About Us | Sanrita Chihuahuas

Sanrita Chihuahuas - The Story

We started with Chihuahuas in 1986. In 1997, Sanrita Chihuahuas was the first Chihuahua Breeder in Australia to put up a website.

In late 1985 we acquired a registered smooth coat bitch named "Missy" whom we bred to produce our first show pup "Sanrita Razzle Dazzle".

Sadly, the dogs we own now do not descend from these first chihuahuas, but we now proudly own 6th generation our breeding and have bred and/or owned 10 Australian Show Champions in the last 41 years.

In 1992, we began exhibiting Pomeranians - this breed has been in our family for generations dating back to the 1940's in Europe. The last Pomeranian owned by us died in 2007. Sanrita August Surprise aka "Bianca".

The most notable kennel dog was the chocolate and tan long coat Champion: Sanrita Ruff N Tuff At Elston who was a triple Australian Champion accumulating 300 challenge points and managed to obtain the prestigious award of Chihuahua of the Year in Victoria in 2019. He was handled by the wonderful Penny Meulenkamp. Teko was a joy to show and was a true "showman".

Along with Teko we have bred another wonderful example of the breed going back to the year 2003 Australian Champion: Sanrita Best Kept Secret, her sire was Terradora Tonka Tuff and dam was Ch. Sanrita Promise Of Gold. At the age of 13 months Mimi won Best In Toy Group and Best Junior in Toy Group and received her Australian Champion title. Mimi was also a multi-awarded Class in Speciality show winner and had won a total of 300 challenge points at All Breed Shows and Speciality Shows. Mimi died at Xmas 2011 after a long battle with cancer. And is missed very much even after all this time.

Along with Mimi we have owned 3 dogs from the famous "Bonito" line of Chihuahuas in Australia owned by Mary Squire. These little dogs were extremely sound dogs with a good temperaments and won many prestigious awards in many states of Australia. She had many notable dogs but one of the most notable was Australian Grand Champion: Bonito The Ants Pants (Knickers)....who accomplished being the first Grand Champion for Australia with many Toy Group wins to his name.

All of the 3 dogs we acquired all came from "The Ants Pants".....

- Champion: Bonito Pride N Joy (April) who won Runner Up Best Of Breed at the 2002 Melbourne Royal Show and also Best Junior in Show at the 1st National Chihuahua Show in 1998 in Adelaide.

- Champion: Bonito Laddie's Encore (Corey) who won Best of Breed Smooth Coat Chihuahua at the 1993 Melbourne Royal Show and the following year took out Runner Up Best of Breed Smooth Chihuahua.

- Champion: Bonito Tisknickerson (Sunny). Sunny was the last son of Grand Champion Bonito The Ants Pants. Sunny was the sire of Champion: Sanrita Tiptoe To Elston aka "Chloe" who lived until she was 18 and a half. Along with these dogs we have also owned Champion: Meicari Billy The Kid who won Runner Up Best in Show at the 1997 Chihuahua Club of Victoria and many others too numerous to mention.

In 2024 we obtained a beautiful Long Coat Chihuahua named "Ninja" aka NZ Ch. Salinacruz Kamikaze bred by Yvonne Tester who is a prominent breeder in New Zealand. Ninja is now half way to his Australian title to make him a dual title holder of 2 countries. Ninja is a wonderful show dog and pet.

In 2025 Mr and Mrs Ray (Louisa's parents) no longer were able to breed and show the Chihuahuas, so Louisa's Husband Tony Mertik came onboard and is now helping to breed and show the Chihuahuas.

Louisa has recently been awarded life membership to the Chihuahua Club of Victoria (est. 1963) where she is a valued committee member. She joined the club in 1987 and served as Assistant Secretary for the last 15 years approximately. She has also served as Editor of the Chihuahua Chatter newsletter for members for the last 8 years. We have also been members of several All Breeds, Specialist and Obedience Clubs within Victoria for a number of years serving as newsletter editor, Assistant Secretary and also President for many years. Also Honorary Treasurer to the Pomeranian Club of Victoria (2 years consecutive), Treasurer - several years (All Breeds) & Committee Member,

We have had a long history with dogs, our grandfather had racing greyhounds and our Auntie was also quite successful in breeding and showing Pekingese from approximately mid 1960's to the early 1980's - our Aunt was our very first mentor in the dog world.

Louisa is also a staunch animal advocate having fostered dogs of many breeds and gone into rescue, helping to rehome unwanted pets back into the community. One of her campaigns she is following today is making people aware of puppy farms and backyard breeders who are destroying official breeds of dogs in Australia. She is liaising with Government and other organisations to help project public education.

Louisa has owned breeds such as English Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds and cross farm breeds that were rescues. Hobby breeders such as ourselves are often forgotten. Of course amongst the chihuahuas is a now a Kelpie cross border collie named "Tyson" in the past we owned a dog named "Jake" a kelpie cross German Short Haired Pointer from rescue who lived until he was 17.

We enjoy answering the public's questions so please feel free to ask any questions you may have on dogs. Please remember we cannot talk about bloodlines or people, legally we cannot do this. You should do your own research based on the website info here to determine the best person to see for your new companion. We can guide you on the right path.

If you would like a dog we can put you in touch with registered ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) breeders/rescue groups/shelters to start your search for your new puppy or dog today.

Our Team