This is the room where we place our pups that we will "run on" for six to twelve months before deciding who ultimately will become a part of our active breeding program. What determines who stays and who will go to a new home? There are many things to be considered before we can make the final choice: First and foremost do we like the pup; his or her personality, can we live with them? Does the pup "fit in" with the other dogs? Are they happy being one of a dozen or more dogs, sharing our attentions, or would they prefer to be in a one or two-dog family? Do they like to show off? In other words, will they have fun in the ring or do they have to be dragged around fighting the whole way? And, of course, we have to stand back and forget this is our precious puppy and really look at him (or her!). Has he/she lived up to his/her potential? We "assess" our pups many times over the months starting as young as only a few weeks old. We also like to have another breeder help with the assessments as often as possible; not necessarily a dachsie breeder. A good breeder will know what makes a worthy dog regardless of the breed (some just have a better "eye" than others).
Not all pups will stay with us permanently, of course. There wouldn't be enough room! Some, like "Striker", have gone to co-ownership homes where they can get the one-on-one attention they adore. Periodically they'll come for a visit to be shown or perhaps to "play house" with one of the girls. Most others will be placed into companion homes with our regular "Non Breeding" contract; a select few may be offered to a show or breeding home.
"Cali" 16 months old
"Cali"; DOB June 29, 2008; Cream. Circumstances prevented us from showing this year except for a couple of week-ends. Cali has been in the ring five times acquitting herself well all but once ... that time she had fun! A couple of reserves and one 3-point Best of Breed ~ we're pleased! Hopefully personal injuries won't prevent a good show year in 2010!
"Toad" ~ 11 months old
Wow! This boy is turning into a VERY handsome young fellow!
"Toad"; DOB November 17, 2008; Black & Cream. Toad hales from Zarcrest Dachshunds, one of the top kennels in the UK. He's beautifully put together with one of the best personalities ever! Toad is maturing into a superb specimen of the breed and has produced his first litter for us out of our own *Ella* resulting in four lovely boys. Before the 2009 show season ended we did manage to attend two more days in which Toad won his first four points taking Best of Winners both days!
Our first week-end out for the 2010 show season Toad did us proud winning Reserve Male at the ECDC Specialty. Our next outing, Ottawa Kennel Club, we had no competition and Star took the breed both days. A couple of weeks later saw us back in the ring. Friday Toad went WD for another point; Saturday he went Reserve and Sunday he went BB for two more points. Toad has a total of seven points to date. We missed the closing date for the next set of shows we had hoped to attend (oops!) so our next show will be at Kars where we plan to show Toad, Cali and Meme.
NEW CHAMPION!
"Star"; DOB February 04, 2009; Cream. When you have a litter the caliber of that out of Harvey and Stella spring 2008 it's ever so tempting to repeat it though the results are not always quite as spectacular. However, we hit the jackpot with this second litter too! Star and her litter brother, Danny (achieving his Can CH in just two week-ends finishing with a Group Third!) are as exciting as Cali and Flag were! Star attended the same shows as Toad the end of November acquitting herself well.
The same show week-end we had Toad out for the first time this 2010 show season we also reintroduced Star to showing. She was wonderful! Friday she went WF & BW for her first three points; Saturday morning she went Reserve and at the Specialty in the afternoon she once again took Winners Female to add another two points towards her Canadian title. This girl is a dream to show ... wonderful movement and lots of spirit!
The end of May both Toad and Star were in the ring once again; Star winning BB both days for another two points. A couple of weeks later we were back in the ring (three dogs for three days - a lot of juggling!) where Star did us proud! Friday she went BB for two points; Saturday another BB (two points)and Best Bred By Exhibitor in Group. Star finished her title in style!
We'll let Star mature for the next several months before mating her to Toad for her first litter.
"Fern" pictured at eight months old
"Fern"; DOB June 08, 2009; Black & Cream Pictured at eight months old. Fern is the only pup we've held back from Breeze when she was retired last fall, she's also out of Boo who has gone to wow the ladies in Brazil! We've waffled, back and forth, forth and back, whether to run her on and we're thrilled with her progress to date. This is one we were lucky not to let get away!
BEST PUPPY IN GROUP
First time in the ring! Expertly handled by George.
"Meme" 4 months old
"Meme"; DOB August 19, 2009; Cream Brindle. Meme hales from Houston, TX; my Christmas present to myself. She's an active, out-going, wonderful little girl from superb lines.
Meme has been in the show once, at the Kingston & District Kennel Club shows June 20, 2010. We were THRILLED to see her take her first point AND go on to BEST PUPPY IN GROUP! She's a natural, trots around the ring like a pro and self-stacks perfectly! We will definitely be bringing her out to more shows this coming summer.
"Jimmy" 6 months old
"Jimmy"; DOB December 06, 2009; Black & Cream. We were hard-pressed to decide between the two brothers, Ram and Jimmy, and in the final analysis we chose to run with our handsome Jimmy.
We plan to run on this handsome young fellow however we will consider co-ownership with a small home-based show establishment.