Erregen Kennels, LLC
In January 2013, Tommy moved to Texas and we joined forces. After some serious research and discussions, we decided on a kennel name, Erregen Kennels. In August, (yes, it took some time to decide on a name); we made the kennel into an official business with the recognition of LLC from the state of Texas.
Erregen means spirited, to entice feelings, or to arouse emotions in German. Since both of our original breeds and the ones we will continue breeding, the Standard Schnauzer and the Great Dane, originated in Germany, we felt this was a fitting name for our kennel. We feel this applies to us because we want the spirit of all the dogs we show to arouse winning emotions and feelings from the judges and spectators. With that said, a winning, confident attitude is our goal.
As all breed professional handlers, it is our responsibility to ensure everyone’s dogs are well cared for and presented beautifully. It is also our goal to build each dogs confidence so that he/she represents themselves, their breeders, and their owners with the winning attitude.
Our kennel is based just outside of Italy, Texas in Ellis County on 2 acres. Small in comparison to some, it is designed with the well-being, safety, and care of the dogs at the forefront. The property is 100% fenced with ‘no-climb’ fencing. The dogs have separate covered outdoor kennels, play yards, as well as access to run on the entire 2 acres. They have their own space in our dog room in our home. The dog room was originally the over-sized 2 car garage which has been enclosed and transformed into a temperature controlled area just for the dogs. With not only the central air conditioning and heater, but also individual units as a back-up, the comfort of the dogs is of vital importance to us. With this in mind, we have a raised tub and grooming area where the dogs can be cleaned and dried even in bad weather.
On March 28, 2014, Susan and Tommy made it official and got married!
In January 2013, Tommy moved to Texas and we joined forces. After some serious research and discussions, we decided on a kennel name, Erregen Kennels. In August, (yes, it took some time to decide on a name); we made the kennel into an official business with the recognition of LLC from the state of Texas.
Erregen means spirited, to entice feelings, or to arouse emotions in German. Since both of our original breeds and the ones we will continue breeding, the Standard Schnauzer and the Great Dane, originated in Germany, we felt this was a fitting name for our kennel. We feel this applies to us because we want the spirit of all the dogs we show to arouse winning emotions and feelings from the judges and spectators. With that said, a winning, confident attitude is our goal.
As all breed professional handlers, it is our responsibility to ensure everyone’s dogs are well cared for and presented beautifully. It is also our goal to build each dogs confidence so that he/she represents themselves, their breeders, and their owners with the winning attitude.
Our kennel is based just outside of Italy, Texas in Ellis County on 2 acres. Small in comparison to some, it is designed with the well-being, safety, and care of the dogs at the forefront. The property is 100% fenced with ‘no-climb’ fencing. The dogs have separate covered outdoor kennels, play yards, as well as access to run on the entire 2 acres. They have their own space in our dog room in our home. The dog room was originally the over-sized 2 car garage which has been enclosed and transformed into a temperature controlled area just for the dogs. With not only the central air conditioning and heater, but also individual units as a back-up, the comfort of the dogs is of vital importance to us. With this in mind, we have a raised tub and grooming area where the dogs can be cleaned and dried even in bad weather.
On March 28, 2014, Susan and Tommy made it official and got married!
Susan M. Taylor-Katzenstein
In 1973, at the age of 2, my parents purchased our first Great Dane. Over 40 years later, I am still involved with the dogs and the dog shows. Growing up, my family bred and showed Great Danes. Our Danes were house dogs and I grew up with one sleeping in my room, mostly taking up my bed. We also had a couple of Whippets and Chihuahuas.
After graduating high school, I took a 10 year hiatus, going to college, getting a “real” job and meeting and marrying my late husband, Robert Taylor. After dealing with the unbelievable stress of retail management, the unconditional love of the dogs reclaimed my life. My parents had just had a litter of puppies and they asked me to baby sit the pick bitch they were keeping while they went out of town. They needed to make sure she was properly taken care of and her ears were taped correctly as she had just been cropped. When they returned, I realized just how much I had missed having the dogs in my life. You really do not realize how much each individual dog’s personalities and their unconditional love affect you as person and your life. I also realized, as many have, I missed showing the dogs and seeing them shine. This 10 year break gave me a new perspective on dog shows and the dogs themselves.
So, in 1999, I resigned my position in the world of retail and went to work for a handler. In 2005, I began my own business of handling. Since this time, I have been blessed with great clients, good friends and acquaintances, and some fabulous dogs to share the special bond between handler and show dog.
At the end of 2007, my life took a very unexpected turn when Robert, my husband, was called home to Heaven by his maker. With all the support and love from my family, friends, amazing clients, and, of course, the dogs, I was able to work my way through the grief and continue to show dogs. Fulfilling a promise I made Robert before he passed away, I purchased a new house on 2 acres just outside of Italy, TX. This took the better part of a year to ensure I would not break any dog ordinances and the like. In 2009, I purchased the house and moved in. Over the next couple of years, I worked hard to make several changes to the property to ensure the safety of the dogs.
In 2012, the good Lord blessed me again. He decided it was time for me to have someone special in my life again to share the joy of the dogs. Tommy and I had been friends for several years when God decided it was time for me to share my life again. Tommy had been patiently ‘chasing’ me for several years waiting for me to get to a point in my life to be able to accept another man’s love. In July of 2012, that time arrived.
2012 brought another big event when on December 21 I fell through the floor of my parent’s attic and broke my right ankle for the 4th time, which is why I wear a brace on that ankle while showing. Tommy decided it was time to move to Texas to not only take our relationship to the next step, but to also help with my business, and start his own. With all of this in mind, he made a hard decision to leave Tulsa and move to Texas the first of 2013. Taking excellent care of me while I was healing, awesome care of the dogs, and doing all the leg work for the first few months of 2013, he was truly a blessing.
During the summer of 2013, Tommy ‘popped’ the question. So, on March 28, 2014 we were married and we will start the next chapter of our lives together. Growing our business and relationships with our clients in mind, we pray the Lord continues to bless us and all of those around us.
In 1973, at the age of 2, my parents purchased our first Great Dane. Over 40 years later, I am still involved with the dogs and the dog shows. Growing up, my family bred and showed Great Danes. Our Danes were house dogs and I grew up with one sleeping in my room, mostly taking up my bed. We also had a couple of Whippets and Chihuahuas.
After graduating high school, I took a 10 year hiatus, going to college, getting a “real” job and meeting and marrying my late husband, Robert Taylor. After dealing with the unbelievable stress of retail management, the unconditional love of the dogs reclaimed my life. My parents had just had a litter of puppies and they asked me to baby sit the pick bitch they were keeping while they went out of town. They needed to make sure she was properly taken care of and her ears were taped correctly as she had just been cropped. When they returned, I realized just how much I had missed having the dogs in my life. You really do not realize how much each individual dog’s personalities and their unconditional love affect you as person and your life. I also realized, as many have, I missed showing the dogs and seeing them shine. This 10 year break gave me a new perspective on dog shows and the dogs themselves.
So, in 1999, I resigned my position in the world of retail and went to work for a handler. In 2005, I began my own business of handling. Since this time, I have been blessed with great clients, good friends and acquaintances, and some fabulous dogs to share the special bond between handler and show dog.
At the end of 2007, my life took a very unexpected turn when Robert, my husband, was called home to Heaven by his maker. With all the support and love from my family, friends, amazing clients, and, of course, the dogs, I was able to work my way through the grief and continue to show dogs. Fulfilling a promise I made Robert before he passed away, I purchased a new house on 2 acres just outside of Italy, TX. This took the better part of a year to ensure I would not break any dog ordinances and the like. In 2009, I purchased the house and moved in. Over the next couple of years, I worked hard to make several changes to the property to ensure the safety of the dogs.
In 2012, the good Lord blessed me again. He decided it was time for me to have someone special in my life again to share the joy of the dogs. Tommy and I had been friends for several years when God decided it was time for me to share my life again. Tommy had been patiently ‘chasing’ me for several years waiting for me to get to a point in my life to be able to accept another man’s love. In July of 2012, that time arrived.
2012 brought another big event when on December 21 I fell through the floor of my parent’s attic and broke my right ankle for the 4th time, which is why I wear a brace on that ankle while showing. Tommy decided it was time to move to Texas to not only take our relationship to the next step, but to also help with my business, and start his own. With all of this in mind, he made a hard decision to leave Tulsa and move to Texas the first of 2013. Taking excellent care of me while I was healing, awesome care of the dogs, and doing all the leg work for the first few months of 2013, he was truly a blessing.
During the summer of 2013, Tommy ‘popped’ the question. So, on March 28, 2014 we were married and we will start the next chapter of our lives together. Growing our business and relationships with our clients in mind, we pray the Lord continues to bless us and all of those around us.
Thomas (Tommy) Katzenstein
In 1992, at the age of 12, I walked up the Combs-Henderson driveway in Sapulpa, OK. I was looking to mow the yard for money to purchase school clothes. Little did I know the door to my future was about to open. Going to school during the day and working with Ed at the kennel in the afternoons and evenings, I learned the ins and outs of caring for the dogs. From scooping the runs, to washing the mats and crates all the way to learning the proper way to bathe a dog and how to groom it correctly, I soaked it up like a sponge. At the age of 18, Brenda found me and I got to go to my first show and I was immediately hooked. I met HIM!!! From the very first: his flair, the spark in his eyes, his confidence oozing out of every pore, drew me to the breed which I call my own to this day. The breed: The Standard Schnauzer. HIS name: CH Charisma Jailhouse Rock. His handler: Brenda Combs. This world class handler would teach me, bringing out my best talents, the art of hand stripping. I worked for Mrs. Brenda Lee Combs for 6 years and then per her suggestion, I went out into the real world and got a job. Helping to get my perspective in order, my 4 years in the ‘real’ world quickly led me back to the world of the dogs. In 2008, I returned to Brenda’s and my love of the dogs. Returning to shows and working with the beautiful specimens of various breeds that were in Brenda’s excellent care, opened up different avenues to my life.
In the summer of 2012, I got the opportunity to go to a set of shows in Canada with what is now a partner not only in our business, Erregen Kennels, LLC, but also in my life, Susan. (Who wasn’t easy to Woo!!)
In January 2013, I went out on my own as a professional handler and moved to Texas to join Susan. With wonderful clients to support us, beautiful dogs for us to train, groom, and love, our future looks bright.
In 1992, at the age of 12, I walked up the Combs-Henderson driveway in Sapulpa, OK. I was looking to mow the yard for money to purchase school clothes. Little did I know the door to my future was about to open. Going to school during the day and working with Ed at the kennel in the afternoons and evenings, I learned the ins and outs of caring for the dogs. From scooping the runs, to washing the mats and crates all the way to learning the proper way to bathe a dog and how to groom it correctly, I soaked it up like a sponge. At the age of 18, Brenda found me and I got to go to my first show and I was immediately hooked. I met HIM!!! From the very first: his flair, the spark in his eyes, his confidence oozing out of every pore, drew me to the breed which I call my own to this day. The breed: The Standard Schnauzer. HIS name: CH Charisma Jailhouse Rock. His handler: Brenda Combs. This world class handler would teach me, bringing out my best talents, the art of hand stripping. I worked for Mrs. Brenda Lee Combs for 6 years and then per her suggestion, I went out into the real world and got a job. Helping to get my perspective in order, my 4 years in the ‘real’ world quickly led me back to the world of the dogs. In 2008, I returned to Brenda’s and my love of the dogs. Returning to shows and working with the beautiful specimens of various breeds that were in Brenda’s excellent care, opened up different avenues to my life.
In the summer of 2012, I got the opportunity to go to a set of shows in Canada with what is now a partner not only in our business, Erregen Kennels, LLC, but also in my life, Susan. (Who wasn’t easy to Woo!!)
In January 2013, I went out on my own as a professional handler and moved to Texas to join Susan. With wonderful clients to support us, beautiful dogs for us to train, groom, and love, our future looks bright.