Little Brownies Kennel believes in following sound and established breeding practices that are in line with the sport's norms. To stay abreast of changing developments and connected to the heart of the sport of purebred dogs, we are active in American Kennel Club (AKC) programs. In 2011, both Paul and Lynn became aligned with the AKC's Breeder of Merit program as a means of continuing the commitment. We will breed only those dogs that have undergone health clearances, are sound in body and mind and have proven they have what it takes to be an outstanding companion and hunting dog.

For more than 30 years now we have worked to educate ourselves on proper breeding practices and incorporated them into our program. In 2010, Paul completed Dr. Claudia Orlandi's program, The ABC's of Dog Breeding What Every Breeder Should Know!, and received the AKC's Breeder Education Certificate. As the art of breeding purebred dogs moves forward, we will advance with it and continue to produce great American Water Spaniels (AWS), helping to ensure a future for this wonderful breed.

Although our breeding program is now 30 years old, we started in the breed as far back as 1988 when, after a year of research we obtained our first AWS. Her name was Choco and she came from Swan Lake Kennel in Pardeeville, WI. We were so impressed with Choco that we obtained two more AWS over the next four years. The first was Gunner who was our foundation stud from Swan Lake Kennel. The other was Teal who became our foundation dam. Teal came from what many would term a "backyard breeder" and was a mixture of Swan Lake and Bovee Farm Kennel bloodlines. Even back then, we would not have typically purchased a dog from such a breeder, but we knew and had hunted over a dog from this same breeding that was then two years old and had demonstrated excellent field ability, plus he was an AKC show champion, so we decided that a pup from this breeding was worth the effort, and it proved to be a great move.

At that point we had three AWS in our household, and we needed to find a job for them during the off season (i.e.. when they were not hunting). Since the AKC parent club would not allow the AWS to run in AKC hunt tests we had to find other avenues, so we entered the world of dog shows and obedience trials; not our first love but certainly a nice family sport for keeping us and the dogs busy. The dogs did very well. All three became AKC champions and earned obedience titles of one sort or another with Teal becoming one of the top AWS in the obedience world at that time.

Our primary focus with our breeding program has always been to produce sound family and hunting companions. Since the AKC parent club gave up its opposition to AKC hunt tests we regularly participate in the AKC Spaniel Hunt Test program. In fact, Paul has been an AKC Spaniel Hunt Test judge since 1995 and served on the AKC subcommittee that updated the Spaniel Hunt Test rules in 2006. Since moving to the countryside and taking up residence on a small farm we have immersed ourselves in field training and regularly hold training sessions on our property with the Great Lakes American Water Spaniel Club (GLAWSC). This not only allows us to help other spaniel owners train their AWS, it also gives us the ability to properly train and test our dogs hunting ability... not to mention giving our pups a great start in the field.

As founding members of the GLAWSC, members of the parent club, participants in AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests, and zealous hunters, maintaining the breed's hunting ability as an all-purpose hunting dog, is a high priority for us. Our focus is on the all-purpose nature of the breed because that is what the breed has always been. Today, as in years past, we have people trying to pigeonhole the breed as a "retriever" while, at best, giving little to no credit to the AWS's abilities as a flushing dog. It is our intent to breed AWS that have, as their ancestors had, the ability to function well as either type of hunting dog.

We have averaged about two litters per year over the past thirty years, although now being semi-retired has given us the ability to have three to four litters a year. Certainly, we are not volume breeders and most certainly we do not wish to be. However, we do enjoy the art and science of dog breeding... not to mention raising the pups. The stud dogs are often our own and will have come to us from a planned breeding or through the purchase of a dog from another kennel. We do not breed for one primary objective unless you consider a well-rounded quality AWS to be the objective. Our breeding plans are always focused on multiple qualities that include companionship, health, fitness, temperament, and drive. We cannot concentrate on just one of those qualities nor can we sacrifice one in favor of another so we must do our best to achieve the highest quality in each category and hope for the best.

Although we house about ten dogs in our kennel, not every dog is used for breeding. You see, because our dogs are our hunting companions and have given their all for us in so many ways, when they retire, they stay here on the farm. We do not place or sell off our older dogs to make room for younger dogs. These dogs are our family. They are not disposable tools. We are not about to shove our family aside simply to make room in our kennel. As companions, none of our dogs are housed solely in the kennels. Each of them spends time inside the house with us each day, where they get as much pampering and one-on-one time as anyone’s dog can get. After all, these dogs are more to us than simple working animals they are our buddies, our pals, and we want to give them all they need in life and then some.

By the way, visits to our home are both welcomed and encouraged. If you live or will be passing through the area, please feel free to arrange a time to meet us and our dogs. We love to show off the breed and our dogs love to have company.