Quetico Farm
Quetico came into being in 1971, in Perth, Western Australia, when John and Joy purchased their first English Cocker Spaniel, Ch.Musket Buccanneer, a black and white bundle of cheeky fun and exuberance. Bucky was the beginning of the slippery slope; to say he was a character would be the greatest of understatements, but he was the hook that made us fall in love with (English) Cockers. Bucky was joined very soon by Ch.Yunbeai Adamantine (Mandy), a light blue bitch bred by Jean Gooding. These two dogs came to Canada, to Winnipeg, in 1973, from Australian summer to Manitoba winter. Mandy was in whelp to one of Jean’s dogs, and shortly after that we purchased an adult blue roan, male Ch. Ouaine Tomahawk, from Joyce and George Caddy in England. These dogs formed the basis of our parti-colour breeding program.

Maintaining good strong correct English type was always our goal, and to that end, we were fortunate enough to have the lovely solid dogs of Eugene Phoa transplanted to Canada from Singapore in 1975. We made several judicious parti/solid crosses to his fabulous black stud dog Eng Sh Ch Valssissimo of Misbourne of Wittersham,as well as to his lovely blue and tan dog Ch. Ouaine Taskmaster, whose bloodlines complemented our own Ouaine stock.

A move east in 1982, to the Ottawa Valley, brought an added dimension to our interests. We had been “horse people” before we had been “dog people”, and in our new location near Ottawa, we found ourselves involved in the breed of horse that had always held a fascination for us- Arabians. Througha series of events, we resumed our participation in horses, but now keeping them at home, and with a new interest developed through the Cockers- breeding. Crabbet Arabians were our foundation stock and continue to appeal to us for their beauty, brains and versatility.

The dogs were changing a little too, because we were switching from parti-colours to solids, and are now a solid kennel, the home of champions like Ch. Quetico’s Nighthawk, recognized by English breeder/judges for his type and quality, Ch. Quetico’s Scarlet Woman, Ch. Quetico’s Rikki Tikki Tavi, Ch. Quetico’s Cameo and others. Of course, no-one gets where they are by themselves, and we have had enormous support and assistance from Eugene Phoa of Wittersham Cockers and try, in our turn, to help others where we can.

Our concern for the breed lead us into the sphere of judging, and we are both licenced CKC judges for English Cocker Spaniels, amongst other breeds. Dog shows are supposed to be a showcase for breeding stock, and it is there that a statement can be made. It is a great compliment any time you are invited to offer your opinion on other people’s dogs and it is a privelege that must be taken seriously.
 
We were also founding members of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of Canada and have served at various times as Board and/or executive members.

Joy and John have have lived in Carleton Place, west of Canada's capital, Ottawa, Ontario since 1982.  Joy teaches piano to young hopefuls and enthusiastic adults from her home studio and at local schools and has written a book of piano instruction for young children.
John is a retired Federal Civil Servant who recently has taken up painting working in Waterclour, acrylics and Coloured pencil.

Their two passions English Cocker Spaniels and Arabian Horses keep them well connected to the community. Both are licensed judges, show dogs and ride our horses