Although I consider myself a relative newcomer to this
magnificent breed, quality purebred dogs have been a major part of my entire
adult life.
I grew up around standard dachshunds as a child, but always
longed to own the largest of breeds. I thought Irish Wolfhounds were the
coolest, heck; they were considered the tallest of purebred dogs according to my
Purina Dog Breeds of the World poster!
My stepfather, who was a merchant seaman, introduced the
family to Doberman Pinschers. He wanted a protection dog for the family because
his profession kept him away for sometimes months at a time. They were pretty
much pets and backyard bred, but I had my big dogs!
When I grew up and moved from home, I purchased a nicely
bred red Doberman bitch that I began to show in obedience. Jackie acquired her
CD and CDX titles and then I was thrown one of life’s curves and had to stop
showing for awhile.
In the late 70’s I once again began to strike up my “dog”
interests. I began working with a local dog trainer that liked to use Jackie as
a demo dog and advertising for his business. While working for this trainer, I
was introduced to a breed that was newly recognized by The American Kennel Club,
the Rottweiler. I was thoroughly intrigued by these dogs and went about doing
research on them. My research led me to a breeder that not only became my mentor
but is a friend to this day, Carole Anderson, of Alastar Rottweilers. Carole was
tenacious when it came to researching pedigrees and health histories of her dogs
and many used to say that she would “pet out” dogs that many other breeders
would deem of show and breeding quality. Her sterling example of a breeder left
an indelible impression on me.
I purchased a lovely bitch from Carole in late 1980 that
became my first conformation show dog. I trained and handled Alice, but although
Alice was well trained, I was very green in the conformation ring, was promptly
put on a handler and finished quickly. Alice was bred and was given the “Bronze
Medal Producer” award by the American Rottweiler Club for proving herself as a
producer of quality get.
I lost Alice just shy of her 7th birthday to
osteosarcoma and my beloved Jackie as well to the disease. Then the unthinkable
happened. I had started a new job working nights and came home from my first
night at work to find that my two show prospect rottie puppies had been stolen.
I never recovered them. I was devastated and it was several years before I could
even bring myself to attend shows and longer before I could walk near the
rottweiler ring without tears in my eyes.
I made two attempts to start over with my beloved
rottweilers, but fate must have been working against me. Carole had developed
serious health problems and had been forced to retire from breeding and showing.
Unfortunately as in many breeds, the popularity of rottweilers in the late ‘80s
and early ‘90’s had led to all sorts of health issues becoming a real problem in
the breed. The two bitches I had acquired, although had quite impressive
pedigrees were both diagnosed with HD and were spayed.
Then in 1995, I decided to “change breeds”. I had always
admired the majestic Great Danes and had rescued a harlequin Dane several years
ago. Bobba Lou, as I called him, had really impressed me with his gentle and
devoted nature despite the abuse he had been subjected to. So I made the
decision that I wanted a Great Dane as a Mother’s Day gift to myself. As fate
may have it, one of the two major Houston newspapers had gone out of business
and the remaining one was sending out complimentary issues of their paper. . In
late April of 1995, I sent my rottweiler, Reba out to fetch the morning
newspaper. While glancing through the paper, I came across an intriguing
advertisement for show prospect Great Dane puppies and decided to inquire.
That breeder was a
budding enthusiast and with that single phone call began my involvement and
obsession with Great Danes.
I purchased a
lovely brindle girl, Dazy (Int’l Ch.Dagmar’s Sohni Daze) that has become the
foundation of what I now have. When Dazy was just a baby, a long time Great Dane
breeder asked me if Dazy was my first Great Dane. When I replied yes, he
remarked “Well, she won’t be your last!!” How right he was!
Over the
last 10+ years, I have co- bred and co-owned several lovely dogs. Presently, I
have four Great Danes living with me, along with an assortment of other
critters. My sweet Reba, who I give all the credit for starting this obsession,
lived to the ripe old age of 13 ½. My handling skills have improved immensely
and am very proud to say that I am the proud breeder owner handler of my baby
boy, Rico (Int’l & AKC Ch. Anaya’s Rico Suave’).
This website
dedicated to all those who have influenced my decisions and directions that I
have taken with this lovely breed. It is a showcase of my babies of whom I am
very proud and I hope you enjoy it.