The Beginning

In 1957 we were living in a farm cottage in Lincolnshire. Dick worked as a cowman on the farm and we had one baby girl called Lynne and another on the way. Not the time to be thinking of buying a puppy, but the head never has ruled the heart. Answering an advert in "Exchange & Mart", we bought our first Rough Collie.

The puppy was to be sent from Scotland to the nearest railway station, which was Alford, and there, being no public transport to speak of, we walked the three miles pushing the Silver Cross pram, which came in very handy on the return journey because the puppy was only a baby.

It was a disappointment when we got the puppy out of the tea-chest, because it was a tri-colour and not the sable we were expecting.

Mac, as we called him, was of Beulah breeding and was to prove a nuisance on the farm, especially when I went into hospital to have our new baby, but we didn't stay at the farm for much longer, and it was with happiness that we sat in the back of the furniture van with new baby Jayne, and of course, Mac, and headed back to civilisation. Back to running hot and cold water, flushing toilets, baths and buses every few minutes.

A Better Start

The first home of our own was a terraced bungalow with front garden and back yard. Not the best beginning for a show kennel, but it was whilst living there that we read an advertisement in the dog press for a young, adult sable bitch, from the Kinreen Kennel, and, with the aid of my father, who had a car, we dashed down to the Kinreen home and bought our first bitch. Sugar, or Katherine of Kinreen, was by Ch. Legend of Ladypark, and certainly did not have the temperament for showing, but she did produce our first litter, in a cupboard by the fire.

Various dogs followed, and we rented a near-by allotment, which proved disappointing, but it was at this time that we overheard a conversation at a show at Seaburn, about a house for sale, and we couldn't wait for judging to finish before hurrying off to investigate.

The old Vicarage, at Bowburn, was what most dog people would love, with tennis court, beautiful gardens and imposing stone house. The library had book shelves from floor to ceiling, the bathroom was palatial. At £2,700 (a lot of money when a weekly wage was only £8), the property was too much for us, but it sowed the seed of an idea. As most of the land in County Durham was owned either by the Church or National Coal Board (N.C.B.), we wrote off to both, and eventually bought Old, Hall, Hutton Henry.

The attraction of the house was not the house itself, but the half acre of walled garden, with an old stable that was converted to eight compartments. The house was very spacious, the village green and Primary School were opposite, and it was just the place to bring up our family, which had grown to five.

I suppose we would be there still, but we were both working, and with a little (only a little) more affluence we began to look for something better.
RIXOWN, SHERATON

The Hind's House, as it was known locally, was a very dilapidated farmhouse, the vandals and thieves had been at work, and all plumbing and electric's had been ripped out. However, nothing daunted, we scraped the cash together and bought the property outright and we have lived there for the past twenty-five years.
There is about half an acre of land, which was once the farm yard and the buildings were used to fatten cattle. Much work had to be done to make the kennels, but most of this has been completed.

After a year on the premises, we decided to try boarding for a living, and I left my job and soon was spending half the day clipping and grooming all breeds and the other half looking after dog and cat boarders, and of course, our own dogs. We carried this on for seventeen years, and when Dick retired from his teaching job, we closed down the business and settled for taking it easy ! (I jest ).

EARLY INFLUENCES

Without a doubt it was the film, "Lassie Come Home", which gave us our love of Collies, but when you look at re-runs of the film today, you can't help comparing the type with today's dogs. Of course, the film star, Lassie, was really a dog, and American, but it makes you think.

Tom Purvis was the most powerful influence to us, and we still refer to anecdotes of his. He knew not only dogs, but also people, and didn't suffer fools gladly. His dogs in the early days were kept on an allotment and consisted not only of Rough and Smooth Collies, but Shelties, Whippets and an assortment of others. I suppose there must have been 40-50 altogether. He was connected with a few dog Societies including, Darlington Championship Show Society, and was, of course, the leading light in the Northumberland and Durham Collie Club.

Phil Prudhoe (Ryhope) was a more reserved character, with not the driving ambition of Tom, but still a force to be reckoned with on the dog scene in the Durham area. His dogs were kennelled on an allotment at Ryhope, near Sunderland, and his kennel was a converted pre-fab, and it was immaculate. His dogs in the early years were mostly of Glenriver breeding, which went back to Ch. Gunner of Mariemeau and were mostly dark shaded sables. In later years, Sandiacre breeding was added. He also had successful Shelties.

Secretary of the Northumberland and Durham Collie Club for many years, was Mary Tweddle, (Arcot), a lady who couldn't have been more kind, and meals at her house were fit for royalty. Her kennels were also on an allotment, which also housed quite a few Arcot Shelties.
SHOW SUCCESSES

Possibly the first Champion Collie bearing the Rixown Affix (begun in 1961) was a bitch, which Tom Purvis bought from us to accompany a dog he was sending to America. We were told that she became an American Champion but we have no way of substantiating this.

Rixown Ramsam was the first real winner of anything notable, gaining one Reserve C.C. whilst his younger brother, Rixown Star Award won two Reserve C.C.'s.

It was, while taking a bitch to be mated to Ch. Fourjoys Blue Danny, that our eye was caught by a nine months old tri-colour dog puppy, which we bought. He was our first C.C. winner and eventually became Ch. Fourjoys Black Regal of Rixown.

Ch. Fourjoys Black Regal of Rixown
At Darlington, in the early 70's a tri-colour dog puppy, a son of Ch. Royal Ace of Rokeby, came on the scene. He was very attractive and filled his bench. We approached the owners to buy him but were rebuffed. Five years later, we were asked if we were still interested and a sale was transacted. Ch. Baronstar Black Diamond was made up within seven shows and in all, he won 6 C.C.'s and 6 Reserve C.C.'s.

Ch. Rixown Ravella was a late developer and had to take a back seat as a youngster, because her sister was such a reliable shower. Ravella also won 3 Reserve C.C.'s.

Answering an advert from the Arranbrook Kennels, we were fortunate to buy the lovely puppy that was to become Ch. Arranbrook Sugar 'N' Spice at Rixown. She won Best In Show (BIS) at two Breed Club Open Shows as a puppy, and was a joy to own. As an adult, she won 6 C.C.'s and 6 Reserve C.C.'s, including Best of Breed (BOB) at Crufts in 1983.
Both Ch. Pied Piper of Aberhill at Rixown and Ch. Heighinglea Black Knight of Rixown came to us as young adults, and although we had moderate success with both, we just could not get enough body on them to win in top competition. It was just a case of the way of life and management didn't suit them, and no one was more pleased than us when they made up for new owners, Mrs. Hassock and Mr. Walton.

At one time we owned a nondescript little blue merle bitch, Sea Dreamer. We let her go on breeding terms and used Black Regal. None of the pups were of show quality and when she came in season again, we advised the owners to use Tom Purvis' Danvis Jefsfire Johnnie Walker.

Ch. Rixown Ravella
The resulting litter produced two of the most famous blue merles of One long-serving Club Secretary remarked to us that anyone could buy Champions. To some extent this may have some truth, providing you have a pocketful of money and are prepared to make a lot of mistakes. The trick is to have the eye for a good prospect, buy it at a bargain price, and hope for a large piece of luck.

Ch. Arranbrook Sugar N' Spice at Rixown
Other breeds have had a place here at various times. German Shepherds, Smooth Collies, Shelties and Cairns have taken our interest. We attend local Shepherd shows at every opportunity and an old Cairn Terrier still keeps single Collie pups company.

Rixown Janetta
MANAGEMENT

The dogs are let out every day at around 07.45 a.m., dogs and bitches kept strictly separate, and stay out for three hours, when they are fed in their individual kennels, and we have an early lunch. The rest of the day is, therefore, available to use at will. We sometimes go out for 2-3 hours, but are not keen on leaving the premises unattended for too long. Afternoons are also used for dog walking, etc., and at about 3 p.m. the dogs are let out for a gallop before being kennelled for the rest of the day. On wet days we are fortunate that the inside covered area is sufficiently spacious to allow all bitches to be loose together, but the dogs need a bit more watching. We don't think there is a right and wrong way to manage the feeding, etc., it's simply a matter of what suits you, personally.
Feeding has for many years been on the same basis. Mostly a flaked complete meal, plus minced tripe. Of course, other things are added. Nothing is wasted, whether it be bread crusts, vegetables or gravy. Bitches are usually whelped in the living room and at two weeks of age the family are moved to the whelping kennel outside.

Although we have no immediate neighbours, the dogs are kept quiet for our own peace of mind, but a radio plays in the kennel 24 hours a day and, together with the noise of the passing tractors and cars, the dogs are not usually bothered at noisy shows.

Thursday evening is dog ring-training classes time, and is a necessary part of the routine.

The kennels are all made of breeze blocks with wood and welded mesh fronts. None of the dogs can see each other while kennelled and, therefore, we don't get fighting between sections.

BREED CLUB



We are members of a few Collie Clubs, but the Northumberland and Durham has had a special place. Dick has been Auditor, Committee Member, Chairman and President and is now Life Vice-President. I have been Committee Member, Treasurer, and now also Life Vice-President. In addition, I was a founder Member of the North East of England Working & Pastoral Breeds Society and was Secretary and Treasurer for a number of years.

SHOWING TODAY

Occasionally, we manage to get to a show together, when one of the family "house-sits", but more often I travel alone.

Shows are becoming a rich man's sport, and unless some changes are made soon, I can see dog shows (as we have today) dying out. The situation regarding the Welsh Collie Club and The West of England Collie Society alternating Challenge Certificates is just plain daft. Both of these Societies can pull large entries, but the argument should not be about rotation, but which General All Breeds Society loses its C.C.'s. After all, the Breed Club shows are only half the entry fee, and besides, no one knows how the annual number of C.C.'s is arrived at. The UN-elected few at the Kennel Club have dictated for far too long.

Soft, fluffy coats in Collies are not a new problem. I remember Mrs. Coombes and Mrs. Chatfield drawing attention to it years ago, but why do they win? There's nothing easier to discern. One other favourite hate are the Collies presented with the collar hair brushed above the ears to give a false impression of a good reach of neck. Who was it that coined the phrase, "Elizabethan Ruff" ?

PRESENTATION

Presentation to me is of the utmost importance. A Collie, of whatever colour, well turned out with gleaming whites and body coat shining still gives me a thrill. What is the point of having a beautiful show dog if you haven't taken the trouble to show it off to its best advantage? I think to present a grubby exhibit to a Judge is unforgivable.

JUDGING

I judged my first Open Show in 1973 and my first Championship Show appointment was at Darlington in 1979. Co-incidentally, this was the show where we won our first C.C. in 1975. Since then, there have been many enjoyable days spent judging at all levels including a lovely weekend we spent doing the Swedish Collie Club Championship Show together. I judged dogs and Dick judged bitches and Smooth Collies.

Dick & Jill Oliver
"Rixown"
Strathmore, Durham Road, Wheatley Hill, Durham. DH6 3LJ
01429 824491
e-mail oliverrixown@btopenworld.com