Biography of the Lucene Dachshunds
by Jeanine Sudinski and Mechelle Sudinski-Stall
1948
Jeanine attended her first dog show at the Chicago Sportsman's Pier when she was 18 years old. After passing all the breed rings she went into the grooming area for a look around. She kept watching a man instructing his handler what he wanted done with the dogs as she scurried into and from the grooming area to the ring. When the excitement of the show was over Jeanine walked up to them and introduced herself and told them how beautiful his dogs were.
I learned that his dogs were standard red dachshunds. His name was John Cook and his dogs were the "Kleetal" line. Little did I know that this man in Navy Blues would one day become a very notable person in the dachshund world. His handler, Lorraine Heichel would someday handle my first champion. As Jeanine walked away, she said to herself, "Someday I too will be a great showman."
1950
The Korean War going on and this was the year Jeanine and her husband were married. Two weeks later he was drafted into the army. From the 35 men in his company, he was one of two that stayed state side. He went to med-school at Ft. Sam Houston, in Texas for six months. Jeanine took on a job as a secretary for the United States Auto Insurance Company.
1953
They went to Ft. Ord California to serve out his time for two years. Jeanine fell in love with Carmel and Monterey and began to paint watercolors. Her paintings began to sell so she began to think about buying a smooth dachshund. She gathered up books on the breed at the local library.
She checked out "The Complete Dachshund" by Otis Denlinger, and bought "The Dachshund", by Gracie Greenburgh. She fell in love with a long black and tan dachshund in the book called Bavarian Russ bred and owned by Sid Twining. She even wrote to him asking about the dog. His wife replied that sadly he had recently passed away, but would have loved hearing about my admiration for the dog. Jeanine wanted a dog like Bavarian and began her search. An English sales woman who visited the area each year had two standard b&t dogs that she bred together. They were from the Asherhoff and Jagserhaus lines. All of the recent litters were sold. So Jeanine seared on and ended up buying a b&t female from a navy lieutenant. When she checked the pedigree, she found it to be from the last litter from the English saleslady's two dogs. The pup was Marchere Sherrie.
When my husband two years of duty was done, we thought of taking a vacation trip down the California coastline and visit Gracie Greenburgh who lived in Simi Valley. We spent a whole afternoon at her house. She gave me a lot to think about learned so much from her.
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.
1993 In 1993
Ch. Lucene Magic Jewel of Tokay, CDX, TT#24 was bred to Ch. Lucene's Stardom and produced at the time, I thought, one of my best red males. His name was Ch. Lucene's Cruiser owned by the last Rosina McConnel. Another dog worth mentioning sired by Ch. Lucene's Stardom was a red bitch which could have finished her championship easily had the owner been so inclined was Lucene's Lillian Hulet. She produced Ch. Lucene's Juliette a great producer of four bitches that in themselves produced well. The were Ch. Lucene's Diamond of Houndhill, top producer of six champions in one year, 2004; Ch. Lucene's Dancer, ROMX, Ch. Lucene's Naomi O My, and Ch. Lucene's Poppy Jasper and a b&t male Ch. Lucene's Lexus. Ch. Lucene's Dancer produced four champions. They were Ch. Lucene's Firebird, ROM, Ch. Lucene's Pretoria v Bittersweet, Best of Variety at the 2003 Eukanuba Kennel Club Show, Ch. Lucene's Friendly Fireman, sired of four champions and Ch. Lucene's Crown Victoria, Best of Varity at the Dachshund Club of California Specialty Supportive show at the 2004 Dachshund Club of America National Specialty Show. It would be endless for me to continue all the champions my males have produced.
1996
It might be worth mentioning here about a particular judging assignment I had in Australia in 1996. Since I have not gone into any details in that area, I was invited to judge the Australian National Dachshund Specialty in Melbourne. It was a two-day show with an entry of 538. If you think that is spectacular, the dog I chose for Best in Show was the same dog that won the year before. He was the longhair Ch. Keaton's Jake, by Ch. Boondox Jumping Jack Flash and Ch. Lonengrin's Flame.
1997 to 1999
One of the great producers still going strong at eleven years is the handsome red male by Ch. Landmark Bold Ruler and Ch. Lucene's Chantilly, sister to Ch. Lucene's Phantom. He is Ch. Lucene's Winston of Landmark (sire of 10 champions). The six champions from Ch. Lucene's Diamond of Houndhill, who was Reserve Winners Bitch at the 2000 DCA National, are; Ch. Lucene's Pardon my French, Ch. Lucene's Sun Dance, owned by Lexa Richmond, Ch. Lucene's Bentley of Landmark, Ch. Lucene's Golden Red Sun, owned by Storm Britten Ilouno, Ch. Lucene's Sir Duke of Landmark, owned by Barbara Butterworth, and Ch. Lucene Meine Ruf Knabe, owned by Pam Strong. Each time I achieved another height in my breeding and my daughter's success in showing them to championships and now new young dachshund enthusiasts were coming into m world, it makes me feel all the trials and tribulations were worth it.
2000
We did not go to another Dachshund Club of America National Specialty till the year 2000. It was in May, and held in Mesa, AZ. Our only intention in going to the show was to deliver my bitch, Ch. Lucene's Dancer to the owner of the stud dog, Ch. Stardox Here Comes the Sun. His owner Lorraine Genieczko was out from New Jersey
This was in no way thinking of another big win like in 1992 at the National Specialty, but we thought as long as we had to go anyway why not enter two dogs. So, we took Ch. Lucene's Daxyline Ringmaster and his daughter, Ch. Lucene's Diamond of Houndhill.
The Specials Class was huge… I think every champion in the country entered under the Japanese judge that day. Ringo must have been in the ring for three hours of judging. The suspense kept building as Mechelle kept making the cut for the final selection for Best of Variety. She was able to stay in the ring against the big tough men handler. There was ten men in the final cut, and Mechelle, the only girl!
The judge kept pulling her out of the regular line up and having her gait "Ringo" with one dog after another in the preferred line up of men in contention. Over and over the judge kept changing his mind. I was ready to faint from an anxiety attack! Finally, he called her from the regular line up and put her in front of the ten men and kept her there and said, "Take them around the ring."
Instead of pointing to whoever he had decided on, he had second thoughts and told them to stop and set their dogs in a show stack. I thought to myself, if Mechelle is going to take this win today it will be on the way she does setting up a dog the superb way she does. I was right because the judge walked down the line and when he got to Mechelle he stopped in front of her and Ringo, who had "the look of eagles" in his eyes. She had his neck stretched into an arch. I held my breath, then he said the 'magic words' "You are Best of Varity." The applause was deafening and another BIG win at the Nationals eight years later. It must also be mentioned that the Reserve Winners Bitch was Ringo's daughter, Ch. Lucene's Diamond of Houndhill.
2001 to 2004
I was privileged to judge the Knickerbocker Dachshund Club Specialty Show (third time since 1989). I judged smoothes that day. I was bewitched by the beauty of Best of Variety Winner, and later, Best in Show Winner Ch. Laddland Juliet. I mentioned to the handler that she was once in a lifetime bitch, and would love to breed on like her. After the judging was over the club gave a beautiful sterling silver Revere Bowl to the top dachshund breeder for the year. Thank goodness I judged the way I did as the winner chosen for the top Breeder was Kaye Ladd, breeder of Juliet. Up to that day I only heard of Kaye Ladd, and read books she had written, but never seen her. Well, the handler must have told her what I said about Juliet being a once in a lifetime bitch, and it impressed her so much she came over and introduced herself and we talked a bit and told her if ever Juliet had a litter that I would be honored to have a pup like her.
A year later, 2001, she called and said Juliet had a litter of eight and had sent pictures in the mail. If I liked one, pick it out and she would ship it out to California to me. Talk about an eye for a dog, I must have had it to pick on by just a photo at nine weeks old. Instead of a red, I picked out a b&t female and named her BISS Ch. Laddland Crown Jewel of Lucene. All puppies Juliet had if I am correct finished their championships. When she was still two years old I entered her and two of my other dogs, Ch. Lucene's Friendly Fireman and Ch. Lucene's Crown Victoria, both dogs were by Ch. Lucene's Dancer, but different sires, in the 2004 Dachshund Club of America National Specialty Show. At the national show, Jewel took Best in Show over the toughest competition in the country. Her two sisters were competing too. I give a lot of thanks to my handler (daughter) Mechelle.
2005
The following year, 2005, Jewel repeated the win with a Best of Varity and a Best Opposite Sex to Best in Show. To top it off, she received an invitation from the Westminster Kennel Club to come to their show in New York in February 2005. The top four dachshunds in the point system in the country got these, and Jewel was number four. My daughter was not able to go since she was expecting their litters of Rottweilers due about the same time. When I informed a new prodigy of mine about not going a dear friend Lexa Richmond said that she would go to New York. Since she had never been there before, this would be a Christmas present from her parents.
She said we would keep it a secret so no one knew Jewel was coming, and everyone connected my daughter with Jewel. No one knew Lexa, an un-known 28-year-old school teacher from Midland, Texas. No one paid any attention to them. It was rather funny in a way, but that was soon to change. There were 2 Specials entered that day and Lexa said as soon as she entered the ring the judge could not take his eyes off of Jewel. Afterwards when he gave her the Best of Variety ribbon, he said, "Who are you?" When she explained to him how she came about to bring Jewel to the show he said, "You ere amazing!"
2006
Eleven years ago, I was fortunate to find another blood line that worked with my breeding program. It is the Landmark line in Waldo, Maine. This incredible breeder is Barbara Butterworth. When I try to explain the rewards of breeding with her line the reply I get, "It's so far away." Distance has never been a factor with me if there is a chance I can better the breed. To bad breeders are more interested in convenience and winning, giving back to the future generations a betterment of the breed than.
2014
To everyone owning and admiring our Lucene Dachshunds for over 64 years we are honored to be presented by AKC the 2014 AKC Hound Breeder of the year Award.
In closing I would like to say that I feel very lucky to have been around and seen the 'great' dogs that are now off the modern-day pedigree. I have seen, talked, visited and been taught by those wonderful breeders/owners of the by gone big kennels of show and breeding stock. They exhibited fearlessly for twenty, thirty years. I showed amongst the very best there ever was, or is. I have put in my time as they used to tell me. I truly believe I was one for the privileged ones.
In closing I would like to say that I feel very lucky to have been around and seen the 'great' dogs that are now off the modern-day pedigree. I have seen, talked, visited and been taught by those wonderful breeders/owners of the by gone big kennels of show and breeding stock. They exhibited fearlessly for twenty, thirty years. I showed amongst the very best there ever was, or is. I have put in my time as they used to tell me. I truly believe I was one for the privileged ones.
At the present I own five dogs; Ch. Lucene's Crown Victoria; Ch. Lucene's Good Golly Miss Molly; GCh. Lucene's Merlin and GCH Lucens's Crowning Glory; Ch. Lucene's Fire Dancer, GCh. Lucene's Austin Healey, GCh. Lucene's Ruby Red Shoes, Lucene's Princess Diana and Ch. Lucene's American Idol.
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