Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary???

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary??

The old nursery rhyme went “Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?  With silver bells and cockle shells and great big awful eggplants!” (The eggplants were my idea)

Just as the modern rendition of the nursery rhyme has been tweaked by this dinosaur, so has breeding and exhibiting dogs changed over the years.  We used to breed our bitches to the one stud we considered most suitable based on a careful study of what we expected both sire and dam to bring to the party.  What they each showed in outward physical type was weighed, as was their ancestry, and any record of past producing tendencies.

If we shipped a bitch to a stud somewhere far from home and could not witness the breeding, we had the breeder’s integrity to trust as to the breeding.  Some breeders furnished a photograph of the tie, but there was no DNA testing.  Some studs were dominant to the point you could pick out their offspring, but basically trust was what you bought when you shipped.  Shipping a bitch today has also gotten very expensive compared to years ago.  Airlines would really rather not handle live animals.

Today we have people breeding bitches to more than one stud and they use DNA testing to straighten out the parentage.  I have no idea what all this costs, but obviously all the animals involved must have their DNA recorded somewhere.  If you really can’t decide who the best match would be for your bitch I suppose this type of Russian Roulette has some merit.  You can test your bitch with multiple studs and decide which to go back to in the future.  Of course, if none of the pups turn out to be exceptional, it’s back to the drawing board or the sperm bank.

This method reminds me a bit of handlers who show many specials at the National.  In the old days good handlers used to pick out the dog or bitch that they thought had the best chance under that judge and let the chips fall where they may.  I don’t know if what we see today is just a result of not being able to decide which one is best, a desire to pick up more money, or having no idea what a judge may like.  In any event it lets people cover more bases just like breeding to multiple studs.  I suppose if you do that you may seem smarter, at least in your own estimation.  We have lots of changes in dog shows just as we do in breeding dogs.  Back in the old days you could find two shows a week (Saturday and Sunday) and often with a drive between shows.  The only circuit I can recall was in Florida in January each year.  In fact in the East the show season pretty much shut down after Philadelphia and Camden in early December and didn’t start back up until The Garden.  Dogs and people got a break unless they went to Florida.

Today we have dog shows which have sprouted up like mushrooms.  The old rules which governed the spacing between shows seems to have gone by the boards.  As these many, many shows compete for entries, some will inevitably fall by the wayside. The cost of judges, venues, and superintendants will weed out the excess.  As the shows go belly up that can’t compete so will the legion of judges who cannot do multiple breeds, groups, and Best In Show.  Registrations of purebred dogs have been falling at an alarming rate as the public has become less concerned with owning a registered dog and more enamored with rescues.

In the attempt to survive shows are banding together to hold multiple shows in one place and also morning and afternoon shows each day with specialties or match shows squeezed in between.  I don’t know what this does to humans, but the dogs must get tired.  No wonder some dogs can pile up records with such vast numbers.  The numbers seem to be rather hollow when your BIS had less than 400 dogs.  Some years ago I said that dog shows would not look the same in fifty years.  It’s not taking that long.

The dogs are changing as much as breeding and dog shows.  The ones who win big are more on edge (alert) and must be to hold up under the pressure this often give us temperaments who show endlessly, but aren’t fun to live with at home.  We’ve learned to fix so many things with judicious fakery that we expect almost every puppy to finish.  Of course, finishing isn’t a big deal when it takes less than 10 dogs for a major.  Long range breeding programs are often replaced by plans to win the next points.  Instead of taking a chance to breed a once in a lifetime dog people seem content with breeding nice mediocre dogs whose faults are easy to doctor.

Can these things be reversed or does the dog fancy even have the will to do so?  The final outcome will not be decided by this old dinosaur.  The only way I see things getting better is by  putting the dogs first.  Not the records, not the glamour, not the parties with fancy clothes, not the human egos, but the dogs.

Think about it!!

Inspiration Is Where You Find It!

Inspiration Is Where You Find It!

Being an avid fan of westerns, I sometimes hit on something that gets my attention.  I like these shows because they portray life outdoors, feature animals, and generally have good guys winning over bad guys and leave you with a happy feeling.  Kind of like the old Walt Disney movies made when Disney was still alive.

A quote in an old episode of “Gunsmoke” got my attention recently.  I wrote it down, but lost the note, so this is the best guess from my not infallible memory.  “The further you slip down the mountain, the more clearly you remember the view from the top!”  This was spoken by a retired gunfighter who knew his day was over and wanted to start new life.  It reminded me of my career in dogs.

The years of preparation which included match shows, buying dogs that didn’t work out , rejoicing over a class ribbon, the first reserve winners and all the things that led to later success.  All my dogs were owner handled so it may have taken longer, but the successes were oh so sweet.  The first champion (Ch. Wind Song Dealer’s Choice) finished with three majors and a group win.  From there it was onward and upward.

Starting in the 1960’s and culminating with the second CC of A Best of Breed in 1976 my dogs were competitive all over the country with me showing or those I sold with others handling.  The quest was to be the best and with two CC of A Best of Breeds, a Breeder of the Year award, and many other goodies the goal seemed attained.  When I gave up breeding and showing in 1976 there were no more worlds to conquer and my time was spent judging, writing, and speaking.

For a time the demand for my time in those new arenas stayed very high, but little by little it faded.  The people who had seen me at my peak left the game, found new heroes, or didn’t have good memories of the young guy so driven to succeed.  Joyce Hauser of Twin Creek’s fame paid me a compliment when she said “he’s more fun to show under than to show against!”  Perhaps my wish to win was too strong, but it drove me in dogs and my career with Owens-Illinois and it worked for me.  I can live with being a “has been” easier than a “never was.”

The March 2014 CC of A Bulletin surely brought back lots of memories as I review the pictures of CC of A winners.  The differences in grooming and photography are very evident and unfortunately some photos do no justice to the dogs shown.  In spite of that my hat’s off to Laura DeLaurentis for reminding me of some old friends and a few new ones.  Of course, some are even before this dinosaur hatched.

The first one to catch my attention was Ch. Honeybrook Big Parade who is behind virtually every Collie winning today.  Ch. Braegate model of Bellhaven was Van Dyck’s favorite of the Bellhaven dogs.  Ch. Gaylord’s Mr. Scalawag was the double grandsire of my first champion.  I never saw Ch. Parader’s Bold Venture or Ch. Cherrivale Darn Minute, but both were behind some of my dogs.  I did see Ch. Jorie’s Mr. G win at Morris and Essex under Mrs. Rudolph Engle.  What a glorious showman he was.  This was the great Morris and Essex show with Mrs. Dodge still in charge.  Winners Dog that day to Windswept Domino Jac who later did much winning for the Honigs.

Ch. Stoneykirk Reflection I first saw in the classes when still owned by his breeder, Priscilla Alden.  Bill Trainor’s grooming job took my breath away!  Ch. Windcall’s Night Hunter stood next to me when Alex Gibbs gave me BB.  In 1967 with Ch. Jadene’s Breezalong.  Ch. The Clown Prince of Florivale beat Breezy out in Columbus under Dale McMacken.  He had a brother who didn’t show as well but may have been better, Ch. Floravale Perfect Gentleman.

Breezalong and Daily Double bumped heads a lot in the east and each had a CC of A win.  The Gladiator put John Buddie on the map and started Tartanside.  Ch. Gingeor’s Indelibly Blue was the last dog I showed competitively.  Ch. Tamarack Asterisk came down from some of my dogs, and I never put him down when judging.  He’s also one of my wife, Phyllis’ favorite dogs.  Ch. Rio Brand Achilles is the dog who won after I told Debbie Falk, his handler, to change her shoes.  Ch. Azalea Hills Top Man I put up in Memphis at a good specialty.

Ch. Tel Star’s Cosmic Capers was Reserve from the puppy class to Steve Field’s Parader’s Regal Lancer.  That finished Steve’s dog and he was Steve’s last champion and the only dog of his I ever put over the years.  Ch. Tartanside apparently won a major under me and was one of my favorite Tartanside dogs along with the sable bitch who won BIS for John.  Ch. Marnus Gold Medalist was one I put up until he encountered Marion Liebsch’s lovely Ch. Pebblebrook Intrigue.  This bitch was the dam of the tri Ch. Pebblebrook Show Biz who I put up at Presque Isle and he got Winners Dog at the National under Les Canavan.

Ch. Highcroft Lode-Ark’s Legend I gave first points to at Nebraska CC.  The lovely tri Ch. Fantasy’s Rising Dragon sired by the sable dog from Japan who I put winners at Presque Isle CC.  There are many recent ones I don’t know, but I hope you’ll pardon my trip down memory lane.  It was fun to remember some old friends and how they fit into my life and the world of Collies.  Don’t ever lose track of your roots your teacher’s, and your competitors.  They show you how to reach for the stars.  They are “the wind beneath your wings!”

Think about it!

What's Important?

What’s Important?

Gayle Kaye, that resourceful and talented gal from California, has unearthed some Steve Field articles that have long laid dormant.  When Gayle and I did the book “Parader” we bemoaned the fact that Steve hadn’t written more.  He once told me that he stopped writing when he realized how much he had to learn.  We felt this was a great loss since Steve wrote so well and understood the Collie and the standard as few others.  The one about eyes and expression is superb and should come as no surprise since the Parader dogs were noted for expression.  Gayle’s work in the archives for the CC of A has provided some great sources of ammunition for her writing.  I believe her book “The Collie in America” is a real classic and a must for any Collie fancier’s library.  In addition to all the info provided, it has the distinction of not promoting Gayle’s dogs as so many authors in the past have chosen to do in their books.

Anyone who has read my writing over the years know of my opinion that the whole dog is more important than any one of the parts that together make up the Collie.  If you understand the Collie then the first paragraph of the Standard speaks to you loud and clear.  That opinion differs from that of the old timers who used to profess  ”give me a good head and I can get the rest from mutts!”  There can be no argument with the fact that the Collie head is very important, but it is only part of the dog, not the whole enchilada.

We who are involved in dog shows and the breeding and showing of dogs sometimes are stricken blind by our supposed knowledge.  We become so enamored with specific show points in our Collies that we forget what is really important to a prospective Collie buyer.  We spend so much time fussing over little things that we give little attention to the big two:  health and temperament.  When breeders become so infatuated with breeding just for show wins that they forget what’s most important, the breed is doomed.

In spite of maintaining the importance of the whole dog there can be no doubt that the Collie head and its various properties are the index of the breed.  Many other breeds have parts that are similar to the Collie, but none have the Collie head and its by-product the Collie expression.  You can have a Collie without a first-class head, but it will not be a superior specimen.

Just as surely as the head may be recognized as being the index of the breed, then the eyes and expression reflect its soul.  We can see various end products that are part of the expression depending on the Collies point of reference.  A Collie can be responsive and show sweet soft expression for bait, but the “look of eagles” that Terhune was so fond of quoting will only be realized when a dog focuses on an object farther away than a piece of liver.  Years ago Brian Carabine of Erin’s Own Collies bred a wonderful bitch who became Ch. Erin’s Own Gold Rush.  He sold the bitch to a young lady who was just starting out, but Brian handled her.  At an outdoor show on Long Island I saw this bitch spot Brian coming across the field toward the ring where she was being held.  It was like watching a miracle take place.  What had been a lovely, well groomed Collie turned into a complete picture of a very superior specimen complete with the “look of eagles!”  She danced and wagged a greeting with her tail and was the epitomy of what can transform a dog when it sees a special person come into view.

The term “look of eagles” was one that caused a spirited discussion between some fanciers years ago.  Some maintained that to look like an eagle, a dog would have to have a large light eye as did those majestic birds with extraordinary vision.  In my opinion they were just missing the point.  The term was not used to describe the eyes of an eagle, but the riveting intensity that is shown by a dog that is gazing at an object of great interest often at some distance.  It helped the African Queen win the Kem Sweepstakes for me many years ago. 

While on the subject of expression and its reflection into the soul of the Collie, I’d like to point out an opinion that will no doubt make some fanciers cringe and be sure the dinosaur has lost all his marbles.  We all know that the various dogs that played “Lassie” in movies and on TV were not considered worthy show specimens.  In spite of that, some of the shots taken of Lassie at various times show a Collie (blaze face and all) that shows a depth of sweetness, intelligence, and responsiveness that we seldom see in the show ring.

We have two Collies at present.  The male is a mahogany sable with a wealth of correct coat, beautiful sound body, and a most delightful expression.  In many ways he reminds me of Ch. Gingeor Bellbrooke’s Choice, ROM.  He’s a seven year old virgin who has never been bred and never will be, so this is not an advertisement.  His expression is superb because of a very correct muzzle, skull, ear placement, and eyes, that while not super small, reflect his outlook on life.  When describing the eyes as the soul of the breed it is wise to understand that more than mere physical measurements are important.  If you have a Collie with all the right parts, but the wrong attitude, the expression will not be what you might wish.  Just as some Thoroughbreds run very well in spite of conformation faults, so the expression is a reflection of temperament as well as type.

As breeders, exhibitors and handlers go merrily on their way trying for the perfect show dog by fixing ears, putting drops in eyes, fluffing up the backskulls, building up the muzzles, and making soft coats correct, we might lose sight of what’s really important.  How hard are we working to make a dog that’s not only beautiful, but one that’s fun to live with and a joy to have as one of the family?

Think about it!

Doing It Naturally - What a novel idea!

Doing It Naturally – What a novel idea!

The Collie, like all dogs, descends from the wolf.  Albert Payson Terhune often credited the Collie with wolf like characteristics and said they were more wolf like than other breeds.  I suppose we could prove or disprove that with DNA testing, but that’s not my point.  We have modified the wolf to create the Collie and many other breeds of various shapes and sizes.  The further we get from nature’s ideal canine, the wolf, the more we have an animal that is completely dependant on man for it’s existence.  If that’s what you want I suppose it’s ok, but I, for one, don’t lean toward dogs that can’t breathe, walk, or have puppies without caesarians.

I’m not advocating raising wolves or wolf-hybrids, neither of which makes a really safe and loyal pet in spite of Jack London’s “White Fang.”  I know there are folks who love and/or raise the dependent type dogs.  My concern is that our Collies not become another of these dependent creatures.  The more we keep sliding toward artificiality, the more difficult and expensive it gets to raise Collies.  It also diminishes their appeal to the public.

The veterinarians that we use form an important link in our ability to have healthy dogs.  When we have a health problem and don’t know how to deal with it, they form the first line of defense.  Some vets love the little dependent dogs who need constant care.  That doesn’t mean they all fall into that category just cause it makes them more income.

Years ago I heard a vet at a seminar give a talk on the topic of reproduction.  He was supposedly a dog breeder as well.   He had shots to get bitches ready to breed and stud dogs just as ready to do their part.  Finally I couldn’t stand it and asked him how he considered himself a breeder if he forgave animals with so many issues as fit to breed.  There was never a good answer forthcoming.

On the other hand I heard a vet at Acconeus Collie College talk about ways to avoid problems when breeding coated dogs like Collies.  He mentioned trimming britches and tail to avoid seasonal secretions from picking up dirt.  The bitch will shed them anyhow, whether bred or not.  He stressed exercise for bitches in heat since under natural conditions the bitch is pursued until she’s ready to stand.  Likewise the constant running would help make her lean.  Fat bitches have trouble getting in whelp and trouble whelping as well.  We need to think in terms of natural not artificial.

Kenneling is an area where what we can do can affect our dogs quite a bit.  My preference was always for large runs where dogs could play and exercise their bodies normally.  My vet favored cement runs as more sanitary, but cement is hot is summer, cold in winter, and tough on the bones of growing puppies.  Ideally I ran two bitches and one male in each group and it worked well.  The dogs were housed in an unheated building with cedar bedding which helped deep them clean and repelled fleas.

Feeding is another topic that can lead in many directions.  Self feeders never appealed to me.  Your dogs may be kennel dogs, but individual feeding allows human to dog contact as does regular grooming.  We cannot realistically feed our Collies what wolves eat, but I always tried to pick a good brand made by a reputable company with facilities to test the results of their diets.  Meat is fine, but if you use a well balanced ration its only use is to increase palatability.  Beware of dogs that need special diets in your breeding program.

When breeding and exhibiting with a kennel of ten to twelve grown dogs I mixed dog food in a big tub.  Dry dog feed, a can of meat or cooked scraps, perhaps some lard melted in hot water, and they all got the same thing.  The dogs put their noses in and kept them there until they were done.  Finicky eaters are not a good idea in a breeding population.  Since dogs were thoroughly groomed every week, including teeth, nails and trimming I knew if anyone needed to have their food increased or decreased.

Breeding dogs can be a real chore.  By choosing to fight what’s natural we can make it harder.  We know Collies don’t look like wolves any more and our standard tells us what our goals in conformation should be.  In addition to the goals outlined in our standard we can make it harder or more pleasurable depending on how much we fight the dog’s natural instincts.  The more we know about the wolf, the better we can understand about dogs.

It’s been interesting over the years I’ve been in dogs to watch new folks come on the scene.  Some have the gift and it shows rather quickly.  Others with all good intentions never seem to grasp the basics no matter how many years they’re involved.  We all have different gifts and should come to grips with that.  After all if you raise guppies and they don’t turn out, you can flush them.  If you raise beef cattle likewise you can enjoy steak.  Neither method works for Collies, so we need to do our best to find what works and if we can’t do that find another hobby.

Think about it!

Doing It Naturally - What a novel idea!

Doing It Naturally – What a novel idea!

The Collie, like all dogs, descends from the wolf.  Albert Payson Terhune often credited the Collie with wolf like characteristics and said they were more wolf like than other breeds.  I suppose we could prove or disprove that with DNA testing, but that’s not my point.  We have modified the wolf to create the Collie and many other breeds of various shapes and sizes.  The further we get from nature’s ideal canine, the wolf, the more we have an animal that is completely dependant on man for it’s existence.  If that’s what you want I suppose it’s ok, but I, for one, don’t lean toward dogs that can’t breathe, walk, or have puppies without caesarians.

I’m not advocating raising wolves or wolf-hybrids, neither of which makes a really safe and loyal pet in spite of Jack London’s “White Fang.”  I know there are folks who love and/or raise the dependent type dogs.  My concern is that our Collies not become another of these dependent creatures.  The more we keep sliding toward artificiality, the more difficult and expensive it gets to raise Collies.  It also diminishes their appeal to the public.

The veterinarians that we use form an important link in our ability to have healthy dogs.  When we have a health problem and don’t know how to deal with it, they form the first line of defense.  Some vets love the little dependent dogs who need constant care.  That doesn’t mean they all fall into that category just cause it makes them more income.

Years ago I heard a vet at a seminar give a talk on the topic of reproduction.  He was supposedly a dog breeder as well.   He had shots to get bitches ready to breed and stud dogs just as ready to do their part.  Finally I couldn’t stand it and asked him how he considered himself a breeder if he forgave animals with so many issues as fit to breed.  There was never a good answer forthcoming.

On the other hand I heard a vet at Acconeus Collie College talk about ways to avoid problems when breeding coated dogs like Collies.  He mentioned trimming britches and tail to avoid seasonal secretions from picking up dirt.  The bitch will shed them anyhow, whether bred or not.  He stressed exercise for bitches in heat since under natural conditions the bitch is pursued until she’s ready to stand.  Likewise the constant running would help make her lean.  Fat bitches have trouble getting in whelp and trouble whelping as well.  We need to think in terms of natural not artificial.

Kenneling is an area where what we can do can affect our dogs quite a bit.  My preference was always for large runs where dogs could play and exercise their bodies normally.  My vet favored cement runs as more sanitary, but cement is hot is summer, cold in winter, and tough on the bones of growing puppies.  Ideally I ran two bitches and one male in each group and it worked well.  The dogs were housed in an unheated building with cedar bedding which helped deep them clean and repelled fleas.

Feeding is another topic that can lead in many directions.  Self feeders never appealed to me.  Your dogs may be kennel dogs, but individual feeding allows human to dog contact as does regular grooming.  We cannot realistically feed our Collies what wolves eat, but I always tried to pick a good brand made by a reputable company with facilities to test the results of their diets.  Meat is fine, but if you use a well balanced ration its only use is to increase palatability.  Beware of dogs that need special diets in your breeding program.

When breeding and exhibiting with a kennel of ten to twelve grown dogs I mixed dog food in a big tub.  Dry dog feed, a can of meat or cooked scraps, perhaps some lard melted in hot water, and they all got the same thing.  The dogs put their noses in and kept them there until they were done.  Finicky eaters are not a good idea in a breeding population.  Since dogs were thoroughly groomed every week, including teeth, nails and trimming I knew if anyone needed to have their food increased or decreased.

Breeding dogs can be a real chore.  By choosing to fight what’s natural we can make it harder.  We know Collies don’t look like wolves any more and our standard tells us what our goals in conformation should be.  In addition to the goals outlined in our standard we can make it harder or more pleasurable depending on how much we fight the dog’s natural instincts.  The more we know about the wolf, the better we can understand about dogs.

It’s been interesting over the years I’ve been in dogs to watch new folks come on the scene.  Some have the gift and it shows rather quickly.  Others with all good intentions never seem to grasp the basics no matter how many years they’re involved.  We all have different gifts and should come to grips with that.  After all if you raise guppies and they don’t turn out, you can flush them.  If you raise beef cattle likewise you can enjoy steak.  Neither method works for Collies, so we need to do our best to find what works and if we can’t do that find another hobby.

Think about it!

The Kem and Stuff

The Kem and Stuff

There’s only one trophy in our house today.  All the others have been given away over the years.  The one that’s here is the punch bowl from The Kem Memorial Sweepstakes.  Now it’s no secret that I had the good fortune to go BB twice at the National and lots of other wins that would seem noteworthy, but those trophies are all gone.  The Kem holds a special place for me and so the trophy stays.  It’s been my pleasure to win The Kem once and judge it once.  In May of 2016, if all goes well, I’ll judge it again in Indiana.

The Kem was the idea of Gus Sigritz of Cherivale Collies and supported by several mid-western Collie clubs which have now dwindled to two.  It was a tribute to the Lodestone Collies founded by Fred Kem, his wife, Madge, and continued by their son, Oren.  This Kennel was rare in that while they did not exhibit their dogs were behind many top winners and producers.  The Kems were farm people and many of their dogs could work stock.  They did not suffer either poor doers or bad temperaments.  The list of top kennels that used Lodestone included Noranda, Cainbrooke, Cherrivale, Parader, Honeybrook and many others.  Fred Kem and later son Oren contributed great columns filled with wisdom from true breeders.

The year I won the Kem it was held in Cleveland and the judge was Ed Myers.  The bitch was Highground The African Queen sired by Ch. Gingeor’s Indelibly Blue and bred by my friend Pat Welle.  I had judged “Keno” at a match and after giving her Best in Match tried to buy her.  She was a jet black tricolor with the best of eyes, ears, and muzzle and a natural shower.  Pat wouldn’t sell, but agreed to a co-ownership since she was unable to get the bitch out to the shows.  We agreed that anything she won would go to Pat except the Kem bowl if we won it.  That very special trophy was important to me.

Keno was in the last class, which was 9-12 puppy bitches and we were at the end of the ring away from the judge’s table.  When Ed Myers turned from the table and started around the ring she locked onto him and followed him all the way to us.  Ed was grinning when he got to us and looked down at the bitch, then up at me and said, with a chuckle, “That’s a fair farm Collie you’ve got there!”   Have you even felt you had a show won?  After seeing his face, the comment and the way Keno was showing I started to think where to put the trophy when I got home.  Over the years of showing dogs you can often be surprised by either a loss or a win, but that one I knew.  It’s too bad the Kem doesn’t enjoy its former support, because it’s a special event that pays tribute to a special family and their dogs.

I understand the CC of A is in the process of making some change to conform to requirements for a non-profit group licensed in New York.  While I don’t understand all the implications its long been my thought that our organization is very unwieldy and could use some streamlining.  If we had a vice-president in each of our zones they could get input from their respective areas and take some work off the president.  The office of CC of A president can be a nightmare and we’ve all seen good folks attacked for their efforts in that position.  Years ago I was asked to accept the nomination to run for president.  It gave me a laugh.  I’m not politically correct enough to be in politics.

We are in one area of the country getting ample rainfall.  It’s green here in Michigan and my grass grows like crazy.  Mowing over three acres is a chore so the dinosaur is fairly quiet.  I’m sure some folks are thankful for that.  With some areas in drought and others with floods, I suppose we have little to complain of by comparison.

I was thinking the other day bout how much I think our tricolors are not appreciated.  Probably the first color found in breed it was rumored that sables came about through a cross with an Irish Setter type dog.  Likewise was a rumor about a cross to the Borzoi or Russian Wolfhound to refine and lengthen the short broad heads that Collies had originally.  A dinosaur can remember faults that would make these rumors seem plausible though today they are no longer evident.

Though color is not of any consequence in the standard between sable, tri, blue and white, the tricolor is extremely useful.  Though most choose not to breed two tris together, it creates no issues.  Tricolors do a fine job of putting masks on sables without needing makeup.  Bred to blues you get a nice mixture of blues and tris.  Bred to whites you can enjoy white factored in whatever color is indicated by the white parent.  Now this is a genetic simplification, but dinosaurs know that genetics aren’t always simple.  Steve Field used to talk about limited dominance and things that make you scratch your head.  Don’t forget that whatever the color you need a good dog.  That’s obviously the most important.

Think about it!

Integrity and Stuff

Integrity and Stuff

The most important commodity that a judge brings to a dog show is integrity.  That doesn’t mean that knowledge is unimportant but the Standard like the Bible is open to interpretation.  You may disagree with the way I place a class based on how we see the standard or a difference in what we consider ideal, but if you think my opinion is not what I truly believe, then we have a really serious issue.  I’ve always felt it’s just as wrong to put a friend down because of our friendship as it would be to put them up because of it.  Years ago in an article by Major Godsol, a well respected west coast all breed judge, I read that you should never worry about anything north of the lead in a dog show.  He was so right!

Now if judges are to be held to this high standard of integrity where does that leave breeder-exhibitors and handlers?  Where do we draw the line between good grooming techniques and cheating?  When I was showing dogs in the 1960’s and 1970’s some thought my grooming and presentation of Collies was first rate.  I worked hard and learned from others who were good and learned what worked, but only within the rules.  I used Foo-Foo Powder on white areas and plain water to promote the coat’s voluminous appearance.  The white powder was brushed out thoroughly and I did not color dogs, weight ears, drop eyes or any of the garbage which seems to be common today.

If we need to resort to breaking the rules to make dogs up to be competitive, then we have failed as breeders and we have miserably failed the breed.  Good Collies, properly trimmed, groomed, and cleaned should have no trouble being competitive.  It makes me cringe when I hear someone use the excuse “everyone does it” or “you can’t win if you don’t do so and so!”  What an absolutely weak argument in favor of cheating rather than breeding correct dogs!

I had the pleasure of judging a nice group of Collies on May 23, 2015 as part of the Midwest Collie Club show.  As this dinosaur has gotten old and lazy my timeframe for judging has gotten smaller due to our Michigan weather.  November thru March can provide lots of travel problems so I’ve become a fair weather dinosaur.  The Midwest CC has been around a long time and I’m proud to have judged for them several times.  The Rough entry was particularly nice, but the Smooth specials class made up for the small number of class entries.  My thanks to the Midwest CC for allowing me to be part of this show and to the exhibitors for giving this old Dinosaur so much fun.

Recently someone asked me which paragraph in the standard I considered the most important.  Without much hesitation my reply was the first, of course.  My feeling is that this paragraph, which pictures the whole dog and how its put together could just as easily come at the end as a summary of what we want.  This answer, by the way doesn’t have to work for everyone.  My opinion is that you must understand all the parts, why they are called for and what the Collie is meant to do before this answer works for you.

When I talk about things like proper trimming of legs and feet to follow what the Standard calls for it’s not being unreasonable.  Likewise when we talk about letting a Collie be shown standing naturally on four good legs rather than placing its feet, we are paying attention to the Collie Standard.  Don’t do these things to humor this old dinosaur, but do them because it shows you care enough to do it right.

Dog show photographers have it in their heads that Collies need to be stacked and looking at a thrown toy to have a picture taken.  I’m waiting for some exhibitor to remind them how a good Collie looks its best.  The best dog I ever showed was Ch. Jadene’s Breezalong.  He was CC of A BB, a multiple group winner, and BIS under Alva Rosenberg the greatest all-breed judge who ever lived in my opinion.  You could have thrown toys all day and Breezy’s eyes never left my hands.  If he stepped wrong he immediately leveled up to stand square.  He was a show dog!

Think about it!!

The Yearbook 2014

The Yearbook 2014

We have a new yearbook and once again my congratulations to Michelle Esch Brooks for getting the book out on time.  We had gotten used to yearbooks being late for so long, that it came as a real shock when Michelle took over.  It seems to be a case of the apple not falling far from the tree.

This old dinosaur must admit to being confused by some of he contents of the yearbook.  Obviously some guidelines have changed over the years.  The number of different titles and awards for which dogs are eligible are staggering.  In the Parade of Stars apparently the same dog can be shown on numerous occasions for various wins.  It used to be one picture and you picked the win that you valued most.

The titles for things not related to conformation are seemingly endless.  Not everyone dotes on conformation or even understands our standard and obviously we have folks with other interests.  Proving that Collies have a brain is not a bad thing, but how many degrees do you need to make that point?  Apparently some titles can be awarded posthumously since one therapy dog shows being whelped in 1990.  (This may be a typo)

The dogs themselves, as usual, are a mixed bag of good and not so good.  Since pictures can be misleading we know this doesn’t come as a big surprise.  Too many dogs show the neck and front that Steve Field called “a cobra waiting to strike!”  Some photos show dogs with legs that look like Clydesdales.  Hardly what you would call lithe and active with no useless timber.  Some heads with under jaws that look grotesquely strong.

Lest you think all I do is criticize, I call your attention to Kathy Moll’s committee on Breeder of the Year.  Many have long felt that awarding things like Breeder of the Year, Top Stud, and Top Bitch need to be done on a percentage not just by raw numbers.  Raw numbers encourage breeding lots of Collies and don’t hit the target we wish to recognize.  Please give this your support so even small breeders can get recognition. 

One thing that really tickled the old dinosaur’s fancy was to find an award for Collies that hunt rats.  Now sheep, ducks, agility, therapy, good citizens and all the others were no big surprise just a bit overwhelming, but rats are another matter.  When I was a very young dinosaur my first registered Collie was a granddaughter of Ch. The Duke of Silver Ho.  Apparently the Duke was a Collie rescue by Ameera Croakman,  a noted breeder and handler.  His granddaughter who I owned was a terrible speciman from a show point of view, but was my  pal.  My constant companion, she went on horseback rides and roamed the woods with me.  She learned to hate rats when she sniffed one I had caught in a trap and was bitten on the nose!  No rat that she encountered after that lived more than a few seconds.  If the AKC in their infinite wisdom had only started rat hunting back then, I would have finished another champion.

I’m looking forward to my judging assignment for the Midwest Collie Club in May.  Though many of our current titles and degrees may be a bit overwhelming, the Collie standard and Conformation judging are old friends.  Since it’s getting on toward mowing season and we have about three and a half acres my blogs may be a bit scarce.  My new baby chicks arrive in early May and the old dinosaur takes longer to do chores than he used to.  Steve Field stopped writing when he realized how much he didn’t know.  I know there’s a lot I don’t know, but still love sharing ideas with you.

If you dig around long enough you’ll know what I believe in is what I write about and what I always hope is that my ideas may somehow benefit this breed of ours.  The comments from a vet on line about our breed tells you how some people might feel about where we’re taking our dogs.  He also mentions Cocker Spaniels as another breed that’s lost it’s way.  A good article in “Dogs In Review” show the dog that made Cockers popular, Ch. My Own Brucie.  He doesn’t look much like Cockers today!  Think about where we’re going in terms of the breed not titles or awards.

Think about it!

Winter Is A Female Dog!

Winter Is A Female Dog!

Recently I did a blog which said we should understand our limitations.  The Michigan winter has brought that idea home to us in spades.  Now I know much of the country has felt winter’s bite this winter and many live where people are ill-prepared to deal with it.  In Michigan winter doesn’t just come for a visit, but actually sets up housekeeping.  Between blowing snow, shoveling snow, putting out birdseed (the deer and turkeys love it!) and changing layers of clothes one gets a bit weary.  Van Dyck used to tell the story of a man with a litter of unwanted puppies who put a sign on the lawn for “bitches and sons of bitches.”  Michigan winters can fit either category.

The TV viewing of the Westminster show provided a bit of interest to break the ugly grip of winter.  We applauded the choice of the beagle for several reasons.  She looked like a really good Beagle, she was a niece of “Uno” who won a few years back, and she was a breed without a lot of mess to groom up for the show ring.  Long ago I decided that men have made a mess of many dog breeds by turning them into dependent freaks.  You lucky folks will now hear how I got this way.

When I was ten two books arrived for Christmas, which molded a lot of my thinking about canines.  They are still part of my library and still good reading.  One was “Lochinvar Luck” by Albert Payson Terhune, which kindled a lifelong interest in Collies.  The other was “White Fang” by Jack London which not only started me thinking about what dogs got from wolves, but also started me on a quest to better understand wolves and why men have so persecuted these creatures.

The story of Lochinvar Luck follows a Collie puppy accidently lost in the woods and how he not only survives, but thrives.  It is based on a true story about a dog from Mrs. Lunt’s Alstead Kennels who was lost in the Canadian wilderness.  While not every Collie might thrive under these conditions just as some might not duplicate Lassie’s historic journey some certainly can.  Years back a very lovely puppy on his way home from the CC of A was lost in the New England winter for several months.  Tim had a tough time and lost some weight but he did survive.  When Les Canavan and Verna Allen got him back he became Ch. Royal Rock Gamblin’ Man who was an excellent dog and the top sire at Royal Rock.

My own experience with a bitch puppy who was out for a stroll with the other dogs and frightened by a truck which backfired.  By the time I got the others kenneled she had disappeared across the street into the woods.  For two weeks I hunted and called alone and with other dogs.  There were ads put in the paper and on radio to ask for info about her.  Tracks in the snow seemed aimless and gave no clue.  After two weeks when sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner after a prayer for our lost puppy, there was a knock at the door.  There was a dear lady with the little lost puppy who had come into her yard to play with the children.  She became Ch. Gingeor’s Love Pat at Wayside.

White Fang is a story of a creature more wolf than dog who after a rough start in life finds a master who shows him the love needed to make him a dog.  Most of you may be more familiar with the work of Albert Payson Terhune than Jack London.  Let me assure you that in White Fang Jack London shows a knowledge of not just wolves, but of their place in the scheme of life in the far north.  The book is beautifully written and much more realistic than the movie of the same name.

Over the years we humans have molded wolves into dogs of many shapes and sizes.  A number of these were modified to do particular tasks which we found beneficial.  That type of man sponsored evolution has some merit.  Terriers that hunt vermin, dogs that hunt birds or other game, herders that help man control his livestock, and dogs which guard and protect men and their possessions all came about with a purpose.  It makes sense that to fill our needs the wolf had to undergo some modification.  What breaks my heart is to see breeds that are so modified that they become completely dependent on very special care. 

The wolf is a magnificent creature in his place in nature.  He kills to live because he doesn’t go to the supermarket.  He lives in extended families called packs and they all care for the young and defend their home.  If you teach him to go to the supermarket he sounds a lot like us.  He doesn’t take to training and housebreaking so we do need dogs.

As you know by now I like dogs that are not only fun to live with, but that can function.  Males who know when to breed and bitches who are capable of breeding normally and raising healthy puppies.  As we continue to raise Collies for show, let’s make sure we never lose sight of what makes a good dog.

Think about it!

Know Your Limitations

Know Your Limitations

One of Life’s lessons that isn’t always enjoyable is to not have expectations beyond your abilities.  The very act of admitting you can’t accomplish something can be very irritating.  I often tell my three sons that wisdom comes with age because it’s built on life’s experiences.  They always look at me and just smile.

When I was a teenager I had a horse and loved to ride whenever possible.  Riding in all kinds of weather either alone or with friends was great stuff.  Since the horse was pretty much bomb-proof we went everywhere.  It was cool to do an over the rump flying mount and the thought of injury never occurred to me.  With experience comes wisdom and limitations that go with aging.  Today my present horse and I have a much more limited agenda.

As a judge it’s been my pleasure to officiate at shows all over our country as well as Brazil and Canada.  There have been some scary plane rides and interesting trips to the airport to judge or speak at symposiums.  Here in Michigan, which can feel like the North Pole, winter travel can be a challenge for anyone.  As much as I enjoy judging Collies and knowing that most specialties take place in the winter, it’s still something I will no longer attempt.  Some younger braver judges will have to pick up the slack.

Back in the 60’s and 70’s when I was involved in breeding and showing the kennel housed 10-12 dogs plus puppies.  The grown dogs were thoroughly groomed each week generally all in one day.  There’s no way yours truly could accomplish that today.  My limitations have diminished and I hope I’m wise enough to know it.

During that part of my career in Collies I had a reputation as a superior groomer.  An old friend in Cincinnati, Lyman Wine, once wrote he wished he could “groom a Collie like George Horn, show a Collie like John Buddie, and judge a Collie like Gus Sigritz.”  I told Lyman that I though I showed a Collie as well as John, but wouldn’t challenge Gus as a judge!

Once at the Central Jersey Specialty held with Trenton K.C. I ended up with seven Collies to groom and show.  Some were dogs which were owned by others, but which I unwisely agreed to help out because they were my breeding.  Even back in those days of my youth it was a nightmare!  Specialty shows were my preferred arena for showing because of two reasons.  The judges were generally more knowledgeable  and the competition was top drawer.  You don’t learn to breed, train, or groom better by competing against wimps.  After that my preferred limit at shows was three dogs – a class dog, class bitch, and a special was ideal.  By carefully selecting the classes you had time in between to work on the others. Of course, if you took winners there was need for a friend to help with the overflow.

Having a litter (I seldom had more than one at a time) was a time consuming task.  Once the whelping room was ready the bitch required observing and temperature taking to guess when she would whelp.  The bitch needed to be introduced to the whelping area at least a week before due date, earlier if at all possible.  Though my preference was not to interfere unless needed it was still necessary to observe the whelping just in case.  At times it was whelp the litter, shower, shave and go to work.  Guess who couldn’t do that anymore??

There are folks who breed good Collies, but don’t have the time and/or skills to groom and train them well.  This is not, by the way, a grievous sin, but a fact of life.  Even though my preference was to show my own dogs it does not mean those who don’t are considered sub standard by this dinosaur.  Asking for assistance is much preferable to doing a lousy job just because you’re too stubborn to admit your limitations.  This is why we have handlers, isn’t it?

Life is full of decisions and many involve an honest appraisal of your own abilities.  Though we discuss things relevant to the dog game it certainly goes far beyond that sport.  Perhaps while we are appraising our ability to accomplish goals in dogs it would be apropos to remember it is just a sport.  It’s very easy to get so caught up in something (dogs are just one example) that we make it a matter of life and death.  Keeping things in perspective are one more of life’s lessons we all need to remember.

Setting goals is always a good idea.  Knowing what it takes to accomplish those goals is likewise very important.  You need to accept help if you need it or perhaps it’s necessary to modify your goals.  Just don’t forget to honestly appraise your abilities and be honest in knowing your limitations.

Think about it!

ADA GIULIANO

ADA GIULIANO

The Collie world has lost the gentle lady of Bellbrooke Collies.  Her light, like her voice, was soft, not bright and overpowering.  She was the quiet one of the Bellbrooke duo, allowing husband, John, to do the talking, to show the dogs, and later to be the judge.  Ada was eminently qualified to judge Collies, but could never bring herself to do it because she couldn’t bear to hurt people’s feelings.

Ada’s world revolved around family, friends, and Collies and she was careful to keep them in that order.  Bellbrooke did not finish the most champions or win the most shows, but their efforts spawned the likes of Marnus, Wayside, Gingeor, Tartanside, and all the lines that descend from them.

During the past holiday season we received our annual Christmas card from Ada.  I’m sure that next Christmas will seem poorer from not having that reminder of a friendship that spanned so many years.  Like her idol and mine, Steve Field, Ada Giuliano will have a place in my mind and my heart forever.  She and Johnny helped a young friend from South Jersey acquire a nine month old puppy who would become the stuff dreams are made of and the rest would be history.

Like one of her favorite Collies Ada will always be our “Bellbrooke’s Lil Darlin.”  Those of you who have been in the dog game a while know it speaks volumes when I tell you that I never heard any person speak ill of Ada Giuliano.  Rest in peace, dear friend.  You leave this world a poorer place for your passing, but a richer place for your having been here.

Things Do Change - Are Things Better?

Things Do Change – Are Things Better?

Back in the dark ages when I was breeding and exhibiting with some success it was my pleasure to be invited to speak at a number of symposiums.  Among them was Acconeus Collie College and parent club symposiums.  For some reason the interest in learning from successful people was stronger then and it gave people a chance to compare notes and ideas without being hampered by taking care of dogs as they did at shows.

It was normal for me to be asked to do grooming demonstrations or to speak about stud dogs.  No big surprise here since my dogs were always well groomed and my stud force headed by Ch. Gingeor Bellbrooke’s Choice ROM and his sons were among the best in the country.  As time went on and I was no longer breeding my topics slowly changed to things like “yesterday and today” as something more fitting toward a dinosaur.

My experiences at these events was a much a student as an instructor.  The people who I was privileged to hear included Steve Field, Gus Sigritz, Bobbee Roos, and Dorothy Long as well as many others with impeccable credentials.  Glen Twiford gave a great presentation at one national symposium showing the Wind-Call Collies herding sheep.  I heard an animal behavior Prof. from Purdue University named Eric Klinghammer, do a great presentation on wolves and how their behavior shows up in our dogs.  Long before being well known enough to be asked to participate as a speaker, I attended many seeking wisdom.

The folks you saw at these events were often people who you knew and had shared the stage with before.  Ted Paul was often the one chosen to be master of ceremonies.  Ted had a fine command of the Queen’s English and was always dressed in dapper fashion and did his homework.  He always had some stories about speakers he was introducing and in my case it was always something that pulled my chain.

Now Ted and I had known each other for some time and shown against each other as well.   When I was invited to speak at a national symposium in Jacksonville, Fla. and saw Ted was to be the moderator it was time for revenge.  I carefully prepared my remarks to fit my planned “Ted Paul Roast.”  Unfortunately my work went down the drain when Ted’s introduction made me sound like a cross between Sister Teresa and George Washington.  Oh well, win some and lose some.

A number of things that were part of my stud dog views may not be relevant today.  Things do change and you can judge whether it’s better or not.  Some things, however don’t change much in spite of the march of time and methods.  When selecting a stud prospect it still would seem appropriate to look in a family of quality.  Van Dyck used to say show me the stud and if I like him, I’ll look at his pedigree.  Do value a good background, but it’s hard to get a “silk purse from a sow’s ear!”

To be worthwhile as a stud you’ll want something good enough to appeal to other breeders.  To be used as a fairly young dog he has to be good enough to win or people won’t use him until his puppies are out winning.  The final judgment on a stud dog does revolve around his get, but if his quality is high, his chance of getting off to a good start increases by leaps and bounds.

It helps to have a stud with outgoing personality and good health history to go with the other prerequisites.  Years ago I read that one should never let a young stud prospect exercise with any dog that can dominate him.  Back then it was standard practice to do natural breedings and if a stud wasn’t well trained and eager you could spend a lot of time waiting for the mood to strike him.  It took some time, but I learned how to bring young studs along and my boys loved their work.  Ideally you would hope to start a young dog at about 9-10 months of age when he started to feel like a man and might hope to have an experienced bitch as a partner.

Today many breedings are done with A.I. using chilled semen or even frozen sperm of dogs long gone.  It may be a great way of preventing the spread of disease, but I don’t know how you judge a dog’s libido in such a case.  All my mentors fancied dogs with bold fearless demeanors who bred bitches with no hesitation.  They also fancied bitches who bred normally and willingly and carried litters of healthy puppies and nursed them after normal delivery.  It’s always been my opinion that we can change things about an animal’s appearance to suit a written standard, but when we fool with the basic functions needed to exist and reproduce we’re fooling with something best left alone.

Van Dyck used to laugh about people’s over-rating stud dogs by saying “who’s he by.”  Today with the use of multiple breedings sorted out by DNA it may be even more appropriate.

Think about it!