I have owned Dobermans since 1973; my husband came to the breed later in 1990 when we purchased our Bikila’s Lyric of Mark’s-Tey, U/Am/Can CD, WAC, CGC, TDI (Rikki) from Rod Humphries. In 1993, we purchased Dillon, UDC/Am/Can Ch Lemils Lethal Weapon, Am/Can CD, ROM, ROMC, VCX, CGC, TDI, TT, HIC, who became our first show dog, my "heart" dog, and the love of my life. In 1996 we sought a compatible show bitch puppy to become the foundation of our breeding. Thus, the incomparable Chaos/Betty daughter Kia , Can. Ch. Coppertree Living Daylights, CD, , RN, WAC, TT, CGC, HIC, TDI, came to us.
Our first breeding in 2000 of Kia and Dillon produced 11 puppies. In that litter we have 2 American champions (including multi-breed and AOM winner Am/Can Sasanoa Sokoki, CGC,WAC (Michael), 4 Canadian champions (including 2 Best in Show winners) and a CD bitch. Of course, several have CGCs and TDIs. A repeat breeding produced 2 red bitches, one of which. Sasanoa Katahdin, has 6 agility titles to date.
In 2003, our Kia/Dillon daughter, Am/Can Ch. Sasanoa Missique, CGC,TDI, WAC (Kinsey), was bred to the wonderful producer, Ch. Beaulane Hot Topic (Dagger) giving us 9 black males and 2 black bitches. In that litter we have 5 Canadian champions, 5 AKC champions; 4 UKC champions. Also in this litter we have multiple USTT’s, CGCs, RNs, WACs and one certified therapy dog with a Canadian TD.
In 2004, we bred Kinsey to Ch. Silvercrest Screaming Eagle (Nero). We have 3 Canadian Ch's and a Best Puppy in Show winner; and three AKC and pointed pups, one an AKC Best Puppy in Show winner.
Our most recent breeding was the phenomenally talented Glory, AM/CAN/UKC CH. SASANOA GLORIOUS, Am/Can RN, JWW, ROM, ROMC,, Can. TD , CGC, TDI, TT, PCD, ROMC, AGN, CGN, VCX to Am/Can Ch. Foxfire's Ain't That Right (Rayman) This beautiful litter is still maturing at 2 years old, but we have 1 AKC champion with 3 Canadian champions (one a reserve BIS winner) , a multiple-titled agility winner, and 3 UKC champions.
We breed only every 18-24 months and usually have waiting lists for our pups. We take our responsibilities to our puppies and their owners seriously and many owners have become very good friends over the years. We have a Sasanoa reunion annually in July when all Sasanoa owners and their dogs are invited back to Saco to a barbeque and lots of canine activities.
Much has been made of our puppy raising techniques by breeders and owners alike. We both feel that our dogs should be companions first and foremost with temperaments and personalities that mesh well in any and all situations. We try to breed as closely to the standard as possible while maintaining a close watch over the health issues that plague are breed. Conformation or performance titles, although highly desired, are just icing on the cake. And we are both suckers for personality and intelligence. We handle our pups from day 1 and begin exposing first the environment and then the pups to the sounds of the household. The whelping box is in the dining room just off the kitchen so there are lots of sounds to gradually imprint on the pups. With our last three litters, we used Battaglia’s Early Neurological Stimulation Exercises for the first time and can see a tremendous difference in stress tolerance and adaptability. At 4 -5 weeks, depending on the pups, we move them to the heated garage off the kitchen into a large puppy kindergarten It is outfitted with a variety of flooring surfaces, lots of toys, Vari-Kennels with the doors off, hanging toys, and a puppy-sized agility course. We utilize anything and everything as obstacles plus we make others. As soon as the pups can safely go outside, we move to larger sized obstacles and continue letting them explore our 3-acre fenced and partially wooded dog yard. Our owners who work in agility tell us that their pups are miles ahead in beginning classes.
We also do as much individual socialization as possible. I take each pup for a ride to the mailbox each day starting at 6 weeks. They all get house time, both individually and as a group. We start Dremeling nails at one week with a battery operated unit. We feed in individual dishes. We work through the Rules of 7s. And we let the pups play with the friendly adults. Our bitches are absolutely wonderful with puppies so we are fortunate that pups can stay with their dam, granddam and sister until they go to their new homes at 10 weeks.
I am a retired college professor and Zeke teaches Computer Science and is the CEO of a Police Credit Union—so summer litters are best for us. But for our first two winter litters we hired friends and family to puppy sit while we were at work. Zeke especially is the backbone of our socialization program. He desperately wants grandkids, but his three children are not cooperating right now, so he devotes himself fully to socializing our “kids.”
My vet comes and helps me with the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test at 7 weeks. I find that by that time, we have a pretty clear idea of which pup should go to which home. We try very hard to match the right pup with the owner’s wants and needs and so far, we have been successful. Not nearly so successful at letting our babies go, however! Zeke can’t bear to be present when the pups go to their homes, and I cry every time even though our screening process has produced the most wonderful owners!
We love for our puppy owners to become extended Sasanoa family if they desire, and we do not want to breed more pups than we can personally keep in touch with in some way. For every accomplishment, we send our puppy owners congratulatory doggie gifts. We train and handle our pups for free and we occasionally board them if they live close enough. And we are here for our pups and their owners for the life of the dog and beyond.
The whole crew travels with us in our motorhome. We love traveling to Canada about three times a year and have had wonderful luck finishing dogs up there. We adore the people, the hospitality, and the show atmosphere and have made some wonderful friends.
We work with Doberman Rescue Unlimited of New Hampshire doing home checks and transporting dogs. And I spend long hours on the phone counseling potential buyers and adopters. We belong to the DPCA and I belong to theUnited Doberman Club as well as the Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada. In 2002, we founded the Pine Tree State Doberman Pinscher Club and are looking forward to many years of providing activities for Maine Doberman owners. We are also members (I am founding member) of the Dog Tracking Club of Maine.
We have been very fortunate in the litters we have had so far. We have made wonderful friends, have had experienced mentors to guide us, and have had modest success in the conformation and performance rings. While show homes do not beat down our doors, we have managed to introduce newcomers to the fancy, and that, in itself, is very rewarding. We are very thankful for all those wonderful people who believe in our puppies and are giving them the best homes. They make the frustrations, hard work and occasional heartache all worthwhile.
We built our house in 1998 on seven semi-secluded acres with our dogs in mind and we have upgraded our RV three times to accommodate a growing “family.” Whether at home or in the RV, we always seem to be surrounded by our “granddogs” and their owners. We love it! Eventually, we hope to be able to travel more extensively. If we end up in your neighborhood, just remember that the door is always open at the Sasanoa rig!
