GemstonZ Cockers

First let me thank you for visiting our site. So, sit back and enjoy your visit!

Our Journey started many years ago, 15 to be exact. We had a house fire and were displaced until the house was rebuilt. So 6 months later we moved back in. Having lost everything, including our 2 beautiful Golden Retrievers [Levi and Rocky], i wanted nothing more than a new family dog. My husband Dave said to me "let's get a cocker", my response wasn't exactly accepting..lol But i decided to entertain him. So we went to the local animal shelter looking for a "cocker"..lol. Well there she was! Buffy, a 9 month old

( This picture is of me and my lovely bitch Tweed)

little buff cocker, literally sitting on death row, with 2 days left. She had already been there for 5 days! Poor thing! So I walked up to the window, and asked to see the dog in cage #1. The gal behind the counter made awful remarks about this dog, and i was ever more determined to visit with her. In a stern voice i replied " I want to visit the dog in cage 1" She rolled her eyes at me,..lol., and away i went,  20 minutes later i adopted this poor little dog. And what a GREAT dog she was. It's because of this little pound puppy that I fell in love with this breed from that day forward.

Jump forward 6 months and we now had another female , and a male. What great dogs they were. I still miss them to this day. Although they weren't the classy showdogs i admired, i loved them and they were fine examples of everything a cocker should be. It was this love of their fine qualities that brought me to the decision to start breeding. This particular pair had 2 litters. All the puppies lived, were healthy, strong and of exceptional temperament. And boy did we get funny colors and markings. Well now that i was a breeder i started reading. And quickly learned i didn't know enough! I was now on a mission. I learned all i could and would check out books from the local library. I will never forget the christmas that Dave bought me the AKC book..lol.. I thought it was the finest gift ever given to me. The learning brought enlightenment. Although i loved my dogs, i realized their style was unrefined, and that their pedigrees lacked depth. But none the less we loved them.  I was determined at this point to better this endeavor. And i did. Slowly but surely. These early years were full of UP's and DOWN's. I now realize i made so many mistakes, but wouldn't change it for the world. From my mistakes came growth.

I started to visit local dog shows a few years into this endeavor, and at first was not impressed with the whole show scene. I loved the atmosphere, i loved the dogs,  but i did NOT love the attitude towards me. Being new was like having leprosy..lol. Seriously! At the time i couldn't understand why. More on that later. I spent several years just breeding lovely pets, and learning all i could about animal care, whelping and the breed in general.

I acquired my first real "Show Dog"..lol. from a breeder in Mississippi. I bought the dog sight unseen. [Boy the things i didn't know!] Realizing my short comings as a handler, and having 3 small kids at the time, i hired a handler. I started making calls to find one. And i did. I found Bryon and Marie. I was moving from CA to VA at the time and dropped off my boy Ashley to Marie at the shows in Pomona. Left, finished packing that night and moved 2 days later. Six months later i had my first Champion and i was on CLOUD 9! I purchased every show picture of him, ordered a 7 gen. pedigree, and every other silly thing in between. I was HOOKED!

Shortly after Ashley's return home i inquired with Marie about a "good" stud dog. I was offered Robin, CH. Kutci's Roc N Robin. Son of the great CH. Jo-Bea's Diamond Trader and CH. Kutci's Big Red Bird c.d. little did i know at the time what a gift he was! Robin did for me in one breeding, what i struggled to achieve for years.[Please read our "Tribute to a Great Dog" for the full story] No words can express how grateful i am to Bryon and Marie for their guidance and encouragement. I can honestly say I would not be where i am today if it weren't for them. They showed me how show people should treat each other and have always been comsumate professionals.

From this first breeding to Robin to my very cute typee bitch Christy, GemstonZ Diamonds R Forever, came nearly everything i have today. This first real "show" litter produced 3 pups, 2 of which finished to there CH titles. CH. GemstonZ Wht Lace N Promises, and CH. GemstonZ Diamond Inferno.  Both of which raced to their titles in the capable hands of Bryon and Marie, but of course! Disco and Lacy were the first homebred CH's for GemstonZ. They are still here with us today, alive well, and producing. Lacy at the age of 8 1/2 had 2 lovely puppies. Both now over 10, have retired to a life of doing as they please. It will be a sad day for me when either of them goes to the bridge. No dog or show experience can take the place of this brother sister pair, having been the first of so many things for GemstonZ, and so many wins that almost cant be topped! But I'll try!

So here we are today, 2007 and I just returned from the ASC Flushing Spaniel show. I look forward to the ASC show every Jan , mostly for getting together with friends. I always enter a dog or 2 or 3..lol... and just go to enjoy myself. We have achieved many successes with our smaller scale breeding program,  all wins and achievements are never taken for granted. Several of our successes include ASC placements and class wins. The first class Win came in 2000 at the ASC show in Perry. Jessica Brickett showed CH. GemstonZ Champagne On Ice to a First place win in a very large Open class under judge Greg Anderson. What a thrill to watch !   There have been several 2nd and 3rd places between then and now. Our most recent big hurray came just a few weeks ago when our homebred bitch Tweed, GemstonZ Diamond Tribute, took first in the 12-18 month class under Mariyln O'Neil. And yes she was breeder owner handled! Talk about great moments. Stay tuned as the tale continues.

Again , Thank you for visiting our site and taking the time to read my story. We are available for consult, handling[limited basis], grooming, and boarding.

All our best to you!

Lesley and the GemstonZ Cockers

Birdy and I are 3rd from the left. This is ASC Jan 07.