The TOTANA and PIPER HILL Kennels were merged in 1989, with the marriage of Barbara E. Woelfel (Piper Hill) and Frank A. Lopez (Totana). TOTANA commenced its shepherd activities in 1957, while PIPER HILL was founded in 1968. The German Shepherd breed lost a great and longtime friend with the passing of Frank Lopez on May 2, 2011. Frank was the helmsman at the kennel and is sorely missed; but Barbara remains its heart and continues producing sound, healthy puppies for home and show.
In 1958, Frank imported Yasko V.Zenntal SchHIII who was awarded Winners Dog and Grand Victor at the German Shepherd Dog Club of America National Specialty just 2 days after he arrived in America from Germany. Over the years more than 50 shepherds were imported from Germany by the TOTANA KENNELS. One of the imported bitches was eight times German Landesgruppen (Regional) Siegerin before arriving here. The Totana kennels were proud to have owned a German Youth Siegerin and Youth Sieger and a number of other imports that held Landesgruppen (Regional) German titles.
At PIPER HILL, Barbara distiguished her kennel with pivotal breedings that resulted in home-bred shepherds of soundness and structural correctness. She owned and produced a number of Champions both in conformation and obedience. Amoung those were Champion Piper Hill's North Star, Champion Cobert's Cardinal, Champion Hensan's Doctor J of Piper Hill, Champion Hy Hopes Sundown of Piper Hill and Obedience Champion Cobert's Ilona of Piper Hill UD SchHI. Ilona ("Jenny" as she was called) obtained a herding certificate at the age of 11 years. Jenny was the first dog of any breed to hold all these titles.
The 1989 consolidation of TOTANA PIPER HILL in Killingworth, Connecticut was significant in that it pooled resources and efforts. Within one year TPH won the United States National title with 1988 Best of Breed U.S. Grand Victor Champion Piper Hill's Polo ROM and in 1990 duplicated the feat with another Best of Breed and National title winner U.S. Grand Victrix Champion Amber's Rosie of Bracewood ROM. This tradition of excellence continues at TOTANA PIPER HILL.
The history of our kennel would not be complete without calling to memory our foundation male Piper Hill’s Polaris and daughter, Piper Hill’s Kodachrome. Polaris was the epitome of what everyone seeks in a dog…gentle with children and other animals with yet a confidence that would protect those he loved if needed. He was an AKC Champion of Record and worked as a search and rescue dog.
Kodachrome, or “Kodi” as she was called, was a black and red long-hair with perfect conformation and character. She achieved the Register of Merit title from the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and is a member of the “13-Club”, having lived past her 13th birthday. Kodi produced 5 AKC Champions in her lifetime including her son, Polo, who became one of the youngest Grand Victors ever to achieve the title. She died next to our bed but lives on in her many grandchildren. It is gratifying that now the SV in Germany allows the showing and breeding of the "long stock hair" dogs. They are an important genetic factor in the breed.
"Kodachrome"
The Totana and Piper Hill Kennels have owned and/or bred over 50 AKC Champions and many (V)-rated Shepherds from the German Sieger Shows and are proud members of:
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America (past Board member)
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America Working Dog Association (past Board member)
(SV) Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (since 1957)
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater New Haven
Ortsgruppe WESCONN SCHH Club