Introduction to Sansorrella

Introducing Sansorrella
sansorrella pack playing

divider

divider

Me with Breeze and Timber

Sansorrella First Class

Thank you for taking an interest in the Sansorrella website.

After spending an important part of my life rearing five lovely children with a menagerie of assorted pets and livestock, plus several years involved with falconry, I finally got back into the dog world by breeding and showing shelties. In 1999 I found the 'Northern Inuit dog' and my life has never been the same since! During the last 11 or so years of breeding these dogs I have enjoyed many show successes (see Trophy Room for details). I have also had several 1st place wins in obedience competitions with this 'breed' and some respectable placing in agility with one of my German Shepherd Dogs, but have neglected to compete recently due to other commitments. However, Sansorrella dogs continue to do well in obedience and agility competitions, in addition to achieving many prestigious show wins for their proud owners.

"Echo" - Best in Show

I was Chairperson of the Northern Inuit Society for a while before forming The Inuit Dog Association with a few fellow enthusiasts, where I was Chairperson for the first two years. More recently TIDA changed their name to The Independent Dog Association, now registering their dogs as 'Timber dogs' and 'Northern Inuit dogs', which I feel is ambiguous and doesn't clarify their aim.

I am very disillusioned with all the 'breed' clubs due to their unprofessionalism, unethical breeding practices and general lack of support for their members, whether breeders or owners. I don’t want to tarnish this website with politics, suffice to say that I am now continuing my research into the health of these dogs independently, uncovering the true extent of the consequences of inbreeding as explained in the health and genetics sections of this website.

Too much time has been spent trying to discover the history behind this type of dog. As no accurate records were kept in the early years it is impossible to collate true documentation of the origins necessary to satisfy the Kennel Club, thereby making recognition of these dogs as a 'breed' impossible. The many discrepancies in pedigrees make them unreliable at best and it is time to leave the past behind.

Sansorrella Seaspray

"Ruby"

Sansorrella Lady in Red

I am now concentrating on forging a healthy future for this type of dog, using only pedigrees known to be true from first hand knowledge of the dogs themselves. DNA profiling of all breeding stock and micro chipping litters from this time onwards will ensure accurate, honest and irrefutable records for the future.

Together with a few likeminded and responsible breeders, I will be participating in a breeding programme with the specific aim of expanding the gene pool and developing a heavier coated dog, with a Tundra wolf appearance (see the Wolfdog breed standard for details). To distinguish our dogs from other 'Wolf Lookalike' dogs we are registering all our dogs with the Anglo Wulfdog registry, which is not a club but merely a database to record all litters and monitor the health and temperament of the dogs we breed.

Sansorrella Tundra Spirit

All Anglo Wulfdog breeders share the conviction that the 'Wolf Lookalike' dog, in particular the Northern Inuit dog, is chronically inbred and has reached a genetic 'bottleneck'. There are twelve excellent articles on this website which explain in detail the perils of inbreeding and advises breeders to do what we at Sansorrella and Anglo Wulfdog are already doing to give the 'Wolf Lookalike' a viable future.

Sansorrella and Anglo Wulfdog breeders are breeding for stamina, health and temperament; hoping to ultimately produce a more viable and wolflike dog than any previous UK wolf lookalike 'breed'.

Sansorrella is unique in showing not only our breeding dogs' hip scores, but also their DNA profile certificates, DM test results and their coefficiency of inbreeding; including the COI of every litter. To understand the importance of COI see the Coefficiency of Inbreeding Calculation article. A few breeders claim to have Northern Inuit dogs with low COI, but unfortunately these have been calculated over just three or four generations whereas it is necessary to use ten generation pedigrees to get an accurate COI and we at Sansorrella have the technology to do this accurately.

Sansorrella Pagan Promise

Sansorrella Celestial Crystal and Sansorrella Tundra Spirit

Wolfzone High Flyer at Sansorrella

I was a keen and active member of the group working to establish the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog as a breed in the UK and took my first step in this direction in January 2009 when “Quest” joined us. I think it is going to be a long time before these dogs are recognised by the UK Kennel Club, which is a great shame for the breed as it deserves credibility in the UK. Unfortunately some CSV breeders in the UK are breeding their bitches unsympathetically and using dogs with hip scores that are higher than I feel is acceptable. With the lack of suitable studs in the UK I won't be joining them in breeding pure Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs for the forseeable future.

Sansorrella is only a small kennel and all my dogs live in the house, several being neutered family pets. All like to be involved in the family’s activities, as well as their own individual specialities such as obedience, agility, ring craft or just being a lap dog. I must confess that I have neglected their formal training recently due to my own health problems but hope to be back in the ring again soon.

"Quest"

My aim is to bring the wolfdog and 'Wolf Lookalike' dog to the attention of the general public, to promote their versatility and to improve the quality of these wonderful dogs by selective breeding, keeping accurate records of litters and monitoring the health and temperament of all puppies produced.

Here at Sansorrella we take pride in breeding for temperament as well as good looks! We only breed one or two litters a year and the emphasis is on producing healthy, well reared, well socialised and confident puppies. Although we only breed a small number of puppies they are bred from top quality, health tested and DNA profiled parents and a lot of time, planning, care and love goes into each litter.

"Whisper" and "Zephyr"

2009 saw the launch of Sansorrella's exciting new breeding programme, which is the foundation of a new era in ‘Wolf Lookalike’ dogs (see latest news and litters pages for details). Although the purpose is to create more genetically diverse dogs for our breeding programme, there are inevitably surplus puppies available to the right homes and several families are now delighted to be proud owners of Sansorrella Wolf-Lookalike puppies.

2010 continued our breeding programme by further expansion of the gene pool and we saw our second generation of Anglo Wulfdogs in early 2011. We are looking forward to 2012 and our third generation!

"Quest"

I have had many years experience with just about every aspect of keeping dogs and answer questions on general husbandry, care, training, behaviour, breeding and common ailments on "AWolf in Sheeps Clothing", a forum for owners, breeders and anyone interested in Wolfdogs, Northern Inuit dogs, Utonagon, Tamaskan and any Wolf Lookalike or Northern breed. (Link to forum at top of page).

"Pagan" and "Drummer"

aimee and the pack

Some of the Sansorrella pack greeting Aimee

Sansorrella Lady in Red

Whilst I am more than happy to talk to people on the phone, welcome visitors into my home to meet my pack and to answer any questions you may have about these breeds, please don't cause embarrassment or insult me by phoning or emailing for help and advice about a dog purchased from another breeder, you should go back to the breeder of your dog. A responsible breeder will give a good after sales service, as well as 4 weeks free insurance, and I am available, day or night, to offer help and advice to my puppy owners for the life of their dog. Sadly not all breeders do this and some are unapproachable if a problem or query arises after they have sold the puppy. However, if you wish to inform me of a health problem or unexpected loss of a Northern Inuit dog, you are invited do so via the online Health Survey form (which can be found in the Health section of this website). This is open to ALL owners, regardless of where they purchased their dog; personal information will be kept in the strictest confidence but pedigree information will aid our research into genetic health issues.

I am delighted that my puppy owners stay in touch and frequently update me with photos and news of puppies I have bred over the years. Many are regular visitors and have become firm friends of the family. I am proud of the fact that a large number of my puppy owners come back for a second, third or even fourth puppy from subsequent litters, which is testimony to my owners being more than satisfied with the quality of Sansorrella puppies and the service we provide.

"Timber" enjoying a hug from one of our visitors

A visitors gets to know "Wicca"

"Timber" is always a hit with the girls

"Crystal" trying to be a lap dog!

"Timber" loves a hug

If you are considering owning a wolfdog, wolfdog cross or 'Wolf-Lookalike breed' I would advise you to look at a few adult dogs together and not be tempted after meeting just one dog on its own or falling for that cute puppy. When two or more of this type of dog get together their interaction and boisterous play needs to be seen to be appreciated and is very often misunderstood by the uninitiated.

With this in mind Sansorrella welcomes visitors to spend time with the pack in order to get the full 'wolfdog experience'. In consideration of one of my neighbours, who has taken a dislike to my pack and doesn't appreciate the welcome they give to visitors, from 2012 I will no longer offer individual visits but will hold several "Open Days" throughout the Summer, when groups of people can come and meet the pack and, if time allows, go for a "Walk with the Wolfdogs". Regrettably people won't get my totally undivided attention but I will endeavour to answer any questions visitors may have about my pack and this type of dog in general and being one of a group of visitors won't detract from the welcome my pack will give.

If you are interested in coming to a "Sansorrella Open Day", please phone or email for dates and times available.

Detailed information on several of the wolfdog and Wolf Lookalike breeds can be found on this website.

These are not the easiest dogs and should not be considered as a first dog. Experience of large breeds, confidence, commitment and a good sense of humour are essential qualities in an owner.

If you would like to read about this type of dog at your leisure then I can recommend my book "The Wolf Lookalike Handbook", which is packed with information and over 100 stunning colour photographs. It is available to buy direct from the publisher http://www.blurb.com

I hope you enjoy your visit to the "World of Sansorrella".
Sandra Curry