About Sunhaven

I began showing American Cocker Spaniels in the 1980s as an owner handler.  Over the years I began to show other breeds.  As a professional handler I have had the privilege of showing American Staffordshire Terriers, Brittanys, Chinese Sharpeis, English Cocker Spaniels and Bernese Mountain Dogs to name a few.

Some noteworthy dogs were:

Ch Sunhaven Ready N Raring - 'Ready' won Best By Exhibitor in Show at the 1989 ASC Summer National, owned and shown by myself.

Ch Pacific Distant Thunder - 'Austin' owned by Tone Benestad Weaver was the #1 American Staffordshire Terrier in the US in 1993, All Systems.  He also won the coveted Breed title at the Great Western Terrier Specialty.

Ch Talk O The Towns Main Attraction - 'Gaston' owned by Steve Lawrence was ranked in the top 10 American Staffordshire Terriers in the US with a limited showing of 6 months.  Gaston also won the Breed at Great Western Terrier Specialty in 1995 over the largest entry to date as well as being a multiple Group-Winning dog.

Ch Sherwood's One for the Money - 'Dak' owned by my husband Steve and myself, was #1 ASCOB cocker for Washington State Cocker Spaniel Club in 2000 and ranked in the top 20 in the US with limited showing.  He has sired Best in Sweeps and Group placing get.  Dak was used to represent the ASCOB cocker by artist Jenny Truitt.

I have had the privilege of finishing many other beautiful specimens in their respective breeds including Bernese Mountain Dogs.  Linda Tweedie bred a bitch, Ch Top Hat's What Dream May Kum, which I finished for her.  When we went to see 'Q's' puppies, a little puppy bitch picked out my husband, Steve, as her personal friend and prospective owner.  Well, 'Secret' as we call her, came to live with us and is the dam of our current Bernese hopefuls.

It is our hope that we can be a positive force in the AKC Purebred Dog world by breeding sound, healthy, well-tempered dogs that represent their breeds.  We acknowledge the breeders who came before us and hope to build upon their dreams and hard work.

If you are interested in a quality pet/companion or show dog, we are happy to be of assistance in deciding if one of these breed is for you.