About us

 
The Waggerland Kennels are located in the rural village Vortum-Mullem in
the province Noord-Brabant in the Netherlands.
I enjoy life here together with my husband Hanno Dijkhorst, our daughter Charlotte,
our son Valentijn along with many other animals.
 
 
I started breeding Cardigans under the prefix “Waggerland”.
My first big love in Cardis was Ch. Floatin’ Cyntaf in Blue, a beautiful Blue with a great character bred by
Mrs. Ph. Bitter-van Sliedregt from Floatin’ kennels in Holland who mentored me at
the beginning of my passion of this breed.
Sadly she passed away in February 2019.
 
 
I was blessed to have known the late Mrs. N. van Gelderen-Parker who sadly passed away in 2009 at a high age.
She also was my tutor and we spend many hours going through books and magazines, 
talking corgis, other breeds and judging.
She was a respectable breeder (kennel "Green Beret") and a well known judge
for many breeds but particularly both Corgi breeds.
 
I would also like to mention the late Mrs. I. Maier from “Rarebit” kennels in Germany, she
sadly passed away in 2007. She was a beautiful human being, a good friend and she bred
my foundation bitch Ch. Rarebit Black Cressida.
 
Ofcourse I also need to name my once in a liftetime dog the great Dragonpatch Big Papa Foster who
was bred by Mr. and Mrs. D. Anthony in the USA, he was not only a big winner,
 but also a true Cardigan, he has brought me so much, he will always stay in my heart!
 
 
Some of our dogs are now and then having a great time with their fostermum,
Lisa Croft-Elliot, we are very grateful for everything she does for them and us.
 
In the meanwhile I am a FCI judge for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi,
the Bearded-, Rough- and Smooth Collies, the Old English Sheepdog,
the Border Collie, the Australian Shepherd, the Miniature American Shepherd,
the Shetland Sheepdog, the  Lancashire Heeler, the Australian Cattle Dog,  the Australian Kelpie,
the Belgian Shepherds,, the Polish Owzchareck Nizinny,  the Briard, The Bouvier Flanderes, The Beauceron (group 1),
the Dachshund (FCI group 4) and the Grand and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (group 6)
 
 
Truly lucky I have been with some great judging appointments, like judging the Corgi Specialties in
different countries and judging at the World Dogshow in Amsterdam in 2018.
Although breeding and showing my own dogs comes first, I really enjoy judging dogs and I know what comes
with it so I respect all exhibitors and their dogs.
 
 

I am the president of the Dutch Welsh Corgi Association (DWCA) and
for years I have been on the board of the ASCN, the Dutch breedclub for
Australian Shepherds and Miniature American Shepherds, many years as president.
 
 
I think it’s very important to reflect on dogbreeding, keeping your knowledge as a breeder
up to date and to constantly move on.
 
In the past I was a dogtrainer for 15 years at 2 dogclubs recognized by the
Dutch Kennelclub, teaching puppies, ringtraining, obedience and so on.
 
I show my dogs throughout the world and I am a members of breedclubs like:
the Dutch Welsh Corgi Association (DWCA)
the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Association (CWCA).

and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America (CWCCA)
 
 
 I score all our dogs on hips, ellbows, LTV and we test eyes (clinical test and DNA for PRA).

Ofcourse I also DNA-test my dogs on Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), PRA and all merles and black
Dogs are tested on the length of their Sine. I do this to know what is going on in my lines and
to make the best combinations healthwise. I don't want to exclude carriers or affected animals
from my breeding but my goal is to not breed new affected ones.
 
We are lucky to have some DNA-tests in the breed, therefore we can use the carriers and even
the affected dogs and within some generations we can breed clear dogs again.
 
As more DNA-tests will be available in the future, there's also a danger.
Eventually any dog will score bad on one test...
Testing is good but it all comes down to making the right breeding decisions.
In my humble opinion breeding should not become a "filling-in exercise" by checking defects
or diseases. I think of breeding as an art and as a breeder I have a very clear picture or
wish-list in my head, because of which I try to find great combinations all the time.
 
 
 
I think of my dogs as individuals with their strong and weaker points, if I use them within
my breeding program, I am convinced that they will contribute to the breed. Of course now
and then I encounter diseases or abnormalities in my dogs and puppies, but that comes
with breeding and having dogs. Breeders who say they don't have any problems
concerning health are hard to believe as every dog, every animal and any human being carries
bad genes and with every breeding or birth they might turn up.
 
Unfortunately I can’t guarantee that every dog is as sound as I would like it to be, but
I can guarantee how I will deal with such circumstances, I advise and guide my puppy owners and their
dogs and by the contract of sale in which I have made financial agreements.
 
 
I do give my dogs for stud for suitable bitches but I don't want my dogs to be used over and over
again so I limit the studs in the various countries.
Regarding my own breed plans, I look at health, construction and temperament and
I am very internationally orientated having imported dogs from all over the planet.
 
In 2018 I added a Miniature American Shepherd to my kennel.
While seeing them in the States, the breed really touched my heart.
When judging them in Hungary I fell in love with my puppies mum.
I was super lucky to be able to welcome a puppy bred by Judit Korosz-Papp from Hungary.
The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the FCI.
 
 
 
Breeding is a hobby to me and asks for lots of hard work and dedication.
I select my bitches and studdogs very carefully.
My puppies are of course born and raised in our house.
Socialising my puppies and young dogs is very important to me as I think a good Cardi
is one with a sound and even temperament.
Behaviour and health come first, as well as soundness!
 
Thank you for visiting my website, I hope you will enjoy looking at my dogs
as much as I do!