Vickie Haywood,

Professional Groomer & SAAB

Vickie Haywood & Poodle "Traci" Vickie Haywood was raised on a small farm in Blackstone, Virginia. By age 9, she was grooming show dairy cattle. Vickie’s first poodle was at 15. She turned to sister Bobbie Cheely of Borzoi Fame (TUFFS Borzoi home of 30 champions and 2 BIS borzoi) for grooming lessons and then learned more at Poodles and Pals, home of Calvin Hartman (Calvinelle poodles) and Vernelle Hartman Kendrick, now a popular and respected Judge. She also studied and learned from Rick Koester, a professional handler (and later judge) who finished her first Champion. Her first show poodles came from Mary Wright-Goss of Blackbrook poodles who at that time, worked for Richard Bauer. Vickie has been very successful in Poodles, demonstrating how important it is to start out right, learning from successful people, and remembering the obligation to help others.

Her most winning dog is Ch Oakwood Cantellees Devonson CD CGC, featured in Dog Fancy magazine Poodles issue in the therapy dog section. He was a Group winning puppy champion often handled by Vickie. Also in residence are Ch Beckett By Jove (Standard) Ch Holbrook Soul Sister, Ch Holbrook Oakwood Arpeggio, (co-bred with Shirley Hoffman) and 3 youngsters sired by Ch Kiyara the Intimidator, the # 1 Non Sporting Dog.

Vickie was a founding Director of the first regional animal shelter in Virginia. She was the first FEMALE sworn Dog Warden in the state of NC (1978) working under the Scotland County Health Department and has held offices with the North Carolina Animal Control Officers Association, sat on committees to re write NC dog laws and is a gifted Speaker/seminar presenter. She is owner and lead groomer of The Hairy Beast in Aberdeen, NC.

Active and involved would describe Vickie! She was a Founding Member of the Central Carolina Poodle Club, President first 7 years, show chair for 4 years. She served as Vice President of the Lumberton Kennel Club for many years and for seven years, was Show Chair for one of the biggest events in the southeast, the seven-day Tar Heel Cluster event.

Vickie demands a well-rounded dog as exemplified by 18 obedience titles including a CDX on Shapre Loganberry, a Standard who was a therapy dog and a member of the Poodle team that won the PCA regional Team obedience in 1989. She earned their first obedience title in 1970 with scores of 198 and 199 all first places.

Vickie is a Reiki Master who owns and operated The Hairy Beast and lives on 10 acres in the country near Southern Pines. Since she became a lead columnist for TheDogPress, her son Brandon has grown into a handsome (married) man who works in the IT world. Vickie is now part of the Science and Advisory Board.

Direct Questions to: Poodle1949@gmail.com

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