Posts Categorised: Historic Labradors
Bolo was the first-ever Dual Champion Labrador Retriever.
His is an interesting story. Not just rags to riches, but riches to rags and back to riches. Pull up a chair and learn about the dog who still has an influence on Labradors over one hundred years after his birth.
BOLO’S EARLY YEARS
Bolo was two years old when Mrs. Quintin Dick (later Lorna, Countess Howe) entered his life. She had owned his sire, Scandal of Glynn, who was “a charming and beloved companion and a great game-finder.”
When Scandal died she wanted to find a dog to replace him. Unfortunately none of the other dogs she owned could fill the gap his passing caused.
Her husband suggested a son by Scandal. However during the first World War, breeding was restricted and Scandal had only sired one litter. In it there were 13 puppies of which 12 were females.
The only male – originally named Caerhowell Bully – had been given away by his breeder. When Lorna (1) found him, he was given to her with the advice that if she didn’t want to keep him to have him put to sleep. He told her the dog was “hopeless” and had “an evil temper.”
When she picked him up at the train station, she realized what she’d been told was true. The dog was not only unkempt, but had sores on his ears and he growled at her through the heavy muzzle he wore. Although he had a wonderful pedigree, she debated: Should she keep him or put him to sleep as she’d been advised?
She must have had a kind heart as she took him home with her. After taking off the muzzle and chain, she turned him loose in a spacious room, but he was distrustful and surly. He wouldn’t come to anyone and it took quite awhile to catch him.
Something must have happened to him in his earlier life. Heavy handed trainer? Malicious kennel help?
He avoided people. When turned out for exercise, he was hard to catch. How could he be trained when he was so distrustful of people? What could soothe the savage beast?
It turns out it wasn’t music, but Lorna’s gentle care. When he became seriously ill, she nursed him back to health. During that time, he realized she was someone he could trust. When he recovered he became devoted to her and was always at her side.
Perhaps this is when she renamed him Banchory Bolo. Banchory for the kennel that would house many famous Labradors and also other breeds, including Pointers, Springer Spaniels and Griffons.
THE STIRRINGS OF GREATNESS
When he started in training, Lorna found he had “a natural love of retrieving, an excellent nose, and a perfect mouth.” However he also had two failings: he loved chasing rabbits and was terrified of cracking whips. One day when a stable boy happened to crack a whip near him, the fear took over and Bolo blindly sought escape. A tall, spiked gate didn’t stop him from running.
He returned early the next morning, covered in blood. “He had two very deep wounds on his chest, a tear three inches long in his groin and his hind leg and hock torn so badly that the bone was visible.” Because a veterinarian was too far away, Lorna stitched his wounds as he lay still for her.
Her doctoring and the training after was well done as the next fall he won a field trial prize. Afterward he quickly won two field trials and became a field champion. Two years later he also finished his show championship and thus was the first Labrador to become a Dual Champion.
Lorna said, “He had quite the best nose I have ever seen in a dog and with apparently the greatest ease he would collect runner after runner after several other dogs had failed. I have never had a dog with such great natural ability or one so anxious to please me in every possible way.”
Pictured: Lorna with Bolo
FROM GREATNESS COMES GREATNESS
The genes from several great dogs came together in Banchory Bolo. We have Lord Malmesbury, the Dukes of Buccleuch and Lord Knutsford (Munden kennels) to thank for their breeding insight and the dogs they produced.
Bolo’s pedigree:
| Scandal of Glynn | English FTCh Peter of Faskally | Waterdale Gamester |
| Birkhill Juliet | ||
| English FTW Shelagh of Glynn | English FTW Scamp of Glynn | |
| Shelagh of Danesbury | ||
| Caerhowell Nettle | Foxley Kennett | Hirsch’s Ranger |
| Bendysh Bess | ||
| Baker’s Nora | unknown | |
| unknown |
Looking backward in time, Bolo’s sire, Scandal of Glynn, was a son of English FTCh Peter of Faskally. Peter won the International Gundog League’s Championship Stake for retrievers in 1911, but what set him apart from the other retrievers was his partnership with his handler, Archie Butter. Butter realized that if a dog could be guided by his handler, the quicker he would be able to find and retrieve game. To do this, he adapted the methods used by shepherds when handling their dogs using whistles and hand signals. We still use a form of this method today.
Peter of Faskally’s pedigree is filled with dogs from the Munden and Buccleuch kennels. Munden Sixty (born 1897) appears three times in Peter’s pedigree and once more in Scandal of Glynn’s maternal line.
Sixty’s paternal grandfather, Buccleuch Avon (born 1885), was a gift from the third Earl of Malmesbury to the sixth Duke of Buccleuch.
Avon was sired by Malmesbury Tramp (born 1878) and out of Malmesbury Juno (born 1878). Another male, Buccleuch Ned (born 1882), was also a gift. These dogs were bred to bitches that descended from dogs imported originally by the fifth Duke of Buccleuch.
Pictured: Buccleuch Avon, born 1885
Another great in Peter of Faskally’s pedigree is Munden Single (born 1899). She was sired by Munden Sixty and descended from Munden, Buccleuch and Malmesbury dogs. She’s best known for being the first Labrador to win a Challenge Certificate and the first Labrador to run in a field trial.
Less is known about Scandal of Glynn’s maternal side. His maternal grandfather, Scamp of Glynn FTW, traces to Buccleuch Ned, the other male gifted by Lord Malmesbury. And his maternal grandmother, Shelagh of Danesbury, is mostly Munden dogs that trace back to Buccleuch and Malmesbury dogs.
Even less is known about Banchory Bolo’s mother, Caerhowell Nettle, although her father traces back to Peter of Faskally as well.
BOLO’S LEGACY
With all the good genes passed down from his ancestors, it’s not surprising that he also produced well. He sired both show champions and field trial champions.
In 1921, he was bred to Brocklehirst Nell (owned by Mrs Dinwoodie) and sired English Ch Banchory Bluff, English FTCh Nith of Halleaths and Brocklehirst Daisy FTW. Bluff was the maternal grandsire of English FTCh Balmuto Hewildo. Bluff was owned by Lorna.
Also in 1921, he was bred to Murrayfield Bett (owned by Mr Dinwoodie) and sired English Ch Brocklehirst Donner. This dog was also owned by Lorna.
Bolo was bred to Kirkmahoe Dinah FTW for another litter in 1921. This one included the littermates English National FTCh Kirkmahoe Rover, Banchory Corbie FTW and Choice Of Kirkmahoe FTW.
Banchory Corbie won one Challenge Certificate (show points) and won the 1923 International Gundog League Nomination Stake. Then he “broke his shoulder by galloping into a guard post” thus ending his show and field trial career. Lorna described him, “Corbie was in character and temperament all that a Labrador should be. He was highly intelligent, very faithful, a wonderful watch-dog and guard, yet very gentle with children. He had the great game-finding ability which goes with good nose and the brains to use it.”
Pictured: Bolo with his son, Corbie
Yet another litter in 1921, produced English Ch Beningbrough Tangle. He finished his show championship, including winning the CC at Crufts in 1930 and he also won a field trial. So close to being another Dual Champion! He was bred by The Earl of Chesterfield and owned by Lorna. His mother was Thyme, a daughter of English Ch Ilderton Ben.
In 1922, Bolo was bred to a granddaughter of English Ch Ilderton Ben. Her name was Malta of Lunn and was owned by the Earl of Clarendon. In this litter was a female named English Ch Banchory Kelpie, owned by Lorna.
Another Bolo son was born in 1923, Banchory Roger FTW. He was linebred on English National Ch Peter of Faskally and on Munden Sentry.
“During the years of the 1914-1918 war the Labrador Kennel at Munden became practically extinct. It was after this war that [Lorna] gave Lord Knutsford a puppy on the condition that he should eventually breed her with Dual Champion Banchory Bolo.”
He registered this puppy as Munden Scarcity. Her sire was English Ch Banchory Lucky and her dam was Banchory Betty. In Scarcity’s litter by Bolo, she produced both English Ch Banchory Danilo FTW and English Ch Munden Solo FTW. Lord Knutsford also kept Singer, a bitch, and another bitch was given to His Majesty the King.
Danilo won 33 Challenge Certificates in the show ring and won best exhibit in the Kennel Club Show in 1925. He went on to also win two field trial honors in 1924, handled by Lorna. Danilo sired English Ch Drinkstone Pons of Wingan (sire of American Ch Echo of Arden), English Ch Drinkstone Dan and Haylers Danilo (sire of English Ch Poppleton Black Lancer).
When Danilo’s grandson, Hiwood Risk, was bred to Peggy of Shipton we see some of the Arden dogs, including American National Field Champion Tar of Arden and her offspring – American FC Firelei of Deer Creek, American NFC Black Magic of Audlon, American Dual Ch CFC Little Pierre of Deer Creek.
Pictured: Banchory Danilo
Danilo’s brother, Munden Solo, also did well at shows. At Crufts in 1927 he competed in ten classes, won six and placed in three more. The judge wrote of him, ‘if there had been a little more of him in size, I think he would have been very near perfection.’
Bolo sired another English show champion, Banchory Bolo’s Trust, in 1926. His mother was Beaulieu Nance (daughter of English DUAL Ch Banchory Sunspeck).
English DUAL Ch Bramshaw Bob, double-bred on Bolo, won Best in Show at Crufts twice – 1932 and 1933. Lorna bought him from Sir George Thursby and when she took him to Crufts in 1932, Bob won all the classes he was entered in and won Best in Show on the second day.
Lorna said, “Cruft’s Show was, and still is, a great meeting place for gamekeepers. I shall never forget the overwhelming reception they gave Bob when the award was announced; it was so kind of them. They were pleased that a working gundog should receive this much-coveted award. I took Bob to the Scottish Gundog and Terrier Show at Edinburgh shortly afterwards, where he was again Best in Show, and soon afterwards to Manchester, where he again won Best in Show and so became a Show Bench Champion. At Cruft’s Show in 1933 he was again awarded Best in Show, an honour he won at Championship Shows thirteen times, a good record for a genuine working gundog. He was always used for his legitimate work and he worked equally well for either Gaunt or myself. ”
Another male, English FTCh Balmuto Hewildo, was also double-bred on Bolo. Instead of winning in the show ring, he won the IGL Retriever Championship in 1936. This is comparable to the National Retriever Championship in the US.
In short, Bolo was a great producer.
Author C. Mackay Sanderson wrote, “Bolo’s coming may be said to have breathed a spirit of new life into the breed, the prestige enjoyed by this dog as a competitive and stud force giving lasting impetus to Labrador fortunes and subsequently his name runs like a golden thread through all the vital streams of progress.”
“The Field wrote of Bolo: ‘If ever evidence were needed of the character of a great dog, and of his influence on the generations following him, it was to be found at the Retriever Championship Trial held at Idsworth last week [December, 1932]. Out of fourteen dogs that won prizes, eight were descended from Banchory Bolo.'”
But Bolo also had another legacy – he tended to throw white hairs on the feet. These ‘Bolo marks’ or ‘Bolo pads’ are still seen sometimes on the bottom of the front feet and/or on the back of the front pasterns.
Bolo died in July of 1927. It was ten years before Lorna was able to give her heart to another dog.
English Dual Champion Banchory Bolo
Whelped: December 29, 1915
Died: July 10, 1927
Owner: Lorna, Countess Howe
Breeder: Sir John S Harmood-Banner
Original name: Caerhowell Bully
Registration: KC SB 218AA
1. Although she became Lorna, Countess Howe because of her second marriage, she was known as Mrs Quintin Dick during Bolo’s lifetime. However for the sake of ease, I’ve used her first name here as it’s how she’s known by Lab enthusiasts worldwide.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Show champion
CC – Challenge Certificate (show points)
FCh – Field trial champion
NFCh – National field trial champion
FTW – Field trial winner (not a title)
CFC – Canadian field champion
IGL – International Gundog League
Studying the pedigrees of chocolate Labrador Retrievers, you often wonder where the chocs are coming from. All of a sudden they are there, out of the blue. I studied the files in the LabradorNet database, which contains the pedigrees of more than 90,000 Labradors, and came to the conclusion that there are roughly 8 routes to the origin of chocolate Labs.
One of the reasons that you’ll find no chocolate Labs in the older files, is that they weren’t in fashion for many decades, so they just weren’t registered. However, the blacks and the yellows carrying the choc gene kept reproducing, and that’s why we’re able to trace them all the way back to the late 1800s.
Note: This article was written by Jack Vanderwyk. After his death his domain name was usurped by someone else. Fortunately I had a copy of his work and it’s shared here in a tribute to the research he did on Labrador Retriever pedigrees.
ORIGINS OF THE CHOCOLATE GENE
According to the studbook of Buccleuch Kennels, the chocolates in that kennel came through FTW Peter of Faskally (1908). However, Peter of Faskally was a descendant of Buccleuch Avon (1885).
Peter of Faskally
Buccleuch Avon
The Earl of Feversham had some typical specimen of chocolates, his Nawton Pruna (who produced yellow offspring) did well at field trials in the years preceding the First World War.
One of the chief supporters of chocolates was the Hon. Lady Ward of Chiltonfoliat, near Hungerford, the dogs from her kennel being very typical with particularly good tails and coats. Her chocolate bitch FTW Darry of Chiltonfoliat (Braeroy Darkie) (1930) was sired by an unregistered chocolate dog called Jimmy, while her dam descended from the chocolate Flatcoat Clyde (see further down).
Mr. J.G. Severn of Tibshelf Kennels wrote: “My first experience of the chocolate Labradors was in February, 1938, when I visited Dr. Montgomery of Sutton Ashfield, about three miles from Tibshelf. We had mated his black bitch Shelagh of Brasidonia to my black dog Danilo of Tibshelf. Result: 4 blacks, 2 chocolate dogs, 1 cream bitch. I later bought Shelagh and mated her again to Danilo. Result just the same.”
Miss Wills of Metesford Kennels produced several chocolates in the late 1940s, early 1950s, but their descendance is not known.
CROSSES IN THE EARLY BREED
Further more we should keep in mind that there are a lot of missing links in our database, and sometimes the reasons for this are rather obvious. I found 21 interbred or fullbred Flatcoats or Chesapeake Bay retrievers in our Labrador retriever database, all born in the U.K. between 1914 and 1933.
Of all the 21 interbred or fullbred Flatcoats or Chesapeake Bay retrievers, most of them being Field Trial champions, we could only track the ancestors for more than two generations of two dogs. The information about the ancestors of the other 19 interbred dogs was simply removed from the files in the 1930s. It seems that some well known Labrador breeders didn’t want the public to know that their successful dogs were partly the offspring of interbred dogs.
Two well known Chesapeake Bay retrievers were a dog called Jolly, who sired the male Labrador retriever Jolly Sam, born before 1933, and the bitch Corydalys, who was the dam of the female Labrador retriever Micklefield Juno, born before 1925.
Clyde, born before 1923, was the “liver” (chocolate) Flatcoat retriever who sired the male yellow Labrador FTW Folkingham Bexter (1925), who in turn sired the yellow bitch FTW Limekiln Rhoda (1927). She and the yellow dog FTW Golden Morn (1926) had a litter that was registered as “half Golden Retriever and half Labradors”. The separation was by coat length, because all puppies were yellow. Apparently the third generation showed some traits of the original breed involved.
The chocolate Labrador may not have been very popular prior to the 1960s, but they were mentioned as early as 1927, in The Book of Dogs, published by the National Geographic Society in 1927: “This Labrador dog, crossed probably with the English setter, and perhaps with other breeds, produced the Retriever, which may be either black or liver-brown.” (The yellow Labrador was organized in The Yellow Labrador Retriever Club, in 1924.)
ROUTES TO THE EARLY CHOCOLATE GENE
Route 1 (version 1):
– Morningtown Tobla (f, choc, < 1976)
– Brentville Ebony (f, black, <1974)
– Knavery Mistress Meg (f, black < 1972)
– Sandylands Mark (m, black, 1965)
– Reanacre Mallardhurn Thunder (m, black, 1960)
– Mallardhurn Pat (f, yellow, < 1958)
– Poppleton Lieutenant (m, yellow, 1949)
– Poppleton Golden Sunray (f, yellow, < 1947)
– Poppleton Golden Major (m, yellow, < 1940)
– Poppleton Black Lancer (m, black, 1934)
– Haylers Danilo (m, black < 1932)
– Banchory Danilo (m, black, 1923)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878).
Sandylands Mark
Route 1 (version 2):
– Morningtown Tobla (f, choc, < 1976)
– Brentville Ebony (f, black, <1974)
– Knavery Mistress Meg (f, black < 1972)
– Sandylands Mark (m, black, 1965)
– Reanacre Mallardhurn Thunder (m, black, 1960)
– Mallardhurn Pat (f, yellow, < 1958)
– Poppleton Lieutenant (m, yellow, 1949)
– Poppleton Golden Sunray (f, yellow, < 1947)
– Poppleton Golden Major (m, yellow, < 1940)
– Poppleton Black Lancer (m, black, 1934)
– Haylers Danilo (m, black < 1932)
– Boris de Main (f, yellow, < 1930), child of:
Sceptre (m, colour unknown, not registered, < 1928) and
Countess (f, colour unknown, not registered, < 1928).
However, Buccleuch Avon, born in 1885, so almost 40 years before, is known to have produced some chocolate offspring, so it’s more likely that either his sire Malmesbury Tramp, or his dam Malmesbury June (f, black, 1880), or both, already carried the chocolate gene.
Reanacre Mallardhurn Thunder
Route 2:
– Follytower Merrybrook Black Stormer (m, black, 1969)
– Sandylands Tandy (m, yellow, 1961)
– Sandylands Shadow (f, black, 1959)
– Diant Pride (f, yellow, < 1957)
– Poppleton Lieutenant (m, yellow, 1949)
– Poppleton Golden Sunray (f, yellow, < 1947)
– Poppleton Golden Major (m, yellow, < 1940)
– Poppleton Black Lancer (m, black, 1934)
– Haylers Danilo (m, black < 1932)
– Banchory Danilo (m, black, 1923)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878).
Follytower Merrybrook Black Stormer
Route 3:
– Fabracken Comedy Star (m, black, 1979)
– Martin of Mardas (m, black, 1975)
– Ballyduff Marketeer (m, black, 1974)
– Sandylands Mark (m, black, 1965)
– Reanacre Mallardhurn Thunder (m, black, 1960)
– Mallardhurn Pat (f, yellow, < 1958)
– Poppleton Lieutenant (m, yellow, 1949)
– Poppleton Golden Sunray (f, yellow, < 1947)
– Poppleton Golden Major (m, yellow, < 1940)
– Poppleton Black Lancer (m, black, 1934)
– Haylers Danilo (m, black < 1932)
– Banchory Danilo (m, black, 1923)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878).
Fabracken Comedy Star
Route 4:
– Olivia of Blaircourt (f, black, < 1954)
– Lawrie of Blaircourt (m, black, < 1952)
– Fiona of Blaircourt (f, black, < 1950)
– Treesholme Thunder (m, black, < 1948)
– Triumph of Treesholme (m, yellow, < 1946)
– Poppleton Golden Sherry (f, yellow, < 1944)
– Poppleton Golden Gleam (f, yellow, < 1942)
– Poppleton Golden Major (m, yellow, < 1940)
– Poppleton Black Lancer (m, black, 1934)
– Haylers Danilo (m, black < 1932)
– Banchory Danilo (m, black, 1923)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878).
Martin of Mardas
Route 5:
– Pride of Craigavon (m, chocolate, < 1974)
– Taffy of Keithray (m, black, 1965)
– Sandylands Tweed of Blaircourt (m, black, 1958)
– Ruler of Blaircourt (m, black, 1956)
– Olivia of Blaircourt (f, black, < 1954)
– Lawrie of Blaircourt (m, black, < 1952)
– Fiona of Blaircourt (f, black, < 1950)
– Treesholme Thunder (m, black, < 1948)
– Triumph of Treesholme (m, yellow, < 1946)
– Poppleton Golden Sherry (f, yellow, < 1944)
– Poppleton Golden Gleam (f, yellow, < 1942)
– Poppleton Golden Major (m, yellow, < 1940)
– Poppleton Black Lancer (m, black, 1934)
– Haylers Danilo (m, black < 1932)
– Banchory Danilo (m, black, 1923)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878).
Sandylands Tweed of Blaircourt
Route 6:
– Cookridge Oscar (m, chocolate, < 1960)
– Bickerton Salmon Prince (m, yellow, < 1958)
– Blondie of Gloamin (f, yellow, < 1956)
– Raider of Gloamin (m, colour unknown, < 1954)
– Marquis of Gloamin (m, yellow, < 1944)
– Poppleton Golden Major (m, yellow, < 1940)
– Poppleton Black Lancer (m, black, 1934)
– Haylers Danilo (m, black < 1932)
– Banchory Danilo (m, black, 1923)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878).
Munden Sentry
Route 7:
– Chocolate Lady (f, chocolate, < 1954)
– Harehope Bliss (m, black, 1936)
– Weston Bunty (f, black, < 1934)
– Adderley Tyke (m, black, 1929)
– Adderley Trim (f, black, 1927)
– Beningbrough Tanco (m, black, 1924)
– Banchory Corbie (m, black, 1921)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878).
Route 8:
– Hiwood Mike (m, black, 1935), via Pettistree Dan (m, black, 1934)
– Quest of Wilbury (f, black, 1930)
– Muntham Raven (f, black, 1924)
– Banchory Corbie (m, black, 1921)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878),
AND
via Pettistree Poppet (f, colour unknown, < 1933)
– Cransford Flapper (f, colour unknown, < 1931)
– Peter of Bircham (m, colour unknown, < 1930)
– Banchory Danilo (m, black, 1923)
– Banchory Bolo (m, black, 1915)
– Scandal of Glynn (m, black, < 1913)
– Shelag of Glynn (f, black, < 1911)
– Shelag (f, colour unknown, < 1909)
– Munden Sentry (m, black, 1900)
– Munden Sixty (m, black, 1897)
– Buccleuch Nith (m, black, 1891)
– Buccleuch Avon (m, black, 1885)
– Malmesbury Tramp (m, black, 1878).
MORE RESEARCH
I researched some 30 well known chocolate Labrador Retrievers without any known chocolate ancestors, and their pedigrees all fit in with one (or several) of the routes above. Please keep in mind that famous Labradors like Boothgates Headliner, Lindall Mollie Malone, Morningtown Stormette etc all descend from Morningtown Tobla (route 1).
Aroscas Chocolate Surprise: route 1, via Sandylands Mark.
Bradking Cassandra: route 2, directly and via Ardmargha Mad Hatter and Sandylands Mark.
Brendale Brown Betty: route 2 and 5.
Brentwoods Sweet Molly Brown: route 2, via Mardas Brandlesholme Sam’s Song.
Captain Kirk of Rangeways: route 1 and 2.
Castlemore Bramble: route 1 via Sandylands Mark, route 5 via Pride of Craigavon.
Charway Mattie Brown: route 3.
Charway Sally Brown: route 2.
Chocolate Lady: route 7, via Harehope Bliss.
Cookridge Oscar: route 6, via Bickerton Salmon Price.
Cookridge Tango: route 5, via Sandylands Tweed of Blaircourt.
Could Be’s Chestnut Wrangler: route 4, via Could Be’s Rusty Rock, Could Be’s Haven Rock, Indian Valley Rob Roy, Bart of Blaircourt and Rush of Blaircourt.
Follytower Brownthorn: route 2, via Charway Blackthorn of Follytower.
Castlemore Bramble
Gunfield’s Super Charger: route 8, via Shamrock Acres Super Drive, Super Chief, Paha Sapa Chief II, Freehaven Muscles, Grangemead Sharon.
Gunotter’s Chocolate Nip: route 5, via Harris Tweed of Ide and Sandylands Tweed of Blaircourt.
Haverhill’s Brown Belle: route 1, via Dickendall Flip Flop, Sandylands Midas and Reanacre Mallardhurn Thunder.
Ironwood Cocoa Mocha: route 8, via Del Tone Colvin, Cork of Oakwood Lane, Coastal Charger of Deer Creek, Little Pierre of Deer Creek.
Lawnwoods Chocolate Fudge: directly via route 2, and route 1 via Lawnwoods Tapestry and Reanacre Mallardhurn Thunder.
Gunfield’s Super Charger
Lawnwoods Hot Chocolate: route 2.
Lenches Chocolate Liquor: Route 1 via Lasgarn Ludovic and Sandylands Mark.
Loughderg Fiona: route 4, via Ruler of Blaircourt.
Marbra Leprechaun: route 2.
Pride of Craigavon: route 5.
Lawnwoods Hot Chocolate
Pumerang Connection With Stormley: route 2, the easy way via Harrop Black Jack, or take the detour via Stormley Lynx with Pumerang, Ravenshall Charmer at Stormley, Clayford Music At Midnight At Stormley, Lawnwoods Midnight Folly and Lawnwoods Fandango.
Roydwood Rowntree at Ravenshall: route 1 and 2, via Keithray Lucinda, Contessa of Keithray and Sandylands Tandy.
Simandem Sam Browne of Balrion: route 2, via Charway Blackthorn of Follytower.
Sorbus Brown Jay: route 5, via Alvgardens Sam, Alvgardens Jet, Alvgardens Flap, Sandylands Twanah and Sandylands Tweed of Blaircourt.
Tracers Sweet Georgia Brown: route 2, via Follytower Chevalier of Ranfurly and Follytower Augusta.
Waltham Galaxy of Condor: route 1, via Jayncourt Stormer and Sandylands Mark.
Whisky Creek Brown Buina: route 4, via Indian Valley Raed Wulf and Bart of Blaircourt.
Pumerang Connection With Stormley
Williston Brown Smith: route 1, via Sebastian of Anderscroft, Sandylands Midas and Reanacre Mallardhurn Thunder.
Williston Brown Smith
I’m pretty sure that at least 99% of all chocolate Labradors can be categorized using one of the 8 routes above.
Several routes can be taken to track the origin of chocolate Labs.
Wetherlam Nutcracker, ancestor of most of my chocs.
Jack Vanderwyk,
LabradorNet
May 5, 2003
The first championship stake was held in Southampton, Long Island on November 20-21, 1938. Twenty-two of the best retrievers in the US came to compete. They retrieved pheasants shot in the field and ducks shot over water. The dogs saw some birds shot while other birds were planted out of sight. Dogs had to be guided by their handlers to find these birds.
In the header image, you can see the judges, owners, handlers, spectators and dogs trudging across the field trial grounds.
THE WINNER
One dog, Field Champion (FC) Blind of Arden did the work without a mistake. He clinched the win with the final blind retrieve described as follows:
“…a dead duck, unseen by the dogs, was planted on an island. At a signal from his handler, Blind jumped into the water and swam to the island. There he scented the bird, looked back only twice to the handler, who with his arm waved him in the right direction. Quickly finding the duck, Blind picked it up with a firm mouth, started swimming back to his handler.”
Blind retrieving a duck to his handler, Jasper Briggs.
Life Magazine featured Blind on the magazine’s cover on December 12, 1938. This was the first time a dog had ever been on the cover. (Note: You can see a copy of the cover here.)
US FIELD TRIALS
The Labrador Retriever breed was just getting started in the United States and had only been officially recognized by the America Kennel Club five years earlier.
The first retriever field trial was held in 1931. In 1935, Field and Stream Magazine provided a perpetual trophy that would be awarded each year to the dog that earned the most points in Open All-Age stakes. Blind of Arden won it the first year and his half-sister, FC Tar of Arden, won it a few years later. It was 1941 before the National Retriever Field Trial Club was formed.
(left) A handler controls the dog using whistle and arm signals.
(center) Three retriever breeds – a Curly coated retriever, a Labrador and a Chesapeake Bay retriever.
(right) Judges inspect a retrieved bird. Dogs must hold them firmly, but gently so as not to break the skin or crush the bird. After the trial, the birds are sold.
At that time, retriever trials were the realm of the very rich. Owners imported dogs from England, enticed dog trainers from Scotland and set up amazing hunting estates on the east coast. To have a chance of winning the Field and Stream trophy, dogs had to run in many trials throughout the East and Mid West.
Blind’s owner was W. Averell Harriman of New York. He was the son of a railroad baron and, in his own career, he served as Secretary of Commerce under President Truman, served as a diplomat in relations with the Soviet Union during World War II and later served as governor of New York.
Blind of Arden training with a live pheasant.
BLIND’S BLOODLINES
| Odds On FTW | The Favorite FTW | The Limit |
| Cache Of The Rhins FTW | ||
| Jest | Mansel’s Timothy | |
| Bess | ||
| Peggy of Shipton FTW | Ronald of Candahar | Eng FTCh Rag Tag |
| June | ||
| Gehta of Sigeforda | Eng FTCh Banchory Bluff | |
| Eng CH Balbeardie FTW |
Although Blind didn’t seem to produce any titled dogs himself, he did pass on his genetics to future generations. Some dogs that descend from him include:
- CNFC FC AFC Ardyn’s Ace of Merwalfin
- FTC AFTC Slo-Poke Smokey Of Dairy Hill
- FC AFC Jet of Zenith
- CNFC FC Rip of Holly Hill
Jet of Zenith’s pedigree is interesting.
Coming down from Blind, his daughter, Graysmarsh Middy, was bred to her cousin, 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden, thus doubling up on Peggy of Shipton.
A female from that litter, Graysmarsh Christmas, was bred to CNFC FC Rip of Holly Hill. Rip was a great great grandson of Blind through Okanagan Molly, thus doubling up on Blind.
A female from the Rip x Christmas litter, Thornwood Rhea, was bred to NFC AFC Massie’s Sassy Boots. Boot’s mother, Penney of Wingan, had several lines back to Eng DUAL CH Banchory Bolo and other dogs owned or bred by Lorna, Countess Howe.
Then there’s Blind’s full sister – FC Decoy of Arden – who was an outstanding producer. She was the mother of:
- 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden,
- DUAL CH Braes of Arden,
- DUAL CH Gorse of Arden,
- CH Earlsmoor Moor of Arden,
- CH Earlsmoor Marlin of Arden (all by CH Raffles of Earlsmoor) and
- FC Gun of Arden (by Toff of Hamyax FTW)
And Blind’s half-sister – NFC Tar of Arden (by Hiwood Risk) – who was the mother of Dual CH CFC Little Pierre Of Deer Creek.
(Click for help understanding the various titles dogs have earned)
Not only one of 37 Labradors in the US to earn both a show and a field championship, but part of a dynasty. Four Dual Champions in four consecutive generations – 3xNFC CFC Dual CH Shed of Arden, father of Dual CH Grangemead Precocious, grandfather of Dual CH Cherokee Buck and great grandfather of Dual CH AFC Alpine Cherokee Rocket.
HIS BACKGROUND
Precocious was bred and owned by Thomas W. Merritt, a man who spent many years supporting the breed and competition he loved.
- Judged over 50 field trials, including the first National Amateur Stake in 1957 and the National Open (4 times).
- One of the original incorporators of the National Club.
- Past President of the Labrador Club.
- Was a Director of the American Kennel Club.
- President and Editor-in-Chief of the Retriever Field Trial News.
That’s in addition to breeding and owning some of the top Labs of the 1940s and 1950s. He reminds me a bit of Lorna, Countess Howe as they both bred some great dogs and bought some great dogs.
He mentioned one of his first puppies was Grangemead Angel who was sired by FC Freehaven Jay. Her mother was a granddaughter of Eng CH Banchory Trueman – another link to Lorna. He bred Angel to Am FC Eng FTCh Hiwood Mike who was a grandson of Eng Dual CH Banchory Painter, yet another link. Grangemead Sharon, mother of Dual CH Cherokee Buck, was a puppy from that litter.
PEDIGREE
| 3xNFC CFC Dual CH Shed of Arden | CH Raffles of Earlsmoor | Thatch of Whitmore (Eng CCW) |
| Task of Whitmore (Eng CCW) | ||
| FC Decoy of Arden | Odds On (Eng FTW) | |
| Peggy of Shipton (Eng FTW) | ||
| Huron’s Lady | Am Eng CH Banchory Trump of Wingan | Blenheim Scamp (Eng FTW) |
| Lady Daphne | ||
| CH Bancstone Lorna of Wingan | Eng Dual CH Bramshaw Bob | |
| Eng CH Drinkstone Peg |
The Labrador Retriever was still pretty new to our shores at this time and all eight of Precocious’ great grandparents were British. Shed of Arden was sired by a British import and his maternal grandparents were both British imports. Precocious’ maternal grandparents were also British imports.
CH Raffles of Earlsmoor
3xNFC CFC Dual CH Shed of Arden
FC Decoy of Arden (right)
Banchory Trump of Wingan
Bancstone Lorna of Wingan
PRECOCIOUS GETS HIS START
He was born June 21, 1946, along with at least two litter brothers, Jock of Athabaska and Deer Creek Black Ace. Both brothers finished their show championships.
Merritt remembers Precocious as “a bigger dog than Shed. He was a good marking dog, especially in water and especially strong in water triples.” According to Helen Warwick in The Complete Labrador Retriever.
He was trained and handled by Harold Berentsen. He won his first Open stake at 28 months and finished his field championship about a year later.
During the summer of 1950 he became a show dog and often won Best of Breed. He even placed in the Group a couple of times. Admittedly entries were much smaller than they are today. He won his first Best of Breed on May 7, 1950 and finished his show championship on June 18, 1950. Having already finished his field championship, he became a Dual Champion that same day.
He qualified for and ran in four National Championships – 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951. He was a finalist in 1950 and 1951.
HIS LEGACY
Some people say he was named Precocious because he sired his first litter at the age of six or seven months. Based on birth dates, he was actually a grand old pup of nine months when he did the deed.
But what a deed! In that one litter with Grangemead Sharon he sired:
DUAL CH CHEROKEE BUCK
– sire of Dual CH AFC Alpine Cherokee Buck
— grandsire of NAFC FC Andy’s Partner Pete
– sire of Ironwood Cherokee Chica
— grandsire of NFC 2xNAFC Super Chief (Hall of Fame), FC AFC Carr-Lab Penrod, FC Chief Black Feather, FC AFC Paha Sapa Warpaint, FC AFC Paha’s Pow-Wow, Spring Farms Lucky QAA
– sire of Luscious Licorice Lass
— grandsire of FC AFC CFC Triple Echo
FC CHEROKEE MEDICINE MAN
FC FREEHAVEN MUSCLES
– sire of FC AFC Paha Sapa Chief II (Hall of Fame)
— grandsire of NFC 2xNAFC Super Chief (Hall of Fame), FC AFC Carr-Lab Penrod, FC Chief Black Feather, FC AFC Paha Sapa Warpaint, FC AFC Paha’s Pow-Wow, Spring Farms Lucky QAA
— grandsire of NAFC FC Rebel Chief of Heber (Hall of Fame) and AFC Jilly Girl
– sire of FC Nelgard’s Counter Point
— grandsire of Dual CH CFC Ridgewood’s Playboy and FC AFC Sand Gold Kim
You can see these boys in the header image – left to right – Grangemead Precocious, Freehaven Muscles, Cherokee Medicine Man and Cherokee Buck.
Unfortunately Grangemead Sharon was given away before her sons were able to prove themselves. Who knows if a second litter of Precocious x Sharon would have equaled or bested the first litter.
Other offspring:
– sire of CFC Highlander’s Buccaneer and CAN CH Highlander’s Diana
— grandsire of Can Dual CH Blyth’s Knave of Spades
– sire of Beautywood’s Creole Jane
— grandsire of Don’s Ginny Soo
— great grandsire of 2xNAFC 3xCNFC FC River Oaks Corky (Hall of Fame)
— grandsire of FC Roy’s Rowdy
And, yes, we have a bit of Precocious in our dogs. Our pretty Dee and all her offspring, including Arwen, Tory and Cotti, trace back to Precocious several times.
1 – Through 2xNAFC FC River Oaks Rascal to Beautywood’s Creole Jane to Precocious
2 – Through 2xNAFC FC River Oaks Rascal to Dual CH AFC Alpine Cherokee Rocket to Precocious
3 – Through Shamrock Acres Juego De Azar to FC Freehaven Muscles AND Dual CH Cherokee Buck to Precocious
4 – FC AFC Raider’s Piper Cub to FC AFC Paha Sapa Chief II to Precocious
5 – Timberlane Cinnamon to 2xNAFC 3xCNFC FC River Oaks Corky to Precocious
6 – Timberlane Cinnamon to Black Beauty of Random Lake to FC Freehaven Muscles to Precocious
7 – Timberland Cinnamon to Muscle Man of Random Lake to Rise and Shine at Duckwind to Precocious
8 – Timberland Cinnamon to Cherokee King Bojo to Precocious
9 – Timberland Cinnamon to Luscious Licorice Lass to Precocious
10 – FC AFC CFC Trieven Thunderhead to FC AFC Paha Sapa Chief II to Precocious
11 – FC AFC CFC Trieven Thunderhead to Ironwood Cherokee Chica to Precocious
12 – FC AFC CFC Trieven Thunderhead to AFC Jilly Girl to Precocious
13 – Dale’s Double Hope to Dual CH CFC Ridgewood Playboy to Precocious
14 – Dale’s Double Hope to FC AFC Serrana Sootana of Genesee to Precocious
15 – Dale’s Double Hope to FC AFC Toni’s Tar to Precocious
16 – Dale’s Double Hope to Ebony Sally of Widgeon Bay to Precocious
17 – Hard Driving Abigail to Cherokee King Bojo to Precocious (twice)
18 – Hard Driving Abigail to Luscious Licorice Lass to Precocious
And Chip too goes back to Precocious. Through Jilly Girl (twice), Beautywood’s Creole Jane (9x), Super Chief (twice), Gunfield’s Super Charger, Paha Sapa Chief II (separate from Super Chief) and Howmor’s Dark Gypsy.
DUAL CH Grangemeade Precocious
Whelped: June 21, 1946
Breeder: Thomas W. Merritt
Registration: S-127563
Named for her birthplace in Georgia, Chicka made a name for herself running in field trials.
EARLY YEARS
Her intense retrieving drive was apparent while she was still with her littermates. Her owner said, “She would whirl, twirl and do somersaults” to retrieve anything thrown.
At 4 months she won a Puppy Stake against dogs more than twice her age after swimming across a large pond full of sticks and lily pads.
HER CAREER
At a bit over two years old, she won the first of three Double Headers (winning both the Open and Amateur stakes at the same field trial). In all, she qualified six times for the National Open and seven times for the National Amateur and was a finalist four times.
In 2004, she won the National Amateur with her owner, Lynne, handling. Lynne described the fifth series, “There were 4 marks, 2 of which were flyers and 2 dead bird-retired marks – the longest of which was about 200 yards. The flyers were visually close to each other and a high number of dogs had to be handled. It was a beautiful series set in a hay bale field with interesting terrain but the hay bales did confuse the dogs. We had all kinds of weather…from hot to cold and rain to sun, plus difficult winds. Additionally, it was a ‘mixed bag’ of birds, which is the most difficult form of retrieval in terms of game. The dogs become keyed into the scent of the first bird retrieved and then have to re-focus on very different scent for subsequent birds of different species. It really was a make or break series.”
What makes Chicka’s career even more impressive is the injuries she overcame. She had two ruptured lumbar spinal discs removed and a total replacement of her right hip. She spent more time in rehab than in training in the 2-1/2 years before her National win.
She was also featured in a magazine for disabled sports men and women.
PEDIGREE
| 2xNAFC 2xCNAFC FC CFC Ebonstar Lean Mac | CNFC CNAFC Waldorf’s High Tech | CFC Rascal’s Super Spud |
| Itch’s Flying Tiger | ||
| Ebonaceae Princess WCX QAA | Trieven El Conquistador | |
| Skookum’s Sky Raider | ||
| Lazer’s Razor Sharp MH | FC AFC Donnybrooks Rocky Road | FC AFC Connies Little Thunder |
| Raintree Farms Mint Julep | ||
| Snakes Midnight Lazer MH | Spider Man II | |
| Snake’s Whistling Wind |
Sired by Lean Mac and out out of Lazer’s Razor Sharp MH, Chicka descends several times from NFC 2xNAFC Super Chief (Hall Of Fame) and his relatives FC AFC Air Express HOF, FC AFC Ithin’ To Go, FC AFC CFC Trieven Thunderhead HOF, CNFC FC Wanapum Darts Garbo, Super Powder QAA and Shamrock Acres Super Duster.
Her pedigree also includes such greats as NAFC FC Ray’s Rascal HOF, NFC AFC San Joaquin Honcho, FC AFC CFC CAFC Gahonk’s Pow-Wow, FC AFC Snake Eyes-Double or Nothin’ HOF, NAFC FC Guy’s Bitterroot Lucky, 2xNFC Whygin Cork’s Coot HOF and NFC AFC CFC Cork of Oakwood Lane.
Plus there are several show champions, English imports and dual champions, including 3xNFC CFC Dual Ch Shed of Arden HOF.
Although she’s the best known dog in her litter, there are other active dogs. Her brother, Law Abiding Ezra, earned his FC and AFC plus an Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH). Ezra also sired a daughter who earned her OTCH plus UDX2 and MH. Other siblings have field championship and/or hunt test titles. Then you could spend hours looking through the list of half-siblings sired by Maxx.
NAFC FC Chickamauga Choo Choo
Whelped: May 21, 1996
Died: Dec 5, 2008
Owners: Lynne and Mac DuBose, Hillsborough, NC
Breeders: Vincent and Phyllis Garner
Registration: SN36231305
Accomplishments:
34 Derby points
QAA before 2 years old
3x Double Header winner
64.5 Open points
120 Amateur points
National Amateur Field Champion
2012 Retriever Hall of Fame
Glossary:
CH – Show Championship
FC – Field Championship
AFC – Amateur Field Championship
NFC – National Field Champion
NAFC – National Amateur Field Champion
CFC – Canadian Field Championship
CAFC – Canadian Amateur Field Championship
CNFC – Canadian National Field Champion
QAA – Qualified All-Age
MH – Master Hunter
OTCH – Obedience Trial Championship
UDX – Utility Dog Excellent obedience title
HOF – Hall of Fame
Mouse. What a name for a Labrador.
It’s memorable. Probably a good thing for a Hall of Fame dog.
I love the story of how Charlie and Yvonne Hays acquired him. They saw him in South Carolina when he was a young dog chasing fun bumpers. He beat his kennel mates to the bumpers and Charlie was so impressed he offered to buy him. The owner told him that he thought he was sold and the check should be in the mail.
So Charlie asked, “Mind if I check the mailbox?”
HIS HISTORY
Born on Christmas day in 1973, Candlewoods Mad Mouse qualified for and ran in his first National Open as a TWO year old. He was not yet titled, but made it to the seventh series handled by his owner. He finished both FC and AFC titles the following year.
He won a double header – winning both the Open and Amateur stake in the same trial.
He qualified for eight National Amateur trials and was a finalist in four. He also qualified for six National Open trials and competed in five. At the time of his death, he was the all-time high point yellow Labrador.
Mouse also ran field trials in Canada where he earned his CFC and CAFC as well.
In 1994 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Mouse died in October 1984. He “… was known for his intelligence and his wagging tail. He was both a great field trial dog and a wonderful house pet.”
HIS PEDIGREE
| 2xNAFC FC River Oaks Rascal (Hall of Fame) | 2xNAFC 3xCNFC FC River Oaks Corky (Hall of Fame) | FC Martens Mister Nifty |
| Don’s Ginny Soo | ||
| Random Rapscallion | FC CFC Duxbak Scooter (Hall of Fame) | |
| Random Shot | ||
| Shamrock Acres Duck Soup | NFC 2xNAFC Super Chief (Hall of Fame) | FC AFC Paha Sapa Chief II (Hall of Fame) |
| Ironwood Cherokee Chica | ||
| Shamrock Acres Smoke Screen | NFC FC Marten’s Little Smoky | |
| Shamrock Acres Starlight |
Mouse was inducted into the Hall of Fame, as were his father, both grandfathers and two of his great grandfathers. Also four of the dogs in his three-generation pedigree were National Champions, some winning multiple times.
His Father
2xNAFC FC River Oaks Rascal
Hall of Fame
His Paternal Grandfather
2xNAFC 3xCNFC FC River Oaks Corky
Hall of Fame
His Maternal Grandfather
NFC 2xNAFC Super Chief
Hall of Fame
By the way, for those of you who know I’m fascinated with the DUAL CHAMPIONS, here’s who shows up just a bit farther back in Mouse’s pedigree.
- Martens Mister Nifty was a great grandson (and great great grandson) of Can DUAL CH Coastal Charger of Deer Creek.
- Don’s Ginny Soo was a granddaughter of DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious (by 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden).
- Random Shot was sired by DUAL CH AFC Alpine Cherokee Rocket (by DUAL CH Cherokee Buck by DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious by 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden).
- Paha-Sapa Chief was a grandson of DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious (by 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden).
- Ironwood Cherokee Chica was sired by DUAL CH Cherokee Buck (by DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious by 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden). And she was out of a granddaughter of Can DUAL CH Coastal Charger of Deer Creek.
- Marten’s Little Smoky was a great grandson of DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious.
- Shamrock Acres Starlight was a grand daughter of DUAL CH Dela-Winn’s Tar of Craignook (a little known DC).
Although not a DUAL CH, Duxbak Scooter’s grandmother was Eng Can CH Sandylands Jilly who is also an ancestor of Ebonstar Lean Mac (among others).
HIS OFFSPRING
- FC AFC Hellda Dolly (ex Ishtar’s Raider)
- AFC Kizzie of Southern Comfort (ex Agassiz Shores Coli-Ann CD)
- AFC CAFC Minnie Mouse (ex Belmars Black Castle) When Minnie was bred to AFC Westwinds Pedro, they produced CNFC CNAFC FC AFC The Marathon Man (Hall of Fame).
Mouse’s line continues through yet another daughter, BJ’s Crystal Light Brigade (out of BJ’s Dawn of Early Morning, a show-bred bitch of mostly Shamrock Acres breeding). And their daughter, Floodbay’s Caramel Crystal WCX (by FC AFC CNAFC CFC Gunstock’s Caramel Crunch) and their daughter, Clubmead’s Dark Crystal JH (by FC AFC CFC CAFC DB’s Cracker of Club Mead). Dark Crystal, better known as “Raven,” was a dog I owned. When bred to BISS Am Mex CH GMHR Cook’s Midnight Bandit MH, she produced Justamere Canis Major JH and Justamere Catalyst RA CGC CC. Many more dogs descend from these two littermates.
Another link to Mouse is through his 3/4 brother, FC AFC Canis Major’s River Bear. Bear was also sired by Rascal and out of a daughter of Super Chief. In turn, he was the sire of FC AFC River Oaks Way-Da-Go Rocky who figured prominently in our early dogs, including Arwen, Tory and Cotti, through his daughter Dee.
FC AFC CFC CAFC Candlewoods Mad Mouse
Yellow Labrador male
Breeder: Mary Howley (Candlewood)
Owner: Charlie and Yvonne Hays
Born: Dec 25, 1973
Died: Oct 1984
Registration: SB538973
What makes a great dog? Is it genetics? Is it the way he’s raised? Is it due to training? Is it due to handling? Or is it all of the above? NFC 2xNAFC Super Chief would probably say all of the above.
SUPER CHIEF’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
Born in 1962, Soupy was given to August “Augie” Belmont IV by his breeder because a previous dog from the breeder had turned out unsound. The Belmonts raised Soupy on Long Island until he was six months old.
Training Greatness
At that time, Soupy was old enough to begin serious training, so Augie flew him to Rex Carr in California. Carr is called “the father of modern retriever training.”
To be trained by a legend would definitely help a dog achieve greatness.
Handling Expertise
Rex Carr often trained the owners to handle their own dogs – a task that’s probably more difficult than training the dogs. It must have worked though as Augie and his wife, Louise, handled Soupy to many field trial wins. Starting with five Derby wins by 19 months, Soupy won 40 Derby points, 112 Amateur points and 242 Open points. He also won the 1967 and 1968 National Amateur Retriever championship plus the 1968 National Retriever championship.
Soupy had a good trainer and good handlers.
Superb Genetics
What about genetics? His parents were both grandchildren of DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious. Precocious was sired by 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden out of Huron’s Lady – a mixture of show, field and dual champions.
Add in two crosses each to:
- Am Eng FC Hiwood Mike
- DUAL CH CFC Little Pierre of Deer Creek
- NFC AFC Marvadel Black Gum
- Can DUAL CH Coastal Charger of Deer Creek
Plus NFC AFC CFC Cork of Oakwood Lane and NFC Tar of Arden.
Plus more Dual Champions – DUAL CH Cherokee Buck and DUAL CH NFC CFC Bracken’s Sweep.
Plus a line that includes dogs from the Sandylands show kennel through FC The Spider of Kingswere.
| FC AFC Paha-Sapa Chief II | FC Freehaven Muscles | DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious |
| Grangemead Sharon | ||
| Treasure State Bewise *** | FC The Spider of Kingswere | |
| FC Deer Creek’s Bewise | ||
| Ironwood Cherokee Chica | DUAL CH Cherokee Buck | DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious |
| Grangemead Sharon | ||
| Glen-Water Fantom | NFC AFC CFC Cork of Oakwood Lane | |
| Little Peggy Black Gum |
Click to see his 5-generation pedigree.
DESCENDANTS
Soupy was bred to a variety of bitches, some with field breeding, but also to some with show breeding. Between his pedigree and his offspring, I’d say he also had good genetics.
Some of his offspring include:
* DUAL CH Shamrock Acres Super Drive
Sire of Am Mex CH Gunfield’s Super Charger CD WC who did much to improve chocolates
* DUAL CH Royal Oaks Jill of Burgundy 2005 Hall of Fame
* NFC NAFC 2xCNFC Wanapum Darts Dandy 1992 Hall of Fame
* FC AFC Air Express
Sire of many field champions, including FC AFC Itchin’ To Go, CNFC FC Overland Express, FC AFC CFC Trieven Thunderhead, FC AFC CFC CAFC Wanapum Super Sioux, NAFC FC Winsom Cargo and DUAL CH AFC Trumarc’s Triple Threat
* FC AFC Candlewood’s Nellie B Good
Granddam of FC AFC Wilderness Harley To Go 2003 Hall of Fame and FC AFC Candlewoods M D Houston 1996 Hall of Fame
* NFC FC AFC Euroclydon (pronounced u-roc-li-don)
1993 Hall of Fame and dam of NFC FC AFC Orion’s Sky 1994 Hall of Fame
* FC Candlewood’s Super Deal
Grandsire of 3xNFC FC AFC Candlewood’s Tanks A Lot
* Super Powder QAA
Sire of NFC AFC FTCH Risky Business Ruby 1993 Hall of Fame and FC AFC Volwood’s Ruff And Reddy 2000 Hall of Fame plus grandsire of FC AFC Code Blue 2000 Hall of Fame and FC AFC CNFC CAFC Chena River No Surprise 2004 Hall of Fame
* Shamrock Acres Juego de Azar
Granddam of FC AFC River Oaks Way-Da-Go Rocky who was the sire of our Knight’s Tail Dehlia.
* Shamrock Acres Super Sioux
Dam of FC AFC Raider’s Piper Cub
* Sirion’s Super Snooper
Dam of CFC Rascal’s Super Spud who sired CNFC CNAFC Waldorf’s High Tech who sired 2xNAFC 2xCNAFC FC CFC Ebonstar Lean Mac
* Paha Sapa Greta
Dam of FC AFC Ironwood Tarnation 1995 Hall of Fame
* Cup A Soup
Dam of NFC AFC CFC CAFC Yankee Independence
* FC Shamrock Acres Super Value 1998 Hall of Fame
* Shamrock Acres Duck Soup
Dam of FC AFC CFC CAFC Candlewoods Mad Mouse 1994 Hall of Fame
* FC Wanapum Sheba
Dam of NAFC FC Kannonball Kate 1992 Hall of Fame
And several more titled offspring.
Is Soupy in our pedigrees? Yes, many times.
- Chip and all of his descendants trace to him through DUAL CH Shamrock Acres Super Drive (12 times!) and CH Gunfields Super Charger CD, DUAL CH Trumarc’s Triple Threat, FC AFC Air Express, FC AFC CFC Trieven Thunderhead, FC AFC Candlewood’s Nellie Be Good, CH K’s Jetta of Someday, AFC Shamrock Acres Whiskey Jake
- Dee and her descendants trace to him through FC AFC Canis Major’s River Bear
- Cat and her descendants trace to him through 2xNAFC 2xCNAFC FC CFC Ebonstar Lean Mac, CNFC CNAFC FC AFC The Marathon Man, FC AFC CFC CAFC Candlewoods Mad Mouse (twice) and NFC FC AFC Westwind Supernova Chief
By the way, if you follow horse racing you’ll recognize the family name. Although Augie also owned race horses, he was not as active as his grandfather, August Belmont II, or great grandfather, August Belmont, who founded Belmont Park and for whom the Triple Crown race was named.
“Shed of Arden’s qualities were of the highest: he epitomized an ideal. …By those who are knowledgeable, he was considered to have embodied the greatest qualities a Retriever can possess in equal parts: looks, performance, and the priceless gift to transmit these from generation to generation.”
~ Helen Warwick, Lockerbie
SHED OF ARDEN’S STORY
3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden is one of the best known Labrador Retrievers in history, but what do we know about him and his family?
Shed was born in 1939 and bred by William Averell Harriman, Arden kennels.
There’s a story that his siblings were all named for fish and that he was supposed to be Shad of Arden. Due to a clerical error he became Shed instead.
Paul Bakewell III of Deer Creek Kennels bought Shed from Arden Kennels on a trial basis. I wonder how long he waited before deciding to keep him.
First National Championship
As a 3-year-old, Shed won his first National Championship handled by Lt. Bakewell who was on leave from the Navy Air Corps.
Madison, Wisconsin hosted the National on December 4-6, 1942. The weather was as expected for Wisconsin in winter. “The Yahara River and adjoining marshes which ordinarily afforded everything desired for water tests were frozen solid, the first time in 40 years. This necessitated moving the water tests to the University of Wisconsin property along the shores of Lake Mendota. Heavy ice floes made it dangerous for dogs to get into the water. Several refused to enter, others only after repeated commands. …
“Even the land presented problems. Many falls were buried in deep snow. It was a rugged trial for dogs, judges and trial personnel.” The National Retriever Field Club, 1941-1960
Eighteen dogs started, but only five finished, including two owned by Bakewell – Shed and a Golden, FC Stilrovin Super Speed. The other finishers were FC Hiwood Mike, Patricia of Roedare, and Seaborne’s Black Prince.
At the time of the stake, Shed had already finished his field and show/bench championships making him a Dual Champion.
Second National Championship
Shed won the National Championship again the next year. He was handled by CH Wallace because Lt. Bakewell couldn’t get leave.
This time Bourbon, Missouri hosted the stake on December 3-5, 1943. Twenty dogs started – 15 Labs and five Golden Retrievers. It took 12 series to determine the winner between two dogs – Shed and a Golden named FC Stilrovin Super Speed. Both dogs were owned by Lt. Bakewell.
Pictured: Mrs. Bakewell with Shed and handler CH Wallace.
Third National Championship
World War II ended in 1945 after Germany surrendered in May and Japan surrendered in September. In November, Shed and Bakewell were back to compete in the National Championship. This time it was held at Shelter Island, Long Island, New York which meant a daily ferry ride from Riverhead. The stake was held November 30-December 2, 1945. Although Shed finished the stake, the judges awarded the win to Black Magic of Audlon.
Fourth National Championship
In 1946, Shed reclaimed his crown. The National Championship was held at Crab Orchard Lake, Herrin, Illinois on December 6-8. The grounds were good, as was the weather. Herrin is located in a coal mining area and, at the time of the National, the mines were on strike. “… the gallery was augmented by many hundred miners who came to see the event. Some estimated the gallery at 10,000. Traffic presented a bit of a problem.” The National Retriever Field Club, 1941-1960
Twenty dogs started the stake and eight finished, including several handled by amateurs.
Pictured: Paul Bakewell accepting the championship trophy for Shed’s third win.
In the final series, Shed, now seven years old, faced off against three tough competitors. They were his kennel mate, Dual Champion Little Pierre of Deer Creek, plus FC Scoronine of Deer Creek, and a Golden retriever named Stilrovin Nitro Express.
“Scoronine led the field until the last day, then refused to plunge into the 45° water. (Shed had won his first U.S. championship on a day that was 16° below. ) Now it was Shed’s turn.
“In the toughest test, he had to find two dead ducks which had been planted among the rushes across a 150-foot-wide bay. Shed waited calmly at the water’s edge until he got the signal from Bakewell. Then he plunged bravely into chilly Crab Orchard Lake, but not with his old zip.
“… One-third of the way across, Shed’s black head turned at a whistle from Bakewell to get directions. He entered the cattails just six feet from where the mallard was hidden, sniffed for a second, found his bird. A few minutes later, Shed did it again, and won his third U.S. championship.” Time magazine, “Sport: An Old Dog’s Day”, Dec. 23, 1946
Fifth National Championship
Shed ran the National Championship one more time. The 1947 National was again held at Crab Orchard Lake, Herrin, Illinois. The weather was good with only occasional light rain. Twenty one dogs started, but only four dogs finished. These dogs completed the tenth – and the eleventh – and the twelfth series. The final series was completed in near darkness.
These dogs were:
FC Black Panther, owned by CW Carlson
FC Black Roland of Koshkonong, owned by Wesley Jung
FC Bracken’s Sweep, owned by DE Pomeroy
DUAL CH & 1942 , 1943, 1946 NATL CH Shed of Arden, owned by Paul Bakewell
Bracken’s Sweep, handled by TW “Cotton” Pershall, was crowned the winner.
During his career, Shed earned both US and Canadian Field Championships and a US show championship which qualified him as a DUAL champion. He also ran in five national field championships – winning three times and finishing as a finalist the other two times. At one point his owner turned down an offer to buy him for $10,000 (equivalent of about $150,000 today).
SHED’S FAMILY
Shed’s Pedigree:
| CH Raffles of Earlsmoor | Eng CCW Thatch of Whitmore | Eng DUAL CH Titus of Whitmore |
| Tee of Whitmore | ||
| Eng CCW Task of Whitmore | Eng FTW Toi of Whitmore | |
| Eng CH Teazle of Whitmore | ||
| FC Decoy of Arden | Eng FTW Odds On | Eng FTW The Favorite |
| Jest | ||
| Eng FTW Peggy of Shipton | Ronald of Candahar | |
| Gehta of Sigeforda |
Some of Shed’s full siblings included:
- CH Earlsmoor Moor of Arden
- CH Earlsmoor Marlin of Arden
- DUAL CH Gorse of Arden
- DUAL CH Braes of Arden
- CH Bass of Arden
Half siblings included:
- FC Gun of Arden – the grandsire of 2xNFC Spirit Lake Duke and great grandsire of DUAL CH CFC Ridgewood Playboy and CH Whygin Gentle Julia Of Avec
- Marvadel Cinders – the dam of Can DUAL CH Coastal Charger of Deer Creek and NFC AFC Marvadel Black Gum
Shed’s uncle, FC Blind of Arden (Eng FTW Odds On x Eng FTW Peggy of Shipton), won what was called the “No. 1 U.S. retriever stake of the year” in November 1938. The following month he was featured on the cover of Life magazine.
Little Pierre
Shed also had a cousin, DUAL CH CFC Little Pierre of Deer Creek, who shared a maternal grandmother, Eng FTW Peggy of Shipton.
Pierre’s Pedigree:
| Eng FTCH Am FC Hiwood Mike | Eng FTW Pettistree Dan | Eng DUAL CH Banchory Painter |
| Eng FTCH Quest of Wilbury | ||
| Pettistree Poppet | Eng Ftw Cedars Michael | |
| Cransford Flapper | ||
| NFC Tar of Arden | Hiwood Risk | Hiwood D’Arcy |
| Eng FTCH Hiwood Chance | ||
| Eng FTW Peggy of Shipton | Ronald of Candahar | |
| Gehta of Sigeforda |
Little Pierre was bred and owned by Paul Bakewell III. Like Shed, Little Pierre earned both a field and a show championship which qualified him as a DUAL champion. He also earned a Canadian field championship and qualified for five national field championships and was a finalist in 1946 and 1948. Unfortunately he died young after being poisoned.
He left behind quite a legacy as the sire (and grandsire) of DUAL CH AFC Matchmaker for Deer Creek and sire of Can DUAL CH Coastal Charger of Deer Creek, FC Mary-Go-Round Deer Creek and CH St Jones Blackie QAA (just a few points short of AFC).
MORE RECENT FAMILY CONNECTIONS
You might be wondering where these dogs show up in modern pedigrees. Let’s take a look at FC 2xNAFC 3xCNFC River Oaks Corky.
Corky’s Pedigree:
| FC Martens Mister Nifty | Royal of Garfield | FC Roy’s Rowdy (click for more below) |
| Pierre’s Kit of Garfield | ||
| Martens Black Badger | NFC AFC CFC Cork of Oakwood Lane (click for more below) | |
| FC Martens Little Bullet | ||
| Don’s Ginny Soo | Don-El’s Doo Lee (click for more below) | Black Gum Gus |
| Don-Els Tor Chee | ||
| Beauty wood’s Creole Jane (click for more below) | DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious | |
| FC Gilmore’s Peggy |
Click for extended pedigree. There’s also a link to a 5-generation pedigree on that page.
If you check the pedigree for Roy’s Rowdy (below), you’ll find both Shed and Little Pierre, plus Marvadel Cinders who was a half sister to Shed (both sired by Raffles of Earlsmoor) and Shed’s DUAL CH son, Grangemead Precocious.
| NFC AFC CFC Cork of Oakwood Lane | Can DUAL CH Coastal Charger of Deer Creek | DUAL CH CFC Little Pierre of Deer Creek |
| Marvadel Cinders | ||
| Akona Liza Jane of Kingdale | NFC DUAL CH CFC Bracken Sweep | |
| Kingdale’s Belle | ||
| Beauty wood’s Creole Jane | DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious | 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden |
| Huron’s Lady | ||
| FC Gilmore’s Peggy | Montahome Don of Arden | |
| Betty of Blake |
Roy’s Rowdy was bred to Pierre’s Kit of Garfield who was a great granddaughter of Shed on her father’s side and a great granddaughter of Little Pierre on her mother’s side.
So Rowdy’s son, Royal of Garfield, has 2 crosses each to Shed and Little Pierre, plus a cross to Shed’s half sister.
So far:
- Shed of Arden = 2 crosses
- Little Pierre of Deer Creek = 2 crosses
- Shed’s half sister = 1 cross
Royal of Garfield was bred to Martens Black Badger, a daughter of Cork of Oakwood Lane. And guess what? Cork brings in another cross to Little Pierre through Coastal Charger of Deer Creek, plus a cross to Shed’s half sister, Marvadel Cinders.
| Can DUAL CH Coastal Charger of Deer Creek | DUAL CH CFC Little Pierre of Deer Creek | FC Hiwood Mike |
| FC Tar of Arden | ||
| Marvadel Cinders | CH Raffles of Earlsmoor | |
| Marvadel Topsey | ||
| Anoka Liza Jane of Kingsdale | DUAL CH Bracken’s Sweep | Glenhead Sweep |
| CFC Bracken of Timbertown | ||
| Kingdale’s Belle | Tar of York | |
| Jet of Runymeade |
Cork of Oakwood Lane was bred to Martens Little Bullet who was a great granddaughter of Little Pierre on her father’s side and a great granddaughter of Shed on her mother’s side.
Keeping track so far, Royal of Garfield, has two crosses each to Shed and Little Pierre, plus a cross to Shed’s half sister (Marvadel Cinders). Martens Black Badger has one cross each to Little Pierre and to Shed.
So far (Royal of Garfield PLUS Martens Black Badger):
- Shed of Arden = 3 crosses
- Little Pierre of Deer Creek = 3 crosses
- Shed’s half sister = 1 cross
Now let’s look at River Oaks Corky’s mother’s pedigree.
Don’s Ginny Soo’s paternal grandfather, Black Gum Gus, had two crosses to Little Pierre (through Stonegate’s Captain and Comay Classey Chassis) plus a cross to Shed’s half sister (Marvadel Cinders) through Marvadel Black Gum. And her paternal grandmother, Don-Els Tor Chee, was a granddaughter of Cork of Oakwood Lane (who had both Little Pierre and Shed’s half sister in his pedigree) and she was a granddaughter of Shed’s half brother, FC Gun of Arden.
Don-El’s Doo Lee pedigree:
| Black Gum Gus | Stonegate’s Captain | DUAL CH CFC Little Pierre of Deer Creek |
| Stonegate’s Wasp | ||
| Little Peggy Black Gum | NFC AFC Marvadel Black Gum | |
| Comay Classey Chassis | ||
| Don-Els Tor Chee | Smudge of Prairie Creek Farm | FC Gun of Arden |
| Blackhawk Queen Susan | ||
| Del-Tone Bambi | NFC AFC CFC Cork of Oakwood Land | |
| Del-Tone Bridget |
So Corky’s maternal grandfather, Don-El’s Doo Lee, had three crosses to Little Pierre plus two crosses to Shed’s half sister, Marvadel Cinders, and one cross to Shed’s half brother, Gun of Arden.
So far (Royal of Garfield PLUS Martens Black Badger PLUS Don-El’s Doo Lee):
- Shed of Arden = 3 crosses
- Little Pierre of Deer Creek = 6 crosses
- Shed’s half sister = 3 crosses
- Shed’s half brother = 1 cross
One more grandparent to check and I’ll bet you know what we’ll find!
Beautywood’s Creole Jane was sired by Shed’s son, Dual CH Grangemead Precocious. Her mother, Gilmore’s Peggy, was a granddaughter of Shed and a granddaughter of Shed’s brother, Earlsmoor Moor of Arden.
Beautywood’s Creole Jane pedigree:
| DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious | 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden | CH Raffles of Earlsmoor |
| FC Decoy of Arden | ||
| Huron’s Lady | Am Eng CH Banchory Trump of Wingan | |
| CH Bancstone Lorna of Wingan | ||
| FC Gilmore’s Peggy | Montahome Don of Arden | 3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden |
| Nell of Barrington | ||
| Betty of Blake | CH Earlsmoor Moor of Arden | |
| Bright of Blake |
So Corky’s mother, Don’s Ginny Soo, had three crosses to Little Pierre, plus two crosses to Shed’s half siblings through her father Don-El’s Doo Lee. Ginny Soo also had two crosses to Shed and one cross to Shed’s full brother, Earlsmoor Moor of Arden, through Beautywood’s Creole Jane.
All four of River Oaks Corky’s grandparents descended from Shed and/or Little Pierre plus Shed’s siblings.
Final count (Royal of Garfield PLUS Martens Black Badger PLUS Don-El’s Doo Lee PLUS Beautywood’s Creole Jane):
- Shed of Arden = 5 crosses
- Little Pierre of Deer Creek = 6 crosses
- Shed’s half sister = 3 crosses
- Shed’s half brother = 2 crosses
Granted these crosses to Shed and Little Pierre are back a bit even in Corky’s bloodline, but when you stack a pedigree with quality dogs who are related you’re apt to see those same qualities continue through generations.
We’re happy to see Shed of Arden shows up in Chip’s pedigree at least nine times and Shed’s cousin, Little Pierre of Deer Creek, shows up at least seven times. And Dee comes by her loveliness with at least 43 crosses to Shed and 48 crosses to Little Pierre.
If you’d like to learn more about how breeders can structure pedigrees to keep the genetics of great dogs, you should read Patricia Trotter’s book, Born to Win Breed to Succeed. Although she’s best known for her success with Norwegian Elkhounds, her knowledge of structuring pedigrees can be applied to any breed.
River Oaks Corky’s Descendants
To give you an idea of the strength in these pedigrees, here are some of Corky’s descendants. Imagine the list if we took it a few generations farther or started with Shed or Little Pierre.
DUAL AFC Hiwood Shadow
NAFC FC River Oaks Rascal
NFC NAFC Candlewood’s Super Tanker
NFC AFC CFC PP’S Lucky Super Toby
AFC Black Gold’s Candlewood Kate
FC AFC Wilderness Harley To Go
FC AFC MD Candlewoods Houston
FC AFC Black Gold’s Kates Rascal
FC AFC Les Coup de Grace TD
FC AFC CFC CAFC Candlewoods Mad Mouse
FC AFC Canis Major’s River Bear
FC AFC River Oaks Way-Da-Go Rocky – sire of our Dee
Candlewoods Nifty Nick QAA
FC AFC Mon Tour de Force
FC AFC Big Lost River Mike
FC AFC Corky’s Ramblin Riley
FC AFC Shot Gun Willie VII
FC AFC Chica Chica Boom Boom
FC AFC CFC Rascal’s Medicine Man
FC AFC CFC Express Charger
FC AFC CFC Hillock’s Spice
AFC Wineglass Kuku Koko
FC AFC Toby of Southern Comfort
FC AFC Star Lab’s Lucky Strike
FC AFC Candlwood’s Zackley Right
FC AFC Candlewoods Travelin’ Man
AFC Sumac’s Corinne E
FC AFC Sumac’s Alyce Rae
FC AFC Sumac’s Elvira
FC AFC Jigger of Glenfiddich
FC AFC River Oaks Black Bingo
FC AFC River Oaks Di Di
FC AFC River Oaks Twiggy Tou
FC AFC Penny Oaks Flint
FC AFC Ripple River
AFC Suncrest Super Streak
FC AFC Bry-Bry’s Charger
FC AFC Utopian High Plains Drifter
FC Blackguard’s Magician
FC AFC SAS
FC AFC Burgundys’ Super Rookie
FC AFC Rookie’s RBI MH
AFC My Angus
FC AFC Brush Creek’s Jessie
Lakenheath’s Zero Gravity
FC AFC Gandalf The Golden
FC AFC Rocky Mountain Star II
FC AFC Moon’s Carolina Cajun
FC AFC CFC Rascal’s Medicine Man
FC Candlewoods Bad Company
FC AFC Krugerrand
AFC REO Speedwaggin
FC AFC Candlewoods Flash Back
FC AFC Donnybrook’s St Jude
FC AFC Trumarc’s Monster Malone
AFC Kizzie of Southern Comfort
AFC CAFC Minnie Mouse
BJ’s Crystal Light Brigade – grandmother of our Raven
FC AFC Hellda Dolly
AFC Sasse-Ville Sambo
FC Lakeview’s Magic Marker
FC AFC Sasse-ville Toro
FC AFC Shamrock Acres Whiskey Jake
FC AFC CFC CAFC Ironwood Peggy
FC AFC River Oaks Black Bingo
AFC River Oaks Roscoe
AFC Hilltop’s Blackjack
AFC Streak of Sunkist
AFC Powder Keg Meg
FC Sierra Vistas Con Mucho Gusto
FC Lone Hickorys Last Chance
FC Starlab’s She’s Areal Dandy-SAS
Out of curiosity, I looked into the pedigree of 2xNAFC 2xCNAFC FC CFC Ebonstar Lean Mac who was probably the most influential field Labrador Retriever in recent history.
Why was he so influential?
He earned a Field Championship (FC) and an Amateur Field Championship (AFC) in BOTH the US and Canada.
He also won the National Amateur Field Championship (NAFC) twice and he won the Canadian National Amateur Field Championship (CNAFC) twice. (Learn more about title abbreviations here.)
And he produced many dogs who earned hunt test titles, field championships and won more national championships.
But today we’re going to look at some of his ancestors. So who does he descend from?
Here’s his 3-generation pedigree:
| CNFC CNAFC Waldorf’s High Tech | CFC Rascal’s Super Spud | NAFC FC Ray’s Rascal |
| Sirion’s Super Snooper | ||
| Itch’s Flying Tiger | FC AFC Itchin’ To Go | |
| Thor’s Tiger Lillie | ||
| Ebonaceae Princess WCX QAA | Trieven El Conquistador | FC AFC CFC Trieven Thunderhead |
| Trieven High Speed | ||
| Skookum’s Sky Raider | CFC CAFC Virdon’s Tuktoyaktuk | |
| Wilkie’s Cinderella Liberty |
It’s when you go back further that you find ancestors some people might find surprising –
3xNFC CFC DUAL CH Shed of Arden (19)
DUAL CH Matchmaker for Deer Creek (4) – and his sire and grandsire:
DUAL CH CFC Little Pierre of Deer Creek (15)
Am Eng CH Banchory Trump of Wingan (4)
DUAL CH Cherokee Buck (6) – and his sire:
DUAL CH Grangemead Precocious (12)
Can DUAL CH Coastal Charger of Deer Creek (16) (another son of Little Pierre)
NFC DUAL CH CFC Bracken Sweep (8)
CH Whygin Poppitt (3)
Can DUAL CH Dart of Netley Creek (3)
FTCH CAN DUAL CH Treveilyr Swift (1)
Eng Can CH Sandylands Jilly (1)
DUAL CH CFC Ridgewood Playboy (1)
DUAL CH AFC Hello Joe of Rocheltree (1)
CNFC CAN DUAL CH AFC Stormy Of Spirit Lake Gal (1)
ENG DUAL CH Staindrop Saighdear (1)
CAN DUAL CH CAFC Netley Creek’s Black Drake (1)
(The numbers following the names are the number of times that dog shows up in his 10 generation pedigree.)
Maxx is very well known in the field trial and hunt test communities, but many people don’t realize how many SHOW DOGS are in his pedigree.
To be fair, many of these dogs lived during a time when Labs competed in both field trials and dog shows and could earn championships in both. There hasn’t been a DUAL CHAMPION Labrador since the 1980s though.
There are also numerous FC, AFC, NFC and NAFC dogs, such as NFC 2xNAFC Super Chief, NAFC FC CFC Guy’s Bitterroot Lucky, NFC AFC Massie’s Sassy Boots, Eng IGL CH FTCH Glenhead Zuider, NFC AFC CFC Cork of Oakwood Lane, NAFC FC Ray’s Rascal, NFC AFC Marvadel Black Gum.
I had two of Maxx’s granddaughters, including Clubmead’s Dark Crystal, and many of my current dogs descend from her. While her pedigree has several American and Canadian FC and AFCs, plus a healthy dose of National Field Champions, if you follow her maternal line you’ll find some show dogs in her pedigree too. One top dog – AM CAN CH Shamrock Acres Light Brigade – shows up three times. By the way, CH Whygin Poppitt, who shows up in Maxx’s pedigree, is also the grandsire of Light Brigade.
It wasn’t that long ago Labradors came from one gene pool. There weren’t “American” Labs or “English” Labs, they were all just Labrador Retrievers.
Does that make you stop and think about recent breeding choices?
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