History of DeSusa Kennels

DeSusa kennels began as SuRoPen, named for Susie, Robin, Penny, myself and my daughters. My first love was a Dane called Lilly, brindle and beautiful. They said, "show", so I did. It took her and I two years to do it, she was my first Champion. My oldest daughter wanted to show in Juniors and so we acquired a cocker spaniel.

My show career for the cockers was easier as I had the hang of handling, now it was just getting that grooming thing down pat. By now I had been grooming for 5 years.

Over the next 20 years I finished 20 cockers, bred, owned and handled by myself, or handled for others. Others of my breeding were finished, and helped start other kennels, this with very limited breeding.

In 1971, I bought my first Bichon Frise. She was not the show dog I had wanted, so she was spayed and became a couch potato. But I loved the breed, persisted and bought another one. We decided that the Bichons needed a new kennel name so DeSusa was chosen, as it was shorter and easier to work with. So the Bichons and the Cockers were in this together with me, and off we went.

55 Champions bred, owned and handled by me plus dogs I've shown for others have come out of DeSusa Kennels. I finished a male Frenchie, neutered him for a house pet, two Chinese Crested, dog and bitch with the Mystic Heart prefix made their championships and are loved couch potatoes, plus Labs, American Foxhounds, and Cairn Terriers, but the Cocker and Bichons were here to stay.

When the last Cockers were finished, I went to London for a Bichon Congress, and at the Crufts Dog Show, I saw the Lowchen and a new love started.

After a trip to London for the Crufts Dog Show, I fell for the Lowchen. This breed was the best of both worlds. Happy, outgoing personalities that was so appealing, and such little clowns. Returning to the US, I began the search for one of my own.

My contacts put me on to Liz Vargo and resulted in my first Lowchen, Destiny's Preview at DeSusa. She finished her Championship for the Lowchen club with 3-5pt majors in 3 shows, before her 1st birthday. Bred to Kismets Popcorn at Rygate, she produced Ch. DeSusa's Charleston Chew, a Cht/tn male, and Ch DeSusa's Bit-O-Honey, Cht/TN female. Both finished easily in tough NY competition.

So with 30 years in dogs, grooming, showing, breeding, and handling, DeSusa kennel had made it's mark. Limited breeding has still produced dogs that fit the standard for that breed. Healthy, happy dogs that are tested for genetic defects, and placed in loving, suitable homes, to make companions for the next 12-15 years, or high quality show dogs, that will be loved and love for their life time. The time and immense effort that it takes to keep up with this hobby, has been worth the effort. We have friends anywhere we go and after the show, can relax, enjoy the rehash of the day, or see more of a new location or town. It is always a great pleasure to see DeSusa dogs in the ring with new owners, competing for the brass ring.

After 10 years with the Lowchen, I am proud to see the breed in the AKC ring and see the quality of the competition and all the interest generated by the breed. Each year the LCA has done a great job providing good judges from several foreign countries and the US, for the nationals, held in different parts of the country. With all the interest in Lowchens, we are on our way to seeing the Lowchen succeed as a new breed in AKC.

Watch for the DeSusa prefix on Bichon, Chinese Crested and Lowchen in the show rings. And keep checking this website for new puppies starting their show career or looking for new home.

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DeSusa Kennels
Smithton, MO

660-827-4210
Contact DeSusa Kennels

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