(June 21, 2000 - June 19, 2015)

Every once in awhile an individual comes along which you feel very strongly about and such is our "Sophie."  Maybe not the prettiest, showiest, biggest or flashiest, BUT one of the soundest, hardest of body, functional and true to type Elkhounds we have bred.  Finishing with four BIG! majors (4,5,5,5) her "special" wins have been just that; Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex to her sire at the Greater Milwaukee Norwegian Elkhound Association Specialty under Edna Martin, followed weeks later by Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and BEST OF BREED!!! over 15 Ch. from the Bred By Exhibitor class at the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Southeastern Michigan Specialty under breeder-judge Cam LaBree ("JoCala") in 2001. Then in 2002, "Sophie" scored back-to-back 5 point majors the Canfield week-end and when moved up as a first-time Ch. that week-end, she was BEST OF BREED at the Greater Cleveland Norwegian Elkhound Club Specialty under the late breeder-judge Joan Brennan ("Tiro").

One of our favorite "Sophie wins" came at the Northern breeds Utstilling conducted by the Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club. The judge was none other than Norway's Ralf Campbell ("Tallo") and after giving her a truly wonderful critique, her placed her BEST OF BREED and ultimately BEST IN SHOW!

The dam of but one litter, she lived a quiet life at home making occasional Specialty appearances and in general ruling her household and supervising all.  She is missed by all at Kamgaard and many other admirers.