About Me:

My name is Jamie Gimblin. I am a professional dog handler and breeder of Icelandic Sheepdogs. I have had German Shepherds all my life, my first being my Jette at ten years old. So Icelandics were a new venture for me. My first experience with the Icelandics was when my family got their first Icelandic Sheepdog in 2020 from Valhalla Icelandics. I took a shine to Norskie (the "family" Icelandic) very early on. He was so easy to train and such a quick and attentive learner, but so different from the German Shepherds. The "family" dog quickly became MY dog. Margaret noticed and told me that I had a natural gift with the dogs and that I should try showing Norskie. She said that if I put a Championship on him, she would give me a pick puppy of my own to show.​
 
So ​I half-heartedly showed my "pet" and realized that I loved to show. It wasn't about the people, or the accolades, or the venues... it was about the bond. The bond between a handler and their dog. And I am a HANDLER... I could never figure it out growing up. I didn't know what or who I was. I wasn't a doctor. I wasn't a lawyer. I wasn't a scholar or a musician. But the moment I stepped into the ring and watched the dog that I TRAINED do the job that I had TRAINED him to do... It was a feeling unlike any other.
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Margaret taught me most everything I know about Icelandics... She pushed me to try new things and test the limits. She saw more in me than I ever did. That, along with my knowledge of structure and temperament from German Shepherds... has turned me into the handler I am today. 
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Once I knew this was what I wanted to do, I really dove in. I went to every seminar and class I could, and I was lucky enough to train under some of the best handlers in the country. I still learn every single day. But honestly, my greatest teachers—and I’ve said this since I was a kid—are the dogs themselves.
 

Many handlers have their “tried and true” methods. I’m a little different. I know that each dog is unique, and the method that works for one may not work for another. Training has to be tailored to what works best for that individual dog.
 

I also believe I can learn something from everyone. Each person has something of value to offer, and I take pieces of what I learn from each instructor to continue developing and growing my own method and program. I don’t believe there’s just one right way—I believe you have to develop the method that works for you.
 

That belief shapes how I mentor others as well. I tell all of them: "My job isn't to turn you into me. My job is to help YOU turn YOURSELF into the best handler YOU can be". That and "LISTEN to your dog... he will tell you what he needs".

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Norskie was my first Champion back in 2022... and as promised... Margaret let me have my pick of her next litter. That was my Kleo. I raised, trained, showed, and finished Kleo's Championship when she was just seven months old. Since that time, I have finished multiple dogs of mine, Margaret's, and other clients' dogs. I mostly show German Shepherds and Icelandics exclusively, but love working with most any other breed... especially within the herding group.
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The breeding is relatively new for me... I have tutored under breeders and helped whelp multiple litters since I was a kid. The litter of pups out of Kizmet and Mo will be my first litter officially under my kennel name, and I couldn't be more excited for it.  Breeding and handling go hand in hand.. but handling a dog that YOU bred... there's something a little more special in that.