Welcome to Summermist Kennels, where a passion for preservation breeding and standard-conforming dogs is truly a multi-generational family affair.
Our journey began with our founder, Laura Kokaska, whose initial love for the sport of dog showing was sparked in the ring with her beautiful Golden Retrievers. Over the years, that foundational dedication to canine excellence evolved into a shared family legacy. Laura’s daughter, Sarah Sherwin, grew up in the sport, initially following in her mother's footsteps by showing Goldens before finding her ultimate passion in the striking, plush coats of the Keeshond. Over her distinguished 20-year handling career, Sarah has successfully finished and specialed numerous champions, building a reputation for excellence in the breed.
Today, the Summermist handling legacy proudly extends to a third generation. Sarah’s son, Trenton, has stepped into the ring as a remarkably talented and top-placed Junior Showmanship contender. Piloting the family’s exceptional Grand Champion Keeshond, "Riva" (GCHB Jen'Ndi's Riva Ridge), Trenton is consistently turning heads and capturing major wins in both breed and junior rings.
At Summermist Kennels, our dogs are family first, and champions second. We are incredibly proud of our past, dedicated to our present, and excited to watch our third generation guide us into the future.
Responsible Breeders
At our Summermist kennels, we are deeply committed to responsible breeding by strictly following the rigorous guidelines of the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Keeshond Club of America, and the Golden Retriever Club of America, alongside their regional affiliates, the Rocky Mountain Keeshond Club and the Mile High Golden Retriever Club. This means every breeding decision we make focuses entirely on health, temperament, and preserving the true nature of these two wonderful breeds. We perform all parent-club-mandated genetic and clearance screenings, including comprehensive evaluations for hips, elbows, eyes, hearts, and breed-specific issues like PHPT in Keeshonden, ensuring we only pass down the healthiest genetics to future generations.
Our responsibility goes far beyond health certificates to encompass the entire life of our dogs. We raise our puppies in a loving, enriching environment with structural socialization protocols that prepare them to be confident, well-adjusted companions. Furthermore, we strictly abide by the ethical codes of our clubs by maintaining a lifelong commitment to every puppy we produce, requiring them to come back to us if an owner can ever no longer care for them. By aligning our daily kennel operations with these elite national and regional standards, we give our families the peace of mind that their puppy was bred with the utmost integrity.
Connect with Us
We are dedicated to providing you with the most ethical breeding practices and champion pedigrees. Reach out to us for inquiries regarding our litters, adoption process, or breed standards.