Gretchen and her Kooikerhondjes are from Seattle, WA but currently live in Chattanooga, Tennessee (halfway between Atlanta and Nashville). We enjoy having outdoor adventures and training and competing in various sports and activities, and occasionally have carefully-bred Kooikerhondje puppies available.

I have been involved in this rare breed since bringing home my first Kooiker, Luna, in 2001. Kooikers are somewhat of a “family tradition” for me and I grew up around them. My first litter was born in 2025 after 24 years in the breed. I am very fortunate to have been able to make multiple dog-trips to Europe, and am grateful for the mentorship of multiple experienced breeders around the world, totaling more than 100 combined years of Kooiker experience.

I have a BSc in Animal Biology with concentrations in Conservation and Reproductive Biology from UC Davis, and have a special interest in health and genetics of small populations. I work on KCUSA’s Health and Genetics and Rescue Committees, as well as with local rescues. While not a member of a marginalized community myself, I welcome those from all backgrounds to join this dog journey. I am a longtime member of KCUSA and VHNK, and I run the Kooikerology blog as an educational resource about the breed.

Breeding Philosophy

I consider myself a “conservation breeder,” guided by principles rooted in conservation biology rather than the traditional framework of breeding for one specific task or look, or simply to produce puppies for money. As part of both the history and future of this breed, my approach looks forward. Conservation breeding to me is about crafting sustainable solutions at both the population and individual levels that ensure our beloved breed thrives in the modern world.

For me, this means prioritizing genetic diversity to safeguard the long-term health and resilience of all Kooikerhondjes. I advocate for and implement new health testing, transparent reporting, and data-driven breeding decisions to reduce hereditary risks and enhance vitality. Rather than aiming to “preserve” a static ideal at the cost of longer-term survivability, I strive to balance Kooikers’ unique heritage and traditional traits with the demands of today’s environments, veterinary options, and lifestyles. 

My commitment is to produce healthy, well-adjusted dogs that embody the spirit of their breed while contributing to its future. Every litter is planned with intention, drawing on science, ethics, and a deep love for my breed. As a breeder, I follow the VHNK’s Association Breeding Regulations or Verenigingsfokreglement (VFR) (except the conditions applicable only to FCI countries) and the KCUSA’s Breeder’s Code of Ethics.

Fun Facts

Kooikers are intimately connected to Willam I, Prince of Orange (Willem de Zwijger) as he had one named Pompey that saved his life from an assassination attempt in 1582. He is frequently depicted in historical art and video alongside his faithful Kooiker, as seen below. Gretchen herself is a great-great (plus many more “greats”) descendent of Willem!