The Australian Terrier Club of America, Inc.

If you asked Marge Reignier how she would like us to be remember her, she would say “as someone who loved her dogs and friends.”

Margaret Reignier was born, raised and still lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin. As a child she thought she would like to grow up and become a librarian.

She became interested in dogs as a young girl after her girlfriend took her to her first dog show. At that time, you could go to a show and sign up for Junior Showmanship on the spot, borrow a dog and show it. She loved showing and decided that one day she would get her own dog to show… the saga begins.

Marge had seen an Australian Terrier on the cover of Dog World magazine which also included a story on Nell Fox. She contacted Nell with questions about the breed and corresponded with her for quite a while before deciding that the Australian Terrier was the breed for her. A couple of months before her wedding to Mike Reignier she purchased her first puppy, Nicky, from a Lady in Green Bay who was from Australia and had brought dogs over with her when she married and moved to the US. Marge was still living at home at the time and had not checked with her parents before impulsively purchasing the puppy. Her parents would not allow Marge to keep the dog at their house, so her future Mother-in-Law kept the dog until after the wedding.

Nicky was not really show quality, but Marge decided she wanted to try showing him. When a judge took her aside and told her she would never do any winning with Nicky because Nicky had a physical flaw (I will leave that to your imagination). Marge was extremely embarrassed and decided to give up the show ring, train Nicky in obedience and concentrate on her new family. End of show career…. maybe?

Marge did become a homemaker and was content until her first child, Mike Jr. was two years old, Then the allure of the show ring beckoned. This time she contacted Nell Fox and purchased two dogs from Nell, one of which was Pleasantpastures Town Topic. Topic was a handful, but Marge persisted and was able to finish him to his championship. When she wanted to purchase another dog, she decided to import a dog from Pat Connors in Australia. Of course, any of you that have purchased dogs from Pat know that you never get just one dog. Marge ended up with two, Tinee Town Talk a Bit and Tinee Town Teazle. Teazle had an outstanding front and movement, and with careful selective breeding produced Crestwoods Charisma, Patty, who would become Marge’s foundation bitch. Patty was bred to Jennie Worthing’s dog, Taralee Fakir, and they produced Crestwoods Crackerjack

Jack was the ultimate show dog. His first big win, BiS, was in 1983 at Waukesha, Wisconsin. He would go on to win two more BiS, five National Specialty wins and 5 Regional Specialty wins, as well as countless Breed and Group wins. Marge is grateful to her friends, Jane Tenor, Ida Ellen Weinstock, Jean Condon, Kathy Huebing and Bob LaRoche, for their advice and expertise as well as their help in and out of the ring. Crestwoods Kennel established a name for itself as a kennel that produced sound balanced dogs with good fronts and good layback of shoulder.

After Mike’s retirement from Proctor and Gamble they built a beautiful home and kennel, in the Township of New Denmark WI, just south of Green Bay. They were married for 46 years before his premature death. They had three children, Mike Junior, Michelle, Melissa, and six Grandchildren. After Mikes’ death, and because of her declining health, Marge decided to sell the house and purchase a smaller more manageable home. She bought a small cozy cottage on the outskirts of Green Bay where she lives with a dog, two cats and is responsible for the care of numerous assorted wild birds. She enjoys grooming the pets she has placed while visiting with their owners. She also likes receiving phone calls from friends and setting up lunch dates with them. When asked what the most important things in her life were, she unhesitatingly states her family, her faith, and the many dogs she has been privileged to have bred and loved.