saskatchewan can be seen all socializing together following shows at the homes of fellow Pom exhibitors who live in the area or at a local restaurant sharing in the joy for all who were victorious that day. Saskatchewan exhibitors are noted for their strong support of each other. Out of province exhibitors comment and marvel at the camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by the Saskatchewan exhibitors and what a joy it is to show in that province. People have been known to be surprised with a cake at the show building if it was let slip you were celebrating a birthday or experience some other gesture of the famous prairie hospitality.