The Zenfro History

The Famous Five litter was the culmination of years of research and a visit in 1992 to the Alaskan Malamute Club of America's National Specialty Show in Los Angeles. This wonderful occasion gave me the opportunity to talk with many breeders from the leading Alaskan Malamute Kennels in the U.S.A. Not only did I learn much about the breed, but also how to present them correctly in the Show Ring. This comprised of careful preparation of the coat and handling.

Out of the breeding between Riley and Tara came some wonderful bitches and dogs. Riley, (Am Ch Taolan Kenewa of Pameiyut), was a wonderfully inbred dog on Am Ch Uyak Buffalo Bill and his son, Am Ch Karohonta Skymaster. He was the son of one of my all-time favorite Malamutes, Am/Can Ch Kiwalik's Taolan Quilleute, (Dudsy), himself a top producing son of Am Ch Uyak Buffalo Bill.

This provided the new Zenfro Kennels with the foundation and launch pad to become arguably the greatest Alaskan Malamute Kennel in the Southern Hemisphere. Riley had what I wanted - fabulous sound movement, heavy coat and bone, correct feet and standard size. Out of this breeding came Annie (Ch Zenfro Maple Leaf Rag), a top producing bitch and winner of Best in Show at the Northern Alaskan Malamute Club's inaugural Specialty Show in 1997. This Show was judged by Sheila Balch, (Inuit Kennels), who commented Annie was a superb bitch, and would win specialties in America.

Annie truly reflects her sire's illustrious lines and has consistently produced excellent examples of the breed. Her most famous son is Tommy, (Aust Grand and NZ Ch Zenfro Take The 'A' Train), with multiple Best in Shows, Best in Specialty Shows and #1 Alaskan Malamute in Australia for 1999.

Having bred such a superb bitch, I needed a stud dog to complement her. At this time, (1994), a beautiful male called Harley, (Am/NZ Champion Cold Creek's Who's Zoom'N' Who), became available. Harley not only offered similar lines but his pedigree also possessed some beautiful Stormkloud/Tigara dogs. Best of all, Harley came from a wonderful bitch called Chloe, (Am & Can Ch Cetanya's Delphinus Dream). Chloe was the winner of Best Opposite Sex at the 1990 AMCA Specialty Show in Chicago.

Harley was also bred to Annie's litter sister, Dolly, (Zenfro Voodoo Doll), and produced Lucy, (Ch Zenfro Look Who's Talk'n), a beautiful bitch with a superb head and great movement. These Harley progeny took the show ring by storm, racking up many In-show and group awards. After looking for another brood bitch to add to the Zenfro team, I came across a beautiful red male named Copper, (Can/NZ Ch Waterstone Copper Dunvegan (Imp Canada)). He was bred by Sandy Logan of Alberta, Canada, and was far too good to pass over. I am a self-confessed admirer of his deep mahogany red colour, but Copper, when bred to Annie and Lucy, produced dark eyes and black pigment. Eye colour was an area I needed to improve on. Now his grandchildren also possess those wonderful dark eyes.

Finally, a bitch of near perfection became available from Waterstone Kennels. Goldberry, (NZ Ch Waterstone Over The Rainbow (Imp Canada)), a stunning sable bitch. She produced outstanding progeny to Copper's brother Walnut, (Can Ch Waterstone Sweetness and Might), in Canada.

Then came Rikki, (Waterstone Color for Zenfro). He is the kennel's clown and general good guy! For years, I had admired his sire, Bonstres, (Am/Can Ch Taolan Flying Colors), one of the 'greats' of the breed. Rikki possesses his sire's wonderful balance. The icing on the cake is definitely dam, Abi, (Am/Can Ch Waterstone Taolan Sunwapta Abi). Not only is she a daughter of Dudsy, but took Best in Show at the Canadian Specialty in 1998.

The last Canadian import was Oreo, (Can Ch Waterstone Oreo Cookie), who, with very limited showing in Canada, won Puppy in Show, Best in Sweepstakes and a coveted Award of Merit at the 2000 Canadian Specialty. She brought to Zenfro the famous Nanukes line through her sire, Am Ch Nanukes Lockport Louie.