WELCOME TO STONEFOX
Karen A. Shivers started using the StoneFox name in 1993. Karen has been involved in the sport of dogs since 1976 and has been judging since 1992. She has been an instructor for obedience, conformation, agility, tracking, herding, detection work, nosework, and protection sports. Karen has titled dogs in AKC and UKC in conformation, obedience, agility, rally, herding, dock diving, weight pull, and also with United States Mondioring Association. She trains and maintaines narcotics detection, protection, search and recovery, and tracking dogs under her Texas Class C licensed Tactical K9 & Investigation company.
HISTORY
My first kennel name was Windsong after the John Denver song. I started that kennel name way back in 1978 after I got my first Sheltie and I still have them today. I always wanted a collie and wasn't allowed because it was too big. My first breed of dog was a white miniature poodle and it was also the first dog I bred. I was very active in showing, training, and breeding in Michigan where I was born and raised. I started in 4-H and then moved into being a professional groomer, trainer and handler.
I was away from serious dog events for about 15 years starting in 1978 when I became a professional musician touring about 40 of the 50 states performing in a band called Windsong (I really liked that name) I was the lead singer, did percussion and keyboards and played rhythm guitar in an all-female four piece band. I miss performing even to this day.
WINDSONG
Our band recorded an album of all original material in the early 70's. Between the four of us we played 11 instruments and I loved every minute of performing. We were originally a duo consisting of Diane Zudrell and myself. We then added a bass player, Kathy Everett from Illinois and Lia Continisio, a drummer from Wisconsin. Kathy left and we replaced her with Terri Hoersch from Illinois and then when Diane left we replaced her with Lori Gibson a very talented pianist, fiddle player and guitar player. We were a little before our time so we were never nationally "famous" but I would not trade that experience for the world.
STONEFOX
I moved to NJ when I got of the road and realized that there was a local horse association and another sheltie kennel that was then using the name Windsong so I had to find another name. A painstaking task until one night I was watching the moving "StoneFox" and knew it had to be my new kennel name. I still had shelties even with me while touring and after moving to NJ and meeting my husband we added Dobermans, Border Collies, & Toy Fox Terriers. We moved to Texas in early 2000 and added American Eskimos, & Alaskan Klee Kai. I then got into working dogs and reduced those breeds to Shelties, Dobermans, Labrador Retrievers, and Belgian Malinois. Today, I just have a couple shelties left, my detection Labrador, and my beloved Belgian Malinois. A breed that I have come to love so much since having my first one in 2006.
Be Passionate In All You Do
"Passon makes us stronger than we are. Love makes us better than we are.
Be Passionate about the things you love."
-Galen Watson
StoneFox
TRAINING & BREEDING WITH PASSION
Our dogs are carefully selected when being considered for breeding. They must pass health testing with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for Hips, Elbows, Cardio, and Eyes and be fully EMBARK DNA tested before they are even considered.
All puppies are raised in the house and given the best possible beginning to their lives. All dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). Our training philosophy is based on a marker system and positive reinforcements.
Karen is the past President of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, a past board member of the USMRA, President of Texas K9, United Nosework, CEO of Tactical K9 & Investigation, and also has a minor in psychology which she uses to reinforce her training system goals.
