This lovely narrative illustrates how someone named “Mike” got into Harriers, and is happy and proud to have done so:
“I guess this would be an appropriate picture to share of our Blythmoor’s Jump At The Chance – “Emmy”, given the fact that the Harrier is the breed of the day today? She did a photo shoot while at Eukanuba back in December and is now the AKC’s official Harrier representation when they feature The breed in their promotional ads.
“Like many others, Phyllis Hirsch Gowen were looking for something a little more substantial than a beagle (having just lost our beloved Wiggles the beagle a short time earlier). Initially attracted to the Treeing Walker Coonhound, we decided that our town home (and enclosed courtyard) would never be able to contain one. Phyllis recalled seeing a Harrier on Westminster, and we fell in love after seeing a few pictures on line. Phyllis started a quest to find a litter, and initially reached out to Kevin Shupenia, who didn’t have a litter on the way or on the ground, but said “theres a breeder out in Oregon, Margie Dykstra, who I think has a litter on the ground”. After multiple conversations with Margie ensuring her that we would be responsible, loving owners, we found ourselves at Miami International Airport watching the most adorable puppy slide in her crate down the oversized baggage ramp.
“Our lives would never be the same.
“Typical hound puppydom ensued, Emmy proving herself to be sweet, smart, loving – and absolutely gorgeous. At 7 months we brought her to Eukanuba2014 to represent Harriers. Every experienced hound person who saw her said “what an incredible topline she has! Are you showing her??”
“Well, that piqued our interest in conformation, and a few months later (2/28 in West Palm Beach) saw her and myself in a match for the first time (with me only having watched YouTube handling videos).
“Flash forward to today, just over a year later. Emmy now has 14 championship points (almost there!!!!), including taking a 4 point major as BOW at her specialty this past week, and a 5 point major over specials the following day), 4 variety group placements against an unbelievably competitive hound group in our Florida stomping grounds, and 14 AKC NOHS group placements. But, first and foremost, she is my ❤️ dog. My BFF. My houndy-hound. IMO, the perfect breed – loving, unbelievably intelligent, supremely agile… everything one wants in a pet.”