Lindsey: A dog lover is who I've always been, it's engrained in my DNA. The love started on my second grade field trip where we went to a local kennel that raises field bred springers, I instantly knew that this breed was spectacular.  Then one day when I was playing at my Nana and Papa's house a 10 week old ESS pup who had strayed from his cabin, came wandering into our driveway and spent the day with me.. I was hooked and broken hearted that Norton's owner came looking for him that afternoon! I wasn't able to purchase my first pet springer until I was eighteen years old.  He taught me what love was and he also gave us one of our biggest heartbreaks because he came from poorly bred lines. It drove me to want to be a better breeder than the one I had encountered, someone who actually cared about the puppies that were being produced. Shortly after I graduated from high school I became a groomer and opened my own grooming shop, which I have now sold so I can focus on other endeavors.  Justin and I now own Tilly's Pet Supply in downtown Park Rapids as well as www.freedomantlerchews.com a natural pet supply  company. 

 

Justin: Justin loves our dogs (and any type of hunting dog he meets), archery, and any  hunting or outdoor activity, he always tells me there is nothing more thrilling than watching the "spring" of a springer in action over a recently flushed pheasant.  Justin grew up on a farm, on the lake. His Mom raised goats and had all kinds of farm critters, so he has always spent time with animals. His passion for springers started with our first springer, Tanner and blossomed from there! 

 

Bryant: Bry is currently 11 years old and is our only human child. He often refers to our dogs as his siblings and enjoys spending time with the adults (and puppies too). I think we have a future trainer on our hands! He also loves anything outdoors (especially golf and archery), dance, riding his bike, and playing games with family!  

 

There is so much that goes into a name.  When we decided to take the plunge into breeding we lived in that same house with that same driveway that that little black and white springer came waltzing down so many years ago. We've since moved on from that home, but one thing will always remain the same... I will never forget that day with Norton, the magic of spending time with a springer will always be a part of me and our home will always be filled with the abounding love of a Springer. Lakeside Summit has more meanings than I can count, besides the fact that our home was nestled on the top of a hill beside the lake when we first started our journey with this breed, it holds true that there are a lot of trials and tribulations that a breeder has to go through. Finding breed worthy dogs is a challenge and the heartbreak that you endure along that journey is similar to climbing a mountain, hence the word summit. As a groomer I have seen more ESS with a plethora of allergy and ear problems, that being said it is of utmost importance that our dogs have NONE of these problems. The dogs we choose for breeding are held to a higher standard than most. Being a breeder comes with a large amount of responsibilities that we do not take lightly.