I've owned Golden Retrievers since 1980 and the constants in my life have been family, friends, and Goldens. I bred using the Sweet Grass prefix when I lived in Montana and the Medallion prefix after I moved to Seattle. Unfortunately both times, in spite of obtaining all available "clearances," I encountered other genetic problems and did not continue breeding those lines.
The Goldens I've bred/owned have obtained multiple titles including Am/Can CHAMPION, CCA, CD/CDX, CGC, JH, RA, THDN, TKP, WC/WCX, and VC/VCX; and the honorifics Outstanding Sire, High in Trial, Best in Sweepstakes, Specialty Best of Breed, and multiple Bests in Show. I train and handle my own dogs in field and performance events and occasionally the breed ring.
I've been a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) for 40 years. Thirty-five years ago when I was Education Committee Chair I created the “Ask the Experts” and “Breeder’s Forum” columns for the national club publication The GRNews, as well as co-authoring the Dog Writer Association of America award-winning booklets “Acquiring a Golden Retriever” and “An Introduction to the Golden Retriever". Recently I served as a member of the Judges' Education Committee and as Chair of the Public Education Committee.
In 2004 I attended the Crufts dog show in England and in 2006 the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland’s 60th anniversary show. I visited Guisachan, the mystical birthplace of the breed in Scotland, both times.
Licensed for Golden Retrievers by AKC since 1995, I've been privileged to judge at all-breed shows, independent and regional specialties, and the 2013 GRCA National. I've also judged specialties in Canada and Indonesia.
The Goldens I've bred/owned have obtained multiple titles including Am/Can CHAMPION, CCA, CD/CDX, CGC, JH, RA, THDN, TKP, WC/WCX, and VC/VCX; and the honorifics Outstanding Sire, High in Trial, Best in Sweepstakes, Specialty Best of Breed, and multiple Bests in Show. I train and handle my own dogs in field and performance events and occasionally the breed ring.
I've been a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) for 40 years. Thirty-five years ago when I was Education Committee Chair I created the “Ask the Experts” and “Breeder’s Forum” columns for the national club publication The GRNews, as well as co-authoring the Dog Writer Association of America award-winning booklets “Acquiring a Golden Retriever” and “An Introduction to the Golden Retriever". Recently I served as a member of the Judges' Education Committee and as Chair of the Public Education Committee.
In 2004 I attended the Crufts dog show in England and in 2006 the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland’s 60th anniversary show. I visited Guisachan, the mystical birthplace of the breed in Scotland, both times.
Licensed for Golden Retrievers by AKC since 1995, I've been privileged to judge at all-breed shows, independent and regional specialties, and the 2013 GRCA National. I've also judged specialties in Canada and Indonesia.
Contact: MICHELE GAWENKA
[email protected]
[email protected]