Kestrel is my pick puppy from my first litter (the Bird Litter), and is everything I was hoping for when I bred my foundation bitch Wren to the handsome and athletic Tigger. I knew she was something special from the moment she was born. With her beautiful smooth fawn body, gorgeous face and expression, smart and sassy personality, and keen athleticism, we have high hopes for her in all endeavors.

I am thrilled at her success in extremely limited showing, nearly all from the BBE class, and look forward to showing her more as she matures. Some highlights of her show career to date:

• In her specialty debut in July 2004, she was Reserve Winners Bitch from the junior puppy class at the Western Gazehound Specialty in British Columbia.
• January 2005, Kestrel won Best in Sweeps at the AWC supported Sammamish Kennel Club in Puyallup, WA under breeder-judge Janis Castle (Camelot).
• August 2005, Kestrel went Best of Winners from the BBE class for a 4 point major at the Western Washington Hound Association specialty in Auburn, WA under sighthound specialist Francis Broadway!!
• March 2006, Kestrel went WB for 3 more points towards her Canadian championship at the Lower Mainland Dog Fanciers of BC show in Cloverdale, BC, bringing her to 6 points total. She then went on to WIN the BBE Group!!!
• July 2006, Kestrel went Reserve Winners Bitch from the BBE class at the 2006 Canadian National Specialty in White Rock, BC under breeder judge Tracy Hite (Tivio).

In December 2005, Kestrel finished her CGC easily on her first attempt with very little training! Good girl! She is partially trained through the Novice obedience exercises, and is a very enthusiastic and eager worker with a strong work ethic. She is a rabid, fanatical retriever, whose game of choice is frisbee, though she will happily retrieve any object thrown for her.

In October 2006, Kestrel made her ASFA re-debut, running in competition for the first time since her first trial in the spring of 2005, where a bad experience and injury badly shook her confidence. Many months of careful retraining have paid off, as she ran confidently and enthusiastically, winning the small open stake at the NWRRC ASFA trial in North Bend, WA and going on to win BOB over her housemate Ringer. I have certainly had bigger wins with my dogs but this small victory may well be my most personally meaningful. Kestrel followed up her re-debut the next month with a strong 3rd place finish in a highly competitive full open stake at the 5th Annual Northwest Versatility Weekend. In April 2008, she finished 3rd in her stake at the 2008 AWC National specialty trial in Eugene, OR.

Held out of racing for several years to address confidence issues, Kestrel made her racing debut at the NCWFA CWA meets in June 2008, running with confidence, focus and intensity. She finished in the top 10 with a grade B score!

Health data:
OFA BAER Normal WP-BR28/12F-NOPI
OFA Cardiac Normal WP-CA115/23F/C-PI
CERF Normal WP-3203