These articles will be a continuing feature in the DCA Newsletter. Thank you to Claire Mancha and Kathy Lockyer for initiating the research involved in order to share such an important part of Dachshund history.
Fran Colonna was born in Charleston, West Virginia. She and Her husband Gary now call Lansing, Kansas home. Fran began her long career and love of dogs at the spry age of six when she showed a Beagle for father and uncle. Her family also showed Foxhounds. Fran’s uncle called their place Heather Merchant Farm. Shortly after Fran’s entrance into the dog show world, she borrowed a dog from an exhibitor and entered Juniors. This tenacity has proven to be a trait that has moved her through many adventures with dogs, dog people, the military family she married into and with her own careers. At the age of twelve Fran got her first dachshund, a smooth, Handsome Hans. In Fran’s words, “He wasn’t very good but I loved him dearly and was crushed when he died of liver disease two years later.” The dog that hooked Fran for life on Dachshunds was a red wire boy, sired by a Heying-Teckel dog and a smooth Kleetal bitch. Fran bought that wire at the age of fourteen in 1954. Fran said, “He was a red dog with a gorgeous head and good coat and was my constant companion for fourteen years.” Fran stated in her biography for judging Longhair dachshunds at DCA that, “John Cook always hated that story because he was so against cross coat breeding.” Fran stated, “In those days wires were like crocodiles but her red dog had a lovely temperament. Fran’s father said they were a Presbyterian family and the dog was too, therefore, he was named John Calvin Shagmore. In 1972 Fran bought her all-time favorite wire, CH Nonsuch Great Expectations which became her base bitch for her wire line. Fran’s journey into the longhair variety began when Gary was stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA in 1971. There Fran met Mary Howell of the famous Bayard Longhairs. A great friendship was developed, traveling to shows together and even breeding a few litters together, including a red Cardinal daughter. Fran shares that some of her proudest wins included a longhair which was a multi Best in Show winner and placed at Westminster with a Group two. Another longhair bitch went winners bitch, best of winners, best of variety and best of breed at DCA nationals. A wire, Fran bred went winners bitch and best of variety at another DCA national. Gary was transferred to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas in 1983. Shortly after that Fran shares, “Gary encouraged her to apply for her license to judge dachshunds.” That led to Fran eventually judging the Hound Group. Fran has judged the nationals and for the host show at nationals multiple times, judging Longs once, 10
Dachshund Club of America Summer 2022
Smooths once and Wires four times. She was scheduled to judge 2022 host shows for the nationals. Sadly, she had a fall right before the shows and was unable to complete her assignment. Fran has dabbled in showing other breeds including Afghans. All were finished and Grand Champions, but none were campaigned. Fran recounts. “Just beautiful, aloof, easy house dogs, just adored them.” Her first Afghan was purchased in 1988 from Peter Belmont. When Fran was asked about memorable moments she described one judging assignment, “Probably judging at Old Dominion in a howling rainstorm. The tents blew over, the water was over my shoe tops. We put the dogs on the yellow Moss-bow long tables and gaited them down the length of the table in the pouring rain. Even the white picket fences around the rings blew over. Crates got thrown around too.” Many years ago, my husband, Tom, met Fran for the first time when she awarded our longhair, CH DC Sausage Stables Sir Wonagain SL VC RN CGC, the variety at the Greater Portland Dachshund Club specialties. Tom and “Sam” are pictured in this article. Sam was bred by Miki Perry. I have had the pleasure of working with Fran on the DCA Board of Directors of which she has served on for multiple decades. Fran has served many clubs over the years including the Metropolitan Washington Dachshund Club, Heart of America Dachshund Club, Leavenworth Kennel Club and the Columbine Dachshund Club. In March of 2022 Fran judged her last all-breed show at the Heart of America Club, Inc. at Kansas City. On Sunday she was honored by the dog world as she judged the Hound group. Remarkably, with all of Fran’s involvement in the dog world she worked for the Federal Civil Service, raised four children, John, Stephen, Kathryn and Kelly. Fran and the family made the moves and adjustments that come with being a family in the military. Nineteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren have been added to this family. After retiring from the FCS in 1991, Fran’s untiring energy continue her into a second career with Red Cross National Disaster program. I asked some of Fran’s close friends for one word that would describe her. Responses I received included vivacious, adventurous, tenacious and dedicated. Appropriately, the last response included dedicated to her family, friends and her breed. Fran’s word for herself is integrity!! by Kathy Lockyer
