Welcome to Flatwater Kennels
Powered by Caragan Steel
Looking for a real American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)? We are a small family kennel committed to producing conformationally correct, sound temperament, family raised APBTs. Our foundation APBTs are Caragan-bred dogs with the aforementioned qualities. Cheryl Caragan dedicated 31 years to her line before her passing in 2016. We aim to continue her vision with thoughtful reproduction and well-thought outcrosses as needed to maintain the integrity of the line.
Our Story
Born and raised in western Nebraska and married for nearly 30 years, we share common interests and goals. During our youth, we were both heavily involved in 4H showing livestock including cattle, sheep, and pigs. With a love and passion for animals, we have cared for pets our entire lives. Now that our children are raised and grown, we are enjoying a new chapter in our lives as empty nesters, and are committed to dedicating more of our spare time to the breed we love most. If you are in search of the "real deal," you've come to the right site.
~ Russell & Holly Sterkel ~
Our Dogs
Flatwater Kennels is fortunate to have been chosen by Cheryl Caragan as members of the Caragan Preservation Group in an effort to maintain her line and continue her legacy with the ethics, vision, and integrity she so often exhibited and lived her life by. Our vision continues to be a conformationally, temperamentally sound multi-purposed line of true, real, American Pit Bull Terriers. Our mission is to continue to present this magnificent breed in a positive role to the general public while preserving the qualities of drive, athleticism, and trainability. We embrace the responsibility and journey of what we have committed to the true American Pit Bull Terrier.
~ Russell, Holly, and Logan Sterkel ~
Nala
CH. Caragan's Steel Curtain Call a.k.a. "Naughty Nala" is our foundation bitch who won Best of Show at the 2016 American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) Bulldogs of the Rockies show in Colorado. Nala is the epitome of "don't underestimate my size and quiet demeanor." This 38-pound fireball and athletic li'l girl never gives up ground and is always ready for a road trip. Her only litter to date was with Caragan's Rowan producing two of our pack, Caragan's Pistol Annie andCaragan's Red Ryder.
Rowan
CH. Caragan's Rowan came to us as part of a thoughtful outcross, produced via insemination thru the partnership of Cheryl Caragan, Caragan Kennels and our good friend Yvonne Chohan at Chohan Kennels. Rowan is the son of GRCH Scruffy and CH. Caragan's Steel Beretta. He is a solid dog in both confirmation and temperament, and has become a family favorite due to his ability to maintain impulse control in many different and
challenging environments.
Ryder a.k.a. "Hoss"
Caragan's Red Ryder, also known as Hoss, is a good-natured, high-energy dog, constantly on guard patrolling either the house or property looking for critters to chase. This boy, given his constant movement, is actually the most in tune around our grandkids, respecting their space. He checks on them but always keep space between himself and the children, respecting that the littles don't have good balance and need room to move. Hoss won Best of Opposite at The Bulldog of the Rockies 2016 ADBA show, giving up Best of Show to his mom Naughty Nala. Heavily ADBA pointed, Hoss should finish his Champion in the near future.
Pistol Annie a.k.a. "Annie"
Pictured on the right, Caragan's Pistol Annie's name fits her personality perfectly. I played an active role in her delivery due to her being breech, so she has stolen a special place in my heart. Annie, only a few points away from becoming an ADBA Champion, has won two Best of Opposites, both times complimenting her father Caragan's Rowan, Best of Show. Annie is a very even-tempered girl, given her high energy and drive.
As we introduce new things to Annie, she generally picks up what we are asking, and always works to please.
Rebel
Chohan's Rebel Yell comes to us, courtesy of Yvonne Chohan, a production from Chohan's Rooster X Chohan's Silent Things. Rebel is living "the good life" with our son Logan in Nebraska. Rebel has competed in one ADBA confirmation weekend this year and accumulated 28 points in his only show weekend. This fun boy is a joker with drive, solid disposition, and confirmation. He is directly bred down from the Caragan line thru Chohan Kennels. He has a nice even drive, and our son has done a great job with this boy. "Reb" climbs into tractors and semi-tractor trucks, hunts for vermin and enjoys irrigating with his human dad on a farm in western Nebraska. Rebel is a nice addition to our future breedings as our family continues the Caragan legacy.
In memory of Cheryl Caragan
