I was brought up with dogs, first a cocker spaniel, a lab, then a miniature poodle. My dad field trialed and hunted with the lab, and I remained curious as a child about competition with dogs. The first dog of my own choosing in 1981, was a very delightful pet quality basset that I called Norman. He was a funny little boy with a fair number of resolvable health issues, and I learned much from that. But, more importantly, he introduced me to this wonderful breed. I did obedience with Normie, and I was bitten by the show and trial bug. I purchased my first show quality bitch, Torcroft Leanne, in 1985, from long time Canadian breeder and judge, Lorna Rindal, who mentored me in the breed. I showed and trialed Leanne, and bred my first litter from Leanne and a beautiful Torcroft male in 1988 under the Bonorlea prefix, that is a combination the first 3 letters of my name, Normie’s name and Leanne’s name. Champions in both Canada and the USA followed, and each of the dogs I kept myself, and several that I placed with other people, received championships, and obedience and tracking titles.

I had the honor of owning and breeding a dog from Blackjack kennels (Glenoria Molnar) and Sanlyn kennels (Mark and Sandi Chryssanthis and Chris Wallen) and some other long-term friends that are no longer in bassets. I bred to Bobbi Brandt and Donna Coker’s Sasquatch Bassets in 1999 and still co-own several dogs to this day. I am fortunate to also co-own some dogs with Rosemary Ryan. All of my dogs compete in conformation, obedience, rally, and tracking. My sons competed in junior handling in Canada. At present, I added hunt test, field trials and scent work to my dog’s activities.

With bringing up two sons, who grew up to be fine people, I was a very busy person and I also made my boys a priority. And yes, I was a minivan driving soccer, baseball and lacrosse mom! I kept my kennel small and owned approximately 5 adult bassets at a time with selective breeding and training all my dogs to titles. As of July 2025, I will be married to my husband, Larry, for 50 years.

I worked in health care for over 40 years, finishing my career in 2020 where I worked as Coordinator of Health Information Management at the British Columbia Cancer Agency in Surrey and Abbotsford BC. I taught health information management on a part time basis at Douglas College.

By 2009 I worked to qualify to judge the first half of the hound group, and by 2012, I earned the second half of the hound group. I challenge exams for the new breeds as they come along, and remain active in judge’s education.

I am most grateful for the friends I have, and most of these I met through the dog shows and trials over the last many years.

I’m very honored to have been asked to judge this specialty.

Bonnie Tetlock
Basset Hound Club of Western PA Specialty - October 13th