Bygone Kennels & Breeders of Influence
The history of the Scottish Terrier is long and great and only the highlights of bygone notable kennels from the 1920’s to the 1960s are mentioned here. Up to the 1950s the kennels continued to import the winning and producing Scotties from Great Britain, but by the mid-century mark, American breeders were producing their own stock. It should be noted that prior to the 1960s or so, those who traveled across the country to a dog show did so by train. More difficult yet, was to send a bitch across the country to a stud dog. The early breeders were a hardy stock and did whatever they could to produce the best Scotties for their kennel. The terriers were, and still are, a tough group with top handlers showing the dogs. Owner handlers, even now, are to be given much credit for piloting their dogs to the top spot. This is a very short overview of some of the kennels written by Muriel Lee.
Relgalf Kennels, Mrs. Flager Mathews, Rye, New York.
Relgalf was a large kennel of over sixty dogs that specialized in several terriers. Relgalf won the Lloyd trophy nine times with two different dogs: Ch. Relgalf Ribbon Raider and Ch. Relgalf Leader. Ribbon won the national show in 1942 and Leader won the national show in 1945 and 1947.
Barberry Knowe Kennels, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stalter, Woodcliffe Lake, NJ
A strong kennel that had “A host of good ones and more than their share of great ones.” Ch. Carmichael Fanfare, sired by Ch. Barberry Knowe Merry maker, sire of 23 champions, bred by Ruth Johnson, was the top Scot in 1963, 1964 and best in show at Westminster in 1965. Barberry Knowe Barbicon won the Lloyd Trophy in 1951 and 1952.
Sheilling Kennels, Mr. and Mrs. T. Howard Snethen, Alison Park, PA
Mr. Snethen, not only bred his dogs, but he conditioned them and showed them also – difficult in the times when well-known terrier handlers were in the ring. Ch. Sheillings Signature, handled by Howard, was best in show at Westminster in 1945.
Deephaven Kennels, Theodore Bennett, Minneapolis, MN
A small kennel that Bob Bartos went to work for in 1944, bred over 20 champions including Ch. Deephaven Warspite and Ch. Deephaven Red Seal. They imported Heather Asset who influenced the wheaten color. Ch. Deephaven Red Seal who was an important sire in the breed with 24 champion offspring
Edgerstoune Kennel, Mrs. John G. Winant, New York
Mrs. Winant bred and owned over 100 champions including Ch. Walsing Winning Trick of Edgerstoune who was best in show at Westminster in 1950 as well as best at Morris and Essex. Ch. Edgerstoune Troubadour sired 35 champion offspring. She was also very active in Westies and had top winners in that breed.
Carnation Kennels, R. H. Stuart, Carnation, WA
Bob Bartos, manager, moved to this kennel in 1947. Carnation was well known for an outstanding stud force, home bred and imported, including: Reimill Radiator, Eng Ch. Westpark Derriford Baffie, Eng Ch.Rio Grande, Ch. Deephaven Red Seal, and they imported Eng Am Can Ch. Bardene Bingo in 1964, sire of.48 U. S. champions, winner of national specialties in 1966 and 1967 and BIS at Westminster in 1967.
Marlu Farms, Mr. And Mrs. Maurice Pollak, Long Beach, CA
Marlu Farms were known for outstanding stud dogs including Eng Ch. Walsing Warrant, Ch. Deephaven Warspite, Ch. Marlu Crusader, and Ch. Deephaven Red Seal. (Note: Red Seal was whelped at Deephaven, went to Marlu and eventually went to Carnation.) Warspite won the national specialty in 1946, 1947 and 1948. When the kennel closed it was a loss to the fancy.
Kinclaven Kennels, Marie Stone, Milwaukee, WI.
Marie Stone bred over 30 champions, owner handled. Ch. Kinclaven Wild Oats was a great wheaten colored Scot, had a clean skull, refined, and small dark eyes, all traits that had been difficult to get in a wheaten at the time. The kennel closed upon Marie’s death.
Banart Kennels, Blanche Reeg, Wantagh, L.I., NY
Ch. Blanart Bacarolle was the dam of 10 champions. Ch. Blanart Bewitching won the group at Westminster Kennel Club twice, and was the winner at the national specialty in 1958 through 1961; winner of the Lloyd trophy in 1959 and 1960. Mrs. Reeg usually conditioned and showed her dogs and occasionally used a handler.
Todhill Kennels, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Graham, Charlottesville, VA.
Todhill Kennels had a strong stud force including Ch. Special Edition, sire of 25 champions and Ch. Todhill Cinnamon Bear, sire of 20 champions. Bob was very active in the breed, which he loved, and remained so until his death.
Marlorain Kennels, Martha Melekov and Lorraine Davis, CA
Active and well known on the West coast, their leading stud dog was Ch. Marlorain Dark Seal, The kennel closed when Lorraine died.
Balachan Kennels, Dr, and Mrs. T. Allen Kirk, Roanoke, VA
Ch. Balachan Nighthawk was an owner/handler best in show dog and winner of the Lloyd Trophy in 1968. Tom was a recognized authority of the breed and both he and his wife, Evelyn, were AKC judges.
Gaidoune Kennels, Helen Gaither, Wheeling, WV
This was a large kennel managed by Nancy Lenfesky. They had a steady stream of champions but notable was Gaidoune Great Bear, a great winner and sire of 57 champions, and Ch Gaidoune Tinsle Glow, dam of 14 champions. Overall, more than 100 champions bore the Gaidoune prefix.
Sandoune Kennels, Betty Malinka, of Gary, IN
Ch. Sandooone Royal Barclay won the Lloyd trophy in 1975 and sired 30 champions. Ch Sandoone Highland Heath was dam of Ch. Dunbar’s Democrat, who was the national specialty winner in 1976 and 1977 and was the sire of 44 champions. The kennel closed upon her death.
Firebrand Kennels, John Sheehan, Minneapolis, MN
John’s dogs were always owner/handled. Ch. Firebrand’s Bookmaker, double grandson of Bingo, won 14 best in shows and sired 27 champions. Bookmaker sired Ch Sandgreg’s Headliner and Ch Sandgreg’s Editorial, who together sired 78 champions. In later years John acquired Ch. Scotsmuir Sandpiper. a Bingo son, from Bob Bartos, who sired 15 champions. His kennel closed due to poor health, and he took to bed for two days when all the Scots were gone.
Sandgreg Kennels, John and Barbara DeSaye, of Lake Orion, MI
The Sandgreg’s had a very influential kennel, especially through their stud dogs. Ch. Sandgreg Editorial sired 79 champions, Ch. Sandgreg’ds Editorial sired 61 champions, Sandgreg’s Square Deal sired 14 champions and. not to be outdone on the female side, Ch. Sandgreg’s Sweet Luv produced 18 champions. An influential kennel. John did exquisite pieces of Scottish Terrier jewelry in gold.
For further reading see one of the following books:
The Official Book of the Scottish Terrier by Muriel P. Lee
The New Scottish Terrier by Cindy Cooke
The New Complete Scottish Terrier by John T. Marvin
This is the Scottish Terrier by T. Allen Kirk, Jr.
See more from the STCA Historians Collections:
Helen B. Gaither by Alice Watkins
John DeSaye by Claudia Leffler
Blanart Kennels – Blanche Reeg by Muriel Lee