About Us

Springflite was established in 1985 by Kevin Dodd & Martin Butler after acquiring our first two Miniature Schnauzers.

Welcome to our website, we hope you enjoy your visit.

An introduction to each of our breeds

In 1989, we added our first Giant Schnauzer to our growing family of miniatures, a beautiful puppy bitch from the all-time top winning Nenevale kennel of Jenny Harrison-Smith. This puppy went on to be our first champion and the start of our love affair with this amazing breed.

During 1993, our Schnauzers were joined by two Greyhound bitches from the world-famous RP kennel of Ralph & Barbara Parsons. Ralph was generous enough to offer us pick of the litter, if we could pick it! And one of these beautiful girls went on to be easily our top winner to date, delighting us by winning at the very highest level, her beauty & show record stand as a tribute to Ralph & Barbara.

Having followed the progress of the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno with great interest since their arrival in the UK in 2002, we have had the joy of sharing our lives with six of these wonderful little working hounds, from the world-famous Plushcourt Kennel of Betty Judge.

In 2014, we were excited to add a delightful Whippet companion to the family. We were so besotted with this little chap that the following year, we added another puppy dog from the Lolani Kennel.

We have regularly travelled abroad to watch all our breeds competing at top level, to help keep our fingers on the pulse & to keep in mind a global picture of the progress of our chosen breeds worldwide. In this increasingly cosmopolitan world, we feel this is more important than ever, plus it’s great fun!

Judging

Both Kevin and Martin award Challenge Certificates in Giants, and Martin also in Miniatures and Standard Schnauzers. Over the years we have had the honour to judge at Championship Show level, The Giant Schnauzer Club, The Schnauzer Club of Great Britain, The Northern Schnauzer Club, National Working & Pastoral Breeds, British Utility Breeds, and at all breed General Championship Shows. In addition Martin has judged the Portuguese Podengo Club Show, and in 2019 he had the great honour of judging Giant Schnauzers at Crufts.

Kevin held the post of Chairman of the Giant Schnauzer Club, having previously been a Committee member & Treasurer and was also the Treasurer & Membership Secretary of the Portuguese Podengo Club of Great Britain.

Our Design Work

As professional graphic and website designers and the owners of Welland Creative, we have also been fortunate to combine our design experience with our interest in dogs.

Over the years, breed clubs, authors, friends and fellow exhibitors have commissioned us to create a wide range of work, including websites, logos, illustrations, diagrams, advertising and photography. Our projects have included breed handbooks and yearbooks, illustrated breed standards, presentations, seminar materials and exhibition display panels. You can view a small selection of this work here, or visit the Welland Creative website to find out more about our wider design services.

View Our Work

We are situated in the heart of the Fens and close to the beautiful Norfolk coastline.

As we have always kept a relatively small number of dogs, they all live indoors and have free access to an acre garden. We are blessed with amazing walks across the surrounding fields, where the dogs can enjoy daily runs and some occasional fun on the beautiful local beaches. Our dogs very much have a country lifestyle, and we are home with them all day. Visitors are always made very welcome.

Below are some pictures of our gardens and village location, which we and our dogs really enjoy and make the most of.