Anne Stober, Nationally Renowned As A Breeder Of Chihuahua Dogs

Thousands of ribbons and trophies attest to the reputation of Anne Stober.

She was nationally known as a breeder and exhibitor of Chihuahuas, and for more than 40 years she put the stamp of champion on the dogs she showed.

Mrs. Stober, however, had not taken a dog into a show ring for almost two years when she died April 2 in Seattle after a long illness.

During that time, close friends showed her dogs for her.

It was perhaps natural that she would lavish years of attention on Chihuahuas, the world's smallest breed of dog.

Smaller is better, as far as she was concerned. She is remembered for loving things in miniature, from the time she played with dolls on her family's farm at Startup, Snohomish County, and took joy in small flowers and small animals.

A set of very small dishes was a prized possession when she was a very young girl.

Her family moved to Startup when she was 3 years old, from Arena, N.D., where she was born. Cattle, chickens and pigs were raised on the farm at Startup, and vegetables and fruit were grown.

One of her favorite show dogs was named Eduardo Louis Delgado, a long-haired Chihuahua that sired many champions. She showed dogs under the name of both Stober and Wildwood Chihuahuas. Her underlying motto was, may the best dog win.

"The dog that won first place in the show ring, whether it was hers or a competitor's, as long as it was the best dog, was what pleased mother," said Carolyn Hamilton, a daughter who lives in Hudson, Wyo.

Mrs. Stober had a kennel for Chihuahuas at her home between Burien and White Center, and her son Michael said he intends to continue raising the breed of dogs, so small that one can be held in the palm of the hand.

She bought her first Chihuahua in 1943, first showed one a year later, and "finished" or took one to a championship title for the first time in 1950.

She was a charter member of the Evergreen Chihuahua Club, founded the same year, and a life member of the Chihuahua Club of America, which held its specialty show in Fife, Pierce County, last June. She was also a member of the Olympic Kennel Club.

Survivors include her husband, Ted Stober; a second daughter, Donna Segale, Auburn; a sister, Emma Blassnig, Seattle; three brothers, Clarence Gatzke, Startup, Russell Gatzke of McKinleyville, Calif., and Wesley Gatzke of Crystal, Minn.; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

No services were held for Mrs. Stober. Memorials may be made in her name to cardiovascular research at the University of Washington or the American Cancer Society.