Our History

My journey with versatile hunting dogs began long before breeding or judging was ever part of the picture. I grew up around bird dogs of many different breeds. They were good hunting dogs—capable and reliable—but as time went on, I found myself searching for something more memorable. Something exceptional.

I became increasingly more interested in the continental breeds—dogs designed to truly do it all. The idea of one dog capable of excelling in upland hunting, waterfowl work, tracking, and retrieving immediately stood out to me. I began researching, studying continental breeds and learning everything I could about versatile hunting dogs. That pursuit ultimately led me to the Drahthaar.

My first Drahthaar came to me somewhat unexpectedly through a family situation. That dog, Ion vom Wildrucken (“Bud”), was already past the age for early testing, VJP, HZP but with the help of experienced mentors, I trained him through the VGP. That process changed everything for me. Bud became my constant companion—hunting, traveling, working, and living life alongside me. Through him, I saw the value of the  breed and became a student of its purpose, structure, and potential.

From there, my involvement grew quickly. I continued training, testing, and learning, eventually acquiring my second dog, “Fox” vom Wiedebach . Fox proved to be an exceptional dog and became a cornerstone of my breeding program. He was tested through the entire system and went on to be bred more than 25 times, producing numerous high-quality offspring. Through these breedings and partnerships with respected breeders, I gained invaluable insight into genetics, consistency, and long-term breeding outcomes.

Alongside breeding, I became heavily involved in judging. I began as a performance judge in the early 1990s and later advanced to breed show judging, including completing certification and testing in Germany. Over the years, I have judged hundreds of dogs across spring and fall tests, traveling extensively and evaluating performance, structure, temperament, and true versatility. This experience has given me a deep and practical understanding of the breed—not just on paper, but in the field.

Breeding, to me, has never been about producing puppies. It is about purpose, planning, and improvement. Every breeding decision is made using all available tools: performance testing, breed evaluations, mental character, versatility, and genetic compatibility. Many dogs may meet part of the criteria—but only those that meet the full standard move forward. This is how real progress is made.

My goal has always been to produce the true Drahthaar: a mentally strong, highly capable, versatile hunting dog that also fits seamlessly into family life. I strive for consistency and uniformity—dogs that are recognizable in type, temperament, and performance. Dogs that hunters trust, families live with, and the breed standard demands.

This work is driven by passion—for the dogs, for the hunt, and for preserving and refining what makes this breed exceptional. Every generation is an opportunity to do better, and that responsibility is something I take seriously.