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!