The GBGV Foundation is pleased to have an excellent team of GBGV enthusiasts to support the work of the Foundation.
Lara Latshaw – President
Lara grew up with dogs, as her Grandparents owned their dog grooming business. Lara followed in their footsteps and became a groomer in 1999; she spent ten years working as a groomer in veterinarian offices and rescued or adopted quite a variety of dogs and cats. In 2010 Lara started participating in grooming competitions. In the fall of 2013 she borrowed Ace, one of Brent & Cory’s GBGV’s for a grooming competition and fell in love with the breed. In 2015 Lara acquired her first Sidekick GBGV, Rip, and quickly became involved with the breed.
Lara opened her grooming salon, Gordon’s Grooming, in 2013. She is also a certified Pet Tech CPR and First Aid instructor and teaches CPR, grooming, and business classes all over the U.S. Lara currently spends most of her time on the island of Utila in Honduras, where she has begun a second career as a PADI and SSI SCUBA instructor, as well as the dog groomer on the island. Lara enjoys working with the GBGVCA and GBGV Foundation and is proud to be this site’s webmaster.
Gretchen Tanenbaum – Vice President
Gretchen Tanenbaum has always had dogs in her life. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Gretchen lives with two PBGVs – Chester and Eloise – and one GBGV – Molly – as well as Sadie and Morris, two
rescue cats. Her home has always been filled with wonderful, four legged family companions.
Gretchen has been involved with animal assisted therapy for more than 25 years. She and her first therapy dog Rosie, a mixed breed rescue, were ambassadors for Angels on a Leash, a Westminster Kennel Club program, and they were privileged to be honored at Madison Square Garden on the night of Best in Show in 2004.
It was a very special moment and the beginning of many years working in various drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities and therapeutic riding programs in New York City and Charleston.
Gretchen has been lucky enough to have wonderful representatives of both the PBGV and GBGV breeds with several AKC champions. Having these breeds has made her aware of the importance of education and awareness of the need for breed preservation. To that end, she is thrilled to be on the Board that is tasked with the stewardship of this noble breed.
Julie Hamilton – Secretary
Julie grew up on the back of a horse and has been with animals ever since. She became interested in therapy dogs while doing hospice work; it was here she met Barb Miller. who was taking her own dog out to see hospice patients. Julie developed the PAWS program, which includes incorporating volunteers and their well-trained dogs for visiting patients. Another component is called Paws-itive Endings, designed to help pet parents with the difficult decision of euthanasia. She presented this program nationally, and it is now replicated across the country.
As her first therapy dog aged, she began looking for a new addition to the family. Barb immediately sparked her interest with information on the GBGV; within a couple of months, Julie was on her way to meet Brent Humphrey and Corey Benedict. She came home with Bailey Boo, who immediately started training and visiting hospice patients. She is grateful to have the opportunity to serve on the Foundation Board.
Brent Humphrey – Treasurer
Animals have always been an integral part of Brent’s life from birth. Having been raised on a working cattle ranch, Brent has been active in numerous shows, competitions, and associations through the years with many different types of animals until meeting Corey, his partner of 23 years, and was introduced to the sport of dogs. Both are currently AKC breeders of Merit and share the same love of animals and belief in responsible breeding. Brent, along with Corey, has been involved with English Springer Spaniels from the beginning in addition to PBGV’s and most recently, in 2004, GBGV’s. Brent was active in the renewed effort to establish the GBGV in the US and is a founding member and Treasurer of the GBGVCA, Inc. Brent and Corey have established a successful breeding program and extensive experience in conformation and obedience. Brent, along with Barbara and Sheryl, was instrumental in forming the Foundation and establishing the inaugural board of directors.
Terry Howell
Terry’s involvement with purebred dogs started in high school when a family friend hired him
to watch his Old English Dog kennel when he went away to shows. Terry was fascinated by
learning about the dogs, the genetics, and the show world. He went on to college and earned a
degree in Animal Science from Virginia Tech. Later, while in graduate school, he started a
search for a show dog. His love of hounds led him to Joan Urban, a hound judge and Basset
breeder who was very active in the show world. She started giving Terry handling classes in her
driveway once a week and this eventually led to her handing him the leash to a very nice Basset
Hound (CH. Fort Merrill Stix and Stones). This dog became his constant companion and
cemented his love of the dog show world. Terry finished him owner-handled in 1999 at Eastern
Kennel Club in Boston. Later, Terry met Eileen Bailey, a Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder, and
purchased a young puppy from her and began showing again. Terry finished that dog in early
2011 completely owner-handled in New England. Ch. Symetri St. Augustine’s Not Yet, “Gus”
was an awesome dog and family companion who welcomed both of Terry’s human children
home from the hospital over his life. After Gus died at 13 years old, the search began for a new
show dog. Terry’s close friend pointed him in the direction of the GBGV. After several
conversations with Corey Benedict (Ch. Sidekick’s Blizzard at Talus), “Liz” came to live with Terry
and his family. Liz finished her championship with all the points the owner handled at the GBGVCA
national weekend. Her first time in the ring as a “move up” special, she went BOS at the
national. Terry shares his home with his husband, two children, and Liz.
Laurie Green
CROSSROAD JOCKEYHILL ESS and GBGV
I have been in Springers since 1984, using the kennel name: Crossroad and then in 2005 changing it to Crossroad Jockeyhill when I partnered with my wonderful friend Erline Jesseman. We have owned or co-owned and bred over 50 champions, many of them living in my house. We have bred and owned multiple BIS and BISS dogs and bitches. We have owned and bred the #1 ESS Bitch in 2009, 2010, 2016 and 2018. Two of our bitches have won BOS at the ESSFTA National Specialty. I have shown in Owner Handled and have won numerous OHBIS I have shown in Rally, Obedience, and Agility. I was a past BOG for ESSFTA Parent Club, I am a member of the ESS Foundation board, a co-chair of the first 2 Puppy Extravaganza at the Nationals, and am currently the chairperson of the Top 20, and chairperson of Meet The Breed for English Springer Spaniels
I have known Corey Benedict through Springers for many years. He introduced me to Grands while I was living in Florida. I was very intrigued with the breed but at the time was campaigning a Springer. We did discuss that if he ever had something that he wanted to special, I would be interested. He called 6 months later and said he had a bitch that he thought might be perfect. That is when Queenie, BIS MBISS GCHS SIDEKICK’S ICE QUEEN AT R N B came into my life and changed it forever. We campaigned Queenie, for 2 years. She is the first American Bred Grand to go BIS. She was the #1 Grand for 2020 and 2021. After her successful career, she came home to live with me after having a litter of puppies.
It was now my turn to take a spin with Queenie. Together, we won the GBGV Regional, have been #1 OH Grand and won the Hound Gp. We had lots of fun together and I really learned so much from her about the breed. She is now semi-retired but can be seen in the Juniors ring with Luciana Garcini. Together they have won many classes and have gone Reserve Best Junior. Her best time is sleeping on my bed, carrying her squirrel around all day, and loving the Springers.
After Queenie retired, I went to a puppy party with Corey and Jolanda and watched as they graded a litter of puppies. There was this adorable puppy boy that I said I would happily grow up, Colt, CAN BIS, AM BIS MBISS SIDEKICK’S SECRET WEAPON. He was the #1 Grand in 2022 and 2023. He won the GBGV National twice and was the BOB winner at WKC 3 times. Colt is now spending the year in Canada. He is the first GBGV to go BIS in Canada.
Silly North, CH SIDEKICK’S COURAGE OF THE NORTH AT CROSSROAD, was a great addition to my family of dogs. He fit right in with my 2 litters of Springers, and I got to show him almost all of his show career. He won Best in Sweeps at this year’s National and is now waiting to mature.
And Branca, Ch. ARAGONEZ DU GREFFIER DU ROI, is my newest addition. I watched a video of 2 beautiful Grand puppies that Jolanda Huisman posted. I was intrigued and started a conversation with Jolanda. Branca came to me in March at just over 6 months. She came out of her crate from the Netherlands and didn’t miss a beat. She attached herself to the Springer puppies, who were a few months older, and to North. It was wild here for a few weeks. We entered her at this year’s National just to give her some practice. We were blown away when she went BOB from the 6-9 puppy class. She has since won the Hound Show in Canada and will only be sparingly specialed until she matures. She loves her Springer puppies and is a constant companion to 2, 4-month-old puppies.
Grands have added joy to my life and made it so much more. Their antics always put a smile on my face. My only regret is that I cannot, for the life of me, get Queenie to sit on command. But alas, she is a Hound!
And as a sidenote, I was walking Queenie in my neighborhood in Florida and was approached by two women who said they had a Grand also. We talked, and they said they got him from a breeder in Florida. I asked if it was Corey and Brent, and they said yes. They said they went there to pick up Queenie, but when they got to the house, they fell in love with Cooper and took him instead. I thanked them profusely and said, “ This is Queenie ( pointing to her) and I am so glad you didn’t take her.” Small world!
Cindy Wilt
Susan Thomas
Susan Thomas has been active in dog sports for more than 20 years, with primary involvement in obedience, rally, and companion events. For the past two decades, Susan has been a member of the Carolina Dog Training Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she has trained, competed, and taught a variety of obedience classes.
In performance events, Susan has earned a CD and RE on a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV), an FCAT on a mixed-breed dog, and a BCAT on a Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (GBGV), demonstrating a sustained commitment to developing well-rounded performance dogs. In addition to training and exhibiting, she has held multiple board positions within the Carolina Dog Training Club and currently serves as President, contributing leadership to a volunteer organization focused on positive, effective training for all breeds.
Although relatively new to the conformation ring, having begun showing approximately a year and a half ago, Susan has actively trained and competed in conformation with her GBGV since acquiring him in July 2023. She is also a member of the Furniture City Kennel Club and the Mid-Atlantic Hound Association of Central North Carolina, further deepening her involvement in the purebred and hound communities.
Beyond club work and competition, Susan has owned and operated a pet sitting and transport business, On Our Way Pet Care LLC, for the past 12 years. This business experience, combined with extensive hands-on work with dogs in multiple venues, reflects a broad, practical understanding of canine behavior, training, and owner support.
Teri Turner
Teri Turner has been an owner and breeder of Italian Spinoni for more than 35 years, dedicating her life to versatile, purpose-bred hunting and companion dogs. Her background spans conformation, performance, and therapy work, with a strong emphasis on sound temperament and working ability.
Teri acquired her first Spinone in 1992, when there were only a few hundred Spinoni in the United States and the breed had not yet been recognized by the American Kennel Club. She was involved with the breed before AKC recognition and contributed as Spinoni entered the Sporting Group in 2000.
Among her Spinoni, one bitch became a multiple-year Top 20 show dog, earning her GCHG and adding hunt titles and therapy credentials before retiring as a beloved couch companion. Teri has served four years on the board of directors of the Spinone Club of America (SCOA) and chaired the Ways and Means Committee for approximately 15 years, bringing extensive fundraising and parent-club experience to her work with purebred dogs.
Dogs have been part of Teri’s life since childhood, first as 4‑H projects and family pets and later as partners in hunting, performance, therapy work, and conformation events. Her long-term focus has been developing well-adjusted, functional dogs who can succeed in the field and at home.
During her teaching career, Teri regularly brought her dogs into the classroom so students could read to them, giving children a calm, nonjudgmental audience while the dogs enjoyed quiet interaction. She also ran obedience classes for about 15 years, helping owners build better communication and manners with their dogs.
Approximately three years ago, Teri added her first Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (GBGV) to her household. Moving from a large, personal hunting dog to a smaller French pack hound has been a significant but rewarding transition, deepening her appreciation for scent hounds and their unique temperament.
She was initially drawn to the GBGV because of its rustic appearance, reminiscent of the Spinone, and its more moderate size. After many years of keeping only females in her Spinone breeding program, living with a GBGV male has expanded her experience with behavior and management in a hound breed.
Teri is currently showing her GBGV dog, who has earned his GCHB as well as BCAT and DCAT titles, reflecting both quality of structure and athletic ability in performance events. She is working toward therapy dog certification with him; their current training focus is on developing polite, four-on-the-floor greetings instead of exuberant jumping.
Having personally experienced the challenge of campaigning a relatively unknown breed while safeguarding breed integrity, Teri is committed to helping the GBGV gain appropriate recognition in the United States. She is particularly interested in supporting reputable breeders and educating potential owners so that this engaging, fun-loving hound can thrive while remaining true to its original purpose and type.
GBGV Foundation 