WMK references

Hey Karyn!

It's a girl!! We are the proud parents of an American Hairless Terrier! We absolutely love her. Yesterday was a long day, but well worth it. Got home at 7:pm yesterday and surprised Jen with Stella (that's what we named her). She was sooooooo thrilled!!! I can't tell you how happy I am that I can have a dog like this. Her personality is awesome. She seems to love her new home and parents. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for adding more happiness to my life!! I never thought I would see this day......seriously.... Thanks for everything!

Adam

We officially began researching on the internet for a dog that my allergic and asthmatic husband would be able to tolerate in Nov. 2002. Spurned into action by our son, Jakob, who was 5 years old at the time, I began searching for a puppy. We “found” the breed after completing a dog compatibility survey. The survey was very helpful and came back with a number of dogs that would fit into our family well. We decided on the American Hairless Terrier and you can say that the rest is history!

The first breeder I contacted promised me that I was "first in line" for a puppy in a litter due soon. Being new to this and not wanting to be too pushy, I waited to hear back from her. A couple weeks after the pups were born, I called her. Although we were supposedly "first in line", I found out then that we no longer had a pup. She had sold it to someone else! So instead of anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new pup, we were devastated! Do you know how hard it was to explain to a 5 yr old boy that the puppy he was promised now wasn't coming?

Thankfully, I found another breeder, who happened to have a 3-day old male puppy that was still available. I contacted Karyn and Ryan Pingel from Woodland Manor Kennel immediately. Karyn responded right back via email and we followed up with an extended telephone conversation. Within 2 days, after filling out their puppy questionnaire, talking with them multiple times and completing their puppy contract, I was assured that we would be getting one of their male pups!

They say that things happen for a reason and although we were devastated with what happened with the first breeder, I'm SO HAPPY that we found WMK! IT WAS FATE!

A special thank you MUST go out to Karyn and Ryan Pingel at WMK for trusting us with this very VERY special boy! Karyn and Ryan are great people, great dog lovers, great AHT promoters and GREAT friends!

We were able to watch Mikko grow up on the internet! Every couple days new pictures were posted and we watched him grow, fill out, lose his hair and get tons of ticking (his spots). It was also the perfect healing process for Jakob, after losing out on the other pup.

We FINALLY got Mikko on March 26th, when I flew down to FL to pick him up! The Pingels were very hospitable and Mikko was just AMAZING! He was friendly, happy and carefree! He's an extremely attentive, intelligent dog, a very quick learner and loves to please. He's a great watch dog and a very good protector. He's a very cocky boy and quite hilarious! His facial expressions are the best and his wrinkled brow is priceless! He loves to play fetch and bounces about 4 feet off the ground when he’s happy to see that you’ve come home! He's truly the best medicine after a bad day! I just love him to pieces!

Two weeks shy of his neuter appointment, Karyn convinced me to give “dog showing” a try. I began showing in UKC (United Kennel Club) dog shows. It's a great hobby for me and I'm enjoying it quite a lot. I'm learning as I go (since I've never shown dogs before…only horses - but that's another story!), meeting great people, and enjoying my dogs.

Mikko earned his CHAMPION title a week before his first birthday and was able to earn his GRAND CHAMPION title in just 2 show weekends—which is pretty amazing! Three of those legs were during the prestigious 2004 UKC Premier in Kalamazoo MI and he also picked up 2 BEST OF BREED wins there which catapulted him well up into the UKC Top Ten list!

In July 2004, he was honored with his first BEST IN MULTI-BREED SHOW WIN under Honorable Judge Tina Camp in Locke, NY! That BIMBS win was only the 3rd one EVER given to an American Hairless Terrier and he was the first male AHT to be so honored! He finished 2004 strong and in the #1 position on the AHT Top Ten List!

Cindi Walsh

No dog could ever replace our 13 ½ year old, very large, hairy, mutt. Several months of a too quiet house and my husband and I were searching prospective dog breeds and found out about Rat Terriers. We were after something small, playful and that did not do much shedding. On a whim, we decided to research hairless breeds and found AHTs.

There are many websites on the internet, but only a few that actually had real information. The info on the sites was good, but the only way you can really find out about a breed and breeder is to contact them.

WMK was the only breeder that answered our email inquiry. And fast, too! The Pingels were very straightforward about the needs of the terrier breed. Many people have good intentions but there can be a personality conflict. We were new to the terrier breed and were very well informed by Karyn Pingel about what to expect.

Karyn and I shared many emails and several long phone calls over the course of several months. She really does her best to fit personalities together. The screening that she does actually had us changing puppies due to her concern and care of the AHT breed. The term ‘responsible pet owner’ does not begin to describe the passion that was portrayed by this keeper of the breed.

I am pleased to say that WMK is the TOP breeder of AHTs in my book. The puppy that we have been matched up with has fit in our home nicely. Compared to our last beloved pet, our AHT is like comparing apples to a spoon. There is no comparison. I am so glad that we were so well prepared for the difference. It would have been quite a shock.

Karyn took the time and energy to educate, inform and to prepare us for the breed. She answered hundreds of questions, provides lots of useful information and links on the web page and even helped to arrange transportation for adoption day. They are always there to answer more questions, give suggestions and guidance if needed. I would recommend them to anyone with questions about AHTs.

Thank you WMK, Ryan and Karyn, for welcoming us into the community of AHTs and their families!

ALYCK

From March 5 to March 8 I spent some time in Florida. It was my third trip to the States. The first time I went for five days, the second time I went for four days, and this time I had a new record: three days! I left at Friday morning 10:15AM (14hrs to), and was back at Tuesday 08:30AM (13 hrs fru). I went to Florida to pick up my long awaited puppy! His name is WMK's In Your Honour, but friends may call him ALYCK http://www.ahts.net/Alyck.htm.

The story behind Alyck and my choice for an AHT is as follows. On January 15, 2001 my Dutch Keeshound Wolf died of diabetice. I was totally and tremendously shocked by his death, and even now, whenever I am tired, I can still cry over him. He was a once in a lifetime dog. Also his son Teddie has been mourning for almost three months. Because of that, I didn't think I could ever had another dog. But one year later Stella came back to us. Stella was our dog and the mother to Teddie. In a hectic period of our life, in which we moved a lot, she would stay at a friend's house for a week, until we were settled. This week eventually became nine years. Stella really enjoyed it there - we paid for the special expenses (she has had surgery for at least 4 times) and she would come over on holidays. Eveybody happy! Meanwhile our friend got two children, who grew bigger while Stella became older, deaf and blind (cataract. Eventually she couldn't cope with the busy kids as they would unexpectedly approach her, causing her to growl a/o bite. So when this happened, we instantly took her back. At that time her physical state wasn't that good. She once again suffered from mammary tumors and she had blood dripping out of her uterus. To be honest, we didn't expect her to reach the end of that year. Since I knew how hardly the death of his father affected Teddie, I considered a third dog, so that if Stella would pass, he wouldn't feel as devastated as when Wolf died.

In The Netherlands there are two major dog shows: in Amsterdam and Rotterdan, which attract annually around 4,000 dogs each. I always visit these shows and have seen Xolo's and Chinese Crested. Although I fancy hairless cats (Sphynx) these naked dogs didn't attract me at all. So I looked for another dog: the Australian Kelpie seemed very attractive to me. However, I didn't want the hair (as it has a very thick coat). However I remembered talk on Sphynx list about a hairless American terrier. As Stella is a YorkT ... this sounded very appealling to me..... so I googled and found a list of breeders.

I was looking for a breeder to whom I could fly to myself (I think its very important to know where a kitten or puppy is raised and by whom, therefore I personally do not sell aboard, unless I know the people personally) to pick up an eventual puppy, and also I was lookin for a small scale breeder (also because I wanted a socialized puppy).

End 2002 I ended up contacting Karyn and Ryan Pingel .... who seemed for me the most suitable breeders. What I really REALLY liked was the way they treated me. They really gave me the third degree, sending me a long list of questions, which I had to fill in. Scrutinizing me to the bone. This is what I also do whenever I get kitten inquirers ... most do not fill it in - which is a testimony to me that they were not my kinda people . Second, they demanded me to personally pick up the puppy, as they refuse to let the pup fly on its own. No problem, already my intention! I really wasn't in a hurry and patiently waited for my number to show up, as Stella, upon her fourth surgeon and after being fed the best brand dog food available overhere (Solid Gold), suddenly bloomed. Yes, she's still blind and deaf, sometimes she might act weird (then we know she must have a seizure of something) but at age 16 ... she's still enjoying life! I fondly call her my senile puppy as she still has moment she'll act like she's a joyful puppy <sigh> I hope she will reach +20!

Beginning of this year five puppies where born to Taylor http://www.ahts.net/taylor.htm and Tagnon http://www.ahts.net/Tagnon.htm - two smashing AHTs of Ryan and Karyn at Woodland Manor Kennel www.ahts.net . Initially I opted for a female (it is not my first intention to breed, but after having walked many male dogs - who stop everywhere - I now wanted a dog who would just 'walk' with me). But since Karyn and Ryan wanted me to have something good, I eventually was promissed Alyck www.ahts.net/Alyck.htm , who happened to be a big boy already at nine weeks.

So I after having had contact with Karyn for approximately 1.5 year I finally went, arrived and instantly fell in love with this AHT block! I have felt Xolo's and Chinese Crested (dry leather?), I know how Sphynx feel like (warm suede) .. I can tell you, the first time I felt Alyck's skin ... it was awesome!

Since March 9, 08:30AM (touch down!) he's a Dutch citizen, and happens to be the very first AHT in The Netherlands. I was told there are four Finnish AHTs now (correct?), one German (correct?) and in I also read that the first UK AHT was waiting for its entrance.... If he (typewise) becomes what Karyn and Ryan hope for, I hope to show him in the huge Rotterdam and Amsterdam shows.

I want to thank Ryan, Karyn, Corbyn and Aaron for their hospitality and their time and patience, while I was waiting for my puppy and while I was at Woodland Manor Kennel as their guest....

My name is Kenny Mills. I live in Loretto, Ky. I first started dealing with the Pingels when my AHT had pups. I wanted to make sure that I found good homes for them to go to. The help I received from Karyn Pingel was unbelievable. Her knowledge and willingness to help went above and beyond what I ever expected. The Pingels (Karyn and Ryan) are family breeders like myself. They take much pride and dedication in finding good quality homes for their pups and if they don’t have pups at the time, they direct people to breeders that do. They offer every resource they have all for the satisfaction of knowing a pup has a good home. I still stay in touch with them and obtain advice on our AHT’s.

In the past few months, I have been fortunate enough to come in contact with Karyn Pingel of Woodland Manor Kennels, and I have been extremely impressed with her vast knowledge of American Hairless Terriers. Karyn has a generous and giving nature and has spent many hours on the phone educating me. She is always willing to answer questions, offer advice, and I value her expertise regarding AHT’s.

I originally wanted to adopt an AHT puppy from Woodland Manor Kennels but all the puppies were already spoken for. However, Karyn went the extra mile and found a puppy for me through another reputable breeder, and I was able to adopt a beautiful AHT puppy.

I would highly recommend Woodland Manor Kennels for anyone looking into adopting an American Hairless Terrier.

We have known the Pingels for a year and a half now. As a breeder of American Hairless Terriers and friends of our family we feel fairly knowledgeable about their character and abilities.

From any source you will be made aware of their excellent record, activities and work history. What we will testify to is that the Pingels are breeders of outstanding character: disciplined, hardworking, trustworthy, loyal and dependable. They have high standards for themselves; worthy long-term goals and they work steadily, un-dramatically towards meeting their goals. They are warm, close, and supportive of each other and those whom they chose as potential pet owners.

The Pingels are ambitious and tenacious, determined to be the best at what they do. You can particularly see this in their breeding program. They have set a high standard for the breeding of the American Hairless Terrier and are working endlessly to achieve the goal of perfecting this fine canine breed. They are personable, relaxed, confident and surprisingly easygoing given their busy schedule. They make everything they do look very easy; even through we know it involves a great deal of hard work and self-discipline. It is very apparent that they live by a code of ethics that leads them to respect themselves and others. The Pingels are honorable, have a great sense of responsibility, enthusiasm, and tact.

The two things we appreciate most about the Pingels are that they are truly dedicated to their quest of achieving the breed to its utmost level and that they have a sharp focus on who they are, where they are going, and what they need to do to get there.

It is a very real pleasure knowing them. We consider them teacher, advisor, associate, mentor and most of all friends. We recommend them most highly and without any reservations whatsoever.

I've had dog allergies all my life, but have always loved dogs. A friend suggested I get a dog after my divorce, but I didn't think I could. He told me there were hairless dogs and I should look into that. So I took to the web. The rest, as they say, is history.

The site with the most information about hairless dogs BY FAR was the WMK site. I read the story about Aaron's great desire for a dog and the search to find one that Corbyn could tolerate. It gave me hope. I asked Karyn and Ryan a bunch of questions and they answered them all swiftly and honestly. I did my allergy test with their doggies and it went great! I am now the proud owner of two pet-quality AHTs. People ask me all the time why I didn't want to breed my dogs, and I tell them that I'm not worthy. The Pingels have set the bar very high.

While the Karyn and Ryan are the only breeders I've ever worked with, I can't imagine that there could be more conscientious breeders anywhere! They are very knowledgeable about the breed and are always learning. According to the dog books I've read, they do all of the things that breeders are supposed to do and more! They go all out to help assure the quality of the breed. Their dogs are family and they truly care about where their babies go and how they are doing. They have a webcam and plenty of photos so that you can watch your baby grow, even before you know which one is destined to be yours. They match puppies to people in a way so that both will benefit.

It's obvious that Karyn and Ryan do not breed AHTs for money. I doubt they make any after all they do. They do it because they love the breed and they want to give others, especially allergy sufferers, the chance to experience life with doggies. I will be forever grateful to them for giving me such a wonderful gift!

Words cannot begin to describe how happy our family is to have been brought into the AHT family by the Pingel family at Woodland Manor Kennel.

In the fall of 2002, we began our search for a dog that would best fit the needs of our family. We were very interested in learning more about the AHT breed and through my research on the internet found WMK. From the very first contact we had with Karyn, we knew that WMK goes above and beyond to educate, nurture and grow the relationships between the owners and their new family member.

Our family was faced with the challenge of having to make sure that the AHT’s personality would be the best fit for our 6 year old son and our 18 month old daughter. The personality test that is performed to match the pups with the most conducive family environment was right on. “Kalle” our AHT fits the personality description that Karyn gave us to the tee! This gives both the owners and the new AHT member the best possible opportunity to transition and function together as a family.

Another added benefit of WMK is the ability to watch the puppies grow from day 1 on their website. We were able to watch Kalle grow and play on the web cam long before we were able to take him home. I feel that by having this tool, we were able to begin building a relationship with him and give our children a good understanding of what Kalle would need from us when he would come home to our house.

I know I could go on and on about the many wonderful experiences we have had with the Pingel family… but if I had to summarize our thoughts in a couple of lines it would be this:

Thank you Pingel family and Woodland Manor Kennel for all of your hard work, dedication and love for the American Hairless Terrier breed. Kalle has completed our family and is a TRUE testimonial to your impeccable breeding; WMK is the epitome of AHT breeders.

Woodland Manor Kennel - AHT's in FL.Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Revised: 03/01/09

Woodland Manor Kennel - AHT's in FL.
Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.
Revised: 03/01/09