Laurie Green, AKC Breeder of Merit of Crossroad Springers, has been breeding English Springer Spaniels for 40 years and Grand Basset Griffon Vendéens for six. Her family has always had dogs, and Green grew up with a buff-colored Cocker Spaniel named “Taffy,” then a Collie named “Duke.” But in 1984, she got her first Springer, and a passion for dog breeding was born.
Living in Toledo, Ohio, Green only breeds her dogs when she wants a new puppy for herself. She usually keeps two from each litter, although it’s hard to know which ones to choose. Assessing her females’ qualities, then looking for a male to complement them is her favorite part of breeding, and she’s found great success. She credits that to her mentor’s advice to read the breed standard, paint a picture of that dog in your head, then breed toward that image. She’s come close with some of her Springer litters, but says it’s harder with the Grands because the breed’s gene pool is so small.
Laurie Green
Green only breeds her females after they have been health tested. She waits until the females are 2 years old, and doesn’t breed them after they are 5 or 6. Green’s best advice to novice breeders about responsible dog breeding is to get a mentor, someone who knows more about your breed than you do. “Ask questions, comment on what you want out of a breeding, and have someone give you advice on your choices. Learn how to read a pedigree and know the dogs that are in it.”
Currently, Green lives with three Springers and three Grands. The oldest of the dogs is a Springer named “Blizzard,” who Green calls the “head honcho” of the house. Blizzard has been bred three times and produced 14 champions. The other Springers are “Hootie,” who Green describes as the smartest, happiest, and most loving dog she’s ever bred, and “Cali,” who is Hootie’s daughter and a mischief-maker.
The Grands include “Queenie,” the first Grand Green ever owned who now resides on Green’s bed with Hootie, as well as “Colt” who has won best of breed at Westminster three times. And finally there is “Branca.” “She is all I have ever wanted in a Grand. She is silly, happy, and in tune to all that goes on around her,” says Green.
Laurie Green
She also has five other dogs she owns or co-owns – four Springers named “Daisy,” “Savvy,” “Drama,” and “Teal,” and one Grand named “North.” Currently, all live with their co-owners or handlers. Daisy only started competing in conformation in January but has already won a Best of Breed title at the American Spaniel Club. Teal also ended 2024 as the number one English Springer Spaniel female, both in breed and all-breed points.
Green used to compete in agility with her dogs. After getting a hip replacement, she says it’s nearly impossible for her to compete anymore, but she still shows her dogs in conformation almost every weekend. She’s the number one and number two owner-handler for Grands and in the top 10 owner-handlers for Springers, though her handler and best friend, Jody Paquette, does most of the campaigning with the Springers. Early this year, Green was recognized as one of three finalists for Breeder-Owner-Handler of the Year by Purina and Dog News, a nomination she considers a win in itself.
Teddy Lei
When it came to showing her Grand at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, a pulled hamstring took Green out of the ring. Still, her dogs did very well. Teal was named best English Springer Spaniel female. North, who Green co-owns with a Junior Handler, won best of breed. Plus, Branca took Best of Opposite Sex (the best of the dogs that are the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner).
When Green breeds her dogs, she loves watching the puppies develop their own personalities. She names them as they’re born, and each litter has a theme. Past litters have been named for types of cars, cookies, and characters from “The Flintstones,” for example. She’s planning a litter with Teal soon, and she’s choosing between two themes – types of cheese or vodka. She says her decision will all depend on how many male and female puppies there are.
When it comes to placing her litters, Green wants to make sure she’s found the right home. She does a lot of screening of puppy buyers, observes them as they interact with the puppies, and asks to meet the whole family. If there are any children, she’s particularly interested in how the adults handle the kids as they play with the puppies. She also asks potential puppy owners to describe their lifestyle, so she can ensure the puppies will fit in. She says, “No matter if they become a show dog or not, they each have a certain special something about them and I want to make it shine.”
Laurie Green
Green recalls a family who were a great fit for a Springer puppy. She only had two left, a liver and white perfectly marked female and a smaller black and white girl with an almost all black face, who didn’t get much interest. The parents and three children spent two hours looking at the two puppies and finally decided on the black-faced girl because they wanted her to know she would be loved by them. “This puppy has grown into a loving pet, and the family came back last year and took a black and white male who has fit into their lifestyle like a glove. This makes me the happiest breeder alive.”
According to Green, both Springers and Grands should have a home where the family has time for them. She’s not keen on placing dogs where there is nobody home to be with the puppies. She says the two breeds need room to run and a fenced yard. But although they certainly need exercise, she says, “most of all they need love.”
Laurie Green
Green says she loves her two breeds for different reasons. She describes the Springers as people dogs. They love their humans and are very loyal to them. Plus, they’re eager to please their owners, which makes them very trainable. On the other hand, the Grands make her smile every day. They also love their people, but unlike the Springers, they don’t need to be on your lap at all times. They are silly, stubborn dogs but never harsh or mean. And as many champions as she’s bred, first and foremost, they are her pets. “I breed dogs with the idea they will all be pets at some point in their lives,” she says. “I want them to have the best life they can.”
The post Meet English Springer Spaniel Breeder Laurie Green of Crossroad Springers appeared first on American Kennel Club.
Read more...
From Breeding English Springer Spaniels to Grand Basset Griffon Vendéens
Living in Toledo, Ohio, Green only breeds her dogs when she wants a new puppy for herself. She usually keeps two from each litter, although it’s hard to know which ones to choose. Assessing her females’ qualities, then looking for a male to complement them is her favorite part of breeding, and she’s found great success. She credits that to her mentor’s advice to read the breed standard, paint a picture of that dog in your head, then breed toward that image. She’s come close with some of her Springer litters, but says it’s harder with the Grands because the breed’s gene pool is so small.
Laurie Green
Green only breeds her females after they have been health tested. She waits until the females are 2 years old, and doesn’t breed them after they are 5 or 6. Green’s best advice to novice breeders about responsible dog breeding is to get a mentor, someone who knows more about your breed than you do. “Ask questions, comment on what you want out of a breeding, and have someone give you advice on your choices. Learn how to read a pedigree and know the dogs that are in it.”
A House Full of Dogs
Currently, Green lives with three Springers and three Grands. The oldest of the dogs is a Springer named “Blizzard,” who Green calls the “head honcho” of the house. Blizzard has been bred three times and produced 14 champions. The other Springers are “Hootie,” who Green describes as the smartest, happiest, and most loving dog she’s ever bred, and “Cali,” who is Hootie’s daughter and a mischief-maker.
The Grands include “Queenie,” the first Grand Green ever owned who now resides on Green’s bed with Hootie, as well as “Colt” who has won best of breed at Westminster three times. And finally there is “Branca.” “She is all I have ever wanted in a Grand. She is silly, happy, and in tune to all that goes on around her,” says Green.
Laurie Green
She also has five other dogs she owns or co-owns – four Springers named “Daisy,” “Savvy,” “Drama,” and “Teal,” and one Grand named “North.” Currently, all live with their co-owners or handlers. Daisy only started competing in conformation in January but has already won a Best of Breed title at the American Spaniel Club. Teal also ended 2024 as the number one English Springer Spaniel female, both in breed and all-breed points.
A Finalist for Breeder-Owner-Handler of the Year
Green used to compete in agility with her dogs. After getting a hip replacement, she says it’s nearly impossible for her to compete anymore, but she still shows her dogs in conformation almost every weekend. She’s the number one and number two owner-handler for Grands and in the top 10 owner-handlers for Springers, though her handler and best friend, Jody Paquette, does most of the campaigning with the Springers. Early this year, Green was recognized as one of three finalists for Breeder-Owner-Handler of the Year by Purina and Dog News, a nomination she considers a win in itself.
Teddy Lei
When it came to showing her Grand at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, a pulled hamstring took Green out of the ring. Still, her dogs did very well. Teal was named best English Springer Spaniel female. North, who Green co-owns with a Junior Handler, won best of breed. Plus, Branca took Best of Opposite Sex (the best of the dogs that are the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner).
Making the Perfect Match for Her Puppies
When Green breeds her dogs, she loves watching the puppies develop their own personalities. She names them as they’re born, and each litter has a theme. Past litters have been named for types of cars, cookies, and characters from “The Flintstones,” for example. She’s planning a litter with Teal soon, and she’s choosing between two themes – types of cheese or vodka. She says her decision will all depend on how many male and female puppies there are.
When it comes to placing her litters, Green wants to make sure she’s found the right home. She does a lot of screening of puppy buyers, observes them as they interact with the puppies, and asks to meet the whole family. If there are any children, she’s particularly interested in how the adults handle the kids as they play with the puppies. She also asks potential puppy owners to describe their lifestyle, so she can ensure the puppies will fit in. She says, “No matter if they become a show dog or not, they each have a certain special something about them and I want to make it shine.”
Laurie Green
Green recalls a family who were a great fit for a Springer puppy. She only had two left, a liver and white perfectly marked female and a smaller black and white girl with an almost all black face, who didn’t get much interest. The parents and three children spent two hours looking at the two puppies and finally decided on the black-faced girl because they wanted her to know she would be loved by them. “This puppy has grown into a loving pet, and the family came back last year and took a black and white male who has fit into their lifestyle like a glove. This makes me the happiest breeder alive.”
Breeding Pets First and Foremost
According to Green, both Springers and Grands should have a home where the family has time for them. She’s not keen on placing dogs where there is nobody home to be with the puppies. She says the two breeds need room to run and a fenced yard. But although they certainly need exercise, she says, “most of all they need love.”
Laurie Green
Green says she loves her two breeds for different reasons. She describes the Springers as people dogs. They love their humans and are very loyal to them. Plus, they’re eager to please their owners, which makes them very trainable. On the other hand, the Grands make her smile every day. They also love their people, but unlike the Springers, they don’t need to be on your lap at all times. They are silly, stubborn dogs but never harsh or mean. And as many champions as she’s bred, first and foremost, they are her pets. “I breed dogs with the idea they will all be pets at some point in their lives,” she says. “I want them to have the best life they can.”
The post Meet English Springer Spaniel Breeder Laurie Green of Crossroad Springers appeared first on American Kennel Club.
Read more...
