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Annette Norris is the breeder behind DreamShadow Cockers. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, the sires, the dams, the puppies, and more!
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Annette Norris: I live in Indiana. I have 32 years in Cocker Spaniels.
Annette Norris: My kennel name is DreamShadow Cockers.
Annette Norris: My most winning is Group Winning, Multiple Group Placing, MRBISOH AKC GRCH Canadian CKC CH UKC MBIS CH NevaehLea N DreamShadow’s Dream CGC TKN FDC (DREAMER), No. 1 Cocker Bitch ALL-VARIETIES NOHS 2021, 2022 & 2023 (6 months into CC/AKC rankings), No. 3 ALL-BREED Black Cocker Bitch 2021 & 2022, No. 4 Lifetime Black Cocker Bitch, and No. 7 Lifetime Black Cocker NOHS.
Annette Norris: My most influential sire is CH DreamShadow’s Carbon Copy. “Cobe” is the sire, grandsire, and great-grandsire of multiple AKC champions as well as Canadian champions.
Annette Norris: Puppies are whelped in my bedroom and raised in my kitchen.
Annette Norris: I evaluate them throughout, but have respected mentors, who are also judges, who evaluate with me at eight weeks.
Annette Norris: We compete and hold titles in Trick Dog, CGC, Farm Dog, Barn Hunt, and Conformation.
Annette Norris: We are members of several specialty clubs and our parent club.
Annette Norris: I use every training and conditioning available to me, including treadmills, hiking, and balance balls. We supplement and feed Purina Pro Plan Skin and Stomach Formula as well as K-9 Power Show Stopper for healthy, gorgeous show coats.
Annette Norris: We screen for hip dysplasia, slips in patellas, and elbows thru OFA, thyroid disease and cataracts with OFA CAER, and we do PRA testing. We have a multiple-year study with Dr. Aguirre for cataracts where we submit blood samples and CAER results.
Annette Norris: Our breed is shrinking, but we have several well-respected preservation breeders. Due to coat maintenance for show Cockers, it is not an easy breed to show and finish yourself.
Annette Norris: They are EXCELLENT family dogs and can adapt to nearly every living situation.
Annette Norris: Cockers are ABOVE ALL, MERRY! A well-bred Cocker lives about 12-15 years and is a loyal, eager-to-please, smart, and trainable family member.
Annette Norris: I wish judges would not confuse FLASH and speed with correct reach and drive… coat can hide a lot of things. Also, the head should not be carried pointing up to the sky. It should be level with the ground. The birds it was bred to flush are not flying up in the sky. They are down on the ground and in low-lying brush.
Annette Norris: The best advice that I can give new people is to find excellent mentors and ask all the questions you can come up with. Respected breeders have studied pedigrees for YEARS and plan their litters before they are born. Don’t breed to the top-winning dog just because it is winning. Know your dog’s strengths and know where they could be improved, and find the dog that will produce those attributes. Go to the dog shows, watch how they’re groomed, watch how they’re presented, watch how they’re conditioned, and join local Cocker clubs.
Annette Norris: Being able to show and title my dogs from the Bred-By Class is the best, and placing healthy, merry puppies with families to cherish them is the ultimate reward. Repeat buyers/owners speak volumes!
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Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.
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