My love for dogs and training came at a young age of 8 years old. From that age I spent 11 years in 4-H in the Dog Project, where I started with a Pit Bull/German Shepherd Mix, later getting my first Belgian Sheepdog from a local breeder/my 4-H advisor. In my 11 years in 4-H I competed in Grooming & Handling, Obedience, Agility and Drill Team.

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In 1991 was when I got my first Belgian Sheepdog, Billy (Legacy's Billy de Loup Noir) from Barb Ward of Legacy Belgians. He was an older Belgian who she had taken back from previous owners. He made a wonder 4-H dog and pet. After that I was set that this was my breed!!

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1993 I got my second Belgian Cody, (Winjammers Wild Bill Cody, CD). He was my first welcome into AKC Obedience. I started showing in AKC Obedience in 1998. Most memorable moment was when Cody and I won a run off taking 1st place with the score of 192.5. I was still just a kid at age 13 years old. 

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It wasn't until 1995 I wanted to give the breed ring (conformation) a try. That's when Barb entrusted me with a show girl who later become my very first AKC Champion. Inde, (Ch Legacy Life in the Fast Lane, CGC). She was shown in 4-H, AKC Conformation, Obedience and UKC Conformation. Inde did have 2 of her legs towards her AKC CD title, but was never completed. She was in the ribbons both times.

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It wasn't until 2009 when the first litters were born here at Lightning. In January we had our first and only Boxer litter. 3 of the 9 puppies became UKC Champions and of one of the 3 went on to become a UKC Grand Champion. Later on in 2009 on Christmas Day our first Belgian Sheepdog litter was born. This litter was co bred with Renee Croft of Images Belgians. With this litter we produced our first AKC homebred Champion, who later became an AKC Grand Champion and is now retired! Apolo, Am GCh Images N Lightnings Ohno It's Xmas.

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Besides having Belgian Sheepdogs we have shared our home with a Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd, many Boxers and a Belgian Tervuren over the years. 

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I enjoy breeding occasionally, and competing in AKC and UKC, but most importantly I enjoy spending time with my dogs as family companions, who I strive for them to be happy healthy pets first and foremost. Lightning Belgians is a love and passion between myself and my Mom. We both work hard to make Lightning Belgians who we are today.

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