Hellfire Sussex Spaniels
My background is with field dogs and hunting spaniels, and I met my first Sussex at a hunt test in 1998. I was instantly smitten and vowed to own one someday. Fifteen years later, I did.
I hit the ground running with my first show Sussex, Maverick, winning 10 Owner Handler Best in Shows, multiple sporting group placements and consistent Top 5 national breed and all-breed rankings. Since 2013, as an AMATEUR OWNER HANDLER, I've finished 14 Grand Champions (GCH) and have earned Top 5 Westminster invitations for Maverick, Frank, Marv, Bruce and Knox. Nineteen (19) AKC Show Champions have been Hellfire bred - three are BRED BY Specialty winners.
I enjoy training and competing to the highest levels in AKC Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Hunt Test, Tracking, and Barn Hunt events all over the US. My little brown dogs love learning new things, and with patience and persistence, Sussex can make wonderful and rewarding versatile companion dogs.
Our Sussex are immaculately maintained and are full time house dogs. Hellfire only breeds champion titled adults that have passed heart, hearing, eyes and DNA health screenings. We only breed for personal use and keep all show quality puppies. Occasionally we offer a retired adult to a quiet, child free home.
Our foundation
GCHB Maverick OHG
Sundowners Repeat Fire - Maverick was my first serious show dog. Exclusively handled by me, he was a multiple group placer, 10X NOHS Best in Show winner, a top 2 Sussex Spaniel and Westminster Top 5 invitee, RAE, CD, CGC, RATO, TKA titles, and sire of all three of my Specialty winners, Marv, Knox and Bruce.
GCH CH Frank
Three D First and Foremost - Sent to me by Dee Duffy at age 3, Frank didn't really like showing but I still finished him as a Top 4 Sussex Spaniel, and Westminster Top 5 invitee. Most importantly, Frank is a proven producer of 13 champion offspring! He is a ridiculously sweet boy and is active and thriving at the golden age of 14.
Faith
Orions You Gotta Have Faith was gifted to me by Don Krueger, specifically to be bred to Maverick. Sadly, she had to be spayed during a c-section and before I finished her Championship, but she left behind a legacy of long, luxurious ears and gentle, sweet temperaments - I miss her!
Specialty winners
MBISS NBOS GCHB Marv
Hellfire Mizz Marvel - Multiple Best in Specialty Show winner x4, National Specialty Best Opposite, Top 5 Westminster Invitee - outstanding producer and mom to a dozen champions. Almost all of her daughters are grand champions.
MBISS MRBIS GCH Bruce
Hellfires Dancing in the Dark - is a Best in Specialty winner from the Bred By Class, Multiple Best in Specialty X4. Bruce was professionally handled to multiple Sporting Group wins and was a Reserve Best in Show winner three times. A Top 2 Sussex Spaniel and Westminster Invitee.
BISS GCHS Knox OHS
Hellfires Cusp of Aries. Littermate of Bruce - Multiple Sporting Group placer. Knox has been shown on a very limited basis, and is my first SILVER Grand Champion! Knox is also a Westminster Top 5 Invitee, and has been exclusively breeder/owner- handled to every point.
Grand champions
MBOSS GCHB CH Smoosh
Hellfires There and Back. This gorgeous Marv daughter is a multiple Sporting Group placer and MBOSS winner. Smoosh got her name after being squashed like a pancake after birth - and somehow I brought her back!
BOSS GCH CH Twosday
Hellfire on Twosday. Singleton born on 2/22/2022 - what else could I name her? She finished entirely over Specials with 5 point majors. For a big girl, she is an outstanding mover.
GCH CH Olive
Hellfires Marvelous Sunshine. Baby Olive - another singleton and the very last of Marv's daughters. Olive was actually raised by my Pekingese mommy, Jilly, who also had a singleton on the same day.
GCH CH Gwynnie
Hellfires Marvelous Serendipity is a litter sister to GG and mom to BISS Knox and BISS Bruce. Gwynnie is short legged and stout with a perfect topline and gorgeous front, She is never naughty, and is always nice, I wish all my Sussex were Gwynnies.
GCH CH GG
The dorky Hellfires Serendipity is Marvelous, has never had a bad day in her life. She is very upbeat and happy, especially houndy and I adore her. She continues to show as a veteran.
GCH CH Tippy
Hellfires Rogue One is my dad's house pet and couch potato. In May she had never seen a show lead in her life, by June she was a Champion, by October a Grand! Sooo much drama with this dog, but she will always be one of my most rewarding show dogs.
GCH CH Twinky
Hellfires Twinkle of Faith is littermate to GCH Margery and CH Poppy - from the second Maverick X Faith litter. Everyone loves Twinky, she is gentle, quiet and sweet.
GCH CH Margery
Hellfire Has Faith in Me, aka Large Marge, is a Faith X Maverick daughter. She now resides in Indiana with a very special family that runs a wildlife rehab and sanctuary on hundreds of acres.
OFA Health Screening
Our breeding dogs are joint/eyes/BAER hearing, heart and DNA health screened. We only use specialists. Our OFA results are public, just type Hellfire at ofa.org