| Hello from beautiful Weardale, where Bruce, I, and our wonderful menagerie of cats [Exotics & Persian[ and dogs live. Let me introduce you to our current show dogs and some of the older boys and girls too !!!!
We
have had a great time with Maddy, she is a natural showgirl, super temperament
and very glamorous too. She was shown from 9 months of age and dropped
her coat at 13 months and we were pleased to gain her Junior Warrant
in that time. Maddy was BIS at Ayrshire Collie open under A. Caplan
(Whitecraigs) 2007 Maddy has not been going to the shows alone, as a couple of months prior to buying her we finally found a dog puppy to show. He is called Teddy, Chantique Mad Affair at Alanita [Amalie Mild Affair ex Chantique Loopy Loo]. I always said I would never have another dog until I lost my old dog, Brett [Ch Sylcroft Sorcerer ex Pentuart Gold'n Delicious] we were very sad to finally part with him three weeks shy of his 16th birthday. Teddy started his show career very successfully and has had some super wins. These have included Best Puppy Dog at Ayrshire Collie Open and 1st Puppy Dog at Scottish Champ Show. However the highlight for Bruce must be when he decided to take him into a 117 strong Puppy Stakes class at Border Union and got down to the final 10....not bad for someone who has never handled a dog in the ring before!! He lost his coat relatively early [Teddy, not Bruce!] which meant he had a bit of a rest from showing.
Prior to buying Ted and Maddy I bred a litter in 2004 and have had on going fun with Alanita Sweet Jazzmine [Mallicot Music Man at Camanna ex Alanita Evening Primrose.]. She was the only surviving pup from the litter. She has qualified for Crufts twice and won a Reserve Best Puppy in Show. We are really hoping to have a litter from Jazzmine during 2007.
Jazzmine is out of Alanita Evening Primrose [ Danfrebek I'am Not Bitter ex Alanita Aster Sunset] who I didn't really show enough when she was in her prime. However she did achieve her Stud Book Number, had lots of admirers and continues to be a "glamour puss" at home! We do plan to show her in veteran from June 2007
For a time Eve attended agility classes and showed a natural aptitude for it, although I don't think she would be doing as well as her brother. Alanita Murphy's Original [Raffles] who has gone from strength to strength for Paul and Penny Sensky.
Alanita Golden Adonis [Alanita Rufty Tufty ex Coarhabeg Crescendo] is uncle to Eve. He was not a natural showman but a lovely shaped shaded sable who moved like a train. He managed to be well placed two years running at Crufts and was never out of the cards at championship show level.
Alanita Dilln Tomus [Coarhabeg Andantino at Alanita ex Parkcote Kuddly Kelpie] was born in 1998 and turned into a stunning clear blue with a huge shawl and in the short time I showed him he won his Stud Book Number and got a 2nd at Crufts. Dilln went on to live with Brenda and Mick Baigant in Aldershot.
My first two consistent championship show pups were Erjon Emogene at Alanita "Lily" and Coarhabeg Andantino at Alanita, Bazil to his friends, Bazil did brilliantly as a puppy, qualifying for Pup of the Year; over the years gaining his Stud Book Number, Lily was always a very steady winner for me and gained her Stud Book Number. I originally bought my own roughs in 1994 when I went to buy a pup and came back with two! Bracken and Bramble were sisters, out of Ch Sylcroft Sorcerer. Two years later we had a litter from each of them and I began showing my first dog. She was called Alanita Pure Genius and she did well around the local open show circuit. She came 2 points shy of her Junior Warrant, which was rather frustrating at the time! I only showed her for 18 months and she is now 11, very fit and enjoying the sofa by the fire! Alanita Rufty Tufty "Rose" was bred at the same time and my current line goes back to her. Rose is also still with us.
So where did this interest in Collies start for me? It has been a life long love. My parents owned collies while I was growing up and I was in my early 20's when their last one had to be put to sleep. They were all bred by Mary Tweddle, my parents first dog was Mary's champion Antanette of Arcot, which she gave to my parents when Heather reached middle age. She features in the book "Rough Collie Records", by Iris Combes Both Heather and Lyle, a heavily shaded out of Alexander of Arcot were established family pets by the time I was born. I did much of my growing up with Scott who came to live with us when Lyle died.
I suppose my aim now is to try and do even better in the future but ultimately I just love having my dogs and am thankful Bruce can cope with my eccentricities! We have met some super people over the years and have made great friends through my hobby. Good luck to all !!!! Puppies planned for [God willing] from Jazzmine and Maddy and kittens available at present. Anita
Franks and Bruce Fox Alanita
Rufty Tufty Rose |
