BLASTS FROM OUR PAST
— by Deborah Sullivan, Babydoll Pomeranians
WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB
These were the headlines in 1987 where the outstanding Am. Ch. Great Elms Prince Charming bred and loved by Ruth Beam Adored by many including her owner: Olga Baker and her esteemed handler, life long friend and co-owner: Skip Piazza would receive an invitation with an entry of over 2,500 dogs!!!
It was on December 27, 1984 when four boys were born to Am. Ch. Great Elms Sweet Candy a mother of 10 champions and Am. Ch. Cedarwood’s Image Of Diamond who was a sire of 18 champions in all. Little Candy got down to some serious business on the eve of the 27th. When all was said and done, four boys were born. Each and every one of them looking the same as the other. Nothing was different about them, they relatively were the same size and color and shape. Nothing stood out. It was another Great Elms litter healthy and strong. However as they grew and played and became individuals one of the boys stood out amongst them all. He knew he was special and so did Ruth as she came to realize that he was from that time forward a Prince and would later be known as BIS Am Ch Great Elms Prince Charming. Prince was the most gorgeous puppy I have ever seen she says. Absolutely the best little fellow I had ever seen. Nothing could compare. My handler and lifelong friend Maynard Wood was as delighted as I and he commented, “If he continues the way he is now, you are going to get the biggest reward from this little guy, you are not going to believe it.”
Maynard as Ruth says does it all. He can grow coat on a bowling ball as she laughs. Ruth tells me she does not pay Mr. Wood she gives him his choice of dog. He has never charged me… He just keeps loving and loving no matter what. There is NO BETTER handler that I know of. Maynard said that Prince looked like a champion when he was about 4 weeks old. And no truer words were spoken as Prince became a Champion in no time at all. He was beating the best out there.
I and Maynard were so pleased she says quietly, as she slips away and pauses for a short time while our conversation was half way done, she returns to tell me that she is just watching her lovely little bitch while in labour. She tells me that she does not line the boxes with cloth she shreds paper. She will after our conversation shred more as she knows this little girl seems to scratch it right out of the box and on the floor. Ruth laughs a hearty laugh and the sound is glorious to this writers ear. Ruth returns and says I do not sell show puppies, I sell show prospects. I do not breed little girls, they are for the show ring not the whelping box.
She takes a short breath and starts to say of all the boys that were born that day, they all became champions and went on to wonderful homes, But Prince would be her best ever yet. He was 4 1/2 pounds of spirit. Of life and happiness. He pleased Maynard at every turn in the ring and at every moment at home. Prince had a full blood brother. A repeat breeding and his name was Great Elms Pride & Joy. And hat is exactly what he was. In the Year of the Westminster Show in which Prince was slated to enter, Prince was #1 Pom and his full blood brother Am Ch Great Elms Pride & Joy was #2 Pom. The year following Am Ch. Great Elms Pride & Joy was slated to be #1, however he got a chronic cough for unknown reasons and the vet could not find the problem. He was operated on but to no avail. He was pulled from the show ring and put in a wonderful pet home where he lived to be 12 years old. Ruth chuckles quietly as she tells me that he was the Best Stud she had ever owned, he was so pre-potent she says and just a gentleman. As Ruth tells me that all her dogs have a distinct look. I agree. You don’t have to look at a catalogue to know when you see a Great Elms dog before you. And I the writer comments back to Ruth you are so right they are distinctly beautiful, typey and sought all over the world. Ruth chuckles lightly and so humbly says thank you.
On the eve of the Westminster, I sat in the seat holding down the arm rails, she says with an absolute delight at watching Prince as he stole the hearts of the Judge and once again my heart. And the words of Maynard came ringing in three years later as I watched Prince win BIS at the Westminster under the esteemed Judge, Michelle Billings. As I thought to myself No truer words could have been spoken. Prince did give me the biggest reward of all. I am a blessed breeder for having the beloved pom love me.
1988 The Year Of The Pomeranian
1988 might well be called the year of the Pomeranian. It all started with Ch. Great Elms Prince Charming winning Best in Show at America’s most prestigious dog event – The Westminster Kennel Club Show. He took the crown as his right, and with usual Pom expression which clearly says, “I love you and isn’t this fun”. He might have added, “You know, I really kept up with those other big dogs.” in the words of Olga Baker.
Michelle Billings, a beautiful lady and renowned Judge, was applauded for her choice and insight. Handler Skip Piazza never missed a trick in his expert handling and owner Olga Baker flew on clouds for weeks. WHAT GLORY!
Ruth Beam, Prince Charming’s breeder, feels that her long dedication to producing better and ever better Pomeranians has paid off. This is a laurel she well deserves. Many, many top winning dogs have been of her breeding, and bloodlines of her Pomeranians are included somewhere in most of our outstanding champions of today.
Ruth has been planning to retire lately. She states fifty-one years is long enough. It will be, after that “one more litter”.
Now back to our Pom Prince. Olga states that once she saw Prince Charming she felt an immediate kinship. She wanted to own him. Eventually, with the help of Skip Piazza, she was able to do so. Showing seems to have been born in the little fellow. He seems to love it, and his buoyant attitude and precise gait make him a delight to Judges and exhibitors alike.
Winning became a routine experience for Prince Charming, even Group First, but taking Best in any all breed show is something else. He now has nineteen BIS wins. Olga states he has some outstanding progeny, too, and is on the way to being a top producer. We salute you, Prince Charming.
Salyers System – January-June 1989
POINTS NAME BISA BISS BOSS I II III IV BOB
4035 Ch. Great Elms Prince Charming II (D) 3 – – 8 3 1 – 1
1988 The year of the Pomeranian was taken from the book The Pomeranian by: Pauline B. Hughes of Shawnee Kennels; compiled and edited by William W. Denlinger and R. Annable Rathman.
The copyright states that:
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Writer Note: On a small note I want to say that I have never been so enthralled with this article. This being my first, it took everything for me not to shout to the top of my lungs, that I spoke with the most inrtiguing, spry and truly an icon in this breed, Ruth Beam. Her quick wit and acute recollection of detail inspired me as I wrote this article. I could have spoken for hours with Ruth, but as she was watching her little girl in the whelping box, I did not want to take any more time from her. Ruth commented as she and I were parting on the phone that it was a pleasure speaking with me and a delight that I had such enthusiasm for this breed as she did when she started. She said I sounded just like her…..What Ruth did not see was the elation on my face as I hung up the phone. I could only think and pray that one day I would be just like her, if I were anything less, I would do a disservice to this breed.
This article on Pepper Pod was written for Canadian Pom Prints in 1977 by the great Grand Dame of Poms, Dorothy Bonner. We hope you enjoy it.
An early article about Ch. Aristic Wee Pepper Pod has evolved into an early history of little Bonners, without which this prepotent stud would never have been discovered. Although his conformation was good, he failed to stand out among the many beautiful Aristic Studs, being a 5 pound size and slightly coarse, he was seldom used because he was also choosey and difficult to breed. Most of the females did not strike his fancy, so he was largely ignored n his home kennel and the most energetic Aristic males got the girls. Unfortunately, this trait was also passed to a few of his sons. In his younger days, Pepper Pod was a red sable, but lost most of the black with succeeding coats and became a solid red. As were most of the Aristics, he was out-crossed to all lines behind him and his get included almost every color from cream to chocolate to black and tan. Many of his best were discarded as impossible show colors of the time.
In opposition to Gladys Schoenberg’s methods, I became convinced that line breeding and inbreeding was the only way to go and proved it later with Pepper Pod’s Bonner get. His first sensational girl was Bonner’s Goldol Sunshine (11/31/55) out of a purchased Gold Toy brood. Although both dam and daughter died early, old Pepper Pod became the head of my list. Some time afterward, I was able to purchase Aristic Adorable Mitzie, (Aristic Wee Peppersweet and Aristic Mighty Cute) who set part of the foundation for the Bonner champions and top winners.
Although Mitzie was not closely related, she gave me the beautiful Bonner’s Cherri Pretti Pepper, who bred back to her sire produced Ch. Bonner’s Pretty pepper Darlin, sold to Sue Woodle and was BOW at the APC specialty in 1965 and was Best Of Breed in ‘66. Later bred to Bonner’s Wee Conquest of Rhythm, Pretty pepper whelped a boy and a girl. The boy, Ch. Bonners Prettytune Petite, owned by Dorothy Guild won many Best in Show awards, in the US (and even one in Canada to finish his title, handled by the late Susan Hillman) The girl was Bonner’s Prettytune Preshus, who was bred back to her grand-sire Pepper Pod and produced Ch. Bonner’s Stylepepper Preshus, He was a multiple Best In Show winner, going from the classes at his first show for this honor. Later Stylepepper had a younger full brother, Bonner’s Wepepper Preshus, who lived scarcely a year but will go down in history as the sire of Ch. Corn’s Duke Dragonfly (who we will feature in an upcoming article).
Aristic Wee Peppersweet another daughter of Pepper Pod was bred back to him and produced Ch. Bonner’s Peppersweet Red Pod (26/6/62) and sold to Edna Girardot. He was shown by Clara Alford to many Group and Best In Show wins, unfortunately, he was a poor stud and was withdrawn from shows in his prime.
Of the three Aristic girls, Mighty Cute, a Pepper Pod grand daughter was the only quantity producer. She matured to nine pounds, giving us a number of litters by Pepper Pod, most of the boys were sold for being somewhat large and coarse. The daughters were brood size and of excellent conformation, the girls being notoriously daintier than the boys and did their part to add to our line.
Since the ‘50’s there have been few studs here prepotent enough to line breed to. Pepper Pod was the first and proved that this is the only way if a breeder is lucky enough to have the ingredients. Stylepepper was the second of the same caliber in our kennel, but failed to live long enough to prove his entire potential although amassing some 30 champion get. Our subsequent studs have produced well, but now our current Ch. Bonner’s Kristin Starmist with Pepper Pod blood predominantly in his veins, is proving to be the third super prepotent boy for inbreeding possibilities.
During his last years, in the mid 60’s Pepper Pod was unable to stand because of arthritis, and his breeding days were over. His life had been long and rewarding and we are thankful for his concentrated bloodlines in the Bonner pedigrees, where he left his most valuable legacy.
Submitted by Lisa Pauls, Candlebrite Pomeranians. Many thanks to Eleanor Miller and Sue Goddard for their help with this article
One April day, in the spring of 1972, at the Texas home of Tim and Sue Goddard, was born a special little puppy. The result of a half brother/sister breeding on the top sire Am. Ch. Millamor’s Fancy Gold Dancer. His dam was Millamor’s Lullabye of Tim Sue, co-owned with long time friends, the Goddards. His sire, Am. Ch Jeribeth’s Silver Sparkle lived in Texas, so Sue bred and whelped the single puppy. He was hand-raised by Sue, as his mother’s milk did not come in, even accompanying Sue to Bridge Club. No one could guess then what an impact he would have on the Pom world, even today.
This boy was to be Eleanor’s and since Tim and Sue were in the midst of a move, Sue prepared the puppy to be shipped to the Millers. Eleanor has a terrible fear of flying her dogs, but Sue assured her that this was a strong pup and would be fine…. And fine he was, arriving in Ohio, where Ken and Eleanor lived at the time, safe and sound. A VERY anxious Eleanor opened the crate, picked him up and said, “Wow, he’s a Rock” and from there came his name, “Moon Rock.”
Shortly after his arrival, Moon Rock was introduced to the lead, but to Eleanor’s surprise no introductions were necessary. Eleanor was amazed as he strutted, head held high and proud, ready the show world, he had arrived! From the word go, Moon Rock was a natural showman; he seemed to think the ring was meant for him!
In Eleanor’s own words, “I owned him and I showed him myself at EVERY show. He was never given to a professional handler; he had to do it himself with me holding the lead. I know, his winning record would have been really great IF I had turned him over to a handler to take to many shows all over the country — but MY ONLY reason for breeding and having these Pom kids is for MY enjoyment. I LOVE them, I want to enjoy showing them and I want to be able to give them all of my best attention and LOVE. It just wouldn’t be any enjoyment for me, if I didn’t go into the ring and show them myself.
I won a major on him at nine months, on the Florida circuit. At ten months, we went to New York, The American Pom Specialty. Isidore Schoenberg was the Judge. He was Aristic Poms, and Aristic poms were always highly admired by me.
Moon Rock, as a ten month old pup, won a 5-point major and finished his Championship. Then I started to special him. I won 10 Group Firsts with him and many group placings. He LOVED to show, he felt he owned the show ring.”
As well as being a great showman, Moon Rock had many other wonderful attributes. He had strong, sound legs and was a wonderful mover. He also had a beautiful head and coat, and a great bite. He was an all around dynamite little package, and was also generous enough to have passed these wonderful traits to his children.
Moon Rock sired 11 American Champions, most of them multiple Group and Best in Show winners. The legacy he left is still being felt today. He has been the foundation of many top kennels and we are still seeing the structure and soundness that Moon Rock has passed down through generations. His champions included:
Am. Ch. Millamor’s Rock Montrgram
Am. Can.Ch.Millamor’s Rock Medallion
Am. Ch Browns Rock-A-Bye Baby Doll
Am. Ch. Snowfire’s Pecan Sandy
Am. Ch. Jolly Wee Macho of Moon Rock
Am. Ch. Mi-Los Chiquita of Snowfire
Am. Ch. Millamor’s Rock Music
Am. Ch. Millamor’s Rock Music
Am. Ch. Millamor’s Rock Dust
Am. Ch. Daja Justa Rocksample
Am. Ch. Dixieland Rock of Millamor
Am. Ch. Dixieland’s Rock Charm
Knowing what a wonderful dog Eleanor had in Moon Rock, a repeat breeding was attempted, but was unsuccessful.
Moon Rock’s influence was strongly felt at Chriscendo, through his son, Am/Can.Ch. Millamor’s Rock Medallion. Moon Rock was always a favorite of Chris and John and they were lucky enough to be able to enjoy him as lived out his last years in comfort at Chriscendo. He will always hold a very special place in their hearts as well.
He is fondly remembered and missed by all that knew him.
One last note from Eleanor:
“A cute little side line –I always felt that Moon Rock should have won a BIS at some time. Ringside raved and applauded for Moon Rock but a handler would always win. They would often give a silver plated coffee service for BIS trophy. One day, I said to Moon Rock (sure he could understand me!) I told him that he and I didn’t want any Silver-plated coffee service because they tarnish and turn black…. But that HE deserved a really great trophy. Instead, I would buy him a Pewter coffee and tea, sugar and creamer, and a huge tray to hold them . . . and I did! That pewter service is sitting on my dining room server today as I write. It always, ALWAYS brings me wonderful memories of my beloved Moon Rock. I LOVED him and just wish he could have lived forever and ever.”
Written by Sue Goddard, Tim Sue Pomeranians
Many dogs come and go on the show scene. Some become champions. A few of these are called “specials” dogs. Ones who have that plus quality that makes them fit to compete with the stars of the dog show world. Finally there are a very select few that become Super Stars, setting records and widely admired by the fancy. Ch. Corn’s Duke Dragonfly wore the crown of super star from the first moment he entered the ring.
Duke was born as the result of a breeding planned by Darrel and Olga baker. His dam had been sold to the Ed Corn’s with the suggestion that she be taken to Dorothy Bonner’s line to breed to Bonner’s Wee Pepper Preshus, a full brother to Ch. Bonner’s Stylepepper Preshus. The Bakers then purchased Duke at six months of age when his quality was already abundantly obvious. He became a champion at nine months of age.
The facts and figures of his show career are 105 Bests of Breed, with 42 Group Firsts. A record hasn’t been kept of his group placements, but offhand I can only recall one time when he wasn’t placed. Duke was a Best In Show winner 18 times. He set a record for wins at the hotly contested Ft. Worth Pom Specialty, by taking the breed five years in a row! The first time he did this, he was in the puppy classes! In 1968 he was Best of Breed at the American Pomeranian Specialty in New York.
If ever there was an ambassador for good will in the dog game, Duke and his proud owner handlers, were it. Finally the fancy saw a dog who won solely because he deserved to win. He won without financial backing, without a pro handler and with very limited advertising. He won with none of the “back room” politics, we all hear about, but won repeatedly to the point of even though he was campaigned in a limited manner and area, he remained the Number One Pom in the U.S. for two years.
Perhaps of greater importance to the breeders of Poms was the fine legacy Duke left us in his off spring. Many former top winners fell short when it came to production. Again, Duke was a super star! Over 30 champion children attest to this fact. At this writing a complete list is not available and youngsters being shown and several still to be shown, will make the list substantially longer. Currently, three of his sons are Best in Show winners themselves, with many more being Group winners along with several exciting daughters who have added Groups in a breed where it is tough to win with a female. In the current list of Top Poms, Duke is the sire or grandsire of seven! These children and grandchildren assure us of years of Duke breeding to draw upon. A phenomenal stud dog, Duke stamped his get with quality. He repeatedly threw his enormous coat of proper texture, his soundness and his showmanship. So much did he stamp them that most were recognizable as “Duke related”. In an ad in “Dog World” magazine stating “Duke bloodline”. I feel it is a tremendous credit to a dog when an entire line is credited to that dog’s name. A name so common as Duke and yet all know the one of whom we are speaking.
Duke was sorely missed by Darrell and Olga, because he was a much loved and much spoiled pet. It was my privilege to keep him on several occasions when they were out of town briefly. Feeling he would be safer in an exercise pen, I tried that, but after the first indignant howl, decided that would not work, so he remained free to “boss” the household, which was his accustomed role. On dog show trips when Olga and I traveled together, I found you not only shared the bed with Olga, but usually had Duke’s tail in your face, as he was supposed to occupy the second pillow. None of this “foot of the bed” business for Duke.
One of Olga’s favorite stories involves my youngest daughter, who was five years old at the time. We had spent the day at the show waiting for Best In Show judging when an elderly gentleman approached Olga to say “M’am, this dog is mine now, that little girl traded me for a candy bar.” What dog? Why Duke of course! Now it is hard to believe that was so long ago.
Another of Olga’s favorite stories, was a quote from me…”I am of the opinion that you could breed a billy goat to Duke and expect to get a tiny, short backed, soft, sweet faced, huge coated, tiny eared, sound beautiful little billy goat”.
Duke’s long ago legacy still lives on in the pedigrees and in the hearts of those who knew him personally.
(Robin 1958-1968) — by Florence, Lady Conyers
(Originally published in Canadian Pom Prints Fall of 1976)
I met Mrs. Gladys Dyke of Hadleigh, shortly after the second world war. My husband, Sir Reginald Conyers and I were in England in connection with the crusier “H.M.S. Bermuda” named for Bermuda in the land lease agreement with the U.S.A. We decided while there to buy a Pom bitch to breed to one of my husband’s males. We decided on a little bitch from Mrs. Dyke’s Kennel. From then on, from time to time I bought Poms from Gladys Dyke.
After my telling her that I would be interested in a good male Pom for showing, she called and offered me “Robin”. I had seen his picture in an English Dog World and knew that he was the Pom I really wanted. So after her offer I bought him. That year (1960) he had been runner-up at Crufts, at just 2 years of age. He also had won 3 BIS’s in England.
Ben Burwell was handling a little bitch for me in the states, “Shadow of Hadleigh” who was doing well. I gave Robin to Ben to handle. During his show career in North America, he won 2 BIS’s here in Bermuda, and in one year won 5 specialties, 42 Group 1sts and 15 BIS’s, in the United States. He was also shown in Canada 3 times winning 2 BIS’s. I think his most exciting win was BIS at Eastern in Boston in 1961. I retired him after he won the Toy Group at Westminster in February 1962, at their 58th show.
Robin had a cute little habit which became a sort of “trademark” of his. Whenever he entered the ring for group judging he would lead his handler to the placement of figures and he would lift his leg on No. 1!!!
He produced 12 champions in 4 countries, the most famous, was his son, “Creider’s T-Town Serenade” owned by Mr. Maybelle Allen and handled by Mrs. Winifred Heckmann.
Robin developed a very bad heart condition and died very peacefully in his sleep at 10 years of age.
— Contributed by
Mike Carbno, Diogenoir Pomeranians
Despite the early curtailment of Cavilier’s show career to allow for the full time attention to duties as head of the Scotia Kennels Pomeranian household the 4 1/2 lb. golden showman compiled a tremendous list of wins by the time he was 2 years old. They included Best of Breed at both the American Pom Club, New York, 1960 Fall Westchester Show and the 1961 Forth Worth Pom Club Specialty in Texas. Also Best in Show all breeds at the 1960 Atlanta, Ga., and Memphis, Tenn. shows. When retired he had won 68 Best of Breeds in fourteen months. He also placed 9th amoung the top ten Show Dogs for 1960.
Cavilier’s first champion son was Ch. Scotia Cavalier’s Leader, winner of the 1963 New York American Pom Club Specialty and the 1964 Michigan Pom Club’s Specialty. Leader is the sire of Ch. Leader’s Little Buckeroo, winner of Best of Breed at both the 1963 and 1964 American Pom Club Specialty at Westchester and also Best in Show at Holyoke, Mass. Leader completed his championship and won his first Toy Group at nine months, owner handled. Two other champion children of Cavilier won Best Brace in Show at the age of eight months at the big Boston, Mass. show. One of this pair also won Best of Breed at both the International KC Show at Chicago and the Western Pom Club Specialty in 1963. Another Cavilier daughter completed her championship by going winners at both the Fort Worth Pom Club Specialty and the Western Pom Club’s Specialty in 1964. Truly a top winning line that promises much for the Pomeranian future in America.
Editor’s Note: Cavilier holds the record as top sire in the US with 65 American Champion children to his credit.
— Contributed by Mike Carbno, Diogenoir Pomeranians
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