OUR DOGS’ HISTORY
We have been blessed over the years by having many exceptional dogs, who have not only been wonderful
companions, but many have gone on to excel in Conformation, Obedience and Agility. Much of the credit goes
to our puppy buyers who have led their dogs to Best in Show, Best in Specialty Show, Best Puppy in Show,
High in Trial and Agility wins.
After a 2-year search for the perfect Keeshond in 1978 we purchased our first Keeshond, who later became
known as BIS CAN AM CH vonRYAN'S RAGAMUFFIN, CD CHOF COMX. Muffin’s pedigree was
doubled up on the Flakkee dogs, who still hold the records for top winning Keeshonden in the world. Not only
was Muffin an exceptional family pet, but she proved her worth in the show ring (by winning Best in Show at
1 year of age) and whelping box (by producing several Best in Show kids and grandkids).
Our first litter was sired by WISTONIA WINTER-WIND out of Muffin. From that litter we not only got our
first homebred champion, but our first homebred Best in Show, Best Puppy in Show, Best in Specialty,
Companion Dog and Canadian Hall of Fame winner. His name was
CH KLOMPEN'S SLUICEBOX SAM, CD CHOF .
A litter sister, CH KLOMPEN'S LIMEJUICE LILL was also a Group 1st and Best
Puppy in Show winner. Together Sam and Lill were our first Best Brace in Show litter. All in all - like a
dream come true.
Our third litter produced the dog that our kennel is most noted for -
BIS BISS CAN AM CH KLOMPEN'S TOMMY TITTLEMOUSE, CD CHOF COMX . Tommy was a dog with a superb temperament,
pretty silhouette, lovely coat (color, texture and length) and effortless movement. He easily became the top
winning OWNER-HANDLED Keeshond in Canadian history, with his first Best in Show at 10 months and his last at
7 years. He won the breed 157 times in his career. For every 3 times that he won breed, he won GR1. For every
4 times he won GR1 he won Best in Show (11 times). He also won 5 Best Puppy in Shows and 3 Best in Specialty
Shows. I am positive that his career could have been much more outstanding, except that my priority lay with
bringing up my young son, rather than attending dog shows. While Tommy was not perfect he does, in our minds,
represent a wonderful example of what the Keeshond breed should act and look like.
When asked if there is anything that we would have differently in our breeding program there was little
that we would have changed. We generally have been blessed with good, healthy dogs that have given us a lot
of pleasure, both in and out of the ring. The one regret that we have is not having had the opportunity to
special BIS BISS CH KLOMPEN'S ROCKY RACCOON CD CHOF COM more often. Unfortunately,
he came along at a time when Tommy was winning and Rocky never had the chance to prove what he was really
made of. He is one of the closest dogs to the standard that we have ever bred -- a sound, fun loving
individual that we are very proud of. We really couldn’t have asked for much more.
OUR DOGS’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Over the years we have been blessed to have bred or owned many dogs that have won BEST PUPPY in SHOW,
BEST in SHOW and/or BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW awards. To see photos and pedigrees of some of these dogs,
please go to our In the Spotlight page.
PHILOSOPHY
All our dogs, through the years, have been members of our family. They are born, raised and live in our
home. Kathy does not work outside of our home, and therefore has the time to devote to our animals. They
learn to use a dog door by the time they are 5 or 6 weeks of age, which allows them to come and go freely
from the house into a large, enclosed, grassed dog yard. At Klompen, we believe that our dogs should have
more than good looks. They should be healthy, happy, intelligent, well adjusted companions that are easy
to live with. The icing on the cake are those dogs that go on to win High in Trial, Best in Shows and/or
Best in Specialty Shows.
BREEDING STOCK
Before each breeding we do extensive research and careful planning so as to ensure we will be producing
handsome representatives of the Keeshond breed, which meet our high standards. The minimum requirements for
our breeding stock include: first, that they have the temperament required of a good companion dog; second,
that they are free of all genetic (inherited) problems; and third, that they are champions or capable of
becoming champions. Many of the dogs used in our breeding program are at least Group winning dogs, at best
Best in Show and/or Best in Specialty Show winners. Several also carry one or more obedience and/or agility
titles. Each breeding is carefully planned to ensure that health and high quality are maintained.
PUPPIES
Kathy is always available from the time the mother goes into contractions, until all of the puppies are
born and well. She assists every delivery, in that she helps to break the individual sacks and gets the
puppies breathing, as quickly as possible. Our pups are given gentle handling and stimulation from the
time of their birth, until the time that they leave our home between 8 and 10 weeks of age. They are all
temperament tested before leaving in order to help us to match the right puppy with the right owner.
Most are well on their way to being house broken and crate trained before leaving here.
PUPPY AVAILABILITY
Our goal has always been to breed QUALITY rather than QUANTITY. We strive to breed Keeshonden that are
sound of mind, body and conform to the written standard for the breed. Within our household, we generally
have only one brood bitch. At present we average less than one litter per year, with 4 to 6 puppies per
litter. Puppies may be reserved in advance, for a minimum deposit of $500.00. This amount will gladly be
refunded if we do not get a puppy that suits your requests. One of our prime objectives is to find the
perfect match between dog and owner, so that the dog will remain in one household for the duration of its
lifetime.
ADULT AVAILABILITY
Due to our present traveling arrangements we believe it is in the best interests of our dogs, and
ourselves, not to keep more than 2 or 3 dogs at any given time. This means that we occasionally have to
place our adults to make room for future breeding prospects. If you are interested in an adult please feel
free to contact us to see if we have anything available.
PRICES
Our puppies sell from $1,000.00 to $1,500.00.
WRITTEN GUARANTEES
We are aware that all breeds of dogs are subject to genetic problems. By extensive research and careful
selection, we do our best to make sure that they do not occur within our lines. We guarantee the health of
the dog for 3 years from the date of sale. Should the dog develop ANY inherited disease, we will provide
one of the following options: a) the dog may be returned to us and we will offer a replacement from our
next available breeding, or b) the owners may keep the dog, and provided the dog is neutered or spayed will
receive a refund of 1/3 the purchase price.
CONTRACTS
All of our dogs are sold with contracts that contain a Non-breeding clause. We will cancel this clause
only when the individual dog has shown its worth by becoming a champion, and having positive results from
extensive testing, to prove that there are no hereditary problems evident. By doing this we have been able
to maintain very high standards for our Klompen dogs’ health, temperament and type. All buyers must agree
to abide by either the KCCs or the KCAs CODE OF ETHICS. We do not have a standard contract. Each one is
tailored to the specific circumstances of the pup that is being sold.
CO-OWNERSHIPS
While the large majority of our dogs are sold outright, we will, on occasion, sell breeding prospects
with Co-ownership agreements, with hopes of using them in our breeding program in future years. Our main
concern is for the welfare and happiness of the dogs we breed. We try to treat our puppy buyers the way
that we would like to be treated.
WHOM DO WE SELL OUR DOGS TO
In selling our dogs we want to find the best homes possible. We want our dogs to become members of
someone else's family. We want them to have all of the love, care and attention that they would get if they
continued to live with us. This is a tall order to fill. Our dogs are sold as companion dogs, first and
foremost. Many are sold as show prospects, both to knowledgeable breeders and to complete novices. We are
pleased to be able to help get a novice started in the exciting hobby of showing dogs, and proud to say
that several kennels have gotten off to a good start with the purchase of one of our Klompen dogs.
DOGS SOLD OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA
We have been fortunate enough to sell dogs all over North America, as well as overseas. Puppies will
only leave here after being wormed (if necessary) and obtaining their first vaccinations. When shipping we
do not use tranquillizers. We have found that puppies seem to travel very well by air. The majority will
just go to sleep, when put in a stressful situation. They will come out of their crates, clean, happy and
ready to meet their new owners.
AFTER SALES SERVICE
Our commitment to our dogs does not end with the sale of the dog. The one thing that we have often been
complimented on is our willingness to help out. We assure our puppy buyers that they can feel free to call
us even with the simplest of questions. No problem is considered insignificant. We are happy to offer
advice on every subject imaginable, including housebreaking, grooming, showing, training, obedience work,
etc. If for some unforeseen reason, the owners cannot keep their dog, our contract allows us the right of
first refusal to buy the dog back. If we cannot take the dog back at that time, we will help the owner to
find a good, caring home for their companion.
STUD SERVICES
Any females that come to our home for breeding must be good representatives of the breed and must nicely
compliment our stud dog. Pedigrees, health, temperament, type, structure and movement are all things taken
into consideration before agreeing to any matings. Depending on the dog, our rates vary from $1,000.00 and
up for a proven male. With the introduction of fresh express and frozen semen it is often not necessary to
bring the bitch to the stud dog.
FUTURE PLANS
God willing, we expect to be able continue our breeding program in a limited capacity. We have had much
success and made many good friends over the years. We hope to be able to balance judging and breeding with
our Snow Bird activities for many years to come.
