BREEDERS in the USA

Breeders in USA

Kromfohrlander puppies have unique needs in raising, socializing and placement.

Being a good Kromfohrlander breeder isn't easy and it requires a high level of ethics and responsibility. Good Kromfohrlander breeders:

•do not overbreed females (3 litters max under 7-8 years old for the female's health and to allow the progression of subsequent generations)
•do DNA screening for hyperkeratosis and von Willebrand's Disease 1
•preserve home pack harmony (for the dog family's mental health)
•give proper exercise both physical and mental
•allow freedom to live in the family (not isolated in a kennel building)
•do not have too many litters per year (ie. not being a puppy mill)
•place puppies with responsible owners like themselves
•are club members in good standing
•have exemplary manners at dog shows (fair, nice and honest)
•have a respectable online presence
•are willing to help other Kromi owners
•share information with other KCoA members openly
•will take back a puppy at any point in its life for any reason
•know 'We're All In This Together'

(kennel names are email links)

Birkenstrand (Michigan)

Birkenstrand (birch beach, named fornorthern Michigan), Mary Dixon, is the first breeder of Kromforhlanders in the modern (post-2004) era of the breed in the USA. Our first dogs were imported from Denmark in late 2012 and our first litter was born in 2016 (to Danish and Finnish imports). We celebrated our 11th breeding (including some collaborations) in 2021. We have been involved with AKC (in breed-specific rescue and conformation showing) since 1990 and before that, worked at the Humane Society of Huron Valley for several years. Breed experience includes: Border Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Rough Portuguese Podengo Medio, Berger Picard, Jack Russell Terrier and Kromfohrlander. Mary has been to Europe many times to obtain puppies for the foundation stock of the breed in the USA.
We have close ties to the Suomen Kromfohrlander Ry (Finnish Kromfohrlander Club) and have exported 2 excellent American-born males there. We have also helped found the French Kromfohrlander Club by exporting an excellent female there.
We have often coordinated meetings between local USA Kromi owners and European Kromfohrlander owners when they visit the USA, giving them an opportunity to witness first hand that we are also good stewards of the breed on this side of the pond.

Black Sheep (North Carolina)

Black Sheep had our first litter of Kromfohrlander puppies in 2021. We started with the first ever US born rough Kromfohrlander in North America, Birkenstrand's Out of the Blue, "Ilse," named for the breed's founder Ilse Schleifenbaum and bred her to a male from Birkenstrand.

"I'm SPECIAL!" says Ilse

C. Major (Wisconsin)

C . Major Kennel is the name David and Ellen Meyer chose for their Kromfohrlander breeding efforts. The name reflects several themes that are important to David and Ellen.
The star Canis Major Alpha is the brightest star in the night sky and is known by other names, including The Dog Star and Sirius. The star is associated with the constellation C. Major which is said to be the hunting dog linked to the constellation Orion, the hunter.
C Major is also a musical term and, in this context, brings to mind the phrase “The music of the spheres” which early observers of the night sky linked to the intricate dance of the planets and other celestial bodies.
C Major is a relatively young kennel and was started with the introduction of Omena, the kennel's first female, from Finland in 2015. Omena has produced two litters.
The underlying philosophy of C. Major has been strongly influenced by the Finnish Kromfohrlander Club, specifically the kennels Alobelin and Cierimon. C. Major also has benefited from the encouragement of Mary Dixon of Birkenstrand.

Dragonfly Hollow (Virginia)