Jeanine has bred, owned and handled Dachshunds for 64 years. In 1948, at the age of 18, she attended her first dog show in Chicago at the Sportsman’s Pier. Jeanine’s interest in Dachshunds resurfaced in 1952 while working with a dog trainer and a Dachshund on a TV commercial. She became a serious student of the breed, learning from the many legends in Dachshunds at the time. After considerable research, Jeanine bought her first Standard Smooth Dachshund that same year. She applied the lessons of her mentors over the years and developed Best in Show winners under her "Lucene" kennel prefix. Many of today’s top-winning Dachshunds have the "Lucene" kennel name somewhere in their pedigree. 

Jeanine became approved to judge Dachshunds, Basset Hounds and Junior Showmanship in 1972 Jeanine’s love for dogs was passed down to her daughter, Mechelle Sudinski- Stall. Mechelle started training and handling the Lucene Dachshunds in 1974 and continued to show them for 40 years, while Jeanine managed the breeding program. Together, the mother-daughter pair has produced 300 champions that have won major awards at many of the most important events in dogdom, including the Dachshund Club of America National Specialty and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Thank you to all of your support to make it happen!

It has been a whirl wind trip to Orlando, Florida last December 11 to the 15th. My daughter, Mechelle Stall, our friend, Cheryl Lemon, who owns a "Lucene" standard champion longhair, and myself and two dogs attended the DCA Regional Dachshund Specialty and the Eukanuba Kennel Club Show. One of our other dear friend “Cindy Upton traveled just to meet with us to cheer us on during our award ceremony. Mechelle was kept busy showing dogs and was able to garner a 3 point major at the Eukanuba KC Show on Saturday. It was wonderful being able to see and meet dogs and people we have only known on "Facebook" and now actually talking to them in person. We met so many new friends. I was overwhelmed with all their warm handshakes and hugs along with "Congratulations'" Jeanine and Mechelle. It was heartwarming to hear and it will be a keepsake in my memories forever.

The show was held in Orlando's "Convention Center," with an entry of over 4,000 dogs and twice the number of people. I have never seen a more smoothly run show. I commend all the people that worked behind the scenes. The rings were spacious. I would judge them to be 60x70 feet. The dachshunds only used less than half the ring space when being judged. Being Rottweiler breeders also, we felt the ring could have been larger for this 'giant' breed to get a good start in their gait around the ring. The classes were huge.

On Saturday we had an 'Interview' with one of the hostesses. I wish I could get a copy of it as they did record it. They asked what instigated me to start breeding and showing dogs. What was my first pure bred dog that I owned? Who were my mentors in the early years of breeding? Was there a 'special' dog in my life? Which dog was my best producer? What event, or events, was most impressive that happened to me in breeding, or at a dog show? In closing the interview they asked if I could give some good advice to the new comers entering the dog world of breeding and shows. I was in my realm talking about dogs and could have talked the whole day through. I loved it.

After the interview, Mechelle and I rushed down to the dachshund ring as the hour for the judges to have their lunch was ending and judging was about to commence. Mechelle, won Winner's Dog for a 3pt major. The owner was so elated with happiness, she screamed. Made me happy to see.....and hear. My joy is seeing other people succeed. I guess that is the main reason I lasted so long in dogs. I never let loosing bother me. It is just one judge’s opinion. I always look ahead to tomorrow. I know what it feels like both in the center of the ring and around the ring. It is my life.

For the evenings 'Awards Ceremony' Sunday we had a rehearsal in the morning. It was fun meeting all the other 2014 Breeder's of the Year. We had so much in common. We are all truly dedicated to the improvement and welfare of our particular breed.

In order to see the Groups and Best in Show, along with the  Veteran  Best in Show and see the 2014 AKC Group Breeders of the Year and the Best in Show Breeder of the a Year, you had to purchase a $25.00 ticket. Besides the high price ticket, it all took place in the evening. We did not go on stage till 9pm.

While watching the groups, the only dog we wanted to meet was the ever beautiful, popular, most correct, top winner of all time the "Old English Sheep Dog" named "Swagger." His owners were the most down to earth people you could ever want to meet. When we were leaving the show grounds at midnight and here comes "Swagger" wearing socks on his four feet to keep them from getting dirty. He walked with feet stepping high and moving with a "swagger." What a ham, such a love!

The Sky Terrier was Best in Show and Gwen DeMilta and Carissa DeMilta Shimpeno were presented with the 2014 AKC Breeder of the Year Award for their Alisaton Doberman Pinschers at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Sunday, December 14, 2014. The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs. We were just proud to be representing all the Hound Group Breeders and especially our beloved dachshund breeders for being recognized for the first time since AKC started giving out this award.

Being so late in the evening and wanted to celebrate this special night, Mechelle suggested we go out and have a "Banana Split!" Don't laugh; I never enjoyed a "Banana Split" so much in my whole life. What great fun with great people. 

We left on Monday and we had nine or more dogs on our plane to San Diego. It was so funny to hear the air line stewardess say. "Is there anyone on this plane that does not have a dog?"