The History of the Bearswamp Carolina Dogs
By Bill Copeland ... as told to by
Shawn Seddinger, Patron of the Bearswamp Carolina Dog Line
Shawn has always been a Dog Lover, she has since a young adult taken in stray dogs, rescued many dogs and worked with various local animal shelters finding homes for dogs that needed a place to live, to be with someone that cared, that would love them, and she worked very hard to do this. Shawn always seemed to have a dog or 2 or 3 living with her and as it is with life with a dog, you will lose one. It's always very sad and hurts when this happens. This happened with Shawn; she lost one dog then a few months later she lost another. Shawn was very sad and hurt. Then it came up that there was a dog that needed a place to go. Shawn wanted to help but it was hard for her to do so this soon. A close friend pushed her to go see this dog. Shawn had no intention when she left home that day to bring it home with her, but she did. This black Flat Coat Lab needed help and a home. She became Shawn's dog that she named Rue and her constant companion. Rue was a wonderful dog, and they loved each other very much. Because of Rue the rest of this story happened and led to the Bearswamp Carolina Dog line.
A short time later a situation was brought to Shawn's attention concerning a wild caught orphaned Carolina Dog puppy that needed help. Shawn fostered this puppy named Annie. She and Rue took care of her until she found her a permanent home. soon after Annie left for her new home Shawn became aware of a group of dogs that the county authorities removed from a bad situation to a small rural local dog shelter. Shawn wanted to help and was drawn to one certain special dog, a wild caught Carolina Dog. Shawn made arrangements to adopt this dog that she named Lacey. Over a period of time Shawn and Rue showed Lacey that she was now safe and loved. Lacey was a beautiful ginger colored Carolina Dog and became a permanent addition to Shawn's household. Rue and Lacey became very close companions.
Shawn realized how special the Carolina Dogs were and started to get very involved with the breed. She learned about a dog show with other Carolina Dog enthusiasts being held in South Carolina just a few hours' drive away called The Carolina Dog Tailgate Party. She decided to attend. Shawn had a great time,
Shawn realized how special the Carolina Dogs were and started to get very involved with the breed. She learned about a dog show with other Carolina Dog enthusiasts being held in South Carolina just a few hours' drive away called The Carolina Dog Tailgate Party. She decided to attend. Shawn had a great time, there she met Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Dr. Don Anderson and Mark Eden, both close friends of Dr. Brisbin and both great Carolina Dog Breeders. Lacey won First Place at this Dog Show judged by Dr. Brisbin. Over a little time, Shawn became close friends with Dr. Brisbin, Dr. Anderson and Mark Eden and met with them many times and had many conversations concerning Carolina Dogs.
Then over a little time more Carolina Dogs came into Shawn's life such as, River, Tanner, Panda, Meadow, Honey, Boone, Carrie, Dingo, and the list of Carolina Dogs can go on and on. The Bearswamp Kennel name came about with Shawn's 2 wild caught Carolina Dogs Debonair Dingo and Carolina Sunshine. Their union produced a fine litter of puppies. One of these puppies named Bear was mated with a Carolina Dog given to Shawn as a puppy by Dr. Brisbin. Shawn named this puppy Barbie. This union produced
6 Carolina Dog puppies. Then later came another litter of 9 puppies, then a third litter with 7 puppies. All with the Bearswamp Kennel name, all UKC and AKC FSS pedigrees. This line continues to grow with these 22 puppies that now has over 50 grand puppies.
Shawn told me that all this came about because of Rue. If she had not adopted Rue when she did and received the love and joy that she did, it may have been a long time before she recovered and desired another dog companion. Plus, Rue was instrumental in helping Shawn with Lacey and all the other dogs and puppies that came into Shawn's life. So, because of Rue, Shawn got involved with Carolina Dogs and produced some fine Carolina Dogs that are all living a great life and providing a lot of joy to a lot of families.
RIP Rue, you are missed and still loved
I've been involved with Shawn and the Carolina Dogs since 2018 right after Sarge was born in the first litter. I was amazed with the passion Shawn has for this fantastic breed. Because of her and my Carolina Dog Sarge I have also become active with the preservation of this amazing primitive dog breed. So much so I sat down and wrote and published a book about my life living with a Carolina Dog. It's titled 'The Adventures of Sarge, Carolina Dog'. I have learned so much from Shawn while watching her and Barbie raise 3 litters of puppies. These Bearswamp Carolina Dogs are more than just dogs, they have become part of a family, the Bearswamp family. These puppies were adopted by some great families and all are living great lives. These owners have kept in touch with Shawn over the years seeking advice when needed, asking questions, expressing their joy and sending photos of their adventures with their Dogs.
Shawn and I are also very proud that the South Carolina Wildlife
Magazine published by The South Carolina Dept. of Natural
Resources contacted us to publish an article in their magazine about
the Bearswamp Carolina Dogs.
The Bearswamp Carolina Dog Adentures continues...
" No animal I know of can consistently be more of a friend and companion than a Dog. " - Stanley Leinwall
