About Cryslen Welsh Springer Spaniels
My name is Crystal Nolen and I am a web developer by trade with 14 years of experience and an aspiring dog trainer. I share my life and my dogs with my boyfriend Alex, who is a Senior Systems Engineer (computer geek). Alex helps with the daily care of the dogs and goes with us on our dog show adventures.
I have lived with and loved animals my entire life, but, in my early teens, dogs became my main focus. I started working for a golden retriever breeder and brought home my first golden, Princess in 1991 (I was 13 years old) and got my first show dog, a golden named Brooke in 1993. Between 1996 and 2007, I owned several more goldens and co-bred several litters that produced two AKC Champions, a UKC Champion, an International champion and an obedience and agility-titled golden.
In 2003, I got a boxer named Raiden and I briefly showed him from 2004-2006. Raiden and I earned his CGC title in June 2007.
Our Introduction to Welsh Springer Spaniels
Our first two AKC Champions.
I purchased my first welshie, Tucker, AKC GCH CH/U-CH Mystic Acres Kung Fu Fighting BN, RN, CHIC from Keith and Carla Vooris, Mystic Acres WSS in 2007 and he started his show career in 2008. In 2010, Tucker became my first AKC and UKC Champion. Since then, Tucker has also gotten our first obedience and rally titles, as well as, attaining his grand champion title. We have acquired two more welsh springer spaniels, half-sisters, Leeloo and Jasmine. Leeloo became my second AKC champion in July 2012. I am starting to work towards Jasmine's AKC Championship and learning more about tracking, nose work, obedience, rally, agility and hunting with my dogs.
I am a member in good standing of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America (WSSCA), Dogwood Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of Greater Atlanta (DWSSCGA), Greater Chesapeake Welsh Springer Spaniel Club (GCWSSC), and Richmond Dog Obedience Club (RDOC). I have always enjoyed serving dog clubs and rescues where I can and I am currently the Corresponding Secretary for GCWSSC and the webmaster for RDOC. I have been the administrator of the Facebook page for WSSCA since 2010.
In 2011, we moved to a more natural way of caring for our dogs in the hopes that they will live longer, healthier lives. We switched them to a raw diet and a reduced vaccination schedule based on Dr. Jean Dodds' Vaccination Protocol. Visit our Natural Dog Care page to read more about how we care for our dogs in a more natural way.
Health Testing Practices
It is our policy to thoroughly health test all of our dogs and we require anyone who buys a puppy from us to do the same. Read our Puppy Information page for more details on the tests required for WSS.
Tucker and Leeloo have completed all of their required health tests and received their CHIC numbers. Jasmine has started her health testing and it will be completed after she turns two years old in October 2013.
~ Roger Caras, A Celebration of Dogs