Jeannie Armstrong (right), of Dig It Kennels in Riverview, and her Jakona Ibizan Hound, Elin, won “Best of Breed” at the Westminster Dog Show this past February.” Armstrong has been breeding, training and showing dogs for 20 years
Orlando may have Disney World for humans, but Riverview has Dig It Kennels or “Doggy Disney,” for its four-legged friends. Many of the kennel’s clients refer to it as “Doggy Disney” because dogs can run, play and be happy.
Jeannie Armstrong, one of the owners of the family run kennel, said many of their clients’ dogs don’t want to go home.
“I have heard them barking in the car as they turn down our drive,” Armstrong said.
Dig It Kennels has been part of the Riverview community since 2007. The kennel has 5500 sq.ft. indoor facility that has air conditioning and heat. The indoor facility also has a full kitchen where the staff can prepare and store special needs meals for special needs dogs. In addition to the indoor accommodations, there is 1200 sq.ft. of covered outdoor runs that are insulated to provide daytime shade.
The kennel offers a variety of services from doggy day care to show dog training. Armstrong has been involved in breeding, training and showing dogs for 20 years. Armstrong’s breed of choice is Jakona Ibizan Hound, which has said to have been King Tut’s favorite dog. Her dog, Jakona’s Swiss Miss aka
Elin won “Best of Breed” at the Westminster Dog Show this past February in addition to winning an “Award of Excellence” at the Eukanuba Champion Show in Orlando.
“I have bred numerous AKC champions and grand champions,” Armstrong said.
The litter of six she bred in 2010 was her best thus far. Three of them were AKC champions and two of them were grand champions. Two of Armstrong’s show dogs, Chester and Bingo, go to work with her everyday to help calm new dogs down. She said they show the other dogs Dig It Kennels is a fun place for dogs.
“Dig It Kennels is a family,” Armstrong said, “We have had the same staff since the day we opened, so our dog clients know us and love us.” The kennel is so family oriented that the clients know Armstrong’s mother, Susie, as “Grandma Susie” because she loves to sit and hold the little dogs.
For more information on the services offered at Dig It Kennels, you can contact them at 633-0525 or visit them at www.digitkennels.com. If you are interested in Armstrong’s show dogs you can visit her Website at www.jakonaibizanhounds.com. Dig It Kennels is located at 12918 County Rd. 672 in Riverview.
