Bred To Breed On
By Roseann Fucillo
This article first appeared in March 2005 AKC GAZETTE

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I purchased the foundation bitch of my Cilloette line, Ch. Viktoria Katya, DOM in 1977.  Being a novice I was really fortunate to obtain such a beautiful, typey, sound mover with a wonderful pedigree.  Descending from her sire’s Canadian Jaclair line, were four generations of BIS males and her dam was a combination of Canadian and English bloodlines.

I didn’t realize what a gem I had until I took “Cassis” to her very first dog show, where she won her first point at 7 months of age.  She was a natural show dog who sparkled in the ring and easily finished her championship at 8 months of age.  Cassis produced nine champions, including her all champion second litter of three bitches – Ch. OTCH Cilloette Midori, Ch. Cilloette Anisette, DOM, and Ch. Cilloette Lillet. 

I learned about the dogs in Cassis’s pedigree from her breeder, Mary Spector, and was eager to know about the dogs behind Mary’s lovely English import, Eng./Am. Ch. Melchester Bowman of Lordsrake, JW, SOD, who I was interested in mating with Cassis.  “Bowman” was different from what was being shown on the East Coast, but I admired the many wonderful qualities that made him special.  He really covered ground with his side gait, having a full extension of reach and drive.  As his driving rear propelled him onward, Bowman would drop his head slightly, thrust his neck forward, and seem to float aerodynamically around the ring.  He had substance, lovely proportion, balance, great ears, fringes and an abundance of beautiful silky coat that made him outstanding.  But most of all, Bowman was the ultimate showman who would not quit.  Yet he was sweet and laid back at home – quite the opposite of most great show dogs, who usually are so demanding and hard to live with.

I made two trips to England in the early 1980’s to visit the kennels behind Bowman’s pedigree and to attend Crufts and the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club of England’s Diamond Jubilee.  I learned so much by seeing the dogs first hand and talking with the breeders.  At Madeline Wheeler’s Melchester kennel, I was thrilled to see Bowman’s dam along with several of his descendants.  The consistency was quite visable.  I now know where his perfectly symmetrical blaze and noseband came from.  What we called here in the US,  “the Bowman stamp,” Madeline attributed to Ch. Stouravon Young Tammy. 

I also visited the Wood-Davis’s Charthamcoombe and Claretta kennels to see Bowman’s beautiful sire, Charthamcoombe Ian, son of the famous top producer, BIS Eng. Ch. Charthemcoombe Tristan.  And I also met with the Hutchings of Gerlil kennel to see more consistency in other Tristan sons and daughters that they had from Phyllis Frampton’s Firecrest lines.

I learned some sound advice from Madeline, who said her dogs were “bred to breed on.”  In essence, her philosophy was not to breed exclusively for looks or type, but breed as well for good healthy, sound temperaments and the quality to carry on.  It’s unfortunate that many breeders today aren’t so concerned with bettering the breed for future generations, but instead concentrate on “the win.”  Most old-time breeders weren’t afraid to sell their good dogs or let their studs be used.  Their dogs were truly “bred to breed on.”

Published with permission from the AKC GAZETTE.  This article is not to be copied, whole or in part, without written permission from the author.

Roseann Fucillo