We both started in this world of AKC dog shows with our involvement with German Shepherds. Luis has owned and specialed some of the greats in the history of the breed.
Can GV Sel. Ch. Ravenhaus Noah, a beautiful, sound, sable dog who went Canadian Grand Victor and was an American Select dog. Noah's photos are still used to show correct structure to this day.
Select Ch.Von de Ley's Rhinestone Cowboy, a powerful moving, large sable dog. Shown by Robert Scholes for Luis. Cowboy was truly a once in a lifetime dog. Luis was very active with the Miami German Shepherd Club and a long time member of the GSDCA. He started a few novices who have gone on to make history in the breed.
Linda was very active with the Bay State GSDC in Massachusetts in her previous marriage, holding Board positions and finally President of the club in 1987. Also active in the Rhode Island GSDC and a long time member of the GSDCA. Both belonged to the Greater Raleigh GSDC in North Carolina.
Raleigh was the site of a very large cluster of All Breed Shows, the first cluster we had witnessed. We decided that we wanted to travel and go to the all breed shows with a smaller breed. Luis had previously had minpins in Florida and thought that would be ideal for travelling.
We started our passion of showing top quality Miniature Pinschers with the purchase of Redwing's Rule the Roost. "L.T." was bred by Linda and Buddy Stevens of Louisville, Kentucky. We had to go to Chatanooga Tenn. to see him show first and "pass inspection" by Buddy and Linda. We watched "LT" receive his first point and got the okay! Linda told us that she had him entered in a few shows and would like to show him for us. We could take him home from the National in Manassas, Va. in a month or so. Of course, we agreed.
When we arrived ringside at the Bull Run show, the day before the National, we watched Linda getting the nod for Winners Dog with a beautiful stallion of a dog. Linda exited the ring and handed us that beautiful dog and his ribbons. She says, "Well, here's your new Champion!" It was "LT"!
We were hooked.
Miniature pinschers are wonderful, marvelous toy dogs that act and behave as if they were 10 feet tall! We love showing this "king of the toys". They possess all the atributes of the finest of dogs; ....Attitude, type, movement, soundness. And let's not forget the love. Love of life, family and just being a dog!
Their hackney-like gait is unique and, when done correctly, is breathtaking! ( At least to a minpin breeder!) They act every inch like the royalty they are!