“Laddland Legacy” Composed by Lexa Richmond

One week before Westminster 2007 I picked up the telephone and called Kaye Ladd.  It had been about 3 weeks since the last time we spoke but yet I had a sense of urgency to call her.  “I guess you’ve heard,” was the first thing she said.  I had no idea what she was talking about and she told me that she had just been diagnosed with esophagus cancer.  As my mouth hung open and I was speechless, the next thing she said was, “I was wondering if you would like to have Candy.”  Ch. Laddland By Candlelight (Candy) was a bitch that I had admired since I laid eyes on her around the age of 11 months old when I saw her on a visit to Kaye’s. Kaye also knew that I wanted a black and tan bitch badly since my breeding of my male Ajax to Jewel had resulted in a litter of 6 RED puppies. “Of course, I would be absolutely honored,” I replied.  Within 3 weeks, Candy arrived at my house.  As I sat looking at this incredible animal, I thought to myself, I don’t really know this bloodline like I should, and it would be a crime to have this dog in my house that I don’t know anything about. If you know me very well, you would know that I immediately picked up the phone and called Kaye to find out as much information about Candy as possible. In fact, I started calling her everyday once I learned of her illness.  I told her that I was going to literally pull as much information about her bloodline out of her brain as possible.  After weeks of conversation about her blood line, I asked Kaye if I could borrow copies of pictures of her dogs so that I could have something to see when studying the dogs in her pedigrees.  I also wanted to put together a complete picture timeline of her kennel in a scrapbook.  Kaye started sending me pictures and I would copy them and send them back.  One day Kaye told me that she would leave me her pictures and pedigrees after she passed away.  Honored once again beyond belief, I accepted. Between our conversations, a database of dogs we put together, and the pictures she sent, we started to work on the history of the Laddland kennel.  Unfortunately, Kaye left us way too soon before we were able to finish this incredible story together.  I have tried to the best of my ability to put the pieces of this puzzle together and share her fascinating journey with you.

 

Kaye’s first love was horses.  She was an experienced rider and had several riding champions.  This is an important thing to know about Kaye because she used her experience with horses when she was breeding dogs.  She always said that the first thing she looked for was a strong, fluid movement- form follows function.  She got this philosophy from her horse knowledge and applied it to her dachshunds.  Kaye received her first dachshund when she was 15 and never spent a day without them after.

 

 

Lorna

In 1980, Kaye received Knolland Lorna ROMX from Ed Jenner.  She knew him through horses and knew that besides horses he had several breeds of dogs on his Knolland Farms property.  Although never a champion, Lorna proved herself as an exceptional producer.  Kaye bred Lorna 3 times.  The first and second breedings were to Ch. Call To Arms V Westphalen.  This breeding was a planned line breeding on Ch. Sheen V Westphalen ROMO, who was a fourth generation top producer.  Kaye named one of the puppies in the first litter Laddland Call Me Madam.  Unfortunately, tragedy struck and Kaye lost the litter to a bout of distemper hitting the area. In the second litter were Ch. Laddland Call Me Isabel, Ch. Laddland Cameo ROMX, and Ch. Laddland Wake Up Call.  Isabel was a multiple group placer.  Camy proved herself in the show ring by taking varieties out of the classes. Kaye bred Lorna one last time to Ch. Luvadox Cocco Eckendorf.  This litter produced Ch. Laddland To Love A Lion (Wolfie) and Ch. Laddland Lorna Laurie ROMX (Lulu).  Wolfie was owned by Sandy Patterson and did quite a bit of winning in his time, including back to back wins at Knickerbocker.  Wolfie was also the sire of Ch. Laddland On The Prowl and Ch. Laddland Liz The Lion-Hearted ROMX (Nike Tyche), owned by Iris Love and Liz Smith.  She was BOS at Westminster in 1988 and the foundation bitch of the Dachsmith Love kennels.  She was the dam of Ch. Dachsmith Love’s Tyche Tyche, BOV winner at the 1993 DCA Nationals.

 

Lulu

Ch. Laddland Lorna Laurie ROMX proved to be successful in the ring as well, including a BOS to BOV win at the 1987 Nationals.  Lulu was the dam of Spanish Ch. Laddland Fashionably Late, Ch. Laddland Liberte (foundation bitch of the Aro-Hil kennels owned by Sally Rubin), Ch. Laddland Special Delivery (Della- which Kaye kept), Ch. Laddland Hoot Owl (owned by John Wade’s son Phillip), Ch. Laddland Just Desserts (owned by Iris Love and Liz Smith), Ch. Laddland Busy Bee, Ch Laddland LL Wing, and Ch. Laddland Miss Magpie (owned by Jack Karcher).

 

Camy

Ch. Laddland Cameo was Kaye’s first homebred champion.  Camy was handled by Michael Zollo.  Kaye bred Camy 3 times.  The first breeding was to Ch. Roushland’s Neva Give An Inch.  This breeding produced Ch. Laddland Pinch of Cameo ROMX.  The second breeding was to Ch. Tallavast Apollo.  This breeding produced Ch. Laddland Camelot ROMO and Ch. Laddland Guinevere (owned by Iris Love and Liz Smith).  The third breeding was to Ch. Solong Squire V Bristleknoll (a longhair) which produced Ch. Laddland Audacious.

 

Pinch 

Kaye bred Pinch twice to Ch. Villanol’s Gladi’s Lad.  The first breeding produced Ch. Laddland Just A Taste ROMX (Tastey), Ch. Laddland Smidgeon Of A Lad ROMO and Ch. Laddland Take A Mile.  Pinch’s progeny were named after measurements. Tastey proved to be Kaye’s first successful special.  She had several group placements as well as an AOM at Westminster in 1992 and going Best Of Breed at the 1991 DCA Nationals.  Tastey was also a top producer and was the dam to Laddland Rite Tastey (Fritter), Ch. Laddland Tastefully Maid, Ch. Laddland Up A Down Staircase, Ch. Laddland Tea Or Me, Ch. Laddland Taste of Bencelia, Ch. Laddland Tastey Affair, and Ch. Laddland Champagne Taste.  Smidge was also a successful special and a top producer, earning his ROMO from DCA and producing over 50 champions.  The second breeding of Pinch to Lad produces Ch. Laddland A Touch of Class (owned by Jean Carvill) and Ch. Laddland A Wing And A Prayer ROMO.

 

Wing

Here is what Kaye writes of Wing:

 

“Wing was born September 6, 1990.  When Wing was born, I knew I needed to keep a male from that litter.  He was named Laddland Wing And A Prayer because “Wing Commander” was the last great proponent sires in Saddlebreds who set his stamp on the breed for decades.  At the time, I named him that because I knew Earl Teeter, his trainer, called him Wing and as I knew my days in horses were numbered I wanted a “Wing” to make the transition.  Now, every once in a while, I wonder if it was an enchanted moment and by giving him that name, I affected his destiny.

 

Wing was co-bred by Kaye Ladd, Iris Love, and Liz Smith.  This was done purely as his mother Pinch had been shown as part of a brace with a bitch they owned, Ch. Laddland Guinevere and had not been signed back over to me solely before the litter was born.  Wing was shown in the classes solely by myself.  He was BOW at the National Host Specialty and Reserve Winner’s Dog at the 1991 Minneapolis DCA.  These wins were from the 6-9 month puppy class.  He finished at the age of 13 months at the Metropolitan Washington Dachshund Specialty.

 

If I could re-do Wing’s show career, I think I would now hold him back a year but because he had received so much publicity as a young dog, he began his specials career at the age of one and a half with Frances (Cookie) Roush in 1992.  He was shown out of Dallas, TX so I only got to see him win 12 times with Cookie during his 2 ½ year career.

 

He won 156 BOV’s; including Westminster wins in 1992 and 1994.  He also had 10 BISS, 2 BOSS, and an All-Breed Best In Show win to his credit.  He also accumulated 12 Group One wins, 16 Group Two wins, 13 Group 3 wins, and 17 Group 4 wins.  He was the #1 Smooth (all systems) in both 1992 and 1993.  He was BOV at the 1994 DCA National Specialty.

 

In 1999, Wing returned to the show ring for two Veteran classes at the Metropolitan Washington Specialty, prior to DCA and the National Specialty.  He won both and went Best Veteran at Met Washington and received an AOM at the 1999 DCA.  Wing has always loved to show and everyone enjoyed his show ring exuberance even at the age of 9.

 

Wing has been the #1 Smooth Producer every year since 1994 except one when he was second (through 2004).  He even has grand children winning in the wire ring and a longhair daughter who should finish soon.

 

Wing was a wonderful show dog but he is a superb producer.  For some reason, I always knew this would be his great gift and time has proven me correct.  He stamps his get with his type and top line.  An exceptionally bright dog himself he passes on a temperament which is dying to please his owners and will do all they can to achieve that purpose.  If I could change anything about Wing I would lower his tail set and carriage a notch but that is minimal in the “big picture”.

 

Wing was initially and is now owned exclusively by me.  Contractually he was co-owned with Sandy Patterson for the 1993 show year and now is back solely in my ownership.

 

On a cute loving note, Wing hugs and kisses like a human being.  I’ve always found this fascinating as he’s done it since he was a puppy.  And it is a trait that he passes on!”

 

As of 2007, Wing has produced 118 champions, breaking the record previously held by Ch. Favorite von Marienlust, who produced 95 champions.  Many of his offspring have also been national winners, Westminster winners, top specials, and top producers, as their children and so on.

 

Pinch also had one last litter – an oops! breeding to Wing during a silent heat. There were two puppies in this litter, one of which Kaye kept and named Ch. Laddland A Dab Of The Devil. Dabba was a very small bitch, around 18 pounds at best.  Kaye always told me that this was the result if someone “inbred” on her bloodline or line bred to heavily without bringing a new stem line.  Dabba was spayed after receiving her championship and placed in a loving pet home.

 

Lotta

An important bitch in Kaye’s breeding program was Ch. Laddland Camelot ROMO.  If you use Kaye’s formula for breeding on any one of her pedigrees of her blood line, you will no doubt find this bitch in the pedigree.  Kaye bred Lotta 3 times.  Her first breeding was to Ch. Villanol’s Gladi’s Lad.  This breeding produced Ch. Laddland Elvira (owned by Wally and Mary Jones), a multiple specialty winner, including a win at the 1994 National Host Show, Ch. Laddland Emma Peel, Ch. Laddland Agatha Christie (owned by Don Ingamells and Arvilla Mayhall), Ch. Laddland Miss Marple (owned by Mike and Georjan Bridger) and Ch. Laddland Stretch Limo (owned by Gordon and Jean Carvill), who was the BOV winner at the 1998 DCA Nationals in Dallas out of the veteran class.  The second breeding was to Ch. Braaehaus Gadabout Town.  This breeding produced Ch. Laddland City Sizzle (owned by Judy Anderson), who produced 8 champions, Ch. Laddland Harlem Knight (owned by Uffe and Carole Braae), and Ch. Laddland Madison Ready About.  The third breeding was to Wing.  This litter produced  Ch. Laddland Wingtips and Laddland Winged Sandals (owned by Jack Karcher), who although never received a championship, produced nicely for the Karchaus line.

 

During this time, Kaye also bred Della to Wing and produced European Champion Laddland Wings of Change At Waydack, owned by Bruce Jenkins.  Kaye also bred Fritter to Wing which produced Ch. Laddland Nik O’Wing V Brokmor, owned by Sharleen Berfolla.

 

Hedda

Kaye received a bitch back out of a breeding between City Sizzle and Wing.  This bitch is named Ch. Laddland Head In The Clouds ROMX.  This bitch soon won a place in Kaye’s heart because she is such a clown.  Kaye also said that she had incredible movement and a “want” to show off.  Hedda also proved to be a successful special, winning several BOV’s at specialties and an AOM at Westminster.  Kaye bred Hedda twice to Ch. Apple Hills Hercules.  The first breeding produces Ch. Laddland High Flyer and Ch. Laddland Halo Askew (owned by John and Joanne Kephart) and International champion Laddland Ideas Fly (owned by Carlos Pedroso).  The second litter produces Ch. Laddland Fireworks (Sparkey), Ch. Laddland In Your Face (owned by Megan Hamilton Hicks), Ch. Laddland Feathers Flying, and Ch. Laddland On The Wings Of A Dove.  For Hedda’s third breeding, Kaye bred her to Ch. Laddland Cigar.  This breeding produces Ch. Laddland Puffin’ Stuff and Ch. Laddland Pipe Dreams.

 

Kaye also bred during this time Ch. Laddland Tea Or Me (Tetley).  Tetley received an AOM at the 1997 Nationals in Louisiana.  Tetley is the dam of Ch. Laddland Tea Party, Ch. Laddland Simply The Best (owned by Georjan Bridger), and Ch. Laddland Cigar.

 

Emma

Another important bitch in Kaye’s line was Ch. Laddland Emma Peel.  Although not ever heavily specialed, her important contribution to Kaye’s line came from the whelping box.  Kaye bred Emma to Ch. Fleming’s Star of Wonder which produced Ch. Laddland Trivette and Ch. Laddland Whodunit.  Kaye bred Emma again to Ch. Georgia Dachs Chandler.  This breeding results in Ch. Laddland Georgius Rex, Ch. Laddland Cleopatra, Ch. Laddland Lucy Lawless ROMX (Lolly- owned by John and Nancy Thompson), Laddland Spice Girl (owned by Wally and Mary Jones), and Ch. Laddland Juliet ROMO.  Lolly was a top 10 special and won several Group 1’s and an All Breed Best In Show.

 

Juliet

Kaye said that Juliet was the epitome of her breeding program.  Juliet was exclusively handled by Carlos Puig.  She won 193 BOV’s, including a BOV at Westminster in 2000.  She won 10 Best of Breed in Specialty Shows, including a win at the 2001 DCA Nationals.  She won 13 Best Op to Best of Breed in Specialty Shows, and went BOS at the 2000 Nationals in Arizona.  She also had two All-Breed Best In Shows.  To her credit she won an impressive 28 Group Ones, 19 Group Twos, 15 Group Threes, and 19 Group Fours.  Juliet also was Best Smooth Veteran at age 8 at the 2005 DCA Nationals in Houston, TX.  More impressive than her wins was her first litter bred back to her grandfather, Wing.  This litter was a fantastic group of 7.  This litter produced Laddland All A Quiver, Ch. Laddland Love Pinch, Ch. Laddland Heart Throb, Ch. Laddland Love At First Sight , and Ch. Laddland First Kiss, who is a multiple specialty winner, Westminster AOM winner and Eukanuba Invitational winner.  This litter also produced Ch. Laddland Wings of Love.  Mimi was a top 5 special who had a BOV win at the DCA Nationals in 2003 and a BOV at Westminster in 2004.  This litter also produced Ch. Laddland Crown Jewel of Lucene, who followed her sister’s foot steps by winning BOB at the 2004 DCA Nationals, BOV at Westminster in 2005, and BOV/BOS to BOB at the 2005 DCA Nationals.  For Juliet’s second litter, she was bred to Ch. Laddland High Flyer.  This litter resulted in 4 more champions: Ch. Laddland Dotes On You, Ch. Laddland Flyboy, Ch. Laddland Miss Smooch, and Ch. Laddland Othello. For Juliet’s last litter, she was bred to Ch. Georgia Dachs Oliver.  This breeding produced Ch. Laddland Love Letters and Ch. Laddland Shakespeare of Aro-Hil.

 

Sparkey

It would not do justice to the Laddland line if I did not make mention of Ch. Laddland Fireworks.  Kaye did not think much on keeping males.  She kept Wing because she really thought him to be fantastic, which proved to be true.  Kaye kept Sparkey because of his flashy movement.  She always said that even though Sparkey might not have perfect conformation, his contribution to his get will be his movement.  Sparkey has proven to be a great sire and still has several get in the ring today working on earning their championship.  Sparkey currently lives with Neal and Helen Hamilton.

 

Smooch

Another bitch that Kaye adored was Ch. Laddland Miss Smooch.  Smooch had several big wins getting started as a special, including back to back BOV’s at Knickerbocker in 2005 and 2006.  She also received an AOM at Westminster in 2006 and was BOB at the DCA Nationals in 2006 and 2007.  The 2007 BOB was a particularly special and memorable win for Kaye because weeks earlier she had been diagnosed with esophagus cancer.  Kaye was most honored for this win.  Smooch currently resides with Jerry Cerasini and Roger Brown.

 

Kaye also did some other breedings that produced more Laddland champions.   Kaye bred Ch. Laddland In Your Face (a bitch she co-owned with the Hamiltons) to Ch. Apple Hills Ultimate Decision. This litter results in Ch. Laddland Making Faces.  Facie was bred again to Ch. Laddland Heart Throb and produces Ch. Laddland In A Heartbeat.  Kaye also bred Ch. Laddland Puffin’ Stuff to DCh. Deister-Pruitt Frosty Zipper.  This litter resulted in Ch. Laddland Magic Dragon, Ch. Deister-Laddland Puff Magic, Ch. Laddland Puff Pastry, and Ch. Laddland Puffin’ Byrd.  This litter was particularly tragic to Kaye in the fact that she lost Puffin’ a few weeks after the litter was born.

 

Allie

Laddland All A Quiver never received a championship but proved herself to be a producer.  Allie was bred to Sparkey in 2005 and produced Ch. Laddland Torch Song (who went to live with Georjan Bridger), Ch. Laddland Bonfire on Summerhill (who resided with Cathy Blatz) and Ch. Laddland By Candlelight (who resided with Lexa Richmond).  These dogs made their mark in the show ring and went on to support upcoming great kennels.  Kaye was so pleased with the results of this litter that she repeated the breeding in 2006.  Two puppies from this litter, Ch. Laddland Coal In Your Stocking and Ch. Laddland Light My Fire and went to live with Jerry Cerasini and Roger Brown.

 

 

Kaye Ladd was perhaps the Fred and Rose Heying of the smooth dachshund world in the years she was breeding and showing.  She credited herself not only with outstanding conformation, but fluid movement and fantastic temperaments.  Her record boasts over 87 champions with the Laddland prefix.  She bred and owned the number one smooth stud dog of all time.  To her credit dogs she bred won the DCA BOV title 9 times (7 different dogs), including consecutive wins for 5 years in 2003-2007.  She had 5 Laddland dogs win at Westminster, including consecutive wins in 2004 and 2005.   Kaye’s bloodline is also known worldwide.  There are several International champions donning the Laddland prefix and have progeny from the Laddland kennel.  Above all, Kaye enjoyed attending dog shows and sitting ringside, watching the show and seeing the influence of the Laddland dogs on the breed.

 

The very last of the Laddland prefixed named dogs passed between the years of 2017-2018.  Their memory and Kaye’s legacy live on in the Brownwood, Hialeah, Hildisvin Wurdig, and TurningPT kennels to name a few.  Although most Laddland dogs have fallen off the pages of the pedigrees, their contribution, bloodlines and Kaye’s vision still live on in dogs in the show ring and successful breeding programs today.

Laddland Legacy

By Lexa Richmond of Hialeah Dachshunds

Original Article written and published in September 2007, DCA magazine

Article updated January 28, 2025