CrossFire Kennel

13/01/2025

04/01/2025

Thank you responsible breeders.

There sadly isn't much of a voice for responsible breeders. They often get grouped into the category of backyard breeders or puppy mills, but they are so much more than that. Thank you responsible breeders. Thank you for not being part of the problem, but actually being part of the solution. I can guarantee you that if every breeder followed the guidelines of responsible breeders, "overpopulation" would not be a concern.

It pains me to have clients who come in and are so stressed and concerned about their dogs having one hair out of place. They worry we will judge them because they show and breed dogs and in the past they have been harrassed by the public. I usually just laugh and ensure them that a little dirt means they are loved and having a good time outside. Trust me, I have an English Setter and keeping him show quality groomed everyday would be torture to me and him. They are expected to always be perfect in the eye of the public, because if not a snood comment is likely to be made about their purebred dog. I, and even the clinic I work at, have been harrassed twice this week for supporting responsible breeders. I can't imagine the harrassment some breeders face, I know a few that try to keep the fact that they breed hidden from the public because they are scared of what the public will think.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good mixed breed dog. I work with tons of them everyday and care for each and every one of them the same. Each day I come home and worry about every mixed breed dog I treated that day the same as every purebred dog. I support shelters everyday at work and there are many situations where a rescue dog may be the best fit for you family.

However, there is nothing quite like a dog from a responsible breeder. That dog comes to you from a loving breeder who invested so much time, emotion, funds and research into each puppy that it would shock you. They spend their lives conserving a breed and making it better. That breeder can tell you everything about their personalities, what their traits and quirks will be, and what they were purposefully bred to do. They care about the placement of each puppy, often placing them into the homes themselves based on purpose and personality of each puppy, rather than letting the new owners pick out which one looked cutest online. These puppies go into homes fully vaccinated, with all required health clearances needed. They go into homes already house trained and crate trained to ensure easy transition for the new homes. These responsible breeders keep track of the puppies until they grow old and pass. They want to know about each and every health concern that they have throughout life so that they may alter their breeding program to avoid health concerns in the future. These breeders even make you sign a contract saying that if you can't keep the dog, no matter the age, you will return it to them so that the dog does not end up in a shelter. The list goes on and on.

The next time you meet a RESPONSIBLE breeder, thank them, ask them about their breed, and buy them a drink (trust me they need it 😉).

07/11/2024

23/10/2024

Now that the RV is back in order and the laundry is nearly done, we have had the time to sit down and go over our trip to Lebanon, TN for three days of the Harvest Cluster hosted by Tri Star Kennel Club of Williamson County, Tennessee and Memphis Kennel Club Inc followed by a week of the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America National Specialty events.

We had four dogs with us - three cattle dogs and a token GSP! We were joined by several additional Crossfire family members but more on them later!
Our first day of competition was Friday, 10/11. Luke (GCHP CH Crossfire’s Crash My Party, RN) qualified in Obedience Novice B with a score of 190 and First Place.
(Clark practiced in Obedience and Shimmer started to learn about the GSP ring).
Saturday: Luke qualified at the morning obedience trial to earn his CD title.
Clark (GCHB CH Three Oaks Man O Steel, RN, CGCA, CGCU) bred and owned by Doreen Heywood, qualified at both the morning and afternoon trials in Novice B earning a second place in the afternoon trial.
Shimmer (Von Treffend’s Midnight Shimmer) was having a reaction to something resulting in uncomfortable eyes but did manage to behave in the ring, learning more about showing.
Sunday: Luke sat out the morning trial so Daddy could help out in the conformation building; Shimmer practiced again (!!) and Clark took issue with heeling off lead! In the afternoon trial, Luke and Clark both qualified giving Clark his CD title. It was a competition between the boys and Luke managed to squeak by Clark for the First Place win! (Synchronized obedience video to follow!)
Monday started the ACDCA events.
Pacino Lunde (Tillie puppy) and his momma Tillie (now owned with Shannon Cuzzola) met sheep for the first time, both with great results!

Tuesday started with Pacino and Bonnie (our Tillie puppy) competing in Baby Puppy 3-6 months with Pacino earning a 3rd Place in a nice entry. Bonnie had fun in the ring and gave Aunt Jess a run for her money!
Then on to Obedience and Rally. Both Luke and Clark qualified in Novice B with Clark earning a second place, squeaking by Luke who earned a third. This was the largest obedience class of the National so we were quite proud of their performances! Luke then moved on to the largest class in Rally and earned his Rally Intermediate Title. Gozer (Maverick x Gracie pup, owned by Barry and Shannon Cuzzola, handled by Shannon) also qualified in Intermediate to also earn his title. Tillie competed in Rally Novice and considering the fact that Shannon has only had about two weeks to start to train her, did VERY well.

Tuesday evening brought the Inaugural Top 20 event. Crossfire was very proud to have 3 of our “get” in that competition:
GCH CH Crossfire N Awen the Destructor Is Upon Us, BN, RN, PT, CGCA, TKN, ATT “Gozer”

GCHB CH Crossfire’s I 2nd That, NA, NAJ, OF, DCAT, RATS, DJ, CGC, TKI, ATT “C**t” - (Luke x Maggie bred by Sally Fontenot) - owned and shown by Stefanie Kelly

MBISS GCHG CH JDI Taylryder Ewe Bet I’m Serious, TKN, RATN - (Luke x Maggie bred and owner by Sally Fontenot), shown by Lisa Saari

Wednesday:
Pacino and Bonnie played in the 4-6 Month Puppy Class with Pacino perfecting his now famous “sploot” (photos to follow).
Luke competed in the Ten and Over Veteran Sweepstakes competition. We are fortunate to have a breed where we have many really great dogs in our Veteran classes! Luke won his class, went on to win Best 10+ and then won GRAND VETERAN handled by his bestest friend Stefanie Kelly! The smiles on BOTH of their faces in that ring were priceless!
The day finished with Dingo Bingo - with Stephen calling the numbers and the Crossfire table being very quiet and demure. (Anybody believe THAT?)

Thursday:
Luke was 3rd in the 10+ Veterans class; Wager made the first cut of specials and Clark made the Final Cut of the Best of Breed competition.
C**t, Gozer and Tillie also competed; every one of these dogs looked amazing and made us so very proud that they are members of the Crossfire family.
At the end of the competition, Luke competed in Stud Dog accompanied by his gorgeous sons Wager and C**t! They were awarded first place with the judge’s comment that they are “cookie cutters” of their father! And then the boys accompanied their mother Maggie in the Brood Bitch class which she won!

Pictures coming as we have time to sort through!!!!

What an awesome week! We could not be more proud of what we have accomplished with these dogs and feel so blessed to share our lives with them!

19/10/2024

Heading home, ☹️
Recap to co
E with pictures as soon as we sort it all out; and get pictures from everyone who took them for us!
It was a terrific National!

17/10/2024

Such a quiet group of friends!

11/10/2024

The old man did a thing today! Luke earned his second Novice leg with a very nice score of 190!

10/10/2024

Tennessee!!!

02/10/2024

Tan pit bull loose on Route 55 just south of Landis; heading south at a fast pace. I could not stop but if you are driving there please be cautious! 💔 (Vineland, NJ)

29/09/2024

Found in the Main and Oak Road area, Vineland, NJ
not chipped, but neutered. If you recognize him, reach out to me and I will put you in contact with finder who is currently holding him.

28/09/2024

Prayers going out today to all those having the devastation of this syorm

16/09/2024

An Amazing man has left this world to join some of the greatest dogs at the Rainbow Bridge. Rest Easy, Sir. You will always be admired and respected.

11/09/2024

21/08/2024

And another one has fledged! Daisy is off on her new adventure with Callie and Nick up north in VT where she will meet her FireHaven big brother Rowan! Can’t wait to watch this girl grow up!

19/08/2024

Welcome to the Crossfire ACD Family, Jim and Shonda!!!!!!
Moxley will certainly keep you running!!!!!

19/08/2024

Welcome to the Crossfire ACD Family, Jess and Dennis!
Pacino (who already has his own Page) will keep you on your toes!!

12/08/2024

Puppies met their very handsome daddy today!

26/07/2024

If you care about the over crowding in the shelters and rescues across our nation right now, you might want to very carefully consider how you vote this fall. Pets are very often the first casualties of a crappy economy. If people have to decide between a pet and their children or paying the rent, the pet is going to be the one to suffer. Think about how much you are spending today on groceries and gasoline and where you were four years ago. Vote carefully if you hate knowing how many pets are being surrendered and are being euthanized every day.

29/06/2024

We have some little characters in here!

29/06/2024

11 days old!

29/06/2024

Some play time for momma!

29/06/2024

Growing!

29/06/2024

Momma’s getting the hang of this.

29/06/2024

One day old.

29/06/2024

Newborn photos. Mom was still out of it on the way home after an emergency c-section.

29/06/2024

Crossfire ACDs is proud to announce and Welcome 6 new babies born on June 13th. Proud parents are our Tillie (GCH JDI Party Till The Cows Come Home) and Cheryl Carey’s boy Gust ( HillHaven Breath of Fresh Aire).We have 3 boys and 3 girls color is still to be determined!!!! They seem to change every day! I think 3 Blues and 3 Reds. There may still be a few available. Reservations are now being taken.

23/06/2024

I smoke too much to see stuff like this on the train 👀

12/06/2024

Any time now!

07/05/2024

07/04/2024

Pigeons available! PM for price and location. Making room for this years babies.

23/03/2024

Letting the dogs out on this rainy morning; as I let them back into the garage, it occurred to me that once again they have a lesson to share - they just shake off the bad weather and go on with life looking forward to the next good thing - in this case, breakfast. They bound into the house with wagging tails knowing the next thing they encounter will be good. We need to be more like our dogs. ❤️

08/02/2024

This is extremely frightening and would have a severely detrimental effect on preservation/hobby breeders who put their heart and soul into producing healthy, stable puppies!

PLEASE contact your representatives to encourage their opposition. As breeders we cannot fight the anti breeding agrnda alone!

A bill to allow the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to circumvent USDA animal experts in enforcing federal breeder licensing and potentially undermine the current hobby breeder exemptions for USDA licensing is gaining traction in Congress.

02/02/2024

He’s my favorite and I just LOVE the look of total contentment on his face!