AKC 2014 HOUND GROUP BREEDER OF THE YEAR LUCENE DACHSHUNDS
Jeanine Sudinski and Mechelle Sudinski-Stall, Lucene Dachshunds
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.
1954
This time was moving away from our home town of Whiting, Indiana. My husband gave up a
superb job as a lab technician with Carbide and Carbon Company for Standard Oil, but when the
first leaf fell from the trees, I said, "No more winters for me. Let's take our chances and go back
to California. So off we went with our b&t dachshund we ended up in San Diego because it was
a little coastal navy town. Jobs were scarce, but my husband found work as a lab technician a
Rohr Aircraft. He wanted something more secure with a retirement. There was an opening for
Firemen in a little town east of San Diego called El Cajon. He applied along with eighteen others
and come in second to be accepted. He stayed on till his retirement as engineer, and a
paramedic.
superb job as a lab technician with Carbide and Carbon Company for Standard Oil, but when the
first leaf fell from the trees, I said, "No more winters for me. Let's take our chances and go back
to California. So off we went with our b&t dachshund we ended up in San Diego because it was
a little coastal navy town. Jobs were scarce, but my husband found work as a lab technician a
Rohr Aircraft. He wanted something more secure with a retirement. There was an opening for
Firemen in a little town east of San Diego called El Cajon. He applied along with eighteen others
and come in second to be accepted. He stayed on till his retirement as engineer, and a
paramedic.
1956
In November of that year, it was a race with the stork between myself and my dachshund. She
beat me by a week before my son was born. Sherrie had a litter of five. The sire was Ch. Anchor
of Heying-Techel, a son of Ch. Favorite von Marienlust.
beat me by a week before my son was born. Sherrie had a litter of five. The sire was Ch. Anchor
of Heying-Techel, a son of Ch. Favorite von Marienlust.
1957
We bought a house on the hilltop ridge west of El Cajon, CA. It is a lot cooler than living in the
valley and only twenty minutes from San Diego airport. The yard had twenty-five fruit trees and
flowers with lots of birds. It was great for raising children and dachshunds. Carol and Stanley
Orne the editor of the "American Dachshund" magazine bought a house exactly like ours only
on a smaller lot. We used to spend a lot of afternoons together along with Stanford Robert who
used to help him with the magazine.
valley and only twenty minutes from San Diego airport. The yard had twenty-five fruit trees and
flowers with lots of birds. It was great for raising children and dachshunds. Carol and Stanley
Orne the editor of the "American Dachshund" magazine bought a house exactly like ours only
on a smaller lot. We used to spend a lot of afternoons together along with Stanford Robert who
used to help him with the magazine.
1957
We bought a house on the hilltop ridge west of El Cajon, CA. It is a lot cooler than living in the
valley and only twenty minutes from San Diego airport. The yard had twenty-five fruit trees and
flowers with lots of birds. It was great for raising children and dachshunds. Carol and Stanley
Orne the editor of the "American Dachshund" magazine bought a house exactly like ours only
on a smaller lot. We used to spend a lot of afternoons together along with Stanford Robert who
used to help him with the magazine.
valley and only twenty minutes from San Diego airport. The yard had twenty-five fruit trees and
flowers with lots of birds. It was great for raising children and dachshunds. Carol and Stanley
Orne the editor of the "American Dachshund" magazine bought a house exactly like ours only
on a smaller lot. We used to spend a lot of afternoons together along with Stanford Robert who
used to help him with the magazine.
My second litter was by Calvin of Heying Techel and my bitch called, Anchor's Little
Merrymaker. I kept a big red girl. I entered her in my first dog show in San Diego. I was just
getting started so I did not know about the higher standard of the show dog, but I was soon to
learn. The breeders of Cavin, Fred and Rose Heying came up to me and asked me not to show
her as it would ruin any prospective breedings for their male. They even paid me the entry fee.
I went home heartbroken. I had a "hard" learning lesson. I wonder if this would have been done
today.
Merrymaker. I kept a big red girl. I entered her in my first dog show in San Diego. I was just
getting started so I did not know about the higher standard of the show dog, but I was soon to
learn. The breeders of Cavin, Fred and Rose Heying came up to me and asked me not to show
her as it would ruin any prospective breedings for their male. They even paid me the entry fee.
I went home heartbroken. I had a "hard" learning lesson. I wonder if this would have been done
today.
1959
I did several breedings, but nothing came of them so it is not worth mentioning. Most probably
I sold off some very nice specimens un-knowingly, but I was learning. I began doing judging at
AKC Sanctioned Matches, all Breed. I also learned about ring stewarding at the shows and
meeting judges.
I sold off some very nice specimens un-knowingly, but I was learning. I began doing judging at
AKC Sanctioned Matches, all Breed. I also learned about ring stewarding at the shows and
meeting judges.
During this time when I thought I was at a dead end a stroke of good luck came my way. I was
able to lease the third best female out of a litter by Ch. Glory of Heying Teckel and Ch. Aristo
von Marienlust. She was a weedy long legged red female without much angulations, but what
did I have to lose. Her mother's name was Tamara of Rockmeadow, owned by Noreen Moore,
president of the than new San Diego Dachshund Club, which she talked me into joining. When it
came time to breed her and her two sisters that two of my girlfriends took, I did not want to
breed their way. They wanted to go back into the Aresto line and they chose Ch. Milr-Dachs
Romberg. I chose to go the Favorite line and bred to Ch. Falcon of Heying[Teckel. Ch. Favorite
won Marien-lust had produced 97 champions, and Ch. Falcon of Heying-Teckel had produced 67
champions, more than the half-brother, Ch. Aristo von Marienlust. That is what convinced me
to go that way. Nothing much to speak of came from my two friends with the better of the
three bitches. My breeding gave me seven males and two females. I kept the two b&t females
and a red male. The red male Ch. Lucene's Fabion was bought and shown by the late handler,
Leon Warren. I finished one b&t girl, Ch. Lucene's Flirtation with Lorraine Heichel that I
mentioned earlier that handled for John Cook. Lorraine took her to Westminster K.C. show,
could not do anything, but it was my first attempt to show there. This was also the year my
daughter and future handler was born. Her name is Mechelle Sudinski-Stall (now married). In
this time period "Flirt's" sister Lucene's Fascination was bred to George Spradling's Ch.
Heinheim's Lance. On the first breeding she missed. The second breeding gave only two pups, a
b&t male which I kept, and a b&t female which the mother laid on. The male was gorgeous. I
named him Ch. Lucene Lantana. The Japanese people overseas must have liked him too
because they came to my house to buy him. For what they offered I could not refuse. Before he
left, I bred him to my Ch. Lucene's Flirtation. A litter of four males and three females resulted. I
kept a b&t male I named Ch. Lucene's Lanson. He sired five champions.
able to lease the third best female out of a litter by Ch. Glory of Heying Teckel and Ch. Aristo
von Marienlust. She was a weedy long legged red female without much angulations, but what
did I have to lose. Her mother's name was Tamara of Rockmeadow, owned by Noreen Moore,
president of the than new San Diego Dachshund Club, which she talked me into joining. When it
came time to breed her and her two sisters that two of my girlfriends took, I did not want to
breed their way. They wanted to go back into the Aresto line and they chose Ch. Milr-Dachs
Romberg. I chose to go the Favorite line and bred to Ch. Falcon of Heying[Teckel. Ch. Favorite
won Marien-lust had produced 97 champions, and Ch. Falcon of Heying-Teckel had produced 67
champions, more than the half-brother, Ch. Aristo von Marienlust. That is what convinced me
to go that way. Nothing much to speak of came from my two friends with the better of the
three bitches. My breeding gave me seven males and two females. I kept the two b&t females
and a red male. The red male Ch. Lucene's Fabion was bought and shown by the late handler,
Leon Warren. I finished one b&t girl, Ch. Lucene's Flirtation with Lorraine Heichel that I
mentioned earlier that handled for John Cook. Lorraine took her to Westminster K.C. show,
could not do anything, but it was my first attempt to show there. This was also the year my
daughter and future handler was born. Her name is Mechelle Sudinski-Stall (now married). In
this time period "Flirt's" sister Lucene's Fascination was bred to George Spradling's Ch.
Heinheim's Lance. On the first breeding she missed. The second breeding gave only two pups, a
b&t male which I kept, and a b&t female which the mother laid on. The male was gorgeous. I
named him Ch. Lucene Lantana. The Japanese people overseas must have liked him too
because they came to my house to buy him. For what they offered I could not refuse. Before he
left, I bred him to my Ch. Lucene's Flirtation. A litter of four males and three females resulted. I
kept a b&t male I named Ch. Lucene's Lanson. He sired five champions.
1966
Something great was about to take place as I was wanting a fresh line to introduce into my line
now that it was getting too concentrated. I am a strong believer in not only line breeding, but a
phenotype breeder. I do not car what a pedigree reads with champions. The conformation of
the dogs listed better be of the same phenotype or it is worthless to me. Having studied
anatomy all my early years at the Chicago Art Institute and the Chicago Field Museum I have
acquired an eye for balance and soundness on any dog. You only get what you got. Hoping
never works!
now that it was getting too concentrated. I am a strong believer in not only line breeding, but a
phenotype breeder. I do not car what a pedigree reads with champions. The conformation of
the dogs listed better be of the same phenotype or it is worthless to me. Having studied
anatomy all my early years at the Chicago Art Institute and the Chicago Field Museum I have
acquired an eye for balance and soundness on any dog. You only get what you got. Hoping
never works!
One afternoon I received a phone call from the president of the Dachshund Club of California,
Jim Ballenger. He had heard about the excellent temperaments and soundness of my dogs
which they were looking for, Ethel Bigler of Von Relgib fame, told them if they could not find
what they were searching for , then they better go down to San Diego and see my (Jeanine's)
Ch. Lucene's Lanson. When he was being handled by Woodie Dorwood, he nick-named him,
"Handsome Lanson". When they arrived at the front door and saw "Lanso" with the wagging
tail their decision was made to breed their red bitch, Ballenger's Ballerina, from the Caseway
line. They were so satisfied with the first breeding they did two more breedings with Lanson.
The first breeding produced Ch. Lucene's Tanner, sire of 11 champions. The third breeding was
very good too. It resulted in two absolutely beautiful red girls, Ch. Lucene's Tanya and Ch.
Lucene's Lana v Brandylan. Tanya had only one breeding, which produced Ch. Kochana's Tanya
of Lucene. Tanya produced three champions, Ch. Kochana's Sandman, a top producer and
winner in the 1979 era. Ch. Gretl v Bea Hal Rovina and Ch. Lucene's Double Delight, CD,
produced Ch. Lucene's Double Delight MPG, sister Ch. Lucene's Lana v Brandlylan produced the
winner b&t male Multi BIS Ch. Brandyland's Lanson of Lucene, bred by Theresa Bush and later
co-owned by the late Ed Jenner of Knolland Farm dachshund fame. This dog won 6 All Breed
Best in Shows in just 6 months. The handler was once again, the great Lorraine Heichel before
becoming an AKC License judge.
Jim Ballenger. He had heard about the excellent temperaments and soundness of my dogs
which they were looking for, Ethel Bigler of Von Relgib fame, told them if they could not find
what they were searching for , then they better go down to San Diego and see my (Jeanine's)
Ch. Lucene's Lanson. When he was being handled by Woodie Dorwood, he nick-named him,
"Handsome Lanson". When they arrived at the front door and saw "Lanso" with the wagging
tail their decision was made to breed their red bitch, Ballenger's Ballerina, from the Caseway
line. They were so satisfied with the first breeding they did two more breedings with Lanson.
The first breeding produced Ch. Lucene's Tanner, sire of 11 champions. The third breeding was
very good too. It resulted in two absolutely beautiful red girls, Ch. Lucene's Tanya and Ch.
Lucene's Lana v Brandylan. Tanya had only one breeding, which produced Ch. Kochana's Tanya
of Lucene. Tanya produced three champions, Ch. Kochana's Sandman, a top producer and
winner in the 1979 era. Ch. Gretl v Bea Hal Rovina and Ch. Lucene's Double Delight, CD,
produced Ch. Lucene's Double Delight MPG, sister Ch. Lucene's Lana v Brandlylan produced the
winner b&t male Multi BIS Ch. Brandyland's Lanson of Lucene, bred by Theresa Bush and later
co-owned by the late Ed Jenner of Knolland Farm dachshund fame. This dog won 6 All Breed
Best in Shows in just 6 months. The handler was once again, the great Lorraine Heichel before
becoming an AKC License judge.
1977
At this time in my dachshund breeding program, I saw a beautiful b&t female at a specialty show up in Los Angeles. When she came back into the Brood Bitch Class with two of her get, I know I had to have her. I talked to her breeder, Mercedes Sable about leasing her for a breeding with she agreed too. Her name was Von Luckner's Deidre. I bred her to my Ch. Lucene's Tanner. The litter produced three champions. They were Ch. Von Luckner's Derdie, Ch. Von Luckner's Tannerson and Ch. Lucene's Tar Tan. He sired three champions. These great bitches that I came upon were the exceptions. I hardly see them today. I don't think many breeders have what I call "the eye" to know what a once in a life time dog is. If it were so, where are the Favorites, Falcons, Wing and a Prayer with over a hundred offspring's? When we have these offspring's from these great ones how many had the wisdom to know the correct way to carry on the LOOK, or as we call the breed type. Same call it style.
While I was doing a judging assignment up at Whidby Island I came across another red bitch with the most glorious fore chest. Her rear angulation and true straight on drive and reach is far and few between in today's dogs. Even my dogs today are hard to keep with the fronts and rears like the old ones now gone. The breeder of this bitch at the show was mainly a miniature breeder. Her dogs were duplicates of the ones that left ring. This wonderful breeder with an "eye" for the correct structure of the breed standard was the eccentric, Beth Harcharik. I did not give this small bitch the win, only Reserve, but after the judging was over. I bought her for my breeding program. Her name was Glamorgan's Gypsy Anitra. She was bred to my Ch. Lucene's Tanner and produced three champions. They were Ch. Lucene's Sunshine, Ch. Metzler's Gypsy Magic of Lucene, CD, TT#1 and Can. Ch. Alangales Marquee.
1975 to 1977
In September of that year, I entered two of my dogs at the Dachshund of California Specialty Show. My friend Diane Poranski flew in from New York. She wanted to see Ch. Lucene's Tar Tan and use him with one of her b&t bitches. She handled him at the specialty, and I handled Ch. Lucene's Tanner. There were 23 champions entered in the Specials Class. The top dogs were there, including the Wheaton Wirehair miniature, Ch. Elenbusch Holly Golightly, handled by Evonne Chashoudian, and the longhair Robdach's Party Princess.
The judge was the late Larry Krebs. If anyone would know the good as well as the bad faults of my dog it would be this judge since he was the handler of my do 5 ½ years earlier. When he pointed to me to bring my dog into the center of the ring with five others I couldn't believe it. Diane said get out there or she would take the lead and do it. I thought it was just going to be a courtesy gesture, but he chose Tanner above the rest and went on to Best in Show over 175 dogs. Well, I had done all there was to do in dogs, I thought, and was ready to retire. I was an AKC judge of Bassets, Dachshunds, and Jr. Showmanship so I was doing that on the side those days.
1975 to 1977
In September of that year, I entered two of my dogs at the Dachshund of California Specialty Show. My friend Diane Poranski flew in from New York. She wanted to see Ch. Lucene's Tar Tan and use him with one of her b&t bitches. She handled him at the specialty, and I handled Ch. Lucene's Tanner. There were 23 champions entered in the Specials Class. The top dogs were there, including the Wheaton Wirehair miniature, Ch. Elenbusch Holly Golightly, handled by Evonne Chashoudian, and the longhair Robdach's Party Princess.
The judge was the late Larry Krebs. If anyone would know the good as well as the bad faults of my dog it would be this judge since he was the handler of my do 5 ½ years earlier. When he pointed to me to bring my dog into the center of the ring with five others I couldn't believe it. Diane said get out there or she would take the lead and do it. I thought it was just going to be a courtesy gesture, but he chose Tanner above the rest and went on to Best in Show over 175 dogs. Well, I had done all there was to do in dogs, I thought, and was ready to retire. I was an AKC judge of Bassets, Dachshunds, and Jr. Showmanship so I was doing that on the side those days.
1980
Ch. Metzler's Gypsy Magic of Lucene CD, TT#1 was a big beautiful red bitch that was Best In Show at the Golden Gate Dachshund Specialty. She had extreme intelligent and sound temperament. She was a fast learner in the obedience ring and passed this on her pups. She was bred to Dual Ch. Lostdog's Emperor's Norton and produced four Champions; Ch. Tokay's Crown Prince Norton, Ch. Lucene's Magic Jewel of Tokay CDX, TT#19, Ch. Tokay's Magic Enchantress, and Ch. Tokay's Magic Star. I bred Ch. Lucene's Delight of Kochana CD, to nice red male Ch. Mordox Brutus. The litter had one champion Ch. Lucene's Farrah, she produced two champions; Ch. Mordox Brutus Jr. v Lassen and Ch. Ericka, CDX. The sister to Ch. Lucene's Magic Jewel of Tokay, CDX TT#19, Ch. Today's Magic Enchantress was bred to Ch. Lucene's Stardom (sire of 9 champions) and produced a very lovely b&t Ch. Lucene's Velvet of Jodell. I thought there would be more champions in this litter. Both parents were picture of the breed standard!
1980
Ch. Metzler's Gypsy Magic of Lucene CD, TT#1 was a big beautiful red bitch that was Best In Show at the Golden Gate Dachshund Specialty. She had extreme intelligent and sound temperament. She was a fast learner in the obedience ring and passed this on her pups. She was bred to Dual Ch. Lostdog's Emperor's Norton and produced four Champions; Ch. Tokay's Crown Prince Norton, Ch. Lucene's Magic Jewel of Tokay CDX, TT#19, Ch. Tokay's Magic Enchantress, and Ch. Tokay's Magic Star. I bred Ch. Lucene's Delight of Kochana CD, to nice red male Ch. Mordox Brutus. The litter had one champion Ch. Lucene's Farrah, she produced two champions; Ch. Mordox Brutus Jr. v Lassen and Ch. Ericka, CDX. The sister to Ch. Lucene's Magic Jewel of Tokay, CDX TT#19, Ch. Today's Magic Enchantress was bred to Ch. Lucene's Stardom (sire of 9 champions) and produced a very lovely b&t Ch. Lucene's Velvet of Jodell. I thought there would be more champions in this litter. Both parents were picture of the breed standard!
1983
At this time in my breedings I was once again in a dismal turmoil. I had bred my Ch. Lucene's Daily Double (dam of 8 champions) shown and finished by my daughter Mechelle Sudinski three times to a grand red champion, but never a litter. I was ready to quit breeding after trying for a year and a half. I give a lot of thanks to my dear friend, Ida May Williams into talked me into giving one more try at it. I did the un-thinkable at the time and bred her to a longhair male since that is what Ida May was the breeder of along with smooth and longhair miniatures. The sire was Ch. Margales Wrangler. Two smooth champions came from this breeding; Ch. Lucene's Dorian and Ch. Max Von Feund. Later she was bred to another longhair Ch. Margales Rhinestone Cowboy, which produced one champion Ch. Lucene's Red Maverick.
1987 to 1989
The next and last productive breeding was to Ch. Maxsohn's Star of Choo Choo. He was owned by the late breeder, Maria Hayes. This male sired thirty-eight, maybe more, champions. From this breeding came five pups that looked like peas in a pod, and all reds. You could not tell them apart. Everyone finished its championship. They were; Ch. Lucene's Stardom, Ch. Lucene's Tiara, Ch. Lucene's Candace of Jodell, Ch. Lucene's Belle Star and Ch. Lucene's Double Delight MPG.
1990 to 1992
You talk about breeding a winner; well it took place when I bred Ch. Magic Jewel of Today CD TT#19 to Ch. Maxsohn's Cracker Jack. This b&t male sired nine champions. A b&t bitch, was named Ch. Lucene's Silhouette CDX, TT#21 was about to make the Lucene name known in the inside circle of dachshunds.
At this time we co-owned a b&t gorgeous male, Ch. Flemings's Prince of Daxyline, bred by Polly Fleming and owned by Ernest Rhodeen. My daughter was the co-owner. He wanted the dog entered in the Dachshund Club of America National Specialty Show, which was held in Los Angeles, CA in 1992. This is a BIG show like winning the Kentucky Derby. Little unknowns do not win (so I thought). We never showed at the nationals before so we thought why not enter Ch. Lucene's Silhouette, she was Best of Winners two days and Winners Bitch from the Bred by Exhibitor Class and Best Bred by Exhibitor in show, All Varieties, for a total of 14 points. The following weekend she got her last point for her championship. Daughter Mechelle went on to complete Silhouette's Companion Dog Excellent Degree soon after. Then came another BIG win at the same show with Ch. Flemings Prince of Daxyline. I can't remember the exact number of champions entered in the Specials Class, most likely around fifty, or more! It took forever to judge this class, about two hours, I was afraid Daxy would not hold up, and get tired. My daughter was showing him and seemed to have the sixth sense about when the judge would be looking in her direction because she always had the dog up and looking good. It all ended up with Daxy wining Best Opposite Sex to Best in Show to a different bitch all three days … weird, but this is the big show. We were thankful for being considered. I am sure no other could match him as a sire. He sired thirteen champions. His son sired fourteen champions. Between them that's twenty seven! His sons name was Ch. Lucene's Phantom.
© All rights reserved by Lucene1948