About Us

My Havanese Adventures

My love of dogs began as a pre-teen when we brought home our first Bichon Frise. We began AKC showing a couple years later, and from then on had a “house full” of dogs and puppies. I was my mom’s biggest helper and enjoyed taking care of our dogs and puppies and also traveled to countless shows and handled dogs with her. Somewhere around the year 2001 the cover of the AKC Gazette captured my attention when I saw a dog I had never seen before. It was a beautiful, silky, long haired dog called a Havanese. I flipped to the article to find out more and was in love right away! To make a very, very long story short, I convinced my mom to look into showing and breeding them too and Court Jester Havanese began!

Her first Havanese was a beautiful black with the silvering gene. She was such a bouncy, lovable clown and was the reason the name Court Jester came to be. Havanese are such a joy to watch with their antics and silly nature.

Jump forward many years later and my family and I are now on our own journey with these wonderful Havanese. My mom is retired from over 28 years of showing and breeding champions (but very much a help to me), my five children are growing up too quickly and my love of raising puppies could not be ignored. In honor of my mom I am carrying on the torch and the name Court Jester Havanese.

I do not currently show my Havanese, but I strive to breed from champion and grand champion lines to pass on the best to my babies. I know the AKC standard and seek only to breed dogs that measure up to the standard in temperament, structure, form, movement, and of course, health. It’s exciting to see show quality puppies in my litters regardless of whether they ever get shown or not.

My vet checks patellas & hearts, which are of the biggest concern in the breed and I learn from other breeders what is in their lines, if anything, to hopefully avoid passing on genetic health issues. We live in an imperfect world, prone to sickness and disease, but we can still do what we can to try and avoid major health issues. I believe in preserving this amazing breed and only breed purebred Havanese.

I look forward to placing a snuggly, silly, wiggly, sweet, puppy in your family so that you too can experience the joy and companionship these puppies bring

My Exciting World of Russian Salon Dogs

In early 2023 I became good friends with another breeder who introduced me to the incredible world of Russian Salon Dogs. I had no idea what they were at first and when she explained them to me, I knew I needed them in my life! We have been absolutely smitten with this breed since our first one came into our family. I am excited to be a part in the founding of them in the United States. Along with some other breeders and dog enthusiasts, we are working toward AKC acceptance. Currently they are allowed to show in the IABCA. Starling’s big brother is the first to gain championship title in the U.S.! I was so excited to be there that day with my friend. We can’t wait to get our littles into the show ring!!!

As they are a relatively new breed in the last 20 years, all of our RSD will be health tested to help eliminate and/or discover any issues in the breed.

Not only are we the first family in NC to have an RSD but I am also a founding member and Secretary of the Russian Salon Dog Club of America. It is so very exciting to be a part of dog history in the making! Known also as Rusalka aka mermaids in Russian, I cannot wait to share this incredible tiny breed with everyone!