Australian Champion
 DELDACMEER ALPINE QUEEN

Chelsea was the realisation of almost a lifetime dream of showing dogs.  I had wanted to show dogs from 8 years of age when my parents bred our pedigree English Cocker Spaniels under the guidance of a well known show breeder.  Later I acquired a Sheltie with hopes of showing, but with my many teenage activities, there just wasn't time to get involved.

In 1984 I saw my first Kees puppy. I realise now  it wasn't a particularly outstanding example, but none the less I thought it was adorable and wanted to know more.  Before long I knew this was the breed that I wanted to have.  Circumstances didn't allow a puppy to come into my life until late 1991.  But the stars were aligned for us when we (my ex-husband and I) were able to get Chelsea from the long established Deldacmeer Kennels of Del Walker.

Chelsea made her mark from the minute she hit the showring. Her first show was at age 18 months - winning Best of Breed over a few other competitors.  Of course we were delighted and instantly hooked with the show"bug".  

We met and made friends with Kerrie, Joy and Don Rau of Kerjoydon Keeshonden.  They became good personal friends, away from the dog shows, as well as guiding and advising us with our hobby.  They had a dog who we thought was outstanding, but at that time he hadn't done a lot in the showring, Kerjoydon Earl O Hearts, and we organised that he would be put with Chelsea in the future when we were ready to breed from her.  

Well, "Bair" as he was known was to burst on to the scene with Best in Group from the Junior Class at Sunbury Kennel Club shows (our largest All Breeds show in Victoria outside of the Royal Melbourne) under an International Judging panel.  The rest is history, as they say, and Bair became a big winner (Multi All Breeds BIS, BISS) in the breed and a prepotent dog in the stud books of Keeshonds in Australia.

Within her first full year of showing, Chelsea became a well performed Champion, the Keeshond Club of Victoria's Top Bitch 1994 and also won the Encouragement award for new Exhibitors.  She was Runner up in 1995 even after taking 6 months off for maternal duties.

Chelsea was always fun to show, loved the food part of it and stamped her feet when it wasn't delivered on cue.  She achieved multiple R/up in Group, Multi Class in Show awards at All Breeds Show and Res CC & Multi Class in Shows at Specialty shows.  Sadly, she always seemed to be out of coat for the Royals and Specialties so often was not in attendance.  

Chelsea was also Keeshond Club Vic.Top Bitch again in 1996 - this time it was  a family affair, thanks to Chelsea and Bair...

Keeshond Club of Victoria Top Dog 1996 was Bair
Keeshond Club of Victoria Top Bitch 1996 was Chelsea
 - and their progeny 
Keeshond Club of Victoria Puppy of the Year 1996 was LEVI
Keeshond Club of Victoria Encouragement award 1996 was A.J.

Retired from showing with over 600 cc points.  This was before the Grand Champion title was available and I'm sure she could have attained this award if I had continued to show her, but I wanted to concentrate on her descendants.

Critique by Kathy Stewart, Klompen Keeshonds, Canada judge at Keeshond Club of Vic Ch show 1999 - 2nd Aust Bred Bitch (to Res CC winner)

"An 8 year old bitch that appealed to me a lot; has a very solid body, lovely expression, lovely spectacles, dark eyes, dark pigment, nice ear set, high tail set, clean legs.  Lacking coat slightly, very sound, very typey, very showy; a little wide in the front and toeing in slightly."

Chelsea is the only Keeshond Bitch with 3 Grand Champion Progeny.  The only Kees with more Grand Champion Progeny is her first "husband", the outstanding dog, Gr. Champion Kerjoydon Earl O Hearts, AKA Bair. He has 4 Grand Champion Progeny.  Her kids that were shown have ALL won numerous Royal CC's, BOB or RUBOB, and Speciality BIS or R/up BIS. 

Chelsea has passed on to her progeny many of her lovely qualities and she certainly is a dog any breeder would be proud of.   I am forever indebted to Del Walker for sharing such a fine example of the breed with a new exhibitor and providing to me a sound foundation in the world of Keeshonds.  As can be seen from my website, it has become a passionate interest that has given me much pleasure and allowed me to make some wonderful lifelong friends.

Chelsea attended the Veterans class of the Non-Sporting Dog Club show in 2005 and boy did she have fun.  Here are some pics from her in the show ring that day - I was so proud of her! (See pics from the day)

Chelsea had her 15th Birthday on October 28, 2006.   Such a character, making me laugh with her antics and being a little bit naughty just for the sake of it. In the last 6 months she entered the "elderly" phase of her life.  Until then she had been coming on hourly walks with me daily.

Chelsea the day she attained her Championship title and also Best Intermediate in Group at Eltham and District Kennel Club.  This year she won the Keeshond Club of Victoria Top Bitch award 1994 and Encouragement Award for New Exhibitors.

Showing off at the Non Sporting Dog Club Veterans Class 
13 years, 9 months old, July 2005

(a bit blurry because they are taken from a video)

Chelsea at 14 years.

VALE CHELSEA 

Aust Ch Deldacmeer Alpine Queen
28 Oct 1991 - 29 Jan 2007 15 years 3 months old.

I said a sad farewell to my darling Chelsea on January 29, 2007.This dear little dog has been with me for 15 years.

I guess many of you don't remember Chelsea as a young dog, but she was fun and full of life like my other Keesies. From an adored and much anticipated puppy, to a fun and happy show dog, a great mother, an older dog who defyed her years and then a grand (and sometimes comical old lady).  She led a long and healthy life and was always a friendly, faithful and loving companion. 

Chelsea was no slouch in the showring herself and was Top Kees Bitch in 1994 & 1996 and Runner up in 1995 (when she had a litter and was out of the ring). She also won Multi RUIG - hard for a Kees Bitch - and Multiple Class in Show awards.  Over 600 cc points in an intermittent show career.

In the "show world" her legacy lives on through the outstanding results of her progeny. 

BIS, BISS        Gr Nynka Such a Dutchman (Levi)
BIS, BISS, RUISS    Gr Ch. Nynka Alpine Apollo (A.J.)
BIS, RUISS        Gr. Ch Nynka Brite Bfor Yr Eyes (Sabrina)
BIS, BISS, RUISS         Ch. Nynka Bravehart (Darcy)


And as the grandmother and great grandmother of Champions, Grand Champions, BIS & BISS winners across Australia and the World.

All of my dogs at home go back to Chelsea, including my youngest puppy Dizzy, who is her Great-Great Grandaughter on both sides of her pedigree.

Vale Chelsea,  may you rest in peace darling girl. Thank you for being all a Keeshond should be.