Gary Riese grew up in central Wisconsin.   He started hunting by walking beside his father who hunted with an English Springer Spaniel.   When old enough to shoot, Gary began hunting on his own and had his own English Springer.    One of Gary’s greatest pleasures remains hunting with his own dogs.  Graduating college in 1974 with a BA degree, Gary has been teaching high school social studies ever since.   He went on to get his masters and education specialist degrees. He retired from teaching at the high school level in public schools in 2005. Gary is now finishing his Masters in Sociology at UWG and is teaching Sociology at a local college.
Susan also graduated in 1974, but with a BS degree in biology.   She did not become a teacher until 1983.  Since then she also has received her masters and education specialist degrees. Susan teaches middle school science at a local public school. Susan grew up in a suburb of Chicago.   Her first dogs were mixed breeds, but she began attending dog shows as a spectator in the 1960’s.   After Gary and Susan were married, they acquired a Basenji that they showed to its championship.   Realizing they both wanted a hunting dog, they researched various breeds.   Though there were no Welsh in the Midwest at that time to meet, all the information they read about Welsh indicated that this was “their” breed.
“Girl” (Ch. Sugari’s Saga of Sylabru CD) was their first Welsh, arriving in late 1975 from Pennsylvania. The first Statesman litter was born in 1979. There have been over 75 Statesman champions since that time—usually owner or breeder handled—and several of these have had wins at WSSCA national specialties, Westminster, and/or the American Spaniel Club show.   Many Statesman Welsh have also attained performance titles in obedience, hunting tests, working tests, and agility. Although we are extremely proud of these accomplishments, our main goal remains to breed happy, healthy pups that make wonderful family companions.  With this in mind, we require that all pups get their hips and thyroid evaluated by the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals upon reaching two years of age.

Susan started judging matches in the early 80’s.   She waited until daughter Meghen aged out of junior showmanship before applying to be a judge with the American Kennel Club.   Currently, Susan is approved by AKC to judge many breeds in the sporting breeds. She is also approved to judge junior showmanship at AKC shows. 

With a family interest in education and continued learning, Susan attends seminars and institutes on canine structure, health and behavior, as well breed specific seminars.   Susan has hopes of someday being approved to judge the whole sporting group.  This strong belief in the importance of education is also evidenced by the requirement that families receive educational materials prior to getting a puppy.  All Statesman puppy owners receive the book “How To Raise A Puppy That You Can Live With”.   This book is required reading as it  promotes methods that have proven successful in raising a puppy to be a sound, confident, happy adult Welsh springer.

One of Susan's most satisfying experiences was co-producing the professional video "The Working Welshman".   For more information on the video and how to order it please contact Susan.

Gary and Susan Riese
2346 Corinth-Poseyville Rd
Bremen, GA 30110
USA

Phone: (770) 646.9310

Email: statesmanwss@earthlink.net