| Celebrating 54 years of being owned by a Keeshond. From the first furry bundle in 1957 life has never been quite the same, the Kees is truly a dog for all seasons! |
Sally came into our lives in the autumn of 1957, the only bitch from a litter bred at the local children’s home. She wouldn’t have won any prizes but she was the most loving companion and by owning her our fate was sealed. She had no papers but many years later we were reliably informed that her parents were of Van Zaandam breeding.
Our next was a beautiful bitch with regal breeding, by Ch Sinterklaas Big Noise of Evenlode out of a bitch line carrying many famous Wistonia and Evenlode dogs. Penny tempted me into the show ring at some local shows and the seeds were sown. She died at the young age of 8 years from the effects of diabetes. Her successor came to us at 18 months of age, and proved another delightful and loyal companion. I tried some local shows but Trudy was not keen! A mating to Ch Surprise of Ven failed to produce pups and we didn’t try again.
And so to our Foundation bitch Duroya Lisa, wh: 21/4/1984 (Duroya Joker ex Karola of Duroya). We become the proud owners of Mieke; but not before Audrey Woodiwiss had checked that we were suitable for her little fluff ball!
Mieke gave the Liefkees line two great qualities, beautiful temperament and beautiful colour. Over six generations we have strived to keep the beautiful silver grey colouring of Mieke. When mated to Keesland Karel of Lekkerbek (Clancy), she presented us with six lovely pups from which my beloved Sita (Liefkees Marieke wh: 2/6/1986) stayed home with us.
Sita was a true character and had decided whilst still in the litter that I was hers and nobody else would get between us! I adored her and she will always remain one of the most special dogs in my life.
Sita at Wastwater in Cumbria
In turn Sita was put to Ch Vanwall Delaware (Kilroy) and presented us with four pups. The boys went to loving homes but the girls – our terrible twins stayed home. Liefkees Anneliese and Annike (wh: 24/10/9191) – alias Anni and Lucy were pure joy to us. They did some good winning, especially Lucy. It was as a brace that they truly excelled and were described on more than one occasion as being “as like as two peas in a pod!” They never had a cross word in their whole lives.
Lucy lived 13½ years but tragically for us Anni died at the young age of ten as the results of
damage caused by Hyperparathyroid disease. Despite successful surgery at Cambridge Veterinary School her kidneys had been damaged by the results of the disease prior to diagnosis. I take comfort that today, through Anni, we have the research at Cambridge (see above link to Hyperparethyroid disease) and one day HPT will be history in our beloved breed.
Anni, Lucy and Sita (Lying) on Exmoor.
Lucy loved everyone; her wins included reserve best in show over two days at Southampton & District Canine Association’s summer show. She had three firsts at Crufts, two in veteran! She had one reserve CC but to me she will always be a champion! She just loved to show. Discover Dogs was her idea of heaven,with willing punters wanting to cuddle her all day!
Lucy had one litter with Ch Vanwall Comanche Chief (Chief) and produced the heavenly 7!
Lily (Liefkees Amelia wh: 4/12/1995) stayed with us but was never going to be an enthusiastic showgirl, except in brace classes. Lucy and Anni had won many brace classes at general championship and club shows so Lily had something to live up to! This she did we were thrilled when they won the Bath and then the Windsor championship show brace stakes in the same year!
Anni and Lucy showing how to Brace
It was Lily’s sister Gile (Liefkees Angelina) who was to produce the next generation for us. She is owned in partnership with Denise Kitson and I can’t thank Denise enough for providing me with Kaja (Liefkees Adelina wh: 11/5/2000) With help from Ch Zandvoort Dream Maker at Ledwell (Danny). The first litter of four bitches all went to live in our extended family.
Kaja came to live with us and is an exceptional character. She has many of the qualities of her great grandmother Sita and is a joy to live with. She has had had many good wins including Reserve Best Puppy in Show at Portsmouth & Southsea Canine Association, Best Puppy in Show at the Keeshond Club Open Show and reserve CC at the Keeshond Club Championship show as a junior. A number of BOB at open shows have also followed.
| Lily aged 9 years | ||
Kaja at 11 weeks and Three years |
Family circumstances have regrettably prevented me from having a litter from Kaja but again thanks to Denise Kitson we have generation number six! Kaja’s sister Liefkees Island Princess (Niskii) was matched with Valindale Wisky Mak (Benny) and produced three bitches and two dogs. Out of these Anja (Liefkees Albertine wh: 16/4/2005) came home to Liefkees and has again proved a joy to own.
Anja at 12 weeks and 11 1/2 months |
Anja has the most beautiful silver coat colour with good definition and clear markings. She is a natural showgirl and although only shown lightly as a puppy has had some lovely wins. Mieke would have been proud of her!
Personal circumstances prevented us from attending many shows when Anja was a puppy but she had some lovely wins ending with:
1st Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Show Keeshond Club Championship Show
Anja has gone on to gain 4 CCs and 5 RCC gaining her title in 2009 under German breed specialist Angelika Rubens and becoming Ch Liefkees Albertine
 Ch Liefkees Albertine (2009) Photo Alan Walker
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Proud Mama Anja with her pups May 2010 |
2010 saw a break from the show ring when Anja produced a lovely litter of 4 girls and 4 boys on 26th May, her pups being the 7th generation at Liefkees.
We were supposed to keep one girl, but such as things are, my Father and I decided it had to be two so Gile and Susie stayed at Liefkees with Mama Anja and Great Aunt Kaja!
The ‘gremlins as they are fondly known went to their first show at BUBA amid the snow, with Susie ‘Liefkees Annabell’ winning minor puppy bitch and best puppy bitch at just 6 months and and Gile Liefkees Angelika gaining 2nd behind her sister, both qualifying for Crufts 2011.
Gile, Liekfees Angelika, has had some nice wins but Susie always pips her to the top honours.
Susie has proved a natural showgirl winning best puppy in breed and best utility puppy at her second show and then giving us the most wonderful days by winning
Best Puppy in breed at Crufts 2011 &
BPIS at the Keeshond Club Championship show two weeks later.
RCC – Bath Champship Show – May 2011
We will continue to enjoy every aspect of living with our girls, with the show wins being a wonderful bonus.
And so we continue on our journey through life accompanied by the most delightful canine companions. To quote Mrs Wingfield Digby, when asked to describe the Keeshond – “they excel at being with you”, and so they do.
For further information contact
Jane Saunders
Telephone: 023 8073 5494
E-mail: Jane
© Jane Saunders May 2011
