I got my first dog when I was 14 years old. A beautiful GSD called 'Trudy'. She was my constant companion until she died aged 12 years. After that I bought 'Ninja' (Carmay Ninja of Mosanto) from a breeder in Lancaster. She was sired by the Imported Dog Champion Fanto Vom Diemelbergland and was all English breeding on the Dam's side. The breeder encouraged me to show her.
'Ninja' got me hooked on showing as we went to our first Championship show together in 1984 and she won Minor Puppy Bitch from a very large entry under Catherine Sutton. Ninja was entered at Crufts 1985 but due to an unfortunate accident was unable to attend. She was never shown again. After Ninja came Savalas Kyra a GSD by Masuta Pfeffer of Tanfield ex Savalas Valinde. Kyra did well as a puppy but she lost interest and so was withdrawn from showing. Kyra lived a full life until the age of 14 years.
In 1991 after returning from a year in Texas I decided to get another dog and had had an interest in German Spitz since being introduced to them by Pat Wright (Patjuson). I contacted Pat Beard (Wyndlee Mittels) who just happened to have had back word on a white puppy dog. I fell in love with Ziggy 'Wyndlee White Snake From Zandaplatz' and took him home. He is still with me. Mike Stockman wrote of him: 'Stood like a statue and moved like a dream, wish more were like this'.
A year after Ziggy arrived he was joined by Bella 'Upanatum After Dark In Zandaplatz' who won BPIB at Birmingham on her first outing. Ziggy & Bella retired several years ago. Ziggy died February 2007 at the age of 16 years. He is sorely missed by us all. 'Run Free Ziggy'.
Their granddaughter Zandaplatz Fidelity is one of the first German Spitz to be resident in the USA. Good luck to her new owner Sharon Buethner who is campaigning for AKC recognition of the breed.
Being benched near French Bulldogs at Championship shows I began to take an interest in this rather comical breed. I tried to find out as much as possible about them. Seven years later I got my first Frenchie.
In the meantime I had organised the German Spitz breed stand at Discover Dogs, Earls Court for the German Spitz club and right opposite my stand was the Pug stand. I chatted to the breeders and fell in love with their dogs. I thought this might 'cure' me from wanting a Frenchie... it didn't. I have now moved away from 'spitz' breeds to these delightful flat faced beauties!
Photo Credits
'Ninja' by John Hartley
'Ziggy' by David Bull