This is not only a story about a Weimaraner becoming the first AKC Grand Champion; it’s a story of one woman’s committment to the Weim as a versatile dog and her dedication to the breed.
BIS BISS GCH Monterra's Best Bet, MH
Liz Krupinski had already been in Weimaraners for 12 years in 2006 when she found just the right sire, Lucchese (CH Win’Weim GraytSky Cowboy Boots JH) for her girl Gavi (Ch Windchymes Spirit Dancer SH RA SDX RD V). This breeding produced Stoli, the culmination of a breeder’s dream for a versatile dog that looked good, loved to hunt and with an excellent temperament.
In September of 2007, Liz was diagnosed with leukemia. Stoli had already finished his show Championship title and his Junior Hunter title by this time, but friends stepped up and continued on with him. Husband Tim says, “Although Stoli wasn’t at her side it was the weekly and daily updates that I know keep her going.”
Stoli celebrating with handler Tad Walden
And what great updates they were! It was his 2nd birthay, and the same day that Liz returned home from a bone marrow transplant when Stoli made history by earning his first Best in Show as a Senior Hunter. As Liz gained strength she handled him to an Award of Merit at the Eukanuba show, and then a Best in Specialty Show. Tad Walden handled him to his Master Hunter title a week later, passing 6 for 6. All before age three and another notch in the history books! Liz was working towards obedience and agility with Stoli when leukemia struck again, this time with no happy ending. Liz passed away on March 16, 2010.
Tim with Stoli hunting in South Dakota
Tim continues the story, “Now with the one show Liz didn’t make, Tad and I promised Liz we would take Stoli to Westminster. We would keep him in the show circuit for one more year just to keep him out there for the slim chance at Westminster. Little did we know on his 4th birthday he would once again make history becoming the first AKC Grand Champion. I know Liz was smiling over him from above.”
Now if you are a Weim lover, I am sure you believe like I do, that the bond between Weim and owner is one that can’t be explained; it’s true and deep. Doesn’t this story exemplify it so perfectly? Such a bittersweet tale, and just as Stoli watched over Liz, I know Liz is watching over Stoli now.
We salute you, BIS BISS GCH Monterra’s Best Bet MH, and share in the pride that a Weimaraner is the first AKC Grand Champion! We also salute the dedication of breeders like Liz Krupinski; it wouldn’t have happened without her.
Liz showing Stoli
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Wonderful article Ann!
This story brought tears to my eyes. Stoli sounds like an absolutely amazing dog. How fitting that such a versatile dog became the first AKC Grand Champion. I love that not just any Weimaraner accomplished this, but a Weim that displays the hunting instincts and abilities that they are supposed to have! He is beautiful and I love all the pictures in this story.
Even though this is such a bittersweet story, it is truly one of love and dedication.
Congrats to a fabulous dog and it is a tribute to the dedication of his owner.
Wonderful story and congratulations!
I was not there on Tuesday to see Stolit get his GCH, but we were there on Monday, trying to add to the numbers.
Susan Wallace
Silberkinder Weims
Breeding FROM versatility FOR versatility
Congratulations to Tim and Tad for continuing on with Liz’s dream.
She has incredibly devoted people behind her still…a huge tribute to her tenacity and strength.
I chatted with Liz Krupinski by email for about 10 months planning the Dual Weimaraner Program and also about breeding my Ch/MH bitch to Stoli. After one failed attempt we were finally successful. Liz lived long enough for me to call and tell her Rainy was pregnant. Altho’ she was in hospice, Tim said she was so happy! Rainy was the first Ch/MH bitch to be bred to him. I told her I would keep a girl puppy and name her “Panni” which was Liz’ Polish nickname. I know Liz would be so proud of Stoli; I just wish I could have met her. We now have our Panni (Red Girl) who we hope will inherit the same excellent characteristics as her sire. Thank you Anne, for bringing this wonderful story to the Weimaraner world.
As a dog lover in general, thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. So heartwarming and tender.
I have a Stoli puppy out of Adonai’s ‘Lucy U Got Some Splainin ToDo”. He is ‘Adonai’s and Monterra’s Spirit of the Hunt” – Hunter. I was so taken by the accomplishments of this wonderful male Weim but I was late in applying for a puppy from Kathy Grey and I continued to search for Stoli breedings and found the Rainy/Stoli planned breding on the Silversmith website. I planned on applying for a puppy from that breeding as a backup plan, but I was lucky enough to get pick male from the Adonai breeding. I completed my attachment to Silversmith by acquiring a bitch from a Captn Jack breeding ” Texas Reds Sea Princess”. After these two wonderful puppies are finished and earn hunting titles, I hope to produce Weims that are similar to Stoli.
This was such a wonderful – though sad story. I was not lucky enough to meet Liz. I had hoped to when I went to pick Hunter up in Colorado Springs, but she had just entered hospice care. All of us who love this crazy, wonderful breed of dog will be forever indebted to Liz and those like her who have dedicated so much of their lives to preserving and improving the breed. Thank you for such a great story.
I will always remember watching Tad and Liz show Stoli in the AKC show ring and how proud Liz & tim always were of their boy.
I am so excited to be getting a Stoli daughter soon and I know Liz will be smiling down on us as we train and show to follow in the the footprints of Zephyr and Stoli.
Here is a short video of a Stoli son in Czech Rep “Phar Lap” owned by Simona Medricka – he is swimming at 8 wks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVZOVNG9lEs
So cute!!
Elena
I forgot to mention that Zephyr is also a CH/MH.
I know first hand that bond mentioned in this story! I have three of these amazing creatures and THEY are my life! I compete with each of my three, two of which are CH and working on the 3rds CH. My eldest 11, is a Therapy Dog with TDI and she was able to bring that unconditional love to my sister while she battled cancer for 8 yrs confined in a wheel chair for four of those years. I also was able to have a life changing experience this past Feb., whelping a litter out of my CH Ghostmar ‘N Grea Grand Slam & Peace of My Heart, Xena Warrier Princess!
A job well DONE Stoli and Liz!