Grandma

How long has the Meyer family been involved with animal care?  Kent’s grandmother, Loraine Meyer, remembers transporting her dogs by train because of gas rationing during World War II.  Muzzles were required for canine rail travelers, and Loraine Meyer had a dog, a Boxer, that couldn’t walk and wear a muzzle at the same time.  She carried him.

Loraine Meyer was an obedience judge for 50 years, in addition to breeding and showing Boxers.  Recently the American Boxer Club presented her with a lifetime achievement award for her work and dedication.

Dad and Mom

So naturally her son, Brian, grew up with dogs.  He met his future wife, Cindy, when both were working as apprentice handlers.  Once they’d completed their apprenticeships and married, Brian and Cindy Meyer began handling dogs on their own.  It’s said that Kent, their son, was born in a show ring; less than a decade later, in the mid 1970s, Brian and Cindy opened Meyer’s Kennel in Belvidere, Illinois.

Kent and Gwen

And the cycle began again: Kent met Gwen in Junior Showmanship.  Following their marriage they continued to work at the Belvidere site and handle dogs.  In 1996 Kent and Gwen took over the kennel and have since expanded the business to include a location in Roscoe, Illinois, and another in Madison, Wisconsin.

Kent breeds Whippets and has handled a vast array of breeds, including a Briard that retired at Number 6 in the country and a Bloodhound that retired at Number 3.

Gwen breeds Wheatens and gives them wonderful names, such as Reyem’s What’s Under My Skirt? and Reyem’s No Squattin’ On My Spurs.  She, too, has shown a wide variety of breeds.  Her Wheaten bitch, Ch. Reyem’s Abrie Cadabrie, retired at Number 5 in the country.

Kent, Gwen and their staff share a lifelong love for all animals and pride themselves in offering the finest accommodations and services to dogs and cats.  Whether feline or canine, Persian or Pekingese, the staff at Meyer’s treats every pet as if it were their own.