The Altair Kennel name was registered in 1981 with the Canadian Kennel Club. I chose this kennel name because I've always had a fascination with astronomy and I wanted a "celestial" name as an identifier for my dogs. Altair is a bright star that is visible to the naked eye and can be observed high in the sky (in the Northern Hemisphere) during the summer months. Altair is the prominent, or Alpha star in the constellation Aquila (The Eagle). It is a pretty star, approximately 17 light years from Earth. I chose the name hoping my dogs
would be beautiful, bold and brave, deserving of the association with Alpha Aquilae, which is the technical name for the star Altair. Also, to be more down to Earth, I just liked the sound of the word Altair It is pronounced Alt-Air.
I am a member in good standing with the Canadian Kennel Club, The Ontario County Kennel Club and I am currently the Ontario Director of the Chinese Crested Club of Canada.
Altair's Harriet the Spy NA, OAJ, CGC, TDI
co-owned with Echo Rummel & Frank Gilmer
We are proud to say that cresteds bred by Altair have succeded in winning titles in conformation, obedience, rally and agility. In addition, dogs of our breeding have earned their titles in CGN (Canine Good Neighbour in Canada); CGC (Canine Good Citizen in America) and several have earned their Therapy dog titles.
I was always fascinated by hairless dogs, but it was seeing pictures of the Kojak dogs of Brenda Jones in the UK, that convinced me I must have one. My first Chinese Crested was British Import Can. Ch. Itzcuintli Itzkuteintit C.D. Peter was a lovely true hairless; a multiple group winner for me here in Canada, and I also titled him in obedience. He was sired by the gorgeous Staround Nevaro of Zucci and out of UK. Ch. Itzkuintli Xquisite. Sadly, Peter did not sire any litters for us, but he will always have a special place in my heart.
Can. Ch. Itzcuintli Itzkuteintit C.D.
My foundation came from a dog and a bitch from the Woodlyn Kennels of Lynne and Bill Dauber. The male was Am. Can. Ch. Woodlyn Reicrist Deviltree (Devil) and the bitch was Am. Can. Ch. Woodlyn Forever In Blue Jeans (Snickers).
Devil, who sadly passed away in his thirteenth year, was a near true hairless boy with wonderful furnishings. An outgoing showman, who also soon proved himself as a multiple group placer. Devil had such spirit and the most pleasing of temperaments. He touched my heart in a way no other crested has done. I still miss him terribly. Snickers was a delightful and very sound little girl, producing two champions for me in her first litter when bred to Devil.
In 2002, I purchased two bitches, littermates, from Martine Couture of Crestars.
(Am. Can. Ch. Crestars Altair Izntzewonderfl and Can. Ch. Crestars Kazzeopaea of Altair).
Both girls did wonderfully well for me in the show-ring. Zeewon, is an American and Canadian
specialty winner, and both girls have been influential in my breeding
program. As Kazee is a drop eared puff, we were unable to show her in America,
but she has done very well in Canada.
I must admit that my personal preference in this breed has been to try to retain the true hairlessness.
I quickly found out that this is not an easy task when one is trying to maintain structure.
Never-the-less, I persist in trying and feel we are making headway.
In 2002, we imported a true hairless male from Slovenska Republika (Benxi Hot Chocolate)
and have been pleased with this blending of lines.
Another influential dog in our breeding program came to us from Marian Blackman and Richard Yenchesky in 2006. This dog was Am. Can. Ch.
POP-Sanctuary-Sirius Like A Pony "Smarty-Jones." Smarty was a sweet and fun-loving dog, a pleasure to have with
us and dearly loved for the year that he stayed at our home in Canada.
Smarty had been racking up the wins in the USA, prior to coming to Canada. By just over one year of age
he had made it into the top-ten ranked cresteds in America. By August of 2005, Smarty ranked #4 in the breed (USA)
, qualifying for the prestigious Westminster and Eukanuba invitational shows. We were proud to see that Samrty
took an Award of Merit at Eukanuba. Unfortunately, Smarty did not get to show at Westminster that year
as he was making his way to us up north. Smarty quickly finished his Canadian Championship titles
with four Best of Breed wins and one Best Opposite Sex. I so enjoyed his time here and was very tearful
when it was time to bid him goodbye. Smarty is now back in America and is owned and handled by
Guy Heiman. Again, thankyou Marian and Richard for allowing Smarty to be with us. He will never be forgotten.
As for the future, I am proud to announce that we now have another new boy at Altair. Thanks go to Carol,
Mark and Theresa Baldwin, for allowing SBIS Am. Ch. Whispering Ln See Me Boogie to join the Altair crew.
Boogie is co-owned with my dear friend, Echo Rummel. I am very much looking forward to seeing what
Boogie will bring to our breeding program and I am also looking forward to working with Boogie
in the sport of canine freestyle (dancing with dogs).
Last Updated February 10, 2009.
