About Us
Care, Love, & Devotion
Each and every dog that enters our lives is family, always. Every Russian Toy has a unique personality, structure, and set of needs, and the Wizbang’s team is deeply committed to thoughtfully matching each puppy with the home best suited for them. Careful placement gives every puppy the greatest opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Our breeding program is rooted in a strong commitment to breed preservation, sound temperament, correct type, and long-term health. Health testing, informed pairings, and responsible stewardship of the breed are at the core of every decision we make.
Wizbang’s will always take back one of our puppies at any point in their life—no questions asked—because our responsibility to them never ends
Our Story
Carolyn’s love for the Russian Toy began around 2010, when she unexpectedly came across a photo of the breed and immediately thought, “What is that adorable little dog?” After several years of careful research, she found her foundation male, the incredible LUX, followed a few years later by her foundation female, CoCo. Together, they have made her proud, producing multiple National Specialty winners.
Carolyn is joined by Karen Cooper as a breeding partner, with Amy Kovak Harsch piloting the dogs to success in the AKC conformation ring. The Wizbang team has enjoyed remarkable success over the years.
Meet The Team
Carolyn has been dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs since 1976, beginning with her first Afghan Hound. Over the decades, her experience has included Bearded Collies, Yorkshire Terriers, Chinese Cresteds, and now the continued passion of Russian Toys. This lifelong involvement has given her a deep understanding of breed type, structure, and sound temperament.
Carolyn is a Judge Emeritus and has served as Judges Education Chair for both the Chinese Crested and Russian Toy breeds. She has also contributed extensively to the dog community through service on multiple club boards and as Show Chair for several organizations, supporting education, mentorship, and the advancement of responsible breeding practices.
Her life has been shaped by her dogs and the relationships they have brought into it. Carolyn is the heart and foundation of Wizbang’s Russian Toys, offering invaluable knowledge of the breed and playing a central role in the development, evaluation, and preservation of the dogs within the program.
Amy is the face of Wizbang’s in the AKC conformation ring. Her passion in the sport began with the breeding and exhibition of Border Collies and has evolved into a long-standing commitment to preserving and advancing breed type, structure, and soundness. Amy campaigns dogs extensively across the United States and internationally.
Her handling experience includes competition at the highest levels of the sport, from taking breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show to the Royal Canin National Championship, where she presents Wizbang’s Russian Toys with consistency and professionalism.
In addition to her work in the ring, Amy has demonstrated long-term dedication to the breed through service and leadership. She previously served as President of the Russian Toy Club of America and currently serves as President of the Heartland Russian Toy Club of Wisconsin. Through responsible breeding practices and thoughtful campaigning, Amy continues to guide the next generation of Wizbang’s Russian Toys in the AKC conformation ring.
Karen has been involved with dogs for more than 40 years. When her children were growing up, she served as a 4-H leader for dogs, horses, and sheep, helping guide and mentor young exhibitors across multiple projects. Over the years, Karen has owned and worked with a wide variety of breeds, including Bernese Mountain Dogs, Whippets, Dachshunds, Afghan Hounds, Chinese Cresteds, and most recently, Russian Toy Dogs.
Karen's dedication to the sport extends beyond the ring; she has served on multiple dog club boards in a variety of leadership roles, including President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Director. Karen is an AKC Judge Emeritus for Chinese Cresteds, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Junior Showmanship, reflecting her long-standing commitment to the sport and her depth of knowledge across breeds and disciplines.
Showing and breeding dogs has been a deeply rewarding part of Karen’s life. She has greatly enjoyed the competition, the education it brings, and—most importantly—the lasting friendships she has made throughout her journey in the dog world.
Charlei is deeply passionate about dogs and has dedicated her life to their care, development, and long-term success. Her experience spans grooming, training, and AKC Conformation, with a strong focus on correct structure, sound movement, and stable temperament. Charlei believes a well-bred dog should not only meet the breed standard but also be confident, adaptable, and a joy to live with. Beyond the show ring, Charlei is actively involved in 4-H, where she mentors youth in grooming, handling, training, and responsible dog ownership. She is committed to education and takes pride in helping the next generation build both skill and respect for dogs.
Socialization and temperament development are a cornerstone of Charlei’s program. She frequently visits nursing homes, local businesses, and community events with the Wizbang’s dogs, thoughtfully exposing them to new environments, people, and experiences. These outings help develop calm, confident temperaments and prepare dogs to succeed both in the ring and in everyday life.
In addition to her hands-on work, Charlei maintains and manages the kennel’s website and social media, ensuring transparent communication, educational content, and consistent updates for the community. Whether she is grooming, training, mentoring, or sharing knowledge online, Charlei’s dedication to ethical practices, thoughtful socialization, and lifelong learning is evident in every aspect of her work