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* Current and past Shih Tzu club activities are listed below.

My story is like so many of us who at some point lost a valuable pet companion and began searching for just the right one to fill the empty place left behind. It was 1985 when I was first introduced to Shih Tzu. At that time, Shih Tzu here in Wisconsin were not as widely bred nor widely known. I came to find out, through my newspaper gleanings, that a Shih Tzu Club existed in the Milwaukee area and was about to hold a Sanction B Match open to anyone (now holds it's own AKC licensed Shih Tzu Club of SE Wisconsin Shih Tzu Specialty Show). I enthusiastically went to the event, exhibited and immediately applied for membership. I knew from the beginning that this breed was the right one for me and my family. It provided a wonderful opportunity to have fun in the sport of showing purebred dogs. From that point on, I was interested in the breed's quality, history and related events. More specifically, I enjoyed conformation exhibiting and found it to be a challenge. A challenge to which I would make a commitment.

I am a firm believer that careful planning, breed knowledge, is key to any successful breeder/exhibitor. There is so much more to be learned about our breed via exhibiting them. I joined the American Shih Tzu Club in 1989. I have included pictures and information below of many of the wonderful more highly prized Best in Show Shih Tzu I've bred. Additionally, I have had the pleasure of owning other wonderful Shih Tzu bred by terrific breeder fanciers, sponsored them to their championships. The opportunity to carefully select the sires and dams, attend to every litter, take time away on the weekends to exhibit my Tzu, has been afforded to me by my family and friends over the years. I want to thank my husband, Paul and daughter, Emily for their support, help and just plain tolerance! I would also like to thank my Shih Tzu friends and fellow fancier breeders who were there for me when I needed them! And, yes, I still need them. Fine memories surface from attending the Chicagoland Specialty Show, the ASTC National Specialty Show, SE WI Specialty Show every year and the Twin Cities Area Specialty Show when I can spend more time away. To learn more about Specialty shows, click

Above is BIS/BISS Ch. Ista's Wicked Fantasy, ROM, or "Bad." He was purchased by Greg and Tammarie Larson (Ista Shih Tzu). Bad was a top quality, competitive dog in the show ring. Among his accomplishments include Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club in '95. We are very proud of Bad's most noted honor of ranking no. 5 in ASTC's historical record's top all-time champion producers, (49 champions -ASTC HRB). To his credit as a sire, he produced 49 champions including two Best in Show winners. He made his mark on the breed, his heritage can be seen in pedigrees around the country and world. Bad has passed on now and will always be remembered with much love and appreciation.

"Santana" is from our breeding program as well and was purchased by Tammy and Greg Larson. He is otherwise known as BIS/BISS Ch. Fantasy's Supernatural, ROM. Like "Bad" above, his contribution to the breed can be found in many pedigrees across the USA, Canada and in many foreign countries. He achieved quite an impressive winning record to the most noted position of number 2 and number 3 Shih Tzu in the U.S. for two years in succession (breed points). He was also the sire of the no. 2 Best in Show Shih Tzu for 2004 and another group 1 winner. Santana was another highly competitive quality Shih Tzu in the show ring and sire of top ranking Shih Tzu. We congratulate his Eukanuba Classic 2005, 2006 Best of Breed winning son BIS/BISS 'Tiger' and multiple group winning BISw Ch. 'Bikini', 2009 Westminister K.C. Award of Merit son 'Tear'n'. We are looking to the future with Santana's litter sister Ch. Fantasy's Guilded Lilly's daughters, grandson Fire, "Gladys, and Gladys'es daughters and granddaughters! (see Our Girls), and future offspring from Santana's full brother Ch. Fantasy's Get Shorty. Santana (19 champions-ASTC HRB). Keep an eye out for our news about future Fantasy kids in the ring!

* As a member of the Shih Tzu Club of Southeastern Wisconsin (STCSEW), I'm currently serving as a director and have served in many previous capacities to include the club's president. Former member of the STCWFV where I assumed many positions (secretary, breeder referral, legislative liaison, etc...). I am also a member of the Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club.

*I've been a member of the American Shih Tzu Club (ASTC) since 1989 and currently serve as a Director on the ASTC Board of Directors ('05-'11), a contact for ASTC Breeder Referral, Health Research Education Committee, Bylaws Committee and am Chairman of the Education Committee. I am also an ASTC approved Shih Tzu Judge Mentor. I currently am completing my requirements to become an American Kennel Club licensed judge for Shih Tzu. I feel that continued breed education only helps to benefit our Shih Tzu and their owners.

I would like to encourage anyone interested in Shih Tzu to visit the American Shih Tzu Club website, contact responsible breeders, select a responsible and helpful veterinarian(s), purchase the "Official Book of the Shih Tzu," by JoAnn White (see index page), subscribe to the American Shih Tzu Club's Quarterly periodical "THE SHIH TZU BULLETIN" and try to stay abreast of new information on the forefront regarding improved animal care and maintenance practices. The ASTC has established a Charitable Trust Fund (tax deductable donations) to support continued health research. For a more indepth knowledge of our breed's history, be sure to purchase the ASTC Historical Record Books. For ASTC purchases and more information about the Charitable Trust Fund visit the ASTC's website - http://www.shihtzu.org/