Farewell...

Farewell…

“Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not here.  I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints of snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there.

I did not die.”

                                                …Unknown Native American…

Our dinosaur is  now with our Lord and all his loved ones that have left this earth before him.  This includes all the beautiful creatures that were such a large part of his life.  Some champions, some not, but loved and cared for as if they were. 

Although his writings will cease, the memory and the wisdom they contained will last forever.  Honor him by rereading some of his articles.

I do not have the writing talent or credentials that he had but needed to put this on paper for one final entry.  And I think when looking back over his life, our dinosaur would smile and quote his favorite line from his favorite story…

                                                “It’s been quite a party”

                       

Sleep well my love.   Save me a place by your side.   We were all truly blessed… by this,  the last dinosaur.

Think about it!!!

Things You Can't See

Things You Can’t See

I’ve spent years writing about Collies on many subjects.  My writings were from the point of view of a conformation breeder, exhibitor, and judge so it followed that I described mostly what you can see.  When describing what’s important it’s always been my aim to stress health and temperament as most important building blocks for any breeder.  Without both of those basics you can’t have a really good dog.  There is more to be enjoyed about any dog than physical attributes.

Albert Payson Terhune who did so much to make the Collie popular stressed what’s inside a dog as very important.  Terhune knew what a good Collie conformation wise  looked like, but valued what was inside above all.  He wrote of loyalty, bravery, brains, and other things that don’t show as being hallmarks of the best Collies.  These descriptions helped many, myself included, to want a Collie above all breeds.  Now we know that some attributes that Terhune wrote about may stretch the imagination somewhat, but they sure sold Collies to the public.

If you know your breed’s history beyond dog shows you must know what the Collie was bred to do.   Way back in the Collies’ history was a dog who herded sheep, guarded the shepherd’s home, and acted as playmate for is children, This was a trainable dog who took being associated with people naturally and loved children above all else.  They had brains and loyalty which only showed in their actions not in appearance.  Would that we humans valued such things more in our own species.

In my years of showing and breeding I had two dogs who were campaigned, both of whom went BB at the CC of A.  Ch Jadene’s Breezalong has always stayed in my memory as the most correct Collie I ever showed.  Ch. Gingeor’s Indelibly Blue was a very correct Collie as well but Breezy was better in my opinion.  When it comes to hidden traits that make a dog good to live with, there was no comparison.  Hair was hands down a fun dog to be around and Breezy was a somewhat aloof professional.

They had been raised somewhat differently and that may have affected the finished product.  Breezy was whelped at my kennel, but left at six weeks to live with his breeder, Barbara Woodmancy.  At about five months I got him back as Barbara was moving to Florida and didn’t want him to face the heat.  He came back to me will trained, but had spent life as a kennel dog with minimal human contact since Barbara had a job as a nurse.

Hair on the other hand was whelped and raised at my kennel.  He had three young boys to enjoy and was a real extrovert.  When he went to a show he often watched TV with one of the boys while I visited friends.  Breezy on the other hand would eat, go for a walk and take a nap.  Neither dog had any trace of shyness and showed like pros when the time came.  Which one do you think you’d rather live with as a dog to enjoy?

I hear a great deal about how the Collie has slipped down in registration rankings.  There are many factors involved in this phenomenon.  What’s on the inside of our dogs may be something to consider as much as beauty.  The whole dog matters to the public when they shell out their money.

Think about it!

The dinosaur and wife, Phyllis, are facing a new challenge as I write this blog.  Apparently cancer treatments can have some side effects that take time to show up in an aging body.  We’ll give it our best shot and thank all our friends for their prayers and well wishes.  Getting older isn’t much fun!

What's Really Important?

What’s Really Important?

This dinosaur has written about lots of things over the years.  I’ve given opinions on breeding, grooming, and many other topics, but this short blog is much more important.

Shirley Schaffer, a long time Collie fancier, CC of A member and former District Director for Michigan has suffered a real tragedy.  Upon arriving home from a local dog show, Shirley found her home on fire.  In addition to the damage to the home, she lost four house dogs and possibly her cat which can’t be found.

This lady recently drove thru the Michigan winter to help rescue dogs from a Michigan breeder who had passed away and whose family could not care for them.  There was no reward, but it was the right thing to do.

Now Shirley is not wealthy and her older home was not covered by insurance.  This lady who gladly helped out dogs in need, needs our help.  We dog people may spar and argue, but in a time of need, we come together.

Please give all you can to help Shirley rebuild her damaged home and her life.  Things like this can happen to any one of us.  At such a time we’d all hope for help from our like minded friends.

Think about it!!

News Update

News Update

The dinosaur has good news and bad news.  The good news is that after nine months of both chemo and radiation my bladder cancer is in remission.  The treatments had some bad side effects, but most of them are gone.  One that remains is a tingling and numbness in my fingers which makes writing very difficult.  I’m on medication to help the condition, but so far it still exists.  Without  a drastic reversal the cancer may have accomplished the unthinkable.

Most of you know that I’ve been writing the info “from the desk of the dinosaur” and Phyllis puts it on the computer as a blog.  Time will tell whether the dinosaur returns from extinction or not.  Meanwhile it has been great fun to continue the writing, which I first started in the 1950’s for Ken Martin’s Collie Cues.  Since then it’s been Collie Review, AKC Gazette, the CC of A Yearbook, Collie Expressions and CC of A Bulletin that have helped me spout off to the fancy.  It’s been fun for me and I hope for others as well.

Many of you know of the sad story of our daughter, Alexandra and her Bernese Mt. Dog, Liir.  After much expense and hopes and prayers he’s gone to doggy heaven.  A friend of hers in New York started a Go Fund Me page for her to help defray the considerable cost.  Along with many of her friends some of our Collie friends have chipped in as well.  Phyllis and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Liir, who was not a show quality dog by Berner standards was a dog to be loved and treasured.  We called him our big, sweet Grandson.  For over eight years he was our daughter’s very special companion.  The things that made him special were not conformation points, but unseen things that we sometimes don’t give enough credit to in our dogs.  If my fingers recover there will be an epistle from the Desk of the Dinosaur about special things we can’t see.  They’re not things that judges give Grand Champion points for, but maybe we dog people are missing something very special.  As Terhune might have written “peace to Liir’s bright memory.”

Think about it!!

The Importance of Mentors

The Importance of Mentors

Before I hold forth on mentors and their importance to serious breeders, here’s a personal update.  Since December 2, 2015 our lives have been consumed by treatment for my bladder cancer.  Starting with surgery, then chemo and radiation therapy, it’s been a difficult grind.  In late Sept. 2016 we’ll do a PET scan to find out our success or lack thereof.   Meanwhile I’m feeling much better as the side effects subside and Phyllis and I are trying to live a relatively normal life.  Our friends locally and dog friends around the country continue to inspire us with prayers and best wishes.

A mentor is a teacher, a cheerleader, and hopefully a friend.  As people start into any new endeavor, dog breeding included, they must gather knowledge if they expect to achieve success.  The amount of information they can accumulate and their ability to understand and store it for future processing reminds us of the importance of the pupil’s ability as well as that of the mentor.  Some people can be in dogs for years and be exposed to paragons of knowledge without showing any significant improvement.

So how does the budding fancier select someone that they would like to call a mentor?  There are many criteria to examine before you make this decision.  What qualifies someone to serve as a mentor?  You might consider success as a breeder, as an exhibitor, as a judge, as a speaker, and as a writer.  All of these areas can affect the success or lack thereof of your selection of a mentor.  A person can be imminently successful in the first three areas, but if they cannot pass the secrets of their success along, then they fall short as a mentor.

I consider myself fortunate to have had several mentors  and  though they played different roles they all played important parts in my life as a Collie fancier.  Albert Payson Terhune and his writings created in me, as a child, the thirst to understand the Collie and the terms to describe a good one.  Also in my early days as a youngster I was blessed with a mother who encouraged her only child to excel at every interest he had, including Collies.

Because my mother was willing to drive me to Honeybrook Kennels of W.R. Van Dyck I was exposed at an early age to someone who had the knowledge for which I thirsted.  She also paid most of the bills to buy puppies or dogs who did not cover themselves with glory, but added to my understanding of how puppies develop and what a good dog looked like. As her knowledge increased she also bought the blue puppy who would become our first champion.

Terhune and my mother played important parts in my beginnings as a Collie fancier, but the big three were W.R. Van Dyck of Honeybrook, Gus Sigritz of Cherrivale and Steve Field of Parader.  Each one played important parts in my life in Collies and each one was very much entwined with each other’s success.  All three had qualities which would make them imminently qualified to be mentors.  Each bred dogs which won the CC of A Specialty.  Each judged that same show and many others of some note.  They each were excellent writers and speakers and proof of their abilities as mentors were reflected in the success of others who they advised and inspired.

If we start with the senior member of the trio, W.R. Van Dyck who owned Ch. Honeybrook Big Parade who not only won the CC of A three times but also was tied for top sire in the breed for some years.  A prolific writer, his column in Dog News was full of thought provoking information.  Steve Field whose Parader Collies were established on the feats of Ch. Silver Ho Parader as a sire.  This dog just happened to be sired by one of Honeybrook Big Parade’s best sons.  As I recall this dog was recommended to Steve by one of his mentors, Ed Pickardt of Sterling fame.

Gus Sigritz of Cherrivale got a start with a grand bitch from Parader named Ch. Cherrivale Parader’s Portrait.  When bred to Steve’s Ch. Silver Ho Parader she produced the CC of A futurity winner, Ch. Cherrivale Checkmate.  Further down the road Gus on Van Dyck’s advice bred to Ch. Gaylord’s Mr. Scalawag and got the multiple CC of A winner Ch. Cherrivale Darn Minute.  Interesting side note is that Steve Field put Mr. Scalawag BB at the CC of A and Van Dyck put Darn Minute up for his first CC of A Best of Breed.

Each of these three men were my mentors and friends.  My progress as a fancier was aided immeasurably by their ability to pass along what they had learned from others.  Van Dyck learned from Charles Wernsman of Arken among others.  Steve Field learned from Van Dyck and Pickhardt among others.  Gus Sigritz learned from Steve field and Van Dyck among others.

My first champion, who I co-owned with my mother, was sired by Ch. Cherrivale Darn Minute and bought on Van Dyck’s recommendation.  The stud dog who became a huge part of my success, Ch. Gingeor Bellbrooke’s Choice was discovered when looking for a bitch to breed to that first champion.  He just happened to be strongly line bred to Steve’s Ch. Silver Ho Parader.  Thank goodness for mentors and how they affect your progress.

I learned from all three and many others, but they were my big three.  I can only hope that all who read this share my good fortune in knowing such mentors.  If you do find yourself so blessed, be sure to give credit to the mentors who paved the way for your success.

Would you take a risk to breed a great dog?

Would you take a risk to breed a great dog?

Life is full of decisions.  As children most of them are made for us by others.  Even as we grow older some of our decisions are influenced by others and the myriad of laws that affect our lives.  At times it may seem like someone is always telling us what we may or may not do.  Many people thirst for the chance to be involved in something that they can control.  The outcome of finding such an endeavor will be influenced by their skill in learning and profiting from the knowledge of those who came before.  Breeding dogs provides such an outlet for people’s creativity and their desire to be able to do something largely on their own.

The sport of breeding and exhibiting purebred dogs is not without guidelines, but it does offer the opportunity to do a lot based on your own knowledge, observations, and creativity.  The breed standards and AKC rules are out there to point us in the right direction but there is still a lot of latitude for doing “your own thing.”  Some folks have even been known to stretch the rules just a bit.

Our sport has undergone many changes over the years.  Depending on your point of view some may be good and some not so good.  The sport for many reasons is shrinking.  The AKC registers fewer dogs each year and many shows have smaller entries with a few notable exceptions.  Specialty shows have been hit particularly hard.  Some of the yardsticks to measure success have been altered to reflect what’s happening and some have not.  In this area it now takes five Rough Collies to constitute a major win.  Some people still brag about dogs who finish with “all majors.”  The ability to qualify for ROM status ridiculously has not changed in years, despite the ease with which a dog can finish.

Back in dinosaur years it took around twenty Collies for a three point major, a stud dog was successful who had four offspring finish in a year, and that same number could also qualify you as “breeder of the year.”  Times certainly have changed!  Improvements in feed and fixing some problems like ears have created a tendency toward uniformity we didn’t see in the old days.  The big kennels offered some line bred characteristics which astute breeders could tap into and certain crosses performed very well, likewise some lines did not cross well and were largely abandoned in time.  To persevere over time a line of dogs must be successful in producing other families to carry the flag.

Most breeders have a tendency to breed safely rather than take chances.  They may start out with dogs from a successful line or create their own, but if they have success in the show ring, they tend to stick with the pattern that has worked.  Sooner or later everyone must go out of the line they’ve been working with which has brought them good fortune but needs help in some area(s).  Outcrossing is the biggest challenge to most breeders, but inevitably it is needed.  Ben and Joyce Hauser of Twin Creeks fame had the knack to incorporate other lines and not miss a beat.  Such success is the exception rather than the rule.

Even when making that needed outcross people tend to think careful and not want to rock the boat.  They tend to use a winning line or a top dog rather than take a chance.  Obviously taking a chance requires some knowledge and careful study of what you’re hoping to accomplish.  You can take a chance with a good young dog if you really believe he’s right for your bitch.  Barbara Woodmancy did and got Ch. Jadene’s Breezalong (CCA BB 1967)) for her gamble.  I took a chance taking Ch. Carla’s Blue Ruin (a complete outcross) to Ch. Gingeor’s Indelible Choice and got Ch. Gingeor’s Indelibly Blue (BB CCA 1976) for my risk.  No, neither dog was without faults but they sure were good.

Breeding to a dog with just the head and expression you love even though his hind end is not his fortune can work out well.  Sure it’s taking a chance, but if you get that one great one to carry on your line it’s a risk well taken.  Every risk must be weighed and the goal of the risk compared to the downside.  To sell a litter of pretty pets to get one CCA BB might be worth it.  Beware the risks that involve health issues.  You might attain your goal, but the breed can suffer from your choice.

This old dinosaur hasn’t bred dogs for years, but still deals with risks.  Apparently my chemo has been working out well in shrinking my bladder tumor.  That will still leave us with some decisions to make down the road.  All those out there wishing us well with cards and calls as well as prayers have been a great source of strength for Phyllis and I.  There are so many people out there who are helping us thru this crisis.  At times like this you truly appreciate the blessing of having friends.  We are very blessed and hope all of you are blessed with true friendship as well when you come to a difficult time in your life, it helps beyond measure.

Think about it!

Seize the Opportunity!

Seize the Opportunity!

Blogs have been pretty scarce lately since our schedule has gotten more and more hectic.  Doctor appts. and chemo treatments seem to take over your life at times.  There are things to write about, but not enough time or energy to do it.  The response to our problem has been tremendous!  We have a wicker basket full of cards and the calls and prayers continue to buoy our spirits.  Many thanks to everyone.

Now we’ll talk about a favorite topic of mine:  Seizing opportunity when it’s presented.  To have it work of course, you must be knowledgeable enough to weigh the opportunity and its advantages.  If you don’t know a good dog you won’t know if what you have before you is a golden opportunity or a temptation to lead you to disaster.  You must have done some homework and should keep learning always.  John Buddie’s recent article in Collie Expressions is a good roadmap for any breeder.  Read it!

Opportunity was presented to me as a breeder perhaps more often than most.  I’ve often said that I was blessed with many friends who believed in what I was trying to accomplish.  The fact that I worked hard and treated people decently may have helped me a great deal.  As ye sow, so shall you reap.  Learning to do things the best way possible was my passion and many Collies not of good quality were my foundation, but I kept watching, listening, and learning what caused success or failure.

The first really good dog to come my way became Ch. Windsong Dealer’s Choice.  This blue double grandson of Ch. Gaylord’s Mr. Scalawag (CCA BB) was sired by Ch Cherrivale Darn Minute (CCA BB) and he finished with three majors and a working group first in spite of my handling.  My mother purchased him and our mentor W.R. Van Dyck approved the purchase.  Comanche opened the door to any success I ever enjoyed.

When Comanche finished there were no tri bitches in my kennel and I let it be known I was in the market for one.  Enter John and Ada Giuliano of Bellbrooke who had a well bred tri bitch who just happened to be in heat.  OPPORTUNITY WAS KNOCKING!  A quick trip to Bellbrooke and she was mine and her litter produced the outstanding tri male, Ch. Gingeor’s Patent Pending.

The trip to Bellbrook took on even greater meaning when I saw the nine month old sable male in their basement.  He was gorgeous and available.  OPPORTUNITY WAS KNOCKING !  Two other breeders had first refusal, but didn’t hear the knocking.  He came home with me and became Ch. Gingeor Bellbrooke’s Choice R.O.M. the backbone of my kennel.

Now Patrick wasn’t lead broken when I got him so we went to a local match for training.  While there he was seen by Barbara Woodmancy who owned a great bitch, Ch. Gregshire’s Little Honeycomb.  She obviously thought Patrick was nice and bred the bitch to my unproven young male.  The resultant litter, which I whelped contained Ch.Jadene’s Breezalong  (CCA BB) who I showed for Barbara and bought when he became available.

Honeycomb produced in her second litter (Barbara gave me this lovely bitch - opportunity!) a grand sable bitch with ears a bit low. Van Dyck had a dog on lease with small tight ears and when bred to Gingeor’s Honey of a Choice gave us Ch. Gingeor’s Indelable Ink.  When Inky went res. at CC of A 1967 Breezalong was edged out for BB but Marcia Keller loved Breezy and got the lovely bitch she was showing for a friend bred to him.  I purchased Ch. Sontaw’s Trudy Fair when she became available. (opportunity)

The opportunities were now starting to run wild!  Ch. Sontaw Trudy Fair’s first litter contained the great bitch Ch. Marnus Evening Breeze and the good sire, Ch. Gingeor’s Jack of Tamarack.  Ch. Gingeor’s Indelable Ink bred back to her grandsire, Ch. Gingeor’s Bellbrooke’s Choice produced the notable sire Ch. Gingeor’s Indelable Choice.  He in turn produced the top blue dog Ch. Gingeor’s Indelable Blue who was CCA BB in 1976 my last competitive show.

Opportunity was also seized when Ch. Carla’s Blue Ruin (the dam of Ch. Indelably Blue) was offered as a gift from a dear friend, Carl Andrews.  You can see that opportunity is often out there.  It must be weighed and decisions made, sometimes very quickly.  Do these opportunities always provide the desired results?  Of course not.  If they’re not seized they provide nothing.  If it doesn’t work out, then swallow your pride, say I made a mistake and go back to the drawing board.  In 1976 my time as a breeder was over because of a job change.

My short time breeding and showing Collies was sprinkled with many opportunities.  Some the result of friendships and others of luck or coincidence.  When I thought it made sense the opportunity was seized.  It was my nature to look ahead, plan long range, and seize opportunity that fit the plan.  You’ll have to decide if it works for you.

Think about it!

One Day At A Time

One Day At A Time

Just want everyone to know how its going with us.  The outpouring of cards, prayers, and well-wishes is overwhelming.  When you’re going thru some difficulties it means so much to both Phyllis and I.  She is, by the way, the best care-giver who God ever blessed someone with in this crazy world.

We’ve gone thru the first sequence of chemo treatments with very little difficulty.  Except for the mental stress I’ve got no discomfort at this point.  We have an appointment at another cancer center for a second opinion Feb. 4, 2016.  Goal is to stop disease and try to prevent its spread.

We’re setting short-term goals and longer ones.  Short-term to celebrate my 79^th birthday March 29^th 2016, long-term the 80^th just one year later.  We’re not dealing with garden variety bladder cancer, but we’re being cautiously optimistic.  Times like this help you decide what’s important in this life.  Have a meeting scheduled with the boys on Saturday Jan. 30, 2016 to discuss the whole picture.  Unfortunately since Alexandra is in Des Moines, Iowa she can’t be there.  Know she would be if she could.  The Midwest winter does complicate things.

Meanwhile love your creatures and love each other.  Love is something this world can use more of every day.

Think about it!!!

The Latest Bump in Life's Road

The Latest Bump in Life’s Road

Many of you may know already, but if not, this will make it official.  This dinosaur has been diagnosed in December with bladder cancer.  While any kind of cancer is a serious situation, it’s by no means a death sentence.  Numerous tests have confirmed the diagnosis and that it has not spread at this point.  The good news is that in spite of one surgery and lots of concern for Phyllis and I and our friends and family, I feel fine.

After a mild early winter the Michigan weather is taking part in making things more difficult.  Cold and snow make trying to get 2^nd or 3^rd opinions difficult.  For the past two days we’ve blown show and shoveled to not get marooned.  We’ve got a lot of friends at church and around the country keeping us in their prayers and their hearts.  Doing blogs will be difficult for a while, but I wanted my friends to know the score.

This dinosaur is not ready for extinction, so if anyone out there will add their prayers to those we’re already blessed with, Phyllis and I will appreciate your help.  Meanwhile love your Collies and love each other.  Our world can use more of that

Think about it!!

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!