Let me start off by saying one thing: I'm so excited to get to know you, a fellow Basenji lover! Maybe you found our page looking to see if a Signet Basenji is right for your home, maybe you're looking for a stud dog, or maybe, you just want to see what in the heck is going on down in Texas at Signet Kennels! I'm looking forward to helping you get to know a little more about Signet Kennels, my mom, myself, our families, and of course, the dogs!

​

Ok so, a little about myself. I am third generation in the sport of dogs, following in the foot steps of my mother and her father! I grew up helping my mom with the kennel, learning about husbandry and animal behavior. We, of course, had several Basenjis and over the years have had countless other breeds in our home as well (Australian Terrier, Border Terrier, English Setter, Dalmatian, Poodles... just to name a few!). I started in junior showmanship at 10 years of age, with my Border Terrier, Sadie, a gift from Nina Fetter! She was my best friend and ALWAYS by my side growing up. Sadie was a little more manageable than a Basenji to start showing with, although I still helped my mom show Basenjis in the regular breed ring.

​

Eventually, I graduated to showing the Basenjis in juniors and got quite competitive. I traveled all over the US competing in juniors with various dogs and started assisting top professional handlers, learning how to handle all-breeds to a "T". I had a very successful juniors career including #1 Basenji Junior for several years, many regional invitations and wins with scholarship awards, attended Eukanuba Invitational (Now Royal Canin) annually and participated in finals, and of course, made it to the coveted Westminster Kennel Club many times. I also attended the World Dog Show in Paris, France in 2011, where I got to show a basenji I had originally raised and finished his AKC championship, before sending him to France for his forever home. THAT was an experience that I'll never forget!

 

In the breed ring, I have been able to handle some beautiful dogs to huge wins. Some of my favorite all-breed wins include a German Shorthair Pointer to a huge Specialty Best of Breed win in California, a couple of Irish Setters to Sporting Group One Wins, an English Springer Spaniel to a Group One win, two German Shepherd Dog Best of Breed wins at Specialties and a couple of group wins and placements on Basenjis. I have lots of special memories that include Basenji wins: National Specialty Best of Opposite Sex with GCHG Signet Amelia Bedelia, Award of Merits, huge class wins at nationals and other specialties, competitive Best of Breed wins (over my mother, my mentors and tons of icon- breeders), and most memorable, my first Group One on a Basenji I bred/own/handled, "SoCo".

​

Outside of purebred dogs, I was an emergency veterinary technician at my local specialty hospital (which can be seen on NatGeoWild! Check out "Dr T's Lonestar Vet"!) for several years. My experience includes a history in general practice, practice management and emergency/critical care. I have volunteered internationally as a veterinary technician.