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Training Day June 7th, 2025. Building a foundation and learning how to handle your dog. More information on our Training Days webpage or our socials.
WELCOME
WELCOME
Thomas and Kristen acquired Russell, their first Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in 2017. A year later they established their kennel, Black Watch Griffons, with the purchase of their girl, Arya. They have been continuing to grow ever since.
Thomas and Kristen are hard at work breeding the ultimate gun dog for your home. You can contact them by phone (217) 379-8801 or by email blackwatchgriffons@gmail.com to learn more about the business and our goal in preserving this rare hunting breed!
Russell and Thomas
Russell and Thomas
Thomas grew up hunting with dogs, and his work with Black Watch Griffons is the fulfillment of a life-long dream. He has developed a true passion for training field dogs.
Thomas trained Russell to qualify as an AKC Master Hunter in 2018, and the youngest griffon to earn such a title. Russell continued to qualify for his AKC Master Hunter Advanced and Master Hunter Life Achievement Title, MH12, in 2019. In 2022, Thomas ran Russell in the AKC National Walking Field Trial Championship where Russell became the first of the breed to place at the event. He has helped Arya, their second-owned griffon, qualify as an AKC Master Hunter in 2019, making her the second youngest griffon to earn that title.
Thomas has been an AKC Hunt Test Judge since 2019. He also has recently served as an AWPGA board member serving as Central Region Representative and the Chair of the Field Committee.
As part of his work with Black Watch Griffons, Thomas has trained and guided for clients. He has placed AKC and NAVHDA titles on puppies and on client dogs. References are available on request.
Arya and Kristen
Arya and Kristen
Kristen grew up with a love for animals, but has found her true passion in training, caring, and breeding Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. Being medically minded and having a true love for animals, she adapted to breeding and training right away. She is always amazed in seeing how young puppies develop instincts in the field as the result of her training. A major goal in her breeding program is to preserve the hunting instinct and maintain proper conformation.
Kristen completed her education with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and has successfully integrated her business knowledge into her work with Black Watch Griffons.
In 2021, Kristen whelped Arya's first successful litter (Arya X Flatbrook's Walker) of 10 puppies. With each litter she provides the necessary obedience and training required to send the puppies off to their forever homes. Black Watch Griffons Queen of the Hebrides, Islay, was kept from the first litter, and like Arya, has bonded with Kristen, who continues to assist in the necessary field training.
Kristen provides obedience and assists in the field training for client dogs of Black Watch Griffons, while managing the business side of the kennel. She is considered "Mom" to all of the dogs in and out of Black Watch Griffons.
"Testimonials and Reviews"
"Tom and Kristen are two of the most thorough, kind, and experienced breeders (and humans) that I have ever met. They treat their dogs with respect and so much love and it is evident in the absolutely high quality of each puppy. We have had the privilege to raise our puppy Zetta who, aside from being beautiful and smart, is so well mannered and sweet to our four children. She fits very well into our active home, and is clearly a product of great Griff genes, but furthermore, a fantastic start with Tom and Kristen. As breeders, they include you every step of the way and are straightforward and fair. They are incredibly knowledgeable about every aspect of the breed and each pup they raise. They have very high standards and it shows! We feel so lucky to have met Kristen and Tom, who have become friends, and couldn't ask for a better dog for our family."
"Tom and Kristen are two of the most thorough, kind, and experienced breeders (and humans) that I have ever met. They treat their dogs with respect and so much love and it is evident in the absolutely high quality of each puppy. We have had the privilege to raise our puppy Zetta who, aside from being beautiful and smart, is so well mannered and sweet to our four children. She fits very well into our active home, and is clearly a product of great Griff genes, but furthermore, a fantastic start with Tom and Kristen. As breeders, they include you every step of the way and are straightforward and fair. They are incredibly knowledgeable about every aspect of the breed and each pup they raise. They have very high standards and it shows! We feel so lucky to have met Kristen and Tom, who have become friends, and couldn't ask for a better dog for our family."
-Allison Beaulieu-Cholke
-Allison Beaulieu-Cholke
"We can't say enough good things about Thomas and Kristen. Our dog, Roan, is our first Griff and my first upland dog. When we dropped her off for training at 7 months old it was clear that she would be part of their family during her stay. Thomas did a great job keeping us informed through the training process and continues to be a great resource to this day. When we picked Roan up it was obvious we made the right choice sending her to Thomas and Kristen. She was a totally different dog both in the field and in the house (definitely the most important part for my wife!). Her first hunting season, 2021-2022, was a huge success and I can't wait to get back out there with her again."
"We can't say enough good things about Thomas and Kristen. Our dog, Roan, is our first Griff and my first upland dog. When we dropped her off for training at 7 months old it was clear that she would be part of their family during her stay. Thomas did a great job keeping us informed through the training process and continues to be a great resource to this day. When we picked Roan up it was obvious we made the right choice sending her to Thomas and Kristen. She was a totally different dog both in the field and in the house (definitely the most important part for my wife!). Her first hunting season, 2021-2022, was a huge success and I can't wait to get back out there with her again."
-Ward and Cameron Hackett
-Ward and Cameron Hackett
"Black Watch Griffons and their training program are one of the top facilities in the United States. I couldn't recommend them enough."
"Black Watch Griffons and their training program are one of the top facilities in the United States. I couldn't recommend them enough."
"We came across Black Watch Griffons early on in their beginning with Russell, we were very impressed with him as well as Tom and Kristen’s dedication to the breed. What started out as a search for a great dog to sire our litter ended with some great new friends. Very professional to work with. The high level of dedication they have to the breed was seen as they always reached out to see how the pups were doing long after they left our home. We can’t say enough good things about Black Watch Griffons, top notch dogs and top notch people.
"We came across Black Watch Griffons early on in their beginning with Russell, we were very impressed with him as well as Tom and Kristen’s dedication to the breed. What started out as a search for a great dog to sire our litter ended with some great new friends. Very professional to work with. The high level of dedication they have to the breed was seen as they always reached out to see how the pups were doing long after they left our home. We can’t say enough good things about Black Watch Griffons, top notch dogs and top notch people.
Black Watch Griffons is available Monday-Saturday 8am to 6pm.
Located in Gibson City, Illinois
Phone: (217) 379-8801
Email: blackwatchgriffons@gmail.com
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