My husband and I started our quest for a show quality Dachshund and/or Basset in 2000. Our first attempts at showing were fun but not very productive. During those first few years we met a lot of very nice dog folk, found mentors and made new friends. Early mentors were Judy Stephenson (Digalot Dachshunds) and Mike & Terri Guisti (Shor-winds Bassets). Through these wonderful friends we learned about our chosen breeds, parent clubs, Nationals and so much more.
For Christmas, 2003 my husband bought me what was to become my first Champion; Laddland Puff Pastry.
Esteemed Dachshund Breeder, Kaye Ladd, took a chance on a novice show home and Patsy became ours. Off Patsy and I went to handling class. This beautiful, spunky, Black & Tan puppy stole our hearts and made my show dreams come true by winning her first weekend in the ring. I remember how happy I was, on the lead, with my little one taking the purple ribbon!!
July of 2005 brought us Laddland Bonfire on SummerHill (Bo). Bo was a 4 month old Red Standard Smooth full of attitude and fun. He was (and is) very nicely put together. In 8 local shows Bo finished his Championship with 3 majors including 2 Specialty Wins. In spite of my less then stellar handling, in limited showing, Bo accumulated 12 BOV wins, a Group Placement and a Specialty Award of Merit by the time he was 2 years old.
Not giving up on having a champion Basset or two, in January of 2005 we acquired 2 beautiful Basset girls. Candyland Emma of Summerhill and Sitruc's Keeper of the Stars (Lucy). Two girls the same age, from two different breeders, out of two different lines, with two different personalities. What a challenge! What fun!
Sue Riggle (Candyland Bassets) and Gene McDonald (KasKade Bassets) have been incredibly supportive and have willingly shared their vast reservoir of Basset knowledge.
