My name is Amanda Huggins and I live with my family in Sydney, Australia. 

Although my Daesdaemar kennel is a relatively new one, my association with dogs began a long time ago...basically I was born into the Dog World.

In the 1970's my mother Patricia bred and showed Collies under the Sheldunoc Prefix. They were getting a little big for her so she aquired her first Shetland Sheepdog in 1979 and became quite well known for her Sheldunoc Shelties. The Japanese Spitz came along almost by accident. A good friend with some of our Shelties really admired a beautiful young male Sheltie we had who was clashing with an older Sheltie. My mum really admired  a new breed that they had acquired - a shy, little fluffy white female Japanese Spitz who was proving difficult to show in the ring. So the swap was made and the rest, as they say, is history. This was 1985 and the bitch was Yoko, Aust Champion Lacebark Sno Crystal, pictured below. 

The first Sheldunoc Japanese Spitz litter was born in 1986. Yoko had been sent to South Australia to the very beautiful Ch Owlcotes Snow Quest, recently imported from England and taking the show ring by storm. This produced 8 puppies including Ch Sheldunoc Rags To Riches - Ruffy (pictured below). Like his father, he was also a very prolific winner, putting the Japanese Spitz on the map in NSW as soon as he hit the ring as a baby puppy. The combination was repeated in 1987 and produced Ch Sheldunoc Ice Castles -Wendy, and Ch Sheldunoc Fame N Fortune - Snowy owned by the Emme's of Emmebear Kennels. Snowy was an early Runner up Best in Show winner, the first in NSW and was regularly in the winners circle. Wendy created breed history in NSW winning the first Best in Group award, and she was also awarded Best Minor in Show at the 1988 Bicentennial Canberra Royal Show. She went on to continue her show career with Carmel Cathie of Missetsu Knls in WA. 

A third Japanese Spitz litter produced Sheldunoc Snow Bear, Ch Sheldunoc White Lace and Ch Sheldunoc White Silk. This time Yoko had been sent to Qld to Ch Kawaii Shiroi Bidanshi. There were 9 puppies, all surviving, proving what a sound and healthy breed the Japanese Spitz are.

Unfortunately, Sheldunoc came to an end with my mums deteriorating health (and subsequent passing in 1991). Snobear and Ruffy went to live in Victoria. I was also showing Keeshonds at the time, I got married young and moved interstate. 

So those of you reading this who have knowledge of Japanese Spitz pedigrees will recognise some of those names.

They are behind all of the dominant winners both past and present.

So after a return to Sydney (and eventually a divorce), I decided (with some help from some friends) that it was time to "get back into the Japanese Spitz". So the search began for some Sheldunoc bloodlines.

In 1998, I was able to purchase a great grand daughter of both Ch Sheldunoc Rags to Riches and Sheldunoc Snow Bear from Beth and Martin Coleman in Tasmania - Ch Coleisha Kosetsu Keiko - Cherry (pictured below).

My search also lead me to Ch Lacebark Sno Anastasia, beautiful and dominant bitch as both a show and brood bitch - and daughter of Ruffy. So in 1999, I was able to purchase a double grandson from Lyn and Nigel Wood in Queensland - Grand Champion Syide Shirio Tais Ho - Kobi (pictured below). Kobi paved the way in the show ring, being a 3 time Best in Show winner and a Royal Best of Breed winner in 5 states.

And so the Daesdaemar story begins...

The Japanese Spitz bred at Daesdaemar are the result of a lot of research, planning, patience and expense, sometimes some begging and pleading, with some luck thrown in.

My first litter was born in 2000 when I sent Cherry to Grand Champion Lacebark Don Juan De Marco, current breed record holder and Ruffy grandson. This produced fantastic results - Ch Daesdaemar Moonlighting, Ch Daesdaemar Moonshine and Best in Show winner Ch Daesdaemar Moondance. Pictured above.

In 2001, I was able to acquire 2 bitches from Debbie King of Mannerking Kennels in Goulburn NSW. Both sired by my Kobi and they have both proved to be invaluable assets in my breeding program for different reasons. I acquired Ch Mannerking Memory Lane (pictured above) as her mother is a daughter of Ch Sheldunoc Fame N Fortune and Ch Sheldunoc White Lace. She is a blast from the past, hence her name - Memory Lane and pet name Crystal. Then came Grand Ch Mannerking Special Editn - Faith (pictured below). She is an All Breed Best in Show winner and multiple Royal Best of Breed winner and she has recently created history by becoming the first female Grand Champion Japanese Spitz.

Crystal's first litter was to Ch Hindcross Taisho (imp UK) owned by the late Hilary Stephen and this is where the begging comes onto it!! At the time Taisho was not available at public stud so I felt very privileged that Hilary had such trust in me.

 We were both rewarded with the results - this litter produced Grand Champion Daesdaemar Lovers Lane - Orlando (pictured above), and Grand Ch/Norwegian Ch Daesdaemar Secret Affair (exp Norway) - Bronte pictured below. Both these dogs are also Best Exhibit in Show winners. This litter was a great leap forward for my breeding, both of these dogs possess the breed type and moderation that I was striving for.

I again had the opportunity to infuse some imported blood in my lines when I bred Faith to Ch Dashu Enishida Shima (imp Switzerland), another privilege granted by Hilary. This produced Ch Daesdaemar Brother Bear and NZ CH Daesdaemar Denahi, both winners at In Show level - see Champions page.

In late 2004, Faith again proved herself as an outstanding brood bitch when bred to Orlando, Grand Champion Daesdaemar Lovers Lane. The resulting litter has 3 in the showring, each with enviable show records. I am so proud of these 3 - Ch Daesdaemar Summer Wine owned by Debbie King, Daesdaemar Summer Editn owned by Corine de Man and Ch Daesdaemar Summer Lovin (picture below) owned by first time exhibitor, Alison Sylvester. 

A repeat of this Orlando and Faith mating in Nov 2005 has produced the very exciting Ch Daesdaemar Lovesong - Tahlia. She is a born showgirl, and a barrel of trouble!!  She has done wonderfully well in the showring for owner, Carolyn Williams of Bathurst.

Another star at Daesdaemar has been Patrick, Ch Daesdaemar The Legacy - born 2006, see his details under "Shown by others". He is a son of Bear and Bronte and has done exceptionally well in the showring.

2007 saw the arrival of 2 new bundles of trouble. Meet Hiro, Ch Daesdaemar Sunset Blvd, very exciting son of Takoda and Crystal.

And pictured below is Evie, Ch Daesdaemar Evrlastn Love, beautiful daughter of Orlando and Faith. Both of these youngsters are Class in Show winners.

So that's the Daesdaemar story so far...the success looks set to continue as well with many exciting things planned in the future. My dogs and puppies are a great source of pride for me. They are lovingly raised in my home and well socialised in a family situation.

It is my goal to produce happy and healthly puppies for family life.

And for those interested in showing...I strive to produce Japanese Spitz of outstanding breed type and temperamant, combined with soundness and showmanship...to lift the profile of the Japanese Spitz in the show ring.

The Future...

 Here is the next generation at Daesdaemar - our 2008 energy balls!! There are 3 new stars from the fantastic litter from Bronte, Grand Ch/Norwegian Ch Daesdaemar Secret Affair to Ch Sziada Tropical Mirage.

Picture above is Bundy, Daesdaemar Stop N Stare. Bundy has debuted with 2 Best Baby Puppy in Show awards!

His sister, the beautiful Giselle - Daesdaemar Enchanted is pictured above.

Also, to be shown in Victoria is Lexie - Daesdaemar Ever Ever After. She is owned by Val Megyeri of Lacebark Kennels. See her profile in "Shown by others"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Amanda 

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