ABOUT US

Margaret Rushing:

I believe that Dachshunds should have a warning label attached to their foreheads. Something like this:

I have had companion dogs for most of my life. There have been several "Heinz 57" variety dogs, a few beagles, a couple of St. Bernards, an Irish Setter, a Sheltie, and a couple of Bassett Hounds. I currently live with my 10 year-old Australian Shepherd "Smokey", my husband's Boxer "Baby", eight little Dachshunds: Jack, Sam, Dharma, Squeek, Shade, Katya, Chico and Ace, and our latest addition to the family, *Truly, our beautiful Portuguese Water Dog puppy co-owned by the Weinerville ladies and our friend Roy Sandifer, her breeder. It is a full house, and crazy sometimes, but it's home and I love it!

Laraine, Nicole, Leann and I have gone in together to make this website. Each of our households have our own kennel names: Laraine and Nicole have Crickhollow Dachshunds, Leann has LeRu's Dachshunds and Frenchies, and my kennel name is Oak Alley Dachshunds. Our combined kennel name is GonLoco.

*River Dog "Truly" GonLoco pictures will soon be added to the site.

Nicole Guidry:

I am a Dachshund Addict. Over the years I have had the privilege of working with some of the most amazing people and dogs in the world. I have worked with thousands of dogs though obedience classes, boarding, private training, and dog shows. I have helped put championships and obedience titles on many dogs. Although I have worked with and adore many breeds in all seven groups, I truly believe that dachshunds are perfect. I am constantly amazed by the versatility and intelligence of these small dogs that are so full joy and mischief.

I’ve always loved the charm and fun that dogs bring into my life. I was raised around dogs. As a kid I was in charge of feeding our GSD and Belgians. My mom brought me to the shows from the time I was a baby, and I would sit and watch the ring in fascination. The first time I showed a dog a very nice pro-handler asked if I would like to take her Irish setter special into the ring for junior handling. I was so excited. I was five years old and proud to be a peewee handler. I was also not tall enough to hold the head and tail at the same time so I ended up holding the tail straight up in the air to the great amusement of the crowd. It turned out that not only was she one of the top handlers in the country, but that Special was also one of the top dogs in Canada. That memory taught me how important it is to reach out to new- comers to the sport, because small acts of kindness can have lasting effects.

Since then I got a bit taller and I now show my own dogs. Ironically, dachshunds are presented much in the same way as Irish setters, and the coat of the long hairs resembling the coat of an Irish Setter. I love learning about new training technique. I work with the philosophy that dogs show and work for us not because they have to but because they want to. So I use an arsenal of “Cute Voice”, squeaky toys, and cookies. I love my doxies and know that working with dogs is one of life’s most enriching experiences.

Leann Lange:

I, too, am a Dachshund Addict. Many years ago I started out with Dachshunds and my love for their character has continued to hold. My life has revolved around dogs of all kinds, which also tied into a very big connection with horses. Although I only had a couple of years in the show ring before life's unexpected issues took me in another direction, I tried to store as much information about showing as I possibly could for future reference.

Over the time parted from the dog show world, I was blessed with the opportunity to work with and learn from people whose's knowledge was so deep and profound that it was like a gift from heaven. These people included Vet's, Horse Trainers, Dog Trainers, Groomers and Teachers, I soaked up as much of that information as possible and am now back in the show ring. To my surprise I found that the Dachshund Addict in me still flows on. I have also discovered that I share the same passion for "Frenchies".

My "love" for the doxies have spread to all three coats, Smooth,Wire, and Long; although I do remain strong to the "Miniatures".

They are so "adorable" and the size is perfect. Deep down in my heart I have always been a trainer, I love teaching and thrive on figuring out new methods that work on different dog personalities. The dachshunds are always a challenge, therefore, keeping the old brain cells moving. The versatility of the breed is awesome, everything from conformation to companion; from field dog

to earth dog trials there is something for everyone, and every walk of life.

Laraine Guidry:

I am a Dachshund Addict, too. I have been working with critters all my life. I taught my first dog, a Flat Coated Retriever, basic obedience from a library book when I was ten years old.

I later became both a teacher and a librarian. Being a librarian allowed me to read lots of books on dog training. I took seminars on anything pertaining to dogs. I love learning new things. I enjoy sharing this knowledge with others.

Thirty-five years ago I became very serious about dogs, first with GSDs and then Belgian Sheepdogs. I did conformation, herding, tracking, obedience and command dog training. I tried it all!! I soon went from training my own dogs to training other people’s dogs as well. Nicole and I even started an obedience school, and between us we helped about 1,000 dogs.

Working with many different breeds helped broadened my scope of animal behavior. It became apparent to me that temperament was foremost in importance when selecting a puppy from any breed. Which is why, all of our puppies are group evaluated and temperament tested. And why we try to place puppies in the most suitable homes.

I am a member of the Mobile Kennel Club and the Dachshund Club of America.

I also belong to the Mobile Dachshund Club, lovingly called MODOX. We have chosen not to be an official anything but fun club. It is a social club of people with like minds. And it gives us a chance to work with our dogs and gives the dogs a chance to socialize. It is a joy working with our little group, and the dogs also look forward to seeing their friends every week.

I’m also an artist and I will be posting some of my doggy art work on this site.