The origins of Windfall Ranch go back to 1976, when I acquired my first Flat-Coated Retriever, although the Windfall kennel name was not used until the first litter was born in 1986. I became a member of the Flatcoated Retriever Society of America (FCRSA) in 1977 and also acquired a second Flatcoat from Kernwood kennels in 1978. Neither of the first two dogs were exhibited in the show ring or worked in the field, but both were successful in the obedience ring, one earning a UD and the other a CDX. The foundation bitch of Windfall, Ch. Wingmaster’s Bella Beauvior UD MH*** Hall of Fame, was born in August 1983.

I did not have the necessary understanding of breed type, structure, health and working ability to become a breeder until I had been in the breed for almost 10 years. Since my first Flat-Coat, I have attended nearly all of the National Specialty shows in an effort to continue to learn about the breed, even though I am seldom able to travel with my dogs to compete. My travel is part of a belief that a serious breeder must always be willing to study dogs, meet with other breeders, mentor newcomers and be open to learning more.

I have served as a board member and president of the FCRSA as well as National Specialty Chair, National Specialty Field Chair and as a founding member of the Sharon Myers Health Committee. In addition to these activities, I have been a founding member or member of a number of all-breed retriever clubs, including the Austin Retriever Club, Bluebonnet Retriever Club, Waterloo Retriever Club, and Metro Alliance Retriever Club. I am fully pointed to judge all levels of AKC field trials and AKC hunt tests. My husband, Tim Buck (we married on April 1, 2001), is also an AKC hunt test judge.

My interest in Irish Dexter cattle is far more recent. When Tim and I bought Windfall ranch, we wanted to really work the land, not merely be “gentlemen farmers.” I became interested in this unique and endangered heritage breed, and soon acquired some animals to start the Windfall herd.

Of course, we have other interests besides our ranch. I am a Professor of Economics at Southwestern University, a top-ranked private liberal arts school in Georgetown, Texas. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Texas. Tim is the Chief Financial Officer for JMC Products, a high-tech firm in Austin. We constantly struggle to balance our “real lives” with finding enough time for the dogs and to maintain the house, kennel and 130 acres that make up the Windfall property, about an hour outside of Austin — Mary Young