2020 -
July 13, 2020 the Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club and the Dachshund fancy lost another dedicated breeder and friend, Jerrilyn "Jerri" Smith. Jerri was a native Californian, graduated from Monrovia High School and attended Cal Poly Pomona for her degree. A career in the medical field, Jerri worked at City of Hope, Desert Hospital (Palm Springs) and Community Hospital of San Bernardino.
In 1980, Jerri and her partner Jan Oswald, began showing standard smooth Dachshunds under the kennel name of "DARSHAN". With a limited breeding program focused on quality and temperament, they had several Champions and Dual Champions over the years, most notable was CH Barbadox Ironside SS (bred by Barbara Haisch) and DCH Darshans Hummer V Jagies (homebred). Jerri was initially involved in conformation and later field trials. A longstanding member of Dachshund Club of America, Inc and Dachshund Club of Santa Ana Valley, Inc., Jerri held several different club positions in Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club, the last several years of the clubs' treasurer.
Jerri leaves a giant void in our dachshund community. Her insight, good eye for quality dogs, structure and movement will be missed as well as her tremendous gift of humor. Heaven gained another angel. Until we meet again.
2019 -
April 9, 2019 the Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club and the Dachshund fancy has lost another dedicated breeder and true friend, of the breed, Alice Lentz. Alice was born and raised in San Diego. She married her husband, Curtis, had 5 children, then moved to Orange, California. She loved her family gatherings and holidays with her children, 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, plus their spouses making for very large family gatherings.
Not long after their move her life long love of dachshunds was to start. Her first two dachshunds that she purchased for her breeding program were two longhair puppies, Betty and Barney. In her breeding program she strove to improve with each litter which led to numerous conformation champions, too many to count, and a decades long love affair with this very special breed. In more recent years, Alice participated with her dogs in Performance events, Field Trials and Earth dog, for which she had numerous titles and championships. Since Alice was not able to go in the field with her dogs, Juliet and Dale Rigtrup did this task for her.....with gusto!
Over the years, Alice welcomed and mentored many new people to the breed. She always had time to answer questions, help with a problem, give tips on grooming, or just hangout with friends and cocktails in the dachshund community.
Alice was a member of Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club for many years, serving as President, Vice President, Board member, and Secretary. For more than 20 years, Alice was our Trophy Chair and made sure the displays for the Specialties were beautiful.
Alice leaves behind not only a large dachshund community that she loved and shared for over 50 years but also a legacy of lovely dachshunds with wonderful temperaments and a huge void in the lives of family and friends. Heaven is surely brightened by Alice's presence for they have gained a true angel.
2018 -
Arvilla Mayhall -
Pam Strong -
On January 18, 2017 the Dachshund fancy has lost another dedicated breeder and true friend, Joyce Tufts. Married Harry Tufts in 1955, together they bred and showed dachshunds and beagles under the distinguished kennel name of TUFDACHS.
Some of their earlier champions and producers, to only name a few, were CH Belinda of Tufdachs, CH Selena of Tufdachs, Sindi of Tufdachs CH Valetta of Tufdachs; in more recent years, CH Jonhenry of Tufdachs and CH Jaykay’s Logan of Tufdachs.
Joyce held a wealth of knowledge when it came to dachshunds, was a wonderful ring-side mentor and dear friend to many. She was also known and loved for her quick wit, sense of humor, had infectious smile and great outlook on life. She was dedicated longtime member of Dachshund Club of California and Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club of Los Angeles Co.
The bright light at ringside may have dimmed but Joyce’s friendship and memory lives on in the hearts of her friends and all who knew her. Heaven has gained a powerful and bright angel.
On May 6, 2014 the Dachshund breed and Dog Show fancy lost a true friend, Marylou Harris
Passionate and dedicated, a genuine lady with a big heart. A longtime member of Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club, Marylou was a treasured friend to many, with a warm and friendly smile that welcomed everyone and a great love for her dogs, dog shows and her dog show family. Through the years she has served our club in various board positions and for the last several years as our Specialty Show Chair.
Marylou’s start in dogs began in the 1950’s with a German Shepherd, BamBam, that she acquired for her young son, Steve. BamBam actually saved them by alerting and waking the family when a house fire started during the night. She competed in Obedience, Conformation, breeding and was an AKC licensed handler. Under the kennel name, MyWay, Marylou bred Dachshunds in all three coats, both standard and miniature size. Other breeds that Marylou bred early on were Rottweiler. Springer Spaniel and Cairn Terrier.
In 1979 Marylou and longtime friend, Merilynn Hurd, combined their breeding programs. Merilynn fondly remembers, “She had a great love for mentoring young and old and for sure loved telling me what to do and how to do it. We tried to always stay and support whoever took the Variety in the group. We sat around in our pop-ups and set-ups talking about grooming, raising babies and where we go from here. We tried to keep it like the old days. It was important to all of us! She and I have been co-breeding since 1979. That was the beginning..........She was so excited about going to DCA......she couldn't wait to get out and start seeing people.” This was the Marylou we all knew and loved.
Others will remember Marylou as a well-respected AKC judge, her judging career starting in 1992 with several hound breeds, approved for the Hound Group, Rottweiler, Miscellaneous Breeds and Best In Show. Marylou had a keen eye for correct type and movement and was still actively judging, her last assignment three days prior to her passing. Other interests dear to her heart were the Palm Springs Opera Guild and the USO where she volunteered weekly.
We will miss you, dear friend, but you will never be forgotten. We are better for having had you in our lives. You have left us with wonderful memories of a genuine gracious lady and a true friend.
July 13, 2020 the Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club and the Dachshund fancy lost another dedicated breeder and friend, Jerrilyn "Jerri" Smith. Jerri was a native Californian, graduated from Monrovia High School and attended Cal Poly Pomona for her degree. A career in the medical field, Jerri worked at City of Hope, Desert Hospital (Palm Springs) and Community Hospital of San Bernardino.
In 1980, Jerri and her partner Jan Oswald, began showing standard smooth Dachshunds under the kennel name of "DARSHAN". With a limited breeding program focused on quality and temperament, they had several Champions and Dual Champions over the years, most notable was CH Barbadox Ironside SS (bred by Barbara Haisch) and DCH Darshans Hummer V Jagies (homebred). Jerri was initially involved in conformation and later field trials. A longstanding member of Dachshund Club of America, Inc and Dachshund Club of Santa Ana Valley, Inc., Jerri held several different club positions in Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club, the last several years of the clubs' treasurer.
Jerri leaves a giant void in our dachshund community. Her insight, good eye for quality dogs, structure and movement will be missed as well as her tremendous gift of humor. Heaven gained another angel. Until we meet again.
2019 -
April 9, 2019 the Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club and the Dachshund fancy has lost another dedicated breeder and true friend, of the breed, Alice Lentz. Alice was born and raised in San Diego. She married her husband, Curtis, had 5 children, then moved to Orange, California. She loved her family gatherings and holidays with her children, 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, plus their spouses making for very large family gatherings.
Not long after their move her life long love of dachshunds was to start. Her first two dachshunds that she purchased for her breeding program were two longhair puppies, Betty and Barney. In her breeding program she strove to improve with each litter which led to numerous conformation champions, too many to count, and a decades long love affair with this very special breed. In more recent years, Alice participated with her dogs in Performance events, Field Trials and Earth dog, for which she had numerous titles and championships. Since Alice was not able to go in the field with her dogs, Juliet and Dale Rigtrup did this task for her.....with gusto!
Over the years, Alice welcomed and mentored many new people to the breed. She always had time to answer questions, help with a problem, give tips on grooming, or just hangout with friends and cocktails in the dachshund community.
Alice was a member of Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club for many years, serving as President, Vice President, Board member, and Secretary. For more than 20 years, Alice was our Trophy Chair and made sure the displays for the Specialties were beautiful.
Alice leaves behind not only a large dachshund community that she loved and shared for over 50 years but also a legacy of lovely dachshunds with wonderful temperaments and a huge void in the lives of family and friends. Heaven is surely brightened by Alice's presence for they have gained a true angel.
2018 -
Arvilla Mayhall -
Pam Strong -
On January 18, 2017 the Dachshund fancy has lost another dedicated breeder and true friend, Joyce Tufts. Married Harry Tufts in 1955, together they bred and showed dachshunds and beagles under the distinguished kennel name of TUFDACHS.
Some of their earlier champions and producers, to only name a few, were CH Belinda of Tufdachs, CH Selena of Tufdachs, Sindi of Tufdachs CH Valetta of Tufdachs; in more recent years, CH Jonhenry of Tufdachs and CH Jaykay’s Logan of Tufdachs.
Joyce held a wealth of knowledge when it came to dachshunds, was a wonderful ring-side mentor and dear friend to many. She was also known and loved for her quick wit, sense of humor, had infectious smile and great outlook on life. She was dedicated longtime member of Dachshund Club of California and Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club of Los Angeles Co.
The bright light at ringside may have dimmed but Joyce’s friendship and memory lives on in the hearts of her friends and all who knew her. Heaven has gained a powerful and bright angel.
On May 6, 2014 the Dachshund breed and Dog Show fancy lost a true friend, Marylou Harris
Passionate and dedicated, a genuine lady with a big heart. A longtime member of Sierra Dachshund Breeders Club, Marylou was a treasured friend to many, with a warm and friendly smile that welcomed everyone and a great love for her dogs, dog shows and her dog show family. Through the years she has served our club in various board positions and for the last several years as our Specialty Show Chair.
Marylou’s start in dogs began in the 1950’s with a German Shepherd, BamBam, that she acquired for her young son, Steve. BamBam actually saved them by alerting and waking the family when a house fire started during the night. She competed in Obedience, Conformation, breeding and was an AKC licensed handler. Under the kennel name, MyWay, Marylou bred Dachshunds in all three coats, both standard and miniature size. Other breeds that Marylou bred early on were Rottweiler. Springer Spaniel and Cairn Terrier.
In 1979 Marylou and longtime friend, Merilynn Hurd, combined their breeding programs. Merilynn fondly remembers, “She had a great love for mentoring young and old and for sure loved telling me what to do and how to do it. We tried to always stay and support whoever took the Variety in the group. We sat around in our pop-ups and set-ups talking about grooming, raising babies and where we go from here. We tried to keep it like the old days. It was important to all of us! She and I have been co-breeding since 1979. That was the beginning..........She was so excited about going to DCA......she couldn't wait to get out and start seeing people.” This was the Marylou we all knew and loved.
Others will remember Marylou as a well-respected AKC judge, her judging career starting in 1992 with several hound breeds, approved for the Hound Group, Rottweiler, Miscellaneous Breeds and Best In Show. Marylou had a keen eye for correct type and movement and was still actively judging, her last assignment three days prior to her passing. Other interests dear to her heart were the Palm Springs Opera Guild and the USO where she volunteered weekly.
We will miss you, dear friend, but you will never be forgotten. We are better for having had you in our lives. You have left us with wonderful memories of a genuine gracious lady and a true friend.