Kennel History

We at Bondir English Springer Spaniels (CKC Registered) have owned English Springer Spaniels since 1979 & have been hooked on the breed since that time. Bondir (French for "to spring" or "to leap"; and pronounced "bohn-DEER") consists of three sisters Lynn, Anne & Barb Dorsay. Originally from Ontario, we have lived in Alberta Canada since 1978. In 1989 we became founding members of the Wild Rose English Springer Spaniel Association of Alberta (WRESSAA).

In 1991, we purchased Bonny (Ch Tessera's Baie d'Or Bondir CD, A/C TD, TT). She was the inspiration for our Kennel name. Unfortunately, we lost Bonny to lymphosarcoma at the age of 3 before we were able to breed her. Luckily, we were able to purchase two wonderful English Springer Spaniels in 1994 with the help of friends. The first was from "Cascadian" in Oregon. In 1992 at the ESSFTA Nationals in Olympia Washington, we had been very impressed with "Crystal" Ch Cascadian's Crystal Conexion CD, JH at the Working Dog test -- our first exposure to such a test. We were thrilled to learn that she was being bred to another of our favourite dogs from that show, "Doc" Ch Donahan's Documentary CDX. "Crystal's" breeder Carol Jansen generously allowed us pick bitch from the resulting litter -- luckily for us -- as Cally (now Ch Cascadian Caliner de Bondir A/C CD, AGI, NA, NAJ, NAP, NAC, NJC, ADC, TT) was the only girl in the litter.

Just after Bonny was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma we also found out that her sister "Fancy" Ch Tessera's Fun and Fancy Free CDX, SHDCH, AGN was being bred to a half-brother of the dog that we had planned to breed Bonny to. Bonny & Fancy's breeders Doug & Dodie Hall very generously offered us pick bitch from this litter & allowed us to put our kennel name at the front of "Libby's" name (Ch Bondir's et Tessera Deliberer A/C CD, AGI, SHD, NA, NAJ, NAC, NJC, TT). We have been very blessed with both Cally & Libby and their offspring.

Although we participate in organized dog sports & activities with our dogs, all of our dogs are first and foremost our family pets. Any puppies that we whelp are raised in our family room.

We are now actively involved in the following with our dogs:

	exhibiting our dogs in conformation (the showing of the dog in the breed ring)
	obedience
	agility
	tracking

We have done scent-hurdling & hope to return to this sport. We have also introduced some of our dogs to Flyball, but have not taken the plunge to competition. For links to activity sites, please see our List of Favourite Places.

After joining WRESSAA, we became more actively involved in CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) & AKC (American Kennel Club) competitive events. We have all been on the executive of our regional breed club (WRESSAA). Currently:

	Barb is Past President
	Anne is Treasurer
	Lynn is Secretary
	editors of its educational newsletter THE SPRINGER TIMES

We are all members of the English Springer Spaniel Club of Canada (ESSCC), Barb was the Alberta regional director in 1998 & 99 & currently we are editors of it's newsletter "National Springer". We are also members of the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association (ESSFTA), the U.S. parent club for the breed; our local dog fanciers association (CADF) & Lynn was on the Board of Directors of PALS (Pet Access League Society) a non-profit, registered, charitable organization located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of individuals through visits with pets; from 1994 through 2004.