Running and walking are important parts of the Terminis’ lives, so when choosing pets they wanted dogs that would share their favored activities. Kingsley, an 11-year-old English setter, and Brinkley, a two-year-old Large Munsterlander, have done just that.

 

Kingsley is Jill and Joe’s second English setter. She came from Daybreak English Setters in Canton. “We love the breed,” they say.

 

Brinkley joined the Town Commons household after the Terminis’ beloved Australian Shepherd passed. A friend suggested they look into a Munsterlander for their next dog. Munsterlanders originally were bred to hunt and retrieve, and require regular exercise. After some research, Jill and Joe decided the active breed would be the perfect fit for their family, and started reaching out to breeders.

 

“It took a bit of time to find a breeder that would sell us a dog,” Jill says. “Most will only sell to a hunting household.” They were persistent and Joe eventually found a breeder in Arkansas who would sell them a pup. Joe drove there immediately. Their friend who suggested the breed has Brinkley’s sister.

 

Both dogs love to run and walk, and will go for miles. Brinkley runs six miles or more with Jill each morning. Then in the afternoon, Jill and Joe take both dogs for a three-mile walk.

 

After ten years of running long distances, Kingsley is retired. She used to run alongside Jill and Joe while they trained for marathons. Her longest run was 18 miles. On Christmas Eve, Brinkley ran 11 miles. 

 

When not out on a run or walk, the dogs are likely to be found on the couch. “Dogs were never allowed on the furniture in our home until Brinkley showed up,” Jill says.

 

Brinkley and Kingsley are affectionate, sweet, and happiest when with their people, who include Jill and Joe’s sons J.T. (24), Thomas (20), and John (18). Kingsley is named for the first street Jill lived on as a child while Brinkley was the only name all five family members could agree upon.

 

The two pups are also excellent counter surfers. Brinkley loves toys, and often carries one or more in her mouth. She also likes to tear apart toys with squeakers, sometimes in five minutes or less. “The boys refer to her dog bed as her surgical table,” Jill notes. Kingsley prefers dog bones to toys.