Starkenburgh Keeshonden

was founded in 1970 in South Africa by Kay &  Jeannette Wingels, a mother-daughter  team.                                               

In 1967 we started with Keeshonden when I was just 12 years of age having received my  first Kees pup as a birthday present. 

Prior to  this I had been showing my mother's German  Shepherd in the Children's Handling class and after 3 years of doing this was allowed to choose my own breed of dog to show. I chose  the Kees for its magnificent beauty and intelligence. 

He was "Zepp van Saaftingen" from UK  imported parents  SAF Ch Carlzdryk Christopher x SAF Ch Merrybelle Celyne of Iverholm, and bred by Mrs Eva Ficker.

Fortunately for me he did very well in the ring, and so my mother decided to join me in the showing and breeding of Keeshonden. A partnership which was to endure for 32 years until her retirement in 1999 and her passing away in 2001!

In 1971 we imported two bitches from Mary Symthe's  world-renowned "Waakzaam" kennels, 

"Waakzaam Willa"  by Eng Ch Waakzaam Wotan x Waakzaam Welriekend  who arrived at 6 months of age with a full English winter coat on her and took the show-ring by storm and was titled at 11 months of age!
and 
"Waakzaam Weegse"  by Waakzaam Woorst x  Eng Ch Waakzaam Waltraute.

These bitches were the foundation of our kennel.  Since that time onwards, we only ever bred from wholly English lines.

SAF Ch Waakzaam Willa
(UK Imp)

SAF Ch Waakzaam Weegse
(UK Imp)

There were many dogs exported to South Africa  during the 1960's, 70's and 80's--  from kennels such as Sigelinski, Carlzdryk, Iverholm, Rhinevale,
Duroya, Van Zaandam, Mazelands, Reages, Ven, Waakzaam,  Ledwell, Gavimir, Oet et Laand van Aleer, Fearless, Tanglewood, Tingalary, and
Wyndspell, --which gave us a fair selection to choose from. (SEE The Rise & Fall of the Keeshond in South Africa)

In 1984 we imported a male from Pam Luckhurst's "Gavimir" kennel in the UK.  He was "Gavimir Gemsbok" by  Eng Aust NZ Ch Gavimir Kiang x Gavimir Natica.  He unfortunately had a very limited show career as he constantly suffered from the heat and humidity, in spite of air-conditioned facilities.

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