DONNEREIGN SAMOYEDS

Our Beginnings

 

        The Tsartar Samoyeds of John and Carolyn Donner 1961

 

      Tsartar Samoyeds began with a Christmas gift from parents i.e. my inlaws of an adult female Samoyed. SNOW QUEEN of CARMIL joined our family and had been previously coveted by me after meeting her at the fall 1960 Minneapolis Kennel Club Bench Show. My betrothed parents were Samoyed faciers all through the 50's and their Samoyeds were known as Torchlight Kennels. It was at a time of just two dog shows a year in Minnesota. Nevertheless the Torchlight Samoyeds flourished.

 

                                                                      

                   

The Future Mrs. Donner and SNOW QUEEN OF CARMIL--Full sister to Ch. KUSANG OF NORTHERN FROST 

 

* Note -  Pedigree of QUEEN and KUSANG is published in the Julie Goodrich Foundation  1972 year book.

 

     At the Minneapolis Kennel Club Dog Show of 1960, along with Queen, was Best In Show Champion Winterlands' Kim, one of the very early "big" winning Sammys. Owned and presented by Bernice Heagy of Wisconsin. Kim was presented as a glamourous vision in the ring, seldom, if ever seen today. Bernice dressed in a lavender wool sweater suit completed with a white fox collar and if I remember correctly a rhinestone or POSSIBLY a diamond clip; add to this her platinum blonde hair it would be impossible to not be impressed. Her presentation of her silver-white Samoyed, Kim, was perfection. From Bernice I learned how important it is to dress properly for the ring. She stressed presenting a "professional" picture. No sloppy jeans and dirty sneakers for her or for me either! Bernice's comments to me included positive thoughts on my interest and enthusiasm and she instilled in me the meaning of a quality owner and exhibitor.  Bloodlines of course came up in our discussions. Hip dysplasia was a term unknown to me but not to Bernice Heagy. She explained it very well without condemming or being overly critical of others and their dogs that were unfortunately affected. These problems made her sad but she was never sadistic towards others. Were she only with us today!

 

     I couldn't help but want to be part of this world and with this breed. Unfortunately my kid Cocker days were over as my faithful buddy Rusty, the setter red English Cocker who had been my constant companion since age nine had recently passed on.

 

     Well by the end of 1961 and roughly one year later we had Queen and John Jr. as well.

 

    Queen's bloodlines were in one word - ROYAL.  Being from very old Snowland bloodlines and her pedigree contained the breeds foundation dogs that WERE right off the boat.

 

     My wife and I had simultaneously discovered a super built Samoyed male brought out of Alaska. NAKOO OF ALA-CRYSS had been bred by ALA-CRYSS Kennels, owned by Freida Bastian. He was completely WHITE WAY all the way back and Agnes Mason, the lines breeder ultimately became all but immortal in our breed. Now the breeding of Snow Queen to Nakoo produced our first Champion... 

 

 

CH. SHEHEREZADE   TSARTAR   FASTASY

1963 -- 1974

 

     By now we had become acquainted with the foundation dogs and their breeders with the greatest midwest influence at the time. Breeder-Judge Joyce Cain along with then current SCA president M. Estalene Beckman and Martha Beal became my mentors. They were willing to share their philosophy on quality dog breeding which included a heavy dose of ethics. I can recall where a show puppy was never allowed off leash and this rule followed through to anyone who purchased a puppy at the time. 

 

     Joyce and Louis Cain's line was the original SAMTARA and continued the fine work of the Beckmans by remaining true to the line and promoting two phenomenal females. CH. FROSTAR'S TUNDRA STARFROST and her granddaughter CH. SAMTARA'S SUGAY 'N' SPICE.  Please note our original SNOWQUEEN was in fact a full sister to Estalenes stud dog CH. KUSANG of NORTHERN FROST who had sired more quality champions than I am able to name. Boy, were these connections beginning to become exciting. 

 

     Joyce Cain was in a phrase way ahead of her time. Joyce became one of our very first AKC Breeder Judges. She was an attractive person somewhat opinionated but never unctious. She was a superior mentor for a beginner because she spelled things out in black and white and there were not a lot of sideways options. Her contributions of her dogs and her philosophies will always be revered and respected.  I would want her to be proud of the work I have accomplished as I know she had a strong faith in me.

 

     Ultimately Ch. Samtara's Suga-Koko and his half-sister Suga-Dsari came to be ours and these bloodlines are also still with me today. I believe I may be one of the few if not the only person to continue Joyce Cain's lines with any concentration and obviously Mrs. Beckman's into another century.  Both Suga-Koko and his half-sister were offspring of two breedings that Mrs. Cain did with Pacific Northwest dogs.  Koko's sire was in fact BIS CH. SAROMA's POLAR PRINCE and DSARI was sired by NOATAK's NIK O' SATURN whose sire was CH. NOATAK of SILVER MOON.  That these males were decendants of one great dog who is still discussed today that being CH. STORMY WEATHER OF BETTY BLUE is nothing short of astounding.  These bloodlines can be found in some of the top winning and finest moving dogs of our breed today. We are talking a span of I don't know how many generations but we ARE looking at 45 years.  The breeding of CH. KOKO to his half-sister DSARI provided me with my next super influential female Ch. TSARTAR'S TWICE THE SPICE.  We will begin Donnereign Samoyeds with this bitch but this has not occured at this point.

 

                         

                            Ch. Samtara's Suga Koko                               AM/CAN Ch. Tsartar's Twice The Spice

 

     Frostar's founder M. Estalene Beckman was first and foremost a true breeder-exhibitor. She finished many dogs of her own breeding and the quality carried over. She had a focus, always a plan of action and was successful in every way. She was very pleased to see her lines flourish in others kennels in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Today, this area is still a hotbed of superior Samoyeds; the families of Joyce Cain's Samtara, Baerstone, Lu-Sam, Suruka Orr, influential in the sixties and seventies all had some dogs with a Frostar background.  As charter President of the Vikingland Samoyed Club it was really exciting to have Mrs. Beckman judge our very first match. She was especially pleased to come to Minnesota and able to see descendants of her dogs. Do you know where she purchased her most important stud dog? Nowhere but Minnesota years before! Vikingland evolved into what is today the Samoyed Association of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Vikingland held Minnesota's first Samoyed eye clinic in response to eye difficulties being experienced and shared by Pacific Northwest breeders in the early seventies.  I believe Vikingland was one of the very first regional clubs to do this. This information had been shared by  the various Pacific Northwest breeders to other dedicated Sammy fanciers due to the strong influence their dogs had on the breed overall in this country and in Canada.

 

     While seeking to learn what the Seattle dogs were all about after Joyce Cain and Jeanne Nonhof had gone there for genes brought me to my third and perhaps most influential mentor; Mrs. Richard Beal of POLAR PRINCE SAMOYEDS. The Beal's, Martha and her husband Dick, were the proud owners of another very early Best in Show Samoyed, Am. Can. Ch. SAROMA'S POLAR PRINCE.  They named their line after him. Affectionately called "Peppy" the dog was a working dog in the true sense of structure and attitude and the breed today thanks him for providing a resource for phenomenal front assemblies.  This dog could MOVE and not like a CLYDESDALE either. Peppy was a big dog but not overdone in any way. I had also made a breeding with Peppy and CH. SHEHEREZADE TSARTAR FANTASY and the litter was very nice but not noteworthy. Peppy's genes are still being carried forth in todays rings outstandingly so especially in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The competition here is as competative as anywhere else in the country; and now that structure is foremost in the minds of most of those involved, the breed is truly fortunate.

 

     From Dick Beal I learned more about ring presenation and many excellent ways to temper the emotionalism of dog shows and how to pick a good puppy. From Martha I learned much about old Northwest bloodlines emphasising many dogs that were only three or four generations down from CH. PETER OF KOBE. Besides this I learned what these dogs really were all about; add to this many good tips on dealing with politics both inside and outside of the show ring and how to pick a good puppy! Currently Mrs. Beal is a lifetime SCA member still residing in Washington state. What a lady! What a dog breeder!

 

 * Note:     A highlight for the Beals and the Donners as well was winning with PEMSTAR'S FANTASIA the Winners Bitch Award for a 5 Point Major to finish championship at the 1986 SCA National Speciality in San Jose California. Martha and Dick were Futurity and Sweepstakes judges respectively and what a high moment when a descendant of their Ch. Peppy was awarded winners by Breeder-Judge Daniel Morgan. "Tasia" was owned by me but her actual breeders were Darlene and David Pemble. Both Tasia's sire Ch. DONNEREIGN DESIGNER'S CHOICE whom I bred and owned and her dam were descendants of Ch. SAROMA'S POLAR PRINCE four times so it was great fun for them to see someone they had helped do well with a descendant of their all-time favorite dog.  Another perk for me was to observe my daughter D'Andrea, then thirteen and my son Collin age twelve both doing well in Junior Showmanship.  D'Andrea "Dandi" began showing at age ten and Collin at age nine. D'Andrea continues to enjoy with her family the love of a Samoyed.

 

     The added fact that I (John Donner Sr.) finished Tasia's Championship by piloting her in the Donner Pass Room at the Red Lion Hotel, San Jose California.  That was almost too weird but what a memory!

 

     On To Donnereign

 

     The seventies for us (John and Carolyn) were busy, tumultous, and considering the times filled with tension, life style changes and a growing discontent with our lives in general. Our six children required nearly all of our free time and it was probably just as well that our dog interests had become stagnant. 

 

     There were disappointing dog moments as well. Realizing the failed attempts to successfully breed our Ch. Tsartar's Twice The Spice to the Adams' Ch. Los Laika's Belaya Traicer - without a doubt one of the finest males of his day; still brings a great sigh from me. Spice had spent a full year with the Adams in California and all of us could not have been sadder but when the second breeding failed as had the first.

 

* Note   Mrs. Gertrude Adams was the designer of our present day SCA Illustrated Standard.  She wrote to me about all sorts of early Samoyeds well back into the twenties. Another lady ahead of her time and what history she was able to share with me.

 

     Acting as Trophy Chair Person for the SCA National Specialty in 1972 held in Janesville, Wisconsin enabled me to meet face to face so many of the kind people who had shared their history's with me in the previous ten to fifteen years. This was my first and for my many years my last SCA National.

 

     This could have spelled "The End". However, my friend Nellie Hofmeister, in the early eighties encouraged me to take a look at a new star on the show scene that she had recently seen. This was AM/CAN Ch. Windson's Yankee Doodle Daddi, a new Best In Show winner and first cousin to my Twice The Spice...WOW!! This line breeding resulted in the first Donnereign Champion. Designers Choice finished with four majors and two bests of breed in TWO weekends! "Reigner" as I called him, bred very successfully siring eight AKC Champions, a Multi Group Winner, Ch. Donnereign Danya Adir and yes, SCA Winners Bitch 1986, Ch. Pemstar's Fantasia. He was one of the very special ones, his genes carried the breeds best; and most Donnereign dogs bred to this date can trace back to him.

 

     Finishing four Champions early on in 1985 rather set the tone for things to come or so I had thought---

 

* Note - 1985 Champions

Champion Donnereign Designer's Choice

Champion Donnereign Dazzlin' Reign

Champion Donnereign Danya-Adir

Champion Stardan's Fancy To Donnereign

    The 1985 SCA National was held in Rochester Minnesota. Arriving early with five or six dogs, we connected up with old friends and prepared for the Champion Parade; the first event that year at the National. This show was a tremendous Fall from Grace. I fell hard going around the ring and spent the rest of the National in a hospital with a broken hip! "Reigner" had never left my side and there he was as I came to...licking my face with a quizzical expression on his, as if to ask if it was "all better" now.

 

     D'Andrea 12, and Collin 11, finished the week at the National getting all the dogs taken care of, groomed and shown. Some of my Minnesota friends had supervised; and these two kids still had full responsibilty of their room and all the dogs without any fuss.

 

     Whereas 1985 had left me on the floor; 1986 sent me to the ceiling with Winners Bitch at the National in California.  (Previously discussed) It was now time to get my feet back on the ground and make some further progress to breeding good dogs.

 

     The outstanding success of the breedings of Reigner to my Knikai's Donna-Rainbow (co-owned with Martha Beal and bred by Gail Matthews and Jackie Sekula) was leading me to confidence. Everything from them x-rayed good or better and all of Reigners Champion offspring were OFA Certified. So I felt it was time to reach out for new genes that would compliment my dogs and keeping to a strand of connection to the old Samtara dogs, brought in the genes of Best in Show Ch. Risuko's Mister Moonlight and two of his sons. The first was a line bred Samtara-White Cliff with an out to Silver Acres, namely Champion T-Snow Stars Claim To Fame; and to Champion Sanorka's Moonlight Gambler, the product of an outcross breeding bringing in Northwind dogs as well.

 

     Rather than breed out yet again; I believed it best to reselect different combinations within the lines for a couple of generations. This should recombine the good as well as bring up some manageable faults and the decision to go in this direction will prove to give you more than a dog or two to carry on. Outcross upon outcross generally thought to breed health does little for most except put them out of dogs after a generation or two. Leaving the owners terribly disappointed. I feel you cannot go too fast in building a line; or even improving dogs as a rule. Please remember if you can't stand the dog you have and see it as totally faulty go out and buy a better dog; Do not spend your time trying to improve the first one.  I've preferred to do line breeding using RELATED DOGS after an outcross to help blend the genes and concentrate them.  This provides some protection should pairing outcross negatives result. This often happens when you use the same dog over and over.  The result of this was not perfect but it has been full of possiblities for the future.  Champion Donnereign Proclaim A Reign, Champion Donnereign The Fashion Model, Champion Donnereign Fashion Accompli, Champion Tradewind's Danya Design, Champion Donnereign Joie de Vivre ROMC, and Champion Donnereign Par Preference ROMC, are a result of this system.

 

     These breedings produced needed improvement in bone substance, added front extension with the addition of the highly praised "long upper arm". Retaining really phenomenal musculature in my original dogs was highly desirable but I had let it slip because I assumed that once you had it you could keep it forever. It seems as time goes on this lack of substance along with the "Sammy Smile" disappearing is getting to be a major concern. We need to watch this. All to often when we congregate we hear the overused phrase "A Sammy is more than just a pretty face". Please keep in mind that a true Samoyed is also more than just sidegait!

 

     Time marches on and gaining confidence of having a set genetic base that was undoubtedly sound and full of type-(some say that Donnereign is a recognizable look), I felt it necessary to once again reintroduce some old genes along with some new ones. Wanting to reach out for more extension, strengthening balance we opted to breed to a very closely bred line with a strong track record AND a number of males within that line, not just one. Not breeding to the hottest dog of the week hasn't hurt a bit.

 

     With between eight and ten Donnereign dogs competing currently nationwide; Some pointed and some with Majors, I feel confident in saying I am a successful breeder. None of the breeds faults that my dogs have produced has been insurmountable, the proof being the number of dogs we finish and the number that clear all of the tests. There are no genetically clean dogs in any breed or in any line and if you breed long enough you will learn this. I know I have good dependable dogs.

 

     Now, where will I go? What will I need to seek for the improvement? Will I answer these questions by 2040 when I turn 100? Come on in, watch, listen and learn, ask some questions---perhaps you and your dog will be the one to provide the answer. 

 

     Please know, that my family's success in Samoyeds wasn't accomplished being a single entity. The days are gone of huge professional kennels of hundreds of dogs and for the Samoyed it has been just as well. We have better dogs because of the comradery and sportsmanship that is fostered in the heart of this breed.

 

     Before I send your further into the site I want to thank the breeders who have helped, supported, shared and yes, understood me. To you, my deep appreciation. Named in no particular order:

 

Joyce and Louis Cain----Estalene Beckman----Martha and Dick Beal----Gail Matthews----The Hodges, Hamptons and Mary Jo Willdig----Janice Hovelmann----John and Karin Nyhuis----Jeanne and Wayne Nonhof----Kay Hallberg----Judi and Blair Elford----Betty Arnold Chamberlin

 

     Special regards and love to my family for all of their assistance; weekends dog sitting, trips to the airport, vet appointments, and a shoulder to lean on during the times of strife. John, D'Andrea, Collin and Carolyn as well have always done their best for me. One couple will always stand out for me; Dr. Roland Hofmeister, DVM and his wife Mrs. Nellie Hofmeister.  Nellie for keeping me going in the early 1980s by pointing out Ch. Windsong's Yankee Doodle Daddi and Dr. Rollie who has always been there and is there for me and my Samoyeds.

 

 Thank you to everyone who has selected their famly dog here; and of course to the show dogs also and all the kindness' freely given.

 

     Thank you, as well, to you, Jenny. My wonderful daughter-in-law who has put hours into working on the design of this web site and putting up with me and all the inner workings of a sixy five year old mind and gym rat. Jenny, you've been great!!!

 

Epilog: 1998-2002----"Traicer" genes come to us through two breedings with Ch. Wolf River's Diamond Dust, ROMC with a whole pedigree full of qualilty and lot of good new genes.

 

2002-2003----"Peppy" and "Traicer" genes recaptured with breedings to BIS Ch. Vanderbilt's Downtown Lights, his sire Ch. Vanderbilt's Krash of Thunder and son Multi-BIS AM/CAN Ch. Snowghost's Hot Rod Lincoln.  Power. Power. Power. Of course, the boys sired beautiful puppies out of "Spice" descendent girls; Soleil, Romance and Teva. Need I say more?

 

Thank you Kay, Judi, Karen and Michael for all this...and MORE!!!

 

                                

ABOUT

D'Andrea and Family

 

My daughter,  D'Andrea started showing dogs as a ten year old; being a natural handler and having an affinity for sizing up ring strategy. Her first champion was Ch. Donnereign Dazzlin' Reign which was a highlight for a young child. Dandi grew to handle dogs for me and others as well and could always be counted upon to do a supurb job. Continuing her interest in the breed, though not presently active in the show ring ... D'Andrea flew with me November 2004 to Toronto, Ontario, Canada to critique my judging of the Sweepstakes at the Ontario Regional Speciality; especially enjoying shopping in Toronto and observing puppies at Vanderbilt. 

 

 

D'Andrea Donner Schwartz pictured with her husband Joseph, son J.P. and daughter Lauren. The Samoyed they enjoy is retired Star, Donnereign Tarara Boom D'Ay,  known to us all as "Teva". J.P. along with his sister Lauren affectionately called Grandpa--"PAPA RUFF" and Grandpa is very flattered!

 

       

D'Andrea Donner Schwartz and her AM/CAN Ch. Donnereign Past Imperfect, 1997 SCA National Speciality Award of Merit. "Pastim" was also a distinguished winner of multiple Bests of Breed and Group Placing.  Our Donnereign Tarara Boom D'Ay is Pastim's daughter, out of Solitaire Va Va Va-Voom D' Reign bred by Elizabeth Arnold Chamberlin and Patty Rasmussen.

 

                                         

                    Teva and her buddy Quackers, the mallard                  J.P. and Teva ... enduring love!

 

Dandi, age 12, and Champion Donnereign Dazzlin' Reign

 

                       

ABOUT

Collin and Family

 

My son, Collin, was a supurb technician in the ring. Quick to learn strategy, never missed a que from the judge; really understood why a good Samoyed moves well. He didn't carry passion for dog shows as his sister did.

 

My best dog sitter; he can train, play with and yes even whelp a litter. Knows about it all - Now, I just have to get him hooked on this. As a young man, married with three children and an upwardly mobile position with Renewal by Andersen there isn't a lot of spare down time. Maybe someday. He won't make my mistakes though-you can be assured of that and would be an exhibitor to reckon with.

 

Collin, along with his wife Jenny and daughters Miranda and Victoria. 

 

 

Collin (age 12) and Champion Olikavan-Donnereign Bianca

 

   

ABOUT

John Sr.

 

As this is turning out to be a bit of an autobiography I might as well include some of the things that I have accomplished that have little to do with my dogs, however, alot to do with the dog world. The political arena of dog clubs has not been particularly attractive to me. There has never been consistant free time due to the real reason I am in dogs, and that is the blending and developing of blood lines to contribute to the breeds ultimate perfection. However, it has been my pleasure to have been selected to judge a number of Regional Specialty Sweepstakes in both Samoyeds and Alaskan Malamutes. I also have strong interest in the Chow Chow. Perhaps the time will eventually permit for me to seek AKC licensing to judge. 

 

Over the years I have served at the local level in a number of capacities. As charter President of the Vikingland Samoyed Club, which was one of the very early regional samoyed clubs in the US. I was most proud to see this club become a reality. As a member of SAMS, I have served as Vice-President a couple of times and "paid my dues" as a relatively active club member. I have accepted the job of Show Chair twice, Chairing Trophy and Advertising Solicitation responsiblities for our Specialties. Formation of our Judge Selection Committee and its processes was one of my pet projects, which was designed to provide for a voice for every member and a fair vote of selection.

 

I have enjoyed being a guest speaker at SAMS on a number of subjects; one of my favorites being the PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF A SAMOYED PUPPY DESTINED FOR THE SHOW RING; also BREEDING THEORIES AND BREEDING EXPERIENCES. Contribuing to Samoyed Public Relations at the Minnesota State Fair for a number of years put me in direct contact with the general public as they toured the "dog building" at the fair. This event was sponsored by our Minnesota Purebred Dog Breeders Association that was established many years ago to separate ethical, reliable breeders from those interested commercially. One accomplishment was the State of Minnesota passing the puppy "lemon law" to help protect both the buyer and seller.

 

Perhaps my greatest honor, as an invited guest speaker, would be the invitation from Dr. Margaret Root-Kustritz, DVM PHD DACT, to speak to her first year Veterinary students at the University of Minnesota Veterinary School. The invitation is still enjoyed on occassion. Often the subject is "What Does A Breeder Expect From A Veterinarian" and "What Should A Veterinarian Expect From A Breeder". My somewhat brief discourse generally encouraged student participation of comments, questions and of course answers. Dr. Root-Kustritz has been my island of refuge in breeding dogs for many years. It has been my great pleasure to aid her in any way teaching new students, both in basics and more complicated techniques of reproductive veterinary medicine. She is always genuinely interested in my breeding activities, never refusing to listen and researching all sorts of details for me when requested. As the author of "Canine and Feline Theriogenolgy" along with Dr. Shirley Johnston, DVM PHD DACT, I encouraged her along with many other breeders to author another book for dog breeders on reproductive veterinary medicine. This book is in financing now and watch for it--you would want to have a copy if you are going to do any breeding.

 

* Note Dr. Johnston was my veterinarian that I consulted after Tsartar's Twice The Spice year long miss. After extensive testing of every known possible avenue of disruption, Spice was pronounced normal in every respect. Dr. Johnston's advice was "I bet if you breed her locally you'll get puppies"--She Was Right. Dr. Johnston is currently Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine Western University of Health Sciences of Pomona California.

 

I have recently retired from Professional life, owning an Interior Design firm specializing in residential design, furnishings and fine art.      What's Next?? There is always going for "Mr. Senior America" rather I'd like to breed some more good dogs, win at a lot more dog shows and continue my efforts with new people PASSING THE TORCH.     JD

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