Zandra grew up with an American Pit Bull Terrier named Ginger, so she knew they are great dogs. Her first dogs as an adult were Dalmatians, but an American Pit Bull Terrier soon made his way into her heart. Petey, the Pit Bull, was being allowed to run around the neighborhood by his owner and he charmed Zandra into adding him to the pack. Petey got along great with her two female Dalmatians, Angel and Polly.
Her own American Pit Bull Terriers have participated as breed ambassadors on television programs and in print media.
The stability of the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier breeds, their human friendliness, superior intelligence and desire to please paved the way for more of these dogs to become Zandra's family members. These traits are overlooked by the media which oftentimes has maligned these dogs. That is why Zandra fights against breed-specific legislation and promotes responsible ownership of them and other related breeds. These dogs are not for every dog owner, but in the right hands can be great pets and excel in obedience, rally, scent work, tracking, conformation, lure coursing, dock diving, agility, and just about any other dog sport or activity you can imagine.
CH Irresistibull Ziggy Stardust FCAT CAA DJ HDNX
American Staffordshire Terrier
CH Irresistibull Ziggy Stardust FCAT CAA DJ HDNX. Zandra's beloved Ziggy is an AKC Champion of Record in conformation and participates in performance events such as lure coursing, Fast CAT, and Dock Diving Distance and Hydrodash earning titles in all.
CH Fraja EC Light My Fire DCAT CA DN HDNX
American Staffordshire Terrier
CH Fraja EC Light My Fire DCAT CA DN HDNX, Zandra's cherished Zane, is an AKC Champion of Record in conformation earned at 18 months old. He also participates in performance events including Fast CAT (lure coursing), CAT (lure coursing on 600 yard course), Dock Diving Distance and Hydrodash, all of which he has earned title.
Zeus PCD BN RN CGC
American Pit Bull Terrier
Zeus PCD BN RN CGC (American Pit Bull Terrier, 9/13/03-3/23/19). Zeus was rescued by Zandra from an abandoned drug house. He was her "foster" dog until her dad said "Now that's a good looking dog. You should keep him." Done! Zandra's dad got her an American Pit Bull Terrier as a child so he sparked her love of the breed. Zeus was a love bug and unlike Zena, he didn't want to be in a tracking harness 20 or 30 feet away from his mommy and he would rather sniff the flowers than the scent of a stinky human. That's when Zandra started AKC performance events--obedience and rally--so that Zeus and she could be a team beside each other. Zeus hated being an only dog briefly so when Zena came on board they were "besties" until she went to that proverbial bridge.
Zena VST TD RN CGC
American Pit Bull Terrier
Zena VST TD RN CGC (American Pit Bull Terrier, 4/11/07--9/5/17). Zena was a rescue dog who came to live with Zandra and Zeus when she was a puppy. Zeus desperately needed a pal and he and Zena were inseparable always. Zena had brains and drive and loved outside activities. She earned one AKC title in Rally but was insulted by the whole experience. She took to AKC tracking (dog tracks human scent) where she could be outside and her exuberance rewarded. Zena was extremely smart but she liked to do things on her own terms. When she wanted to track, she was spot on, but when she was not in the mood, she would protest by eating grass!
Smooch PCD RN RAE
American Bull Dog
Smooch PCD RN RAE, (American Bulldog, 1/13/11--3/28/22). Smooch was a street dog of Houston who was taken in by the Houston animal shelter, BARC. He was emaciated with half his hair missing. He went on to be a performance dog earning numerous AKC titles in obedience and rally events. He was eager to learn, eager to please and eager to be a part of a family. Smoochie was not supposed to be Zandra's dog, but so much for that. He was having no part of that and desperately wanted to be included. Smoochie loved people and while performing an event he would get that look in his eye and dart out of the ring to see his friends. His antics only endeared him more to all his fans!