Charles P. Born, Sugarbrook
Charles (Charlie) Born’s life with Cocker Spaniels spans over 50 years. His involvement began in 1964 when he partnered with his aunt and mentor, the renowned Marguerite Manhart. Together they bred and showed Cockers with the Sugarbrook prefix. Another early influence was Bain Cobb who handled Mrs. Manhart’s dogs and consulted on her breeding program and Ruth Benhoff of Artru fame. Sugarbrook produced top winning show Cockers until 1991 when six years after Mrs. Manhart’s death and Charlie’s job demands and travel made it too difficult to manage and care for a show kennel.

Early on Mrs. Manhart cultivated her own preference for blacks and buffs in her nephew, and together they bred more than 40 solid champions with many of them owner-handled by Charlie. From 1945 to 1991 Sugarbrook dogs brought home top prizes from the show ring including Best in Show, Best of Breed, ASC Best of Variety and a Futurity winner.  Though career demands made it necessary for Charlie to end his breeding program, his dedication and admiration for the breed and his commitment to the American Spaniel Club continues.

Charlie is a Life Member of the Keystone Cocker Spaniel Club and worked in various capacities for the club including club president and show chair for more than 10 years. Charlie served on the American Spaniel Club Board for 13 years – Zone 1 for four years, and for six years as 1st and 2nd ASC VP or Director at Large and three years as President. He also served on many committees including Futurity, By-Laws, Hall of Fame, Ethics and Web. He is a valuable team player, mentor and calm mediator in the face of multiple challenges that face national ASC administrators, and was even the “voice” of Samuel Spaniel on the ASC website for many years tactfully fielding questions from the general public.

While President Charlie lead the effort to define dangers of Merle in our breed and worked with the AKC to have them approve our Z registration for merles.  When undocked tails became an issue he led the effort to clarify our standard and define our support of docked tails in cockers.  His reports on that effort are still available on the ASC website.  He was a founding member of the ASC Foundation and has served on the Board in various capacities – currently as the Communications Chair.

Charlie is generous with his time and has shared his expertise with others by judging Cocker specialty sweepstakes throughout the U.S., and has been selected by ASC members to judge the ASC Futurity twice. He contributed to breed judges teaching seminars and breeder education programs.  Charlie’s commitment to the advancement and protection of the Cocker Spaniel and the American Spaniel Club qualify him as an outstanding candidate for the American Spaniel Club Hall of Fame for Contributions to the Organization.