Charlotte, our sweet little Southern Belle

After a rough start in the show ring with Dallas, I gave it a few months before deciding to find a hound that the judges WOULD like and try it again. I initially reached out to Charlotte's breeder in Pennsylvania to inquire about her litter, and when the conversation switched to show/breeding potential, we chatted a little bit, but then it seemed to taper off. I figured that the breeder had simply not wanted to sell a show quality hound with full rights to someone they barely knew (I didn't blame her!) and I continued my search.

 

Another month went by, and when I had ALMOST made the decision on a cute dark tri-coloured male from a commercial US kennel, Mary from Country Bassets and Boxers sent me a message: "Hello. Just checking in to see if you're still interested in one of my little girls? I'm still not sure who I want to keep, but it's narrowed down to just 2 I'm watching."

 

I couldn't believe what I had read, and I definitely jumped into that conversation, extremely eager and interested. When she sent photos, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I compared the photo of tiny little Charlotte to the boy I had JUST been looking at, and they were nearly identical!

 

Over the next 5 weeks, Mary sent photos and videos, and I set up transportation with a company and their broker. I got all the forms filled out, paid the necessary fees, and then counted down the days. It seemed to drag on forever, until finally the day arrived. I received messages from both parties that they were on their way to the meet spot and then updates as they got closer, arrived, made the exchange, and Charlotte was on her way into Canada.

 

Once I got word they were across the border, I made my way to my meet location and picked her up from the transportation company. It all went quite seamlessly, and the 9-week old puppy that was handed to me had a tail that just would not stop wagging! Little did I know, that would become one of her most defining features! To this day, Charlotte wags her tail pretty much anytime she is awake. She's a happy girl when you look at her, when you talk to her, when she's moving through the house, eating, drinking, and sometimes, even while she sleeps!

 

Charlotte is an incredibly happy girl who just wants to meet and play with everyone. She's incredibly affectionate and will steal every opportunity for kisses that she can. She is a wild-child, regularly running laps in the house during zoomies, launching herself off the couch and practically climbing the walls.

 

She has no regard for her safety, and as a result, has caused injury to herself more than once. Due to this, she has lost several months of show time on a few occasions, and it took her a bit longer to earn her Canadian Championship. But she did it in August 2023 at our home kennel club show!

 

In the ring, Charlotte is obedient, friendly and happy to be with her people, but she doesn't share the same passion for the spotlight that our boys do. She is more content to say hello to judges and other exhibitors than she is to pose for them.

 

Since Charlotte has finished her conformation title, we retired her from full-time showing to focus on breeding and doing the sports she loves so much. She is a lure-coursing natural, with all that energy and love of running, and we have plans to try her in Agility, Dock Diving and Nosework as well. Once in awhile, she makes it back into the conformation ring to help provide same-sex competition for newcomers, and she is still earning points towards her Canadian Grand Championship.

 

She is a beautiful little girl who still has very young features and wins the hearts of everyone who sees her. Her gentle nature and nurturing instincts have made her a wonderful Momma dog. Her January 2024 litter with Dallas have all gone to wonderful homes and each and every one is loved and adored by their family. Four of their pups remain in the show world and made their group debut in the Baby Puppy class at the Erie Shores Kennel Club show in June 2024. They will be back out in August 2024 to start their official show careers as 7-month old Junior Puppies.

 

We have plans to produce one more litter with Charlotte & Dallas in late 2024, and have a different pairing chosen for her in 2025. We're hoping the dogs they produce together will be incredible representations of their breed, and carry their parents' beautiful temperaments, just like the last litter!