September 20, 1999 - April 16, 2009

Through the kindness and generosity of owner Gill Bingham of Steldawn Elkhounds in England, "Kriega" came to America for a limited time to learn a new culture and share his gene pool with us. Bred by the Kestos Kennel of Wales, Kriega is not a total outcross to Kamgaard as he traces back to the importation we made many years ago of Kelly in whelp to Kavalier.

In England, Kriega was the Top Norwegian Elkhound for 2005, a Group winner and the winner of 8 Challenge Certificates. He was Best in Show at the Norwegian Elkhound Association of Scotland's National Specialty under breeder Eivind Mjaerum of Norway as well as Best of Opposite Sex to his daughter, English Ch. Kestos Lyric, at the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain's National Specialty under breeder Nils Erik Haagenrud also of Norway.

The most notable of Kriega's offspring is English/Irish Ch. Kestos I Spy at Graythor, the winner of the Hound group at the world's largest show, Crufts, in 2006, and GR3 there in both 2007 and 2008. Aforementioned Lyric is a full sister from a repeat breeding and daughter English Ch. Graythor Norelle was the Challenge Certificate winner at the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain's National Specialty in 2005.

In limited showings in America, Kriega completed his American title with FOUR majors and his trip to Canada in July '07 netted him two 5 point wins toward his Canadian title.  The highlight of our week-end to the Canadian National Specialty came when Kriega was selected Winners Dog, Best of Winners, and then ultimately BEST OF BREED!!!! under Norwegian authority Ralf Campbell ("Tallo") who could not believe that a dog in such fit condition could possibly be almost 8 years of age!  Kriega has since returned to Canada to claim his Canadian title at the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Dog Association in August.

Into the fall of 2007, Kriega was Best in Veteran Sweepstakes at the Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club Specialty, won a very nice Best of Breed at the Westchester K.C. and in October travelled west with us to the Norwegian Elkhound Association of Minnesota Specialty shows which were judged by breeders Michael and Wendy Sharman ("Naraena") of England and Sweden.  Handled by Sally there, Kriega was Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed to his daughter, Strom Kriega's Tur Dansar Thora on Saturday under Michael and was BEST OF BREED! on Sunday under Wendy.

Returning to the U.K. in the spring of '08, Kriega took to life as a spoiled senior citizen, making Veteran appearances from time to time before his untimely passing in April of 2009.

We will never forget him.