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Since 1928
Hunter’s Home: Our Story
In Danish, Jagersbo means “Hunter’s Home.” This is how a young man from Denmark, a few English Setters and one family’s devotion to dogs became Jagersbo Kennels.
Est. 1928 · Troy, Michigan
Request a Stay
Tell us about your pet and your dates. We will call or e-mail to confirm. Nothing is booked until we do.
Prefer the phone? Call (248) 644-7717. We never share your information.
The beginning
A Lifelong Devotion to the Sport of Dogs
Our devotion to the sport of dogs has been a lifelong experience, beginning with Erik Bergishagen Sr. Soon after he arrived from Denmark in 1922, he began importing and breeding English Setters and Pointers, bringing dogs over from Denmark and Sweden.
In 1928 the American Kennel Club granted him the kennel name “Jagersbo.” The certificate still hangs at the kennel.
Through the years
A Jagersbo Timeline
Every date below comes from the family’s own records and earlier websites.
- 1922
From Denmark to Michigan
Erik Bergishagen Sr. arrives from Denmark and soon begins importing and breeding English Setters and Pointers.
Setters and Pointers in the field, from the family archive - 1928
The name “Jagersbo”
On October 15, 1928, the American Kennel Club grants the kennel name Jagersbo, Kennel Name Certificate No. 3617.
- 1929
A son is born
Erik Bergishagen, who would carry the kennel forward, is born on July 21, 1929.
- 1935
Home on Adams Road
Jagersbo moves to its current location in what is now Troy. The kennel built that year, with outdoor access, sunshine and fresh air in mind, still stands and is still in use.
The kennel in its early years - 1946
The first Labrador
Jock of Athabaska, sired by Ch. Shed of Arden, arrives in the spring. Erik finishes Jock’s championship when he is just 17. In the years that follow, the kennel also breeds Brittany and Irish Water Spaniels, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Dachshunds and Labradors.
Young Erik with two of his father’s setters - 1949
In a Purina advertisement
Jagersbo Kennels is featured in a Purina advertisement.
The 1949 Purina advertisement - 1952
The next generation
Erik Bergishagen Sr. passes away. Erik, then 23, registers the kennel in his name and continues to run it as a family business.
- 1962
German Wirehaired Pointers
Erik purchases a German Wirehaired Pointer. Over the next 13 years he breeds 19 litters and 16 champions.
- 1968
Professional handler
From 1968 to 1988 Erik is a licensed all-breed professional handler and a member of the Professional Handlers Association and the Dog Handlers’ Guild. In all, he shows more than 200 dogs to their championships.
- 1976
The Detroit Kennel Club
Erik joins the Detroit Kennel Club as a member and director, serves as First Vice President from 1980 to 1987, and becomes President in 1987.
- 1988
A judge’s license
Erik is licensed to judge, later including the Sporting Group and Best in Show.
- 1990s
Morris Animal Foundation
Trustee Emeritus from 1990 to 2000 and Canine Vice President from 1992 to 1996.
- 1999
Westminster
Erik judges Labrador Retrievers at the Westminster Kennel Club show, and the Sporting Group there in 2002. He also judges the Canadian National Labrador Specialty (2000), the U.S. National Labrador Specialty (2005), Labradors at the AKC National Invitational (2006), Chesapeake Bay Retrievers at the Canadian National (2009) and the Sporting Group at the AKC Invitational (2010).
Erik at his desk - 2001
AKC Delegate
Erik becomes the American Kennel Club Delegate for the Detroit Kennel Club.
- 2015
Remembering Erik
Erik Bergishagen passes away peacefully at home on August 2, 2015. He is greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
- Today
Still a family kennel
The family still owns and runs Jagersbo, still lives on the property, and still breeds Labrador Retrievers, while caring for the dogs and cats of Troy and Metro Detroit.
Our sign on Adams Road
The actual kennel, as it stands, was built in 1935 with the belief that dogs flourish in an environment with plenty of outdoor access, sunshine and fresh air.
In print
“Completely Devoted to Dogs”
Jagersbo Kennel was profiled in issue 56 of Today’s Breeder, a Nestlé Purina PetCare magazine, in an article titled “Completely Devoted to Dogs.” Decades earlier, in 1949, the kennel had appeared in a Purina advertisement.
Reservations
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Nearly a century on, the kennel is still here for the dogs and cats of Troy. Send us your dates or book a free trial daycare.
- Call(248) 644-7717
- Visit3520 N. Adams Road, Troy, MI 48084
- Check-in & pick-up
- Monday – Friday
- 7:00 – 10:00 am, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday
- 7:00 – 10:00 am
Est. 1928 · Troy, Michigan
Request a Stay
Tell us about your pet and your dates. We will call or e-mail to confirm. Nothing is booked until we do.
Prefer the phone? Call (248) 644-7717. We never share your information.