Lafford Toy Dogs was founded toward the end of the 1970's. I began to show a male Yorkie called Charlie Boy who was my first show dog although a Yorkie had been in our family as a pet since 1968 when Brian, my husband, bought me a "Lilactime" Yorkie as a wedding present. I now award CC's in Yorkies, Maltese and Lowchens. Brian has also been bitten by the show bug, he enjoys handling (when I let him) and he also awards CC's in Yorkies. One of our first home bred show dogs was 'Lafford Army Dreamer' (Stanley), named after the Kate Bush song, he won several Best Puppy awards along with a few Best of Breeds and we had lots of fun with him before exporting him to the USA. Lafford Toy Dogs have travelled to various overseas owners to become champions in their new homes. We currently have Lafford bred dogs and dogs with Lafford bloodlines showing in Australia, Eastern Europe, Holland, Italy and Sweden. Lafford Toy Dogs has become Lafford International!

We acquired our first Maltese "Lamsgrove Viceroy" (Vince) in the early 80's from Eva and Tom Lamb, 'Lamsgrove'. The Lamsgrove still features in the bloodlines of our current Maltese, along with several other well known early kennel names. Our successful veteran showdog can thank Hershey's Chocolate for his name following a visit to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for the AMA National Specialty in 1998. The nearby chocolate manufacturer inspired the name of "Lafford Hershey's Kisses". Now in his 13th year Hershey has retired from serious showing and just prefers to take things easy at home.

The Löwchens came along in the late 80's simply because they are such a lovely breed to live with. Some successes were had with Lafford Chip off the Block 'Woody' but sadly we lost him to parvovirus at an early age. We later whelped a litter from the Sholeen kennel and were rewarded with a beautiful boy Sholeen Show Time for Lafford 'Elliott' who became our first champion in the UK. Sadly he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2009 at the grand age of 15. We have always done very well with our Löwchens, although not campaigned as often as the Yorkies, our first ever Crufts first prize was with a Löwchen in the 80's. We are currently showing 'Gail', born in Belgium and co-owned with Jetty v Steyn in Holland where she has recently gained her title.

More recently new Maltese bloodlines have been introduced from the USA to combat the decreasing gene pool in the UK and this showed benefits almost immediately with our first import Maltese 'Gabe' - Ch Am Gibr Ch Divines I'm A Phantasy with Lafford brought in from top breeders Angie and Larry Stanberry of Louisianna. At Crufts 2005 he took Best of Breed and was placed 4th in the Group. Gabe became a GB Champion very quickly adding the Gibraltar title soon afterwards. He has several successful progeny in the show ring and was Pet Plan Top Sire in 2007.

Our most recent major success is Am Aust Grand Ch Lafford Kajen Phantasy who became 2009's Top Toy in Australia thanks to the dedication of Peter and Tricia Cutler, an achievement of which we are so proud. Recent acquisitions from overseas have added to our available gene pool, the results of which will hopefully be seen in the show ring in 2011.

Feel free to browse through the our pages to see our Teams of Show Dogs relaxing at home and looking proud in the show ring.

On the left, unfortunately not a good quality picture but, whilst staying in Spain with Hershey, Carol handled the Shih Tzu Shiawandi Desiderata for her friend Vicki to a Group 9 (Toy and Companion) win in Alicante.

Right is Brian after judging

the first Championship Show of the Millennium

The Deutscher Yorkshire Terrier Club e. V.

Stuttgart, Germany - January 9th 2000

Best in Show Ch. Bloomsbury Blue Jeans