My name is Ann Martin and I have been involved in the dog industry
for most of my life, as my mother has been raising dogs since I was
3 years old. Like most dog show kids, I grew up helping my mom at
the shows and doing Jr. Handling. I also became active in 4-H in grade
school, and then Future Farmers of America in High School. During my
time in FFA I raised and showed Border Cheviot Sheep. I continued
to raise and show sheep until 1998.

Having a mother grooming and showing dogs early in life allowed me a
unique opportunity to learn grooming at an impressionable age. I started
helping with bathing and drying when I was 6, and was trimming my own
Cocker at age 10. I became a Certified Master Groomer at age 20, and was
grooming dogs for the show ring, most notable were the Soft Coat
Wheaton, Portuguese Water Dog, and the Bichon.

 In 1985 I started raising and training Working Australian Kelpies for ranch
work and herding trials. I feel that my experience with the Kepies over the
15 year span that I raised them gave me much insight in dog behavior and
the ability to train effectively. This past experience and the on going work
I do in my grooming shop allow me to raise my Poodle puppies to be
wonderful dogs that can adapt to any environment.

In 1992 I became involved in grooming contest. I went to my first competition
in Portland, Oregon and won Best In Show and Best All Around Groomer. I
was hooked. That year I qualified 1st in the nation for the U.S. Groom Team.
We competed in Holland the following year. Over the years I have gathered
many Best In Show and Best All Around wins during the short 6 years I was
competing. I was the recipient of the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for
American Groomer of the Year in 1996 as well as winning Best in Show at the
World competition. In 1997 I was retired from active competition and only
competing at Inter Groom the largest grooming contest in the U.S. I earned
many Gold and Silver Medals at this level. I was first runner up in the Oster
Invitational Tournament of Champions and in 1998 I won it. I was pregnant
with my first son and retired completely from active competition.

With my past record in competition grooming it allowed me the opportunity
to teach and judge contest abroad. I have traveled to Europe and as far as
New Zealand teaching and judging contest. I am a Certifier for the National
Dog Groomers Assoc. and an Ambassador for the Oster Corp.

 All of these past experiences and my deep friendship with Christina Pawlosky
(Co-Breeder and Co-Owner on several of my dogs) has led to my love of the
Poodle. I actively competed with many different Standard Poodles over the
time of competitions and I was able to appreciate their intense intelligence
and loyalty. I purchased my first Standard Poodle from Christina in 1998 and
between having my children and showing my dogs I have developed my
Feldspar line of Standard Poodles.

 I have 4 wonderful sons, Tanner, Hunter, Wyatt and Garrett. They are the light
of my life and help me raise wonderful pups as they love to interact with them
as they are growing up. I am raising my children with lots of love and taking
them to dog shows so that they experience dogs as I do.

I am dedicated to raising sound, healthy, beautiful Poodles that excel in
Conformation, Performance and as Family Companions.