Ruth Tabaka – 2019 – Contribution to the Breed

The American Spaniel Club, Inc. Hall of Fame would not be complete without the induction of Ruth Tabaka for her contributions to the Cocker Spaniel and her dedication in so many aspects of our breed.

Ruth’s began her journey with Cocker Spaniels in 1970 in the Obedience ring. Her first Champion Ch. Tabaka’s Tres Jolie, U. D. was the first Cocker to earn both bench and Obedience titles in many years. Jolie also produced four Champions all of whom had obedience titles. Jolie’s daughter Ch Tabaka’s Tammy Tan Toes, U.D., T.D finished her Championship and U.D. on the same weekend as her dam.

Ruth bred many champions with over half having titles on both ends of their names. Her most famous was Ch. Tabaka’s Tidbit O’Wynden. C.D.X. “Termite” she was a black bitch shown by Jim Hall, Bill Ernest and Ted Young. Ted showed her to “Best in Show” at the American Spaniel Club’s Flushing Show in January 1978. Termite was one in a million, winning sixteen All Breed Best in Shows and sixteen Best in Specialties. She also became a Top Producer with four Champion offspring with two having Obedience titles. Termite’s daughter Am. Can. Ch Tabaka’s Tidbit O’Termite, was also a Top Producer with seven Champions, three of them also had Obedience titles. In 1985 Ruth showed her brace, Ch. Tabaka’s Tan Lizzie, C.D., T.D., WD. and Am. Can. Ch. Tabaka’s A Tsetse Bit O’Termite C.D.X. at the American Spaniel Club Flushing show. They were beautifully marked B/T bitches and went on to be the Best Brace in the 1985 Flushing Show. These were the times when Ruth called Cocker Spaniels Beautiful and Brainy for Conformation and Obedience.

Ruth knew that the Cocker Spaniel could do it all and the next thing she began using the words Beauty, Brains and “Birdy”. She was determined to have Field Trials and then Hunting Tests for our Cocker Spaniels. Ruth with many members of the Washington State Cocker Spaniel Club, Inc. started with Fun Field Events in 1982. Their first AKC sanctioned Field Trial was on October 29, 1983 and was the first for more than a quarter century. Then the Working Certificate Tests were revised and approved by the American Spaniel Club, Inc. on January 6, 1984. After all the sanctioned Field Trials and Hunt Tests in the mid 1980’s, the American Kennel Club, Inc. granted the American Spaniel Club Member Hunting Test and Field Trial Status. The Washington State Cocker Spaniel Club was also granted Licensed Hunting Test approval. These were the Trials and Tests that started what we see in the Field today with our Cocker Spaniels thanks to Ruth. Am. Can. Ch. Tabaka’s Tilt The Balance, C.D.X., W.D.X., S.H. (Trucker) was the first Champion Cocker Spaniel to earn the Senior Hunter title in 1989, the year the first seven titles were completed.

Ruth was the Editor for the Washington State Cocker Spaniel Club, Inc. newsletter the “Hi-Lites” for over twenty-five years. It was always full of informative articles about events and health issues of the Cocker Spaniel. She also held many yearly eye clinics at her home. Ruth also taught Obedience Classes for many years and became an AKC Obedience judge. She was a Life time Member of the Washington State Cocker Spaniel Club and the American Spaniel Club.

Hall of Fame – Contribution to the Breed – Wilson and Bonnie were successful in cockers prior to their marriage in 1983. Early on Bonnie was mentored by Ruth and Art Benhoff of Artru fame. Wilson began his dog career as a teenager traveling with Cam Lyman and showing under the Wilco prefix.

Bonnie established her kennel, Silverhall, in 1975 and her and Wilson’s combined 40 years breeding and showing their dogs under both the Silverhall and Wilco prefix have demonstrated and resulted in a significant impact on our breed. Their marriage brought together these two great talents which resulting in them producing well over 200 AKC champions under the Silverhall kennel name.

They have produced many great dogs including Ch Silverhall Soldier of Fortune and GCHP Silverhall Strike Force, the top winning ASCOB of all time.   Over several years they began building their dominant bitch line of top producing ASCOB’s and Blacks. There are few in cockers today that have developed a signature line as Bonnie and Wilson, with their readily identifiable look and showmanship. This “look” and producing lines can be seen today in many top producing pedigrees not only in the USA, but also throughout the world.
Their wins at ASC are legendary, including BIS, BISS and many, many Winners at both the Flushing Spaniel and our National shows.

Additionally, Bonnie and Wilson have consistently given their time by mentoring new judges by sharing their knowledge of the breed as presenters of the Clubs Judges Education program for many years. Bonnie has also shown her passion for breeders’ education as Breeders Education Chair through her developing and promoting various breeders’ educational information and articles through her efforts on the ASC Membership list.
In addition, Bonnie broadened her impact on the breed by serving multiple terms on the ASC Board of Directors, both as Zone Representative and as Director-at-Large personally impacting a variety of key board issues directly affecting the membership and our breed.

For these reasons we acknowledge Wilson and Bonnie Pike contribution to our breed and add them to the roster of the American Spaniel Club Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame – ASC Organization —  Carolee Douglas (Kapewood Cockers – on left in photo) and Dr. Jeanne Grim (Skiboo’s Cockers – on right in photo) have been competing with their cocker spaniels in AKC companion events since the early to mid-1990s. Together they have earned 350-400 AKC performance titles on their cockers. Almost all of these titles are achieved by owner/bred conformation Champion cocker spaniels. They are showcasing beautiful breed type cocker spaniels in various performance venues nearly every weekend.   Their accomplishments include earning the HIGHEST LEVEL titles possible in almost every AKC performance venue.
These accomplishments include the following:
16 MACH (Master Agility CHampion) titles, 2 PACH (Preferred Agility CHampion) titles ((AGILITY))
1 UDX (Utility Dog Excellent) title, 7 UD (Utility Dog) titles ((OBEDIENCE))
3 CT (Champion Tracker) titles ((TRACKING)), including the first cocker spaniel to earn this title
7 MH (Master Hunter) titles (and at least 24 total Hunt test titles) ((HUNTING))
20 Rally titles ((RALLY))

American Spaniel Club awards earned by their cockers include 15 WD/WDX (Working Dog/Working Dog Excellent) awards, 16 ASC Versatility awards and 3 Ruby awards.  Carolee (Kapewood Cockers) has had 2 conformation Champions compete AND PLACE in cocker field trials (competitive event) where they are competing against field bred English cocker spaniels. Carolee has had 2 cockers meet the Ruby Award requirements.  According to AKC records, Carolee’s cocker spaniel, “Bentley”, was the FIRST SPORTING DOG to earn an All-Breed Best In Show while holding performance titles (CD, OA, OAJ). He also later met the requirements for additional advanced titles. She has developed The Bentley Award in his honor to encourage other cocker spaniel owners to earn performance titles and continue to be successful in the conformation ring.

Jeanne (Skiboo’s Cockers) has 3 generations of Breeder-Owner-Handled CH MACH CDX cockers. Jeanne’s first hunting dog, Millie, earned her MH (Master Hunter) title and was awarded the prestigious ASC Ruby Award. Millie’s daughter is very close to her Master Hunter title which will qualify her for the Ruby award as well.

Other interesting facts: 1. Jeanne is an AKC hunt test judge and Carolee is an AKC tracking judge  2. These two ladies have trained and titled:

The youngest cocker to earn a CD obedience title (6 mos. 23 days)
The oldest cocker to earn a CD obedience title (13 1/2 yrs.)
First cocker spaniel to earn a CT (Champion Tracker) title
The oldest cocker to earn a MH (Master Hunter) title (11 yrs.)

Their dedication and commitment to the cocker spaniel breed continued into their active participation in the American Spaniel Club. One or both have served on the following ASC committees: ASC Companion Events Committee, Top Dog Committee, Agility committee, Hall of Distinction Committee, Versatility Awards and as Obedience Chair for a cocker spaniel national specialty.  Jeanne is one of original members of companion events committee. Both served as Chair and/or co-chair of ASC companion events committee from 2004 – 2008. During this time, the committee mailed letters and ASC brochures to all cocker spaniel owners earning novice level performance titles in an effort to educate cocker spaniel owners about the breed, ASC and to help increase ASC membership, especially from the performance community.

Jeanne and Carolee also developed the original ASC Performance Versatility Award – as a way to encourage cocker spaniel owners to participate in performance events and to encourage new exhibitors to learn more about the cocker spaniel breed, events and reasons to join and support ASC.  They developed the Performance section of the ASC Hall of Distinction. Jeanne publishes the Top Dog catalog which recognizes the top cocker spaniels in both conformation and performance (agility, obedience, tracking and hunting). She also keeps track of all the performance statistics for the cocker spaniel and the history of the breed. She also researched AKC records to complete a list of ALL cocker spaniels earning AKC hunt test titles since 1989 and the inception of the hunt test program.

These two have been instrumental in increasing recognition of cockers in performance as well as encouraging the bringing of new performance members into ASC. These duties contribute to the retention of history and recorded acknowledgement of the breed’s progression.  These exhibitors have contributed extensively with hard work and determination by setting an example of rewarding their dogs by allowing them to joyfully participate in sporting functions. They have proven the Cocker Spaniel has retained the genetics, standard requirements, and desire to participate successfully in conformation and performance functions.

This, importantly, was the total quest and foresight our forefathers envisioned. The American Spaniel Club was formed in 1881 with the sole purpose of the preservation, and protection of a small functioning sporting spaniel called “Cocker Spaniel.”  These ladies’ many contributions have proven and contributed by demonstration to the sporting world, as a breed, we have achieved dual successes of breed type and function.

Carolee Douglas and Dr. Jeanne Grim have collectively and individually exceeded all expectations, as enumerated above. Now is the time to recognize these two outstanding performance participants and this year, January, 2017, they were both inducted into the Hall of Fame for their Contribution to the ASC Organization.

1986 Best of Breed; L-R: Dr. Al Grossman, Judge, Alice Kaplan,
Agent David Roberts, Mary Barnes, Stephen Calvert, Norman Barnes

Hall of Fame – Contribution to the Breed – Mary Barnes bred and showed cocker spaniels from the late 1940’s until she whelped her last litter in the early 1990’s. She was primarily known for her black cockers and especially her beautiful black bitches but she also finished ASCOBs and parti-colors.

Probably her two most famous cockers were CH Liz-Bar Magic of Music, “Bass,” and Ch Liz-Bar Chances Are, “Esmeralda.” Bass was a top winning black cocker for the decade of the 70’s. He was a multiple Best in Show dog, winning the Black Variety twice at ASC and going Best in Show at Santa Barbara Kennel club over 2000 dogs. Esmeralda was also a Best in Show winner. Only bred once, Esmeralda produced two champion get (CH Liz-Bar Gambler and Ch Liz-Bar Happen). Mary finished over 75 dogs under the Liz-Bar prefix. Ch Liz-Bar Magician, “Buddy” was her top producer.

She also showed and finished dogs for many other cocker fanciers in the southeast. To name a few, these include: Ann Smith-Martin, Terry Corn, Pat Karney, Diane Hernandez, Nancy Hunter, Karen Phiel, and Susan Roman.

Mary and her husband, Norman were very active in ASC. Both served as President of the Cocker Spaniel Specialty Club of Georgia (CSSCG) for multiple terms of office. Additionally, Mary was the CSSCG treasurer for many years. Norman also served as President of The Combined Specialty Clubs of Georgia. Mary is a life member of ASC, CSSCG, and Atlanta Kennel Club.

In addition to breeding, training and showing her beloved black cockers; Mary was a mentor to many cocker newcomers and exhibitors. She would work for hours teaching proper show grooming and handling to us. Mary shared her knowledge with many others and asked for only one thing of us; that we, in turn, share the knowledge and love of cockers with other newcomers.

Mary N. Barnes was 96 on December 19, 2014. It is fitting if that we, the ASC membership, recognize Mary and Norman Barnes and their contributions to the breed by adding their names to the ASC Hall of Fame.

Charlie Born’s life with Cocker Spaniels spans more than 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 Charlie’s career and travel demands 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.  When  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 continued.

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 is also a life member of the ASC and 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 and as president Z merle registrations and supporting establishment of the Hall of Distinction.  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.  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.

Contribution to the Breed – Sandra L. Bell – For more than 41 years Sandy Bell with her San Jo Cockers worked to develop a breeding program that today positively impacts the breed throughout the world. Her commitment to the health and well-being of all Cocker Spaniels through conscientious selection for type, health, and temperament has given breeders an opportunity to confidently use her line to enhance their own programs.

Her breeding program was based on strong bitch lines and at any time she worked with a small number of Cockers. Her artistry was in understanding the merits and flaws of her dogs and then in the sire selection for them. She coupled this talent with a determination to move forward with her vision despite trends and fashions. Not every breeding worked, nor did every puppy hopeful grow up to fulfill its potential, but Sandy did not give up. She did not allow the inevitable disappointments to crush her vision—and that is the mark of a breeder committed to the establishment of a family or “line.”

As new health tests were available Sandy used them. If a problem in a dog surfaced, she contacted the owners of relatives of the dog and paid for those dogs to be tested. Together with the owners they chose the path forward for those animals. Some were set aside from breeding programs, and others were kept based on all available information. Sandy’s decisions were informed and that information shared appropriately.

Sandy also shared her best prospects with others and was a generous and gifted mentor for many people. She shared her expertise with novice breeders around sire selection, health testing and puppy evaluation. And she consulted with her peers. She shared the joys and the disappointments of all whether the dog was related to hers or not and she was always kind and patient—and interested.

Sandy’s Champions listserv was among the first Cocker Spaniel Internet discussion lists available in 1997. Champions became a worldwide community dedicated to breeding and showing Cocker Spaniels. Carefully moderated, Champions was a “safe” place for genuine discussion where gossip and insult were not allowed. Sandy also provided a Champions website where members of the community could share pictures and litter announcements at a time when there were few digital places to do so.

Beyond discussions, Champions was a tool for fundraising and in the ‘90’s one effort Sandy worked on was her Baby Champions to the Rescue where specially designed “beanie baby” type Cocker Spaniels were raffled at the ASC Cocker Spaniel National show that year. The Baby Champions—represented by all varieties– were created by Jolene O’Brion, Duet, promoted through Champions, and raffled at the National event. The project raised more than $2,000 for Cocker Spaniel Rescue.

Sandy also was on the work groups that developed the Ruby Memorial Award, and the fundraising Cocker Cuties Calendar that garnered more than $20,000 for ASC Breeder Education and supported the Michael Allen Veterinary Student Scholarship.

Perhaps the crowning of her efforts is seen in the magnificent multiple Best in Show, Best in Show at American Spaniel Club Flushing Spaniel shows and at Cocker Spaniel National shows AMCH San Jo’s Born To Win, Patrick. Born of generations of top winning dogs with a pedigree both wide and deep, today Patrick’s off-spring and their descendants have earned high honors at shows throughout the world including the prestigious Crufts Gun Dog group and at recent World Dog Shows.

In 2004 Sandy was selected as the American Kennel Club as Sporting Dog Breeder of the Year, and in her biography, she wrote about what years of dedication feels like, that instance when “…(f)or a moment when your beautiful champion strikes his pose for the judge and audience, the world stands still. You don’t know if you’re breathing or not—probably not. In that moment when the judge points to your young special for what will be the first of several Best in Show wins at the American Spaniel Club Flushing Spaniel Show, time stops. And each time, it happens it is the same experience. It never grows old or dull. When the judge walks over to your champion, now an older dog in the ring as a veteran, and names him Best in Show again at the ASC Flushing Spaniel Show, you glide over time and marvel at the world from the stars. Ups, downs, and through it all, you travel the path to emerge a dedicated breeder.”

Sandra L. Bell has dedicated a lifetime in working to advance the health and well-being of her Cocker Spaniels and all Cocker Spaniels. As mentor, a club supporter, and a member of many ASC work groups, her commitment makes her an outstanding example of a dedicated breeder and we respectfully nominate her to the ASC Hall of Fame for Contributions to the Breed.

Pauline Reintee’s work on the pedigree website for cockers is something very special as a Contribution of the Organization Hall of Fame member.   She works tirelessly to update the website as she gets new dog and title information. This website now contains almost 170,000 cocker spaniels.  This website is provided totally free of charge for the personal use of breeders and owners of cocker spaniels worldwide.  The cocker pedigree database started in April 2005 as a joint effort between Pauline and Annette Hagglund from Europe. Annette passed away unexpectedly in April 2010 and since then Pauline alone has maintained the entry of cocker spaniels. Pauline has added over 37,500 cockers since June 2010.  Pauline has spent thousands of dollars of her own money to purchase stud books and other resource materials and have them shipped to her house so she can enter complete information on all the dogs. This also allows her to complete pedigrees back to even earlier generations.

Recently, Pauline has spent countless hours working on notating the merle cocker spaniels, and possible merles, in the database. She also buys pedigrees from AKC on the newly registered merle cockers so that there is a record of pedigrees and breedings that produced merle colored cocker spaniels.

Her health issues in the last few years have slowed her data input, but not her desire to keep the database up to date.  It’s difficult to imagine trying to breed cocker spaniels without this wonderful tool.  The opportunity we as breeders have to look at producing results of stud dogs, reverse pedigrees and trial pedigrees of future breedings is invaluable.

Lloyd Alton (on right) and Bill Gorodner (on left) were Life members of American Spaniel Club and have worked to benefit the breed and the Organization.

Both Billy and Lloyd have a long history as breeders. Billy began with his first cocker at about age 11. He competed in Junior Showmanship during his adolescent years and later owned a grooming shop in NYC. He taught grooming at the Nash Academy in New Jersey while he and Lloyd lived there. Lloyd’s interest in Cockers began in the 50’s and he actually owned and started showing them in 1968. Lloyd and Billy moved to the “country” in northern Virginia where they operated a successful small scale boarding kennel. They continued to breed Cockers under the “Gings” prefix and produced champions in all three varieties. Their efforts have been recognized with top producers and top winners they have bred or owned. Among those would be the parti colors, Ch Gings Alydar and Ch Tagalong Macho Man.

But, beyond the breeding program, we are here today to celebrate these two men for their contributions to the community of ASC members and to the ASC organization. Their contributions are many.  Together with Lloyd’s business background and organizational skills and Bill’s knowledge of cocker spaniels and their history they collaborated in writing and producing the book The World of the Cocker Spaniel. This beautiful book is truly a “must have” for any serious Cocker breeder.  Lloyd was the “Voice” of the Flushing Show in January and again each July National show. For years we sat ringside at our ASC events and counted on those dulcet tones to call out the winners, absentees, announcements and the dogs to the show ring. What you may not realize is that Lloyd did this for 27 years, a laudable and amazing contribution in itself.

Billy has been educating, intriguing and entertaining us with his columns for decades, from columns like Butternut Wisdom through a number of other cocker related bulletins and magazines. Ask Billy a question and in giving you his answer he will share stories and information many breeders, owners and handlers may well have forgotten. His memory is encyclopedic. Just don’t ask him where he may have left his glasses!  With his incredible knowledge of our history, Billy also wrote the Obituary’s for deceased members and sometimes a well-known dog or two. Both Billy and Lloyd were active members of the ASC Spaniel Sleuths until Lloyd’s death. Billy continues to work with the Sleuths and he is always on standby during the Annual Meeting to help during announcements.

Over these many decades of deep involvement and love of the breed and the ASC, Billy and Lloyd have touched many of us in some way. To some of us they are the extended family we chose because of our common love of cockers. To others they were dear loyal friends with whom a phone call, an email, a dinner, a drink or a tale of days long gone can be shared. To other people newer to our breed they are icons, knowledgeable and respected. Their life experiences of many years are fascinating to those of us with whom they have shared them. And most importantly, their talents and knowledge were always generously and freely given to anyone who truly wanted to learn more about the breed. Each of them encouraged and mentored many breeders and ASC members who have valued their tutelage and friendship. And whenever asked by ASC or any of the dog clubs to which they belonged you could count on them to be always willing to take on any job to help promote the breed in any way they could.
Their decades of devotion truly exemplify sustaining contribution to the ASC and its members. Today we recognize and celebrate these two men and fondly remember their many personal contributions to the organization with their induction into the 2013 ASC Hall of Fame.

Dorothy Christiansen (photo on left) and daughter Sharon Gerling (photo on right) have significantly contributed to the development of the parti-color Cocker Spaniel variety throughout their lives.  Their interest in the breed started after they attended a Richland Kennel Club show when Sharon was just seven years old. That day someone handed the little girl a black Cocker to show in Junior Showmanship and Sharon went Best Junior Handler. From then on, mother and daughter were enchanted with the breed and worked to illustrate the breed standard in the conformation ring.

Their first champion was Ch. My-Ida-Ho Ideal Deb, a red and white bitch. Dorothy was a competitor and loved the sport. She was first into the ring and one of my favorite memories is when she and I went to a Canadian show circuit with multiple Best in Show winner, Ch. My-Ida-Ho Point Bandit. Dorothy would throw treats to Bandit that he would catch perfectly each time his tail wagged for more while being free-stacked.

When Dorothy stopped showing her own dogs, she became an AKC judge, and judged nationally and internationally for many years.
My-Ida-Ho parti-colors are well known around the world and it would be difficult to find a parti-color pedigree without My-Ida-Ho dogs in it today. Some of the finest dogs in the world are descendants of the diligence and commitment of Dorothy and Sharon.

Sired by Ch. My-Ida-Ho Look N’ Good, Ch. San Jo’s Born to Win “Patrick” finished his career as No. 2 AKC Sporting Dog. He is a three time Best In Show winner at the annual ASC Flushing Spaniel Show, two time Best of Breed winner at the American Spaniel Club’s National Cocker Spaniel Specialty Show. Patrick’s puppies and descendants have gone on to high achievements internationally including winning the Gun Dog Group at Cruft’s, and at ASC national shows over the past several years.

Ch. Luzana’s Look N’ Tri-If-Fic, is another American Spaniel Club winner with a Best Cocker in Show win at the January Flushing show. His sire is Ch. My-Ida-Ho Look N’ Gorgeous who is sired by Look N’ Good. Look N’ Gorgeous also sired the multiple Best in Show bitch, Ch. My-Ida-Ho Just Bn’ Gorgeous.  Each year My-Ida-Ho parti-colors are ranked in the national standings and have won many Top Five awards from the American Spaniel Club. There have been five multiple Best In Show dogs at My-Ida-Ho and numerous Group and Best Of Breed winners, eight Top Producing Sires with eleven or more champion offspring, the most famous multiple BISS Ch. My-Ida-Ho Look N’ Good with sixty five. There are twenty one Top Producing Dams with four or more champion offspring. To date there are over two hundred My-Ida-Ho champions.

Dorothy passed away in January of 2001 and Sharon has continued with their My- Ida- Ho breeding program. She now co-breeds and co-owns some of her dogs with Emma Ross, My Jems Cockers. Sharon said her most memorable “career win” was at the January 2006 American Spaniel Club Flushing Show where Multiple BISS Ch. My-Ida-Ho N’ Jems Nabisco won Best Cocker Spaniel in Show from the Bred- By- Exhibitor Classes.

In 2008, Sharon judged the American Spaniel Club Futurity and her choice for Black Futurity winner and ASCOB variety winner were litter mates that went on to win black WB, BW and ASCOB WB, BW and BOV in their regular classes. … she has an eye for a good dog.  Sharon is a Life Member of the Washington State Cocker Spaniel Club and the American Spaniel Club. Over the years she has mentored many new breeders and is most respected by her those who know her well.   Dorothy and Sharon are true stewards of the breed and have demonstrated over a lifetime, a consistent consideration and dedication to the Cocker Spaniel. We are proud to induct them to the 2013 ASC Hall of Fame for their contributions to the breed.

Any fan of harness racing will recognize the name of Greyhound, the legendary record setting trotting horse of the 1930’s. What some may not know is the man who sat behind those record setting rides was Scepter Palin, Judy Iby’s grandfather. Judy inherited Sep Palin’s competitive spirit setting goals and making records. She trained and showed hunters and jumpers in New Jersey before she was initiated into the world of show dogs. Growing up, Judy always had a Cocker Spaniel in her life. She earned her first title with her pet Cocker Spaniel in 1963. Taffy was a good little worker but couldn’t go on because of health problems. From that start Judy went on to earn well over 130 AKC titles in conformation, tracking, obedience, and agility and those titles were earned by 29 Sandor Cocker Spaniels.
Service to Purebred Dog Sports and the Breed

Judy became an AKC Tracking judge and in her spare time she wrote articles for the Cocker Spaniel Leader on health and other on-going issues in the breed. To Breed or NOT To Breed was about the responsibilities of a breeder, care of the stud dog and brood bitch and the importance of spaying and neutering pet puppies. Judy authored two books on the care of the Cocker Spaniel and was a guest author on several others. She was recognized with the coveted Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America for her book, A New Owners Guide to the Cocker Spaniel.

In 1994, the ASC Health Registry leadership responsibilities were passed to Judy and Tina Turner. Tina retired a few years later and Judy assumed all responsibility as Chair and Registrar. Among her goals was to bring the Health Registry into the new digital age. This was not an easy task as she is not from the world of hi-tech communications. But she bought herself a computer and set about learning everything she could. Mission was accomplished in January 2002 when the ASC Health Registry was launched online.

Her contributions to the American Spaniel Club and the well-being of Cocker Spaniels are well documented through her educational articles and through example. She has served on various committees and now after almost two decades she has retired as the ASC Heath Registry Chair. It is altogether fitting and proper that we pay tribute to Judith P Iby and induct her into the ASC Hall of Fame for her Contributions to the Organization.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011 for contribution to the Breed, Elaine and Lamar Mathis have devoted their lives to the advancement of Cocker Spaniels and purebred dogs as breeders, owners, handlers and judges. Throughout their lives they’ve worked to produce outstanding dogs who exhibited type, correct Cocker temperament and trainability, as well as an on-going commitment to address inherited health issues.

In the past 50 years the Lamar bloodlines have contributed significantly to the ASCOB and black varieties; such as Ch Lamar’s London, whelped in the 1970’s, Ch Forjay’s Soul Sensation, active in the 1990’s, and most recently, Ch Lamar’s Montana.  In 1958, Elaine and Lamar acquired their first Cocker from Edith Kelly. She was Kelly’s Chantilly Lace and her granddaughter would become, CH Lamar’s Ivory Summer. Summer was a correct moving silver bitch that helped pave the way for bitches to win in large competitions. In 1969, after whelping two litters, Ivory Summer was selected as Best of Variety at ASC with her daughter winning Winners Bitch and Best of Winners awards. This was the first time a dam and daughter were distinguished with these wins at ASC. Summer’s campaign would include three all-breed Best In Show wins. CH LaMar’s Ivory Summer retired in 1969, as the top winning bitch, all varieties in the history of the breed.  CH Lamar’s London was a son of Ivory Summer and would prove to be a top producing sire in 1974. London produced 55 champions. His son, Ch Forjay’s Winterwood was the top winning cocker in 1975. London along with his son Winterwood, and grandson, CH Cottonwood Congressman, can be found behind almost every ASCOB cocker today and many of the black varieties.

In 1996, Lamar and Elaine acquired CH Forjay’s Soul Sensation “James” after handler Donnie Johnston died. Plans to sell the dog out of the country were set aside when Mathis purchased him.  James had won Best of Variety at ASC under Judge Wilma Parker while Donnie was still handling, but Mathis interest in the dog, a handsome black and tan, was in his genes. His pedigree showed he went back to London 9 times in 8 generations and James lived up to his pedigree. He produced 46 champions including 2 BIS dogs. Today, his qualities carry forward through many of the top winning Cockers.

CH Lamar’s Montana has 43 champions, including BIS winning BIS BISS Ch. LaMar’s Bentley UD CDX OA OAJ AXP AJP. Montana’s sister CH Lamar’s Saratoga earned top honors as the highest ranked bitch, all varieties, showing in 1998.  Elaine and Lamar have personally bred over 60 champions in the US, plus many others who are champions in other countries. Their quality was recognized by the ASC when several Lamar dogs were inducted into the ASC Hall of Distinction in 2010.

As is seen, many top winning and producing Cockers today owe their existence to the Lamar breeding program. For decades, the contribution of these dogs has been recognized in articles and books by elite breeders such as in The New Cocker Spaniel by Ruth Kraeuchi, and The World of the Cocker Spaniel by Bill Gorodner and Lloyd Alton.  Elaine and Lamar have been members of the Cocker Spaniel Club of Northern Ohio, and are Life members of the American Spaniel Club since 1966. Both are multiple Group judges and have judged at sporting events all across America and in other countries, and have judged several times at the American Spaniel Club national events.

Elaine volunteers as a ringside mentor for the ASC Judges Education program, and has presented breed seminars at national events and all-breed shows. She was part of the core workgroup that developed and promoted the ASC Cocker Spaniel-Comprehensive Breed Health Survey, and serves as a BreedCare Club Liaison and served on the Hall of Distinction development committee.  Genuine stewards of the breed, Elaine and Lamar Mathis are respected throughout the world for their knowledge, integrity, and commitment to Cocker Spaniels. In January 2011 they were inducted into the American Spaniel Club Hall of Fame for their contributions to the breed.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011 for contribution to the Organization Margaret M. Saari, D.V.M. has been compiling “Top Dog” records since 1953. Her statistics were first published that year in “The Cocker Spaniel Visitor”. After the Visitor they were published in “The American Cocker Review”, and “The Cocker Spaniel Leader”. They are now in the “Cocker Classic” and the “American Spaniel Club, Inc. Bulletin”. Her records were published in the 1976 American Spaniel Club, Inc. book and the 1881-1981 American Spaniel Club, Inc. two volume Centennial books.

Marge’s dedication to the fancy is above and beyond the ordinary for her monthly reporting for almost 60 years. There is much history in her records including the “Top Winners”, “Top Producers” and “Top Breeders” for every year. She is famous for her commitment to documenting these records for us, the Cocker Spaniel Fancy.  Marge is the ongoing American Spaniel Club chair for the “Top Dog” committee and serves on the “Archival Project Work Group”. She served as the American Spaniel Club “Health” chair from it’s inception through 2009. She was also the “Show Chair” for the first Zone 4 show in 1962.

To do what she has done for so many years is much more than just adding numbers next to names, it has been a tool that all breeders have taken for granted, and found to be extremely useful to the betterment of the breed. Her work is priceless and the list of honorees in the Hall of Fame would not be complete without honoring her legacy and her contributions to the Organization.

Edith mentored many newcomers who adored her beloved cocker spaniel. She taught them what a cocker should look like, should act like and should be; she taught them to recognize the essence of the breed she loved. She would spend many hours talking to people interested in getting a puppy, even if she knew they were not going to buy one. She realized information was never wasted; it would always be used later. She spent many hours mentoring future breeders, who later became friends. She was the driving force behind the formation of the Cocker Spaniel Club of Orange County and she was a founding member. She was Edith S. Wood, better known as Dee Dee.

Dee Dee encouraged the beginning of health testing in Southern California. Some of the first eye clinics held in California were held in her garage. She contacted and arranged for a veterinary ophthalmologist from Seattle to run eye clinics for several years until a DAVCO was available in Southern California. She x-rayed hips before it was a fashion to do so in small breeds. Later she helped make blood clinics available along with the eye clinics to encourage breeders to check for blood disorders like Factor 10. In addition to testing, she believed that cockers should be at least two years of age before breeding. She practiced this beginning in the 70’s requiring that her stud dogs be at least two as well as all bitches be at two years of age at the time of being bred. She believed that waiting until they were older would help determine health problems in our beloved Cocker Spaniels before they were to be passed on to their puppies. The ASC adopted this age standard in 2003 for futurity nominated puppies.
Sharing and teaching about breeding better dogs epitomizes one of Dee’s most essential qualities. If anyone really wanted to learn she was there willing to teach and discuss. At meetings of the CSCOC she would do impromptu programs and just grab a puppy, put it on a table and talk about what we were looking at. Her knowledge was demonstrated most by the quality of dogs that carried the Frandee prefix and the legacy they left. Many of the top dogs today can be traced directly back to the Frandee line.

Dee Dee bred over 100 champions, including multiple ASC Variety winners, ASC Futurity Variety winners, Best in Show winners, Best in Specialty Show winners and Group winners. In addition to winning, Frandee dogs produced as well. Ch. Frandee’s Susan, with 14 Champions, Ch. Frandee’s Celebration, with 9 Champions and Ch Frandee’s Forgery with 60 Champions, are top producers in the breed and examples of the Frandee producing legacy.

In addition, Dee Dee has left a human legacy that begins with members of the CSCOC. Her daughter, Julie, went on to breed, handle and judge cocker spaniels as well as many other sporting breeds. Dee Dee also mentored and became close friends with Doug and Marleta McFarlene (Marimac), Hap and Bea Jones (Jo-Bea), and Lois Wilson (Glenmurray) to name a few. They are all long time members of CSCOC as well as of the ASC. If you have not been influenced by Dee herself, you have probably been influenced by one of those she mentored.
At Dee Dee’s insistence the Cocker Spaniel Club of Orange County asked the American Spaniel Club to institute a Best Bred-by Exhibitor in Show award at the Annual Flushing Spaniel Show held each January. Prior to this, only the Best Bred-by Exhibitor Cocker Spaniel was awarded a ribbon. Dee Dee recognized the uniqueness of this special show and even though she was an outstanding Cocker Spaniel breeder, she had owned, showed and loved other Flushing Spaniels as well. After her death, a Perpetual Memorial Trophy was established for this award in memory of Dee Dee.
Dee Dee left a lasting testimony to the Cocker Spaniel breed and her name was added to the roster of the American Spaniel Club Hall of Fame at the annual Flushing Show, January, 2011.

Harriet has been breeding and showing quality Cocker Spaniels since 1956. (Note:) Harriet joined the ASC in 1963 and to this date in 2010 there has been 199 documented champion cocker spaniels to carry the Kamps prefix. (www.cockers-online)

The dogs that she has bred have had a huge impact on our ASCOB and Parti-color lines and are still present in the pedigrees of many top breeding programs today. BIS Ch. Kamps’ Kaptain Kool, the top producing bitch, Ch. Kamps’ Kountry Kiss and Ch. Kamps’ Silversmith are just a few of the very well-known dogs that reflect the style, type and conformation that we covet for the show ring.

The moving picture of BIS Ch. Kamps’ Kaptain Kool in motion has been used for many years in various Cocker Spaniel breed books including the ASC blue book “The Cocker Spaniel” to illustrate correct movement in our breed.  Harriet has always been a generous mentor to many of us in the fancy and is graciously willing to share her wealth of knowledge about our breed. Her integrity is beyond question. She is a firm believer in striving to improve the health and welfare of the cocker spaniel and a supporter of our ASC Health Registry; in fact, Harriet is one of the few breeders who submitted dogs for the first registry in 1976 and has continued listing dogs for the past 33 years.

Harriet has served on the ASC Board of Directors, on our standards committee and has been a long-time member and officer of the Maryland Cocker Spaniel Club. She has truly been a positive influence on our beloved breed and is deserving of recognition for all her accomplishments.

Hugh and Marilyn Spacht bred cocker spaniels under the “Hu-Mar” prefix for many years. They joined the American Spaniel Club in 1974 and, since that time, they have actively participated in Club functions on an ongoing basis with one or the other serving on the Board for almost half the time they have been members.

Hugh served as ASC’s First Vice President for three years and Second Vice President for two additional years during the 1980’s. During his tenure he was an active participant in developing the Club’s Code of Ethics to which all members subscribe. His service on the Board was concurrent with that of Betty Durland and he was a staunch supporter of the ASC Health Registry. In addition, for many years prior to the formation of the ASC-Foundation, Hugh traveled to various all-breed kennel club meetings in Alabama and spoke about protecting the health and welfare of our canine companions by supporting the Morris Animal Foundation.

Before and during Hugh’s time as a Board member, Marilyn served on a number of Club and show committees. She has been futurity chair, seating chair, ring steward, and hospitality chair. She is an active member of the standard committee and, to this day, an unfailing mentor ringside during judges’ education programs at the shows. Her opinion is sought inside the ring as well and she has judged both the National Cocker Spaniel Specialty and the Flushing Spaniel Show including Best of Breed at the former and Best In Show at the latter.

After Hugh left the Board, Marilyn served as a Director for Zone II and later as President of both the American Spaniel Club and the ASC-Foundation for three terms. Currently, she is again serving on the Board as a Director at Large and as a member of the finance committee.
The Cocker Spaniel has no truer friends and the Club no stauncher supporters than Hugh and Marilyn Spacht. Their commitment to the breed they love and the Club that protects it merits their induction into the ASC Hall of Fame for Service to the Organization.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for contributions to the organization, Wilma Parker has excelled as a breeder and exhibitor. She is also a respected and sought after judge. Many others in our ranks share the same attributes but she separated from our rank and file with contributions to ASC and to our breed which are almost unprecedented when she undertook preserving, ferreting out and disseminating missing historical data pertaining to our great old club and breed.

Following in the footsteps and carrying on the foundation work of the late Dr. Frances Greer, Wilma gathered around her a group of like-minded, history oriented ASC members which morphed through her interest and initiative to become the “Spaniel Sleuths.”  Employing old tried and true methods of research and communication, Wilma Parker amalgamated the old way of obtaining information with all the advantages of modern technology. Because of her efforts ASC today is accumulating a backlog of history. Dogs and breeders of the past have been given a new dimension by assiduous research and the unearthing of heretofore unavailable materials.

Each year at the Flushing Spaniel Show she spearheads an exhibition of what the “Sleuths” have unearthed. Often the annual meetings are highlighted by descendants of some of our past great ASC fancier’s thanks to Wilma’s research and communication skills. Mrs. Parker has given the current fancy the gift of its heritage and its future members an understanding of what came before them.

Kay and Larry Hardy established their Hob Nob Hill Kennels in the 1950′ s. The typical Hob Nob Hill cocker was well up on leg with a short, hard back and beautiful, plush head. A gifted artist, Kay, brought her sense of balance and style to creating a line of Cocker Spaniels, which became readily identifiable.

The influence of these dogs comes down to this day through their two pre-potent dogs, Ch. Hob Nob Hill’s Hob Nobber (sire of 38 champions) and his son Ch. Hob Nob Hill’s Tribute. In “A Century of Spaniels” Volume II, Norman Austin refers to Tribute as “a true pillar of the breed”. He sired 54 black and black and tan champions; they include Betty Durland’s Ch. Dur-Bet’s Knight to Remember and Ch. Dur-Bet’s Pick the Tiger. Pick the Tiger in turn sired Edna Anselmi’s great producer, Ch. Windy Hill’ s ’tis Demi’s Demon.

Early on the Hardy’s became very active in the Cocker Spaniel Breeders’ Club of New England. Having held just about every office in the club, they can be credited with guiding it through good times and bad for several decades.  In the 1970’s, as hereditary problems were coming to the fore, they introduced one of the first annual eye clinics to be held in the area, for which they imported Dr. Lionel Rubin, then Chief of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School.

Michael Allen’s commitment and dedication to the Cocker Spaniel, both as a breeder, club member and respected member of the purebred dog community worldwide, positioned her as a qualified candidate for the American Spaniel Club Hall of Fame.
Renowned as a photographer and artist, Ms. Allen edited and published multiple award-winning publications including The Magazine for 20 years, and the compendium, The American Cocker Book.

Ms. Allen’s contribution to the American Spaniel Club spans almost five decades. These include:
• Drawings for the award winning ASC original Blue Book
• Creation and donation of 13 original watercolor paintings used in the American Spaniel Club 2004 Cocker Cuties Calendar fundraiser, a self funded project that raised more than $20,000 for breeder education programs
• Watercolors were auctioned by the ASC-F to establish the Michael Allen Veterinary Student Scholarship fund, now (2007) at $5,500 base
• Creation and donation of the original drawing given in recognition of Cocker Spaniels earning the prestigious, Ruby Memorial Award

In the wider purebred dog world, Michael Allen was noted for her artwork illustrating the covers of books and magazines worldwide. Her portraits of top winning champions in numerous breeds, but for Cockers, she immortalized fluid movement of the sporting spaniel with her photo of the Ch. Kamp’s Kaptain Kool.

Future breed fanciers and purebred dog aficionados will recognize the depth of contribution and commitment of Ms. Allen through her generous sharing of her incredible talent. She earned her place in the American Spaniel Club Hall of Fame for her many Contributions to the Organization and to the sport of purebred dogs.

Very few people in the breed deserve the title “Mr. or Ms. Cocker Spaniel.” Norman Austin was one of those few and deserves to be in the company of the greats such as Herman Mellenthin, Judge Scudder and Laura Henson. In his years as a professional handler, a very successful breeder and adviser to others’ breeding programs and subsequently as a much respected judge, Mr. Austin earned the title of being one of the “Mr. Cocker Spaniels of All Time.”

His accomplishments in the breed encompassed all three varieties. Just for example he guided the show and breeding career of CH Elderwood Bangaway in the ’50s. This dog was a cornerstone for the great blacks and black & tans that have come down through the years, even to the present day. In particolors Norman was a major part of the success of the Honey Creek Cockers of Bea Wegusen. Honey Creek was the foundation for most of the particolor kennels that came after the fifties. Additionally in particolors Norman worked with Chris Snowden of Glenshaw Cockers. Through combining her CH Mar-Hawks Gift to Glenshaw with CH Dumar’s Dapper Dan he created his own Baliwick line which was part of the basis behind the top winning particolors that followed. In browns Norman pioneered the color in the show ring via his and Frances Greer’s CH Moderna’s Brown Derby. He is also an integral part of the Van Valzah Cockers that were the basis of CH Clarkdale Capital Stock.

Norman and his wife Jean wrote one of the definite works on the cockers – The Complete American Cocker Spaniel. He also contributed to the American Spaniel Club’s centennial books and additionally was the co-author of the three volumes of cocker history compiled with Dr. Frances Greer.  Norman’s accomplishments and imprint on the cocker almost can never be duplicated. Each generation in his involvement in cockers has its own picture of him whether showing Vivacious, Bangaway, Fancy Parade or Capital Heir or as a judge at important shows whether at ASC or abroad will always picture him at the helm. He truly deserves to be among his peers in ASC’s Hall of Fame.

HK Bloodgood and his Mepal Farm (pronounced “maple”) are deeply rooted in cocker history. Hildreth Kennedy Bloodgood was a prominent Wall Street banker and sportsman with a passion for breeding prize winning sheep, cattle and cocker spaniels. He was also famous for his hackney driving ponies.

His home the family refers to as the “manor” was named for his favorite horse and foundation sire “Star of Mepal” Mr. Bloodgood purchased him while honeymooning in Mepal, England in 1888 and “Star of Mepal” was the first of 100 Hackney ponies to cross the ocean and live at the farm in New Marlborough.

HK was an executive director and judge in the National Horse Shows, American Kennel Club, (AKC) Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) and American Spaniel Club (ASC.) He served 14 years as president of ASC and was still in office when he died in 1919. His two daughters, Vera (Mrs Charles Scribner of NY Scribner Publishing Company) and Gladys, (Mrs J Macy Willets of Cassilis Kennels) would continue the Mepal breeding programs in both the ponies and the dogs. By 1956 the Mepal cockers had won over 2000 prizes.

The Bloodgood family owned three ASC Best in Show cockers, Ch Durbar in 1920, Ch Mepal’s Ira in 1921 and Ch Mepal’s Irene in 1922.  A Mepal cocker won four futurities; a feat never repeated by another breeder. In 1923, it was Mepal’s Fortunata (black bitch), in 1924, it was Ch Mepal’s Molinda II (black bitch). Then in 1926, Mepal Culzean (black dog) won and in 1927, Mepal’s Rominy, (black dog.) Mepal Romeo was the sire of the 1928 futurity winner, Ch Brookside Magician.

Braeside Bob was the imported foundation sire for the Mepal parti-colors and Bob produced Ch Mepal Shotover , Ch Mepal Ira , Ch Mepal Roue, Ch Mepal’s Hilma and Ch Mepal Iris. In her lifetime, Iris won 93 prizes…more prizes than any other Mepal cocker.
A Mepal cocker never won Best in Show at WKC but three others did who carry Mepal in their pedigrees. They include Ch Midkiff Seductive, 1921, Ch. My Own Brucie, 1940 and 1941 and Ch. Carmor’s Rise and Shine in 1954. The Iris pedigree is behind two of them and Ch. Baby Ruth is behind all three.
After a fire at Mepal Farm, HK composed a letter to his dear friend George Greer. He wrote “Dear Greer, The house burned down around our heads last night but thank God we saved Ruth. Sincerely, Bloodgood. ” In his one sentence we are immediately aware of the importance of Ch Baby Ruth to the breed.
After his death, the ASC membership arranged for a memorial trophy for Best Cocker Spaniel at the ASC National Flushing show. The funds were invested so the interest would provide for it to be offered in perpetuity.

In July 2004 we received an email from Melanie Sharp-Bolster, County Cork, Ireland who wrote she was the great grand daughter of HK. It was through Melanie we were able to connect with her two children living and working in the US. At the invitation of the Archival Work Group Nicola and her brother Gordon Sharp-Bolster, HK’s great, great grandchildren, attended the induction ceremony of their ancestor into the ASC Hall of Fame for his Contributions to the Breed.

Betty’s pivotal role in the development of the ASC Health Registry and her active commitment to its implementation by the fancy and the ASC membership distinguish her for meritorious service recognition.  As a founding member of the ASC Hereditary and Congenital Defects Committee (HCDC), Betty spearheaded the organization’s efforts to identify and define the types and scope of inherited defects in the cocker spaniel, beginning with cataract, progressive retinal atrophy, Factor X deficiency, and hip dysplasia. As the first Chair of the Health Registry, she, with the able assistance of Health Registrar Alice Ewing, accomplished the publication of the first Health Registry in April 1976. With Alice as Registrar for the first 10 years and Judith Wright for the next 8 years, Betty energetically facilitated the collation, publication, and distribution of the Annual Health Registry.

A tireless and outspoken proponent of genetic disease testing, she promoted the exchange of information about these defects among breeders so that all cockers-not just hers-could benefit. As a prominent successful cocker breeder for over 40 years, finishing 98 champions under the Dur-Bet, Reg., prefix, Betty had the credibility and tenacity to promote the acceptance of the Health Registry by the fancy. When its leadership responsibilities were passed to Judy Iby and Tina Turner in 1994, the Health Registry was-and remains-a dynamic and respected resource for Cocker Spaniel breeders and owners. For this the ASC owes Betty Durland and her registrars a debt of acknowledgement and gratitude.

In addition to the Health Registry, Betty’s involvement with the HCDC included the development of educational publications for the fancy, explaining in understandable terms what these defects are and how they could be identified. In April 1986 she co-authored the ASC publication, Guidelines for Breeding and Purchasing Cocker Spaniels.  During the middle of her tenure as Health Chair, Betty energetically served the ASC further as a Board member for 3 terms (1984-1990) and as the Show Chair of the 1986 summer National in Syracuse.  In short, Betty’s contributions to the American Spaniel Club transcend mere service to the organization; her legacy is the American Spaniel Club’s ongoing commitment to the health of the breed she loves.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for Contributions to the breed, the Kaplar prefix of Laura M. Henson has long been familiar to the fancy with the majority of these cockers shown by Laura, herself. What started with a family pet over 50 years ago has left a mark unprecedented in contributions to the breed for correct cocker type. The Kaplar dogs and their offspring have proven their quality by the many wins at the national level and specialties.

Laura was closely involved with the creation of our Club’s first fully illustrated book on the cocker spaniel, fondly known as the “Blue Book.” She has served on both the Standard and Education committees, worked on the original breed slide show and later the conversion to video.  From 1993 through 1997 she served as the Zone I Alternate. She has presented breed seminars both here and abroad and continues to serve as a mentor ringside to those who participate in the breed seminars.

Laura has judged in other countries as well and was selected by her peers to judge the ASC Futurity on two occasions. She has never failed to give of her time and talent whether as a Tack Room Chair or Assistant Show Chair at the January Flushing Show and many new breeders have benefited from her knowledge.  The Kaplar dogs along with Laura’s tireless efforts as an ambassador for the breed will be felt for years to come.
In January 2004 Laura M. Henson was inducted into the ASC Hall of Fame for her contributions to the breed.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for Service to the Organization, Annette Davies joined ASC in 1957 and has bred and exhibited many Champions under her Feinlyne prefix. She was an approved multi breed and Group judge with assignments taking her to countries all around the world. She judged at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Show and has twice judged Best In Show at the ASC Annual Flushing Spaniel Show.

Her devotion to the club for over 40 years led Annette down many pathways where she served as Trophy Chair, Advertising Chair, Ring Steward, Fundraising Chair, Judges Hospitality and all around Tack Room Helper. She represented the American Spaniel Club as the Delegate to AKC from 1995 to 2003, missing only one meeting during that time. She was on the Presidential Council of the AKC Health Foundation and a member of the Strategic Planning Committee of AKC.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for contribution to the breed, from the ’50s until her recent demise in 2001, Mary Joan represented the highest ideal that a cocker breeder could attain. In a limited breeding program she managed to make a deep impact on the Black variety particularly. Line bred on the Ch. Elderwood Bangaway dog her Ch. Merryhaven Strutaway is the ancestor to an astounding array of the breed’s best Blacks.

Mary Joan mentored a great many fanciers and was never too busy to take the time to guide a novice to the path of his or her own success. Whether it was the art of presentation or a question about breeding “Mrs. Merryhaven” was always ready to help. She felt the cocker fancy should stick together like Velcro and she has earned a place of respect from her peers.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame For contribution to the breed
The couple from Candylane have been dedicated to the Cocker Spaniel for a long time. During her college days Betty apprenticed at Ruth Kraeuchi’s Silver Maple Farm in St. Louis. This had to be a learning experience of a lifetime as Ruth and her husband Lee were where it was at as far as cockers were concerned in the mid west. Norman Austin was another graduate of the Silver Maple finishing school so you get the picture of Betty’s early cocker education.

As breeders, the Dudings specialized in particolors but had success in buffs as well. There were many champions in a limited program the most enduring most likely were Ch. Candyland Cadet and Ch. Candylane Cosmopolitan representing the two varieties that the Dudings dedicated themselves to in their breeding days.

To a cocker person a win under either Dick or Betty is a meaningful one. Betty particularly has been known to launch exciting puppies over some of the more mature specimens when they deserve it and most cocker people are anxious to get their hopefuls out in her ring. Dick has a take charge style which leaves no surprises in the fact that he wants the total picture in a dog.

As editor in chief, Betty was instrumental in getting the 1976 American Cocker Spaniel book published. She was also a longtime chair of the Standard Committee. The Dudings judge more than just cockers and are sought after both as judges and as instructors at judging seminars.
This couple’s ongoing pursuit of better Cocker Spaniels earns them a place with our breed’s finest.

Louise enjoyed a limited breeding program during her early years as a member using the prefix M’Lou. Her most well known cocker was a fancy moving black bitch, Ch. Lurola’s Skip To M’Lou, from the Lurola Kennels of Bob and Lucia Lake.
Louise was an approved judge of cockers and her dedication to the spaniel breeds and ASC are legend and span well over 20 years. Her untimely death in 2001 denied the club of her valuable guidance as well as her many talents.

Her duties to the club were many and varied, covering a span of many years. She served as treasurer from 1978 to 1986 and again from 1989 to 1995, as 2nd vice-president from 1984 – 1985 and again from 1992-1994 and as 1st vice-president, 1994-1995. She was elected president for three terms, 1996 to 1999.
She was active on the standard committee and the committee for Breeder/Judges Education. She participated in the first edition of the fully illustrated The Study of the Cocker Spaniel, which won a Dog Writers Award, the committee for the Cocker Spaniel CD Rom and served as Liaison for the National Specialty show. Louise was a mentor to all and her interest in breed and ASC history left behind a legacy we will always remember.

Louise’s heart was always devoted to the welfare of the breed and she was a contributing influence to one of the most important events to occur during her term as president, the formation of the ASC Foundation, dedicated to the Health and Welfare of the Spaniel breeds.

Margaret’s tireless efforts and dedication for over a quarter of a century as the secretary of the ASC are probably only equated by the utmost of integrity and honesty she brought to her position. Serving first under President Robert Biggs in 1969, through 15 different ASC presidents and over 25 different ASC Boards until her retirement in 1997, for many of us, she was, is and always will be the ASC.

She was our first contact with the ASC when we applied for membership—it was she who put a sense of continuity on an organization that continually rotates volunteers through various positions. It was she we could turn to when we needed to know some point of history or order. She is an American Spaniel Club icon—and it is only fitting that Margaret Ciezkowski, be inducted into the ASC Hall of Fame for extraordinary Contribution to the ASC so that we can capture this unique woman and her influence on the club for succeeding generations.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for contribution to the breed
Ruth and “Milru” were mainstays on the cocker scene for a long, long time. Her first litter was whelped in 1939 and was sired by Mrs.Towsend Scudder’s, Brynwood, Danny Boy. Judge Scudder was very revered in ASC and in the history of cockers and obviously passed his enthusiasm on to Ruth Muller.

In the ’50s Ruth and Milt Muller began in cockers seriously. Obedience and field work played a big part in the couple’s early activities and success. Milru’s Licorice Honey UDT won, among other honors, the Noerr Trophy. (Mr. Noerr was a very respected Obedience judge and breeder of Bloodhounds and Cocker Spaniels whose prefix was Kennels of the Ring.)

Ruth bred many champions and enjoyed innumerable important wins showing her dogs herself as well as having them shown by professional handlers. The numbers of fanciers that she mentored were many including some of the top breeders of today.  Ruth maintained a deep interest in cockers being used in the field, obedience and in conformation all through her life. She was never too busy to help any fledgling fancier. Her long time commitment coupled with her successes makes her a splendid example of what an ASC Hall of Fame inductee should be.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for Service to the Organization
“A man of honor and integrity.” These are the words used to describe Clark C. Thompson by those who knew him well. The Cogges Hall prefix is not well known in the pedigrees of the past but Clark’s devotion to the club and the breed cannot be over-looked. He was among the early cocker fanciers who promoted the breed in fieldwork and he was highly respected as a multi-breed and group judge. He was selected to judge Best In Show at the 1968 ASC Flushing Spaniel Show.

Throughout his membership Clark served in many capacities; publicity, standard committee, chairman of specialty clubs, secretary and as president from 1973 to 1975. Probably one of the most important happenings in club affairs occurred during Clark’s term — the incorporation of the club in the State of New York. He initiated the first ASC Bulletin in March of 1952 and his knowledge of spaniel and club history led him to write many editorials for various publications, including the AKC Gazette. He was the ASC delegate to the AKC for many years and was also known as the “Official Voice of ASC” in his position as the announcer for ASC shows up until the 1970’s.

“Bud” and his favorite gal Ida whose red hair was outshone only by her blazing interest and dedication to the Cocker Spaniel were a couple who exemplified everything an ASC member should strive to be as a breeder and as a member of the fancy. Whether in their breeding program that produced at least 43 conformation champions along with multiple Obedience titled cockers the total Cocker Spaniel was this couple’s consistent dream and aim. Quality and never quantity was the name of the game at Shiloh Dell. Probably the best known Shiloh Dell dog was Jason Abrams’ Ch. Shiloh Dell Salute who was a top winner as well as an outstanding stud dog.

Bud and Ida were outspoken and very definite when it came to any controversial cocker issue. You always knew where they stood. Many a neophyte learned at this couple’s knees and were better for it. For 13 years Ida was an Obedience judge. Bud was a popular arbiter of not just cockers but of multiple groups and BIS including assignments at ASC shows. Ida left us in1992 and Bud about a year after her. This couple is a splendid example of what it means to be a real breeder and deserve their place in the ASC Hall of Fame.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for Service to the Organization
Richard Hart along with his late wife Betty, bred cocker spaniels under the “Little Bedlams” prefix. Although not an active breeder for many years, he was always an unfailing supporter of ASC throughout his membership.

Richard readily participated in club functions soon after joining the ASC. He served on many different committees and was elected Zone 1 Representative in 1959. He has served the club as Assistant Treasurer, Futurity Chairman and was a Board appointed Delegate to the AKC for many years. His long time service as the ASC Insurance Chair (approximately 19-20 years) ended with his reluctant resignation in late 1996, due to health problems.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for contribution to the breed prior to 1950
Ella Borland Moffit (1889-1945) bred and exhibited her cockers under the Rowcliffe prefix. While she produced conformation dogs of merit her interest in the cocker spaniel as a multipurpose dog is to be noted. Ella was one of the very first women who did field work with her spaniels. She formed the Hunting Cocker Spaniel Club whose name was later changed to Cocker Spaniel Field Trial Club.  She worked toward the goal of producing quality conformation, obedience and field cockers but she made her largest impact through her written words. She authored The Cocker Spaniel: Companion, Shooting Dog and Show Dog, published in 1935. This was the most complete book ever written on the breed up until that time. The book has since had several revisions and updates and has been cherished by breeders through the years.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for Contribution to the Organization, Ruth’s affair with cocker spaniels began as a small child growing up in St Louis and her interest in the breed continued throughout her lifetime. By the late 20’s Ruth and Lee Kraeuchi’s Silver Maple prefix was well known in the ring and as professional handlers their client’s dogs were becoming top winners and top producers under her tutelage and guiding hands.

She served as a mentor to those who wanted to learn and many well-known breeders and judges of today apprenticed under Ruth. In 1956 she wrote The Cocker Spaniel and The New Cocker Spaniel in 1979. These books are easily found in the library of every cocker spaniel fancier.

After having one of her dogs treated for cataracts at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine Ruth was impressed with the promise of new discoveries for eye problems in dogs. She funded the college’s first ever endowed professorship in veterinary ophthalmology and this bequest has helped generations of spaniels who may have had little hope otherwise. Ruth truly loved the breed and made special arrangements to assure the continuing care of her cockers after her death.

Hall of Fame For Service to the Organization
Mari Doty and her husband Norman bred and exhibited cocker spaniels for well over thirty years using the prefix Nor-Mar. She is also an approved cocker spaniel judge.  As the editor of the American Cocker Review, Mari was a staunch supporter of the club through her magazine for many years. She served the club as a board member, correspondent to the AKC Gazette and chair of the standard committee. She wrote and illustrated The Cocker Spaniel Show Trim and So You Want To Show Your Cocker Spaniel. (Note: These publications have been updated by the ASC Foundation and are available for purchase from the ASC Secretary).

Through her magazine she spearheaded the Cocker Spaniel research fund that led to nationwide clinics and those clinics are still being utilized to this day. Mari’s contributions to the club and to the breed will always be remembered.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame for For Service to the Organization Prior to 1950

A. C. Wilmerding left indelible records in the early history of ASC and AKC and his name is easily found on the honor rolls of our past. He was secretary/treasurer of ASC during 1886-1890, served as president from 1890 to 1895 and held many important positions at AKC. His most famous field dog was Ch. Black Prince who won the first retrieving trial for spaniels held in America. Mr. Wilmerding was a multi breed judge and the Watnong Kennels were widely known in those days at all of the shows.

To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of ASC in 1931, a yearbook was published with a preface written by Mr. Wilmerding.

In his own words:
The feeling impresses me that I can fairly and properly pass along the encomiums to our present–day spaniel owners, by virtue of my having been a member of the Club all these years; in fact, one of the original, or charter members, when the Club came into existence in 1881, the personnel of which consisted, (as I refer to some data that I have, and am able to recall their names), of James Watson, George D. MacDougall, (NY); Dr. J.S. Niven, (London, Ont.) J. Otis Fellows, (Hornellsville); M.P. McKoon, (Up-State); A.E. Goddefroy, (Guymard, Orange, Co.); Dr. J.S. Cattanach, (N.Y.); DR. J.L. Morrill, A. McCollum, A.H. Moore, (Philadelphia) E. Tinsley, (Hamilton, Ont.); C.B. Cummings, J.H. Whitman, and John. F. Kirk (Toronto), with myself. All, save the writer have passed on.

He writes of his first cocker and the early officers of the club, reminds us that weight determined the difference between the Field and the Cocker Spaniel, and how breeders of the day flocked up to the Westminster Kennel Club to see the imported first black spaniel, ‘Benedict’ and, of course, they all bred to him. They wanted black spaniels and they got them but he writes, “They didn’t amount to much, not for several generations.”

He continues:
The final adoption of the original standards for the breeds took meetings and meetings and months of time and columns of print in that sportsman’s weekly journal, dear to all dog-men’s hearts, the ”Forest and Stream,” with much quibbling and arguments over small points before their final adoptions.  And numerous other doggy things that were obtained … in those days, long gone by, which were recognized to be entirely in good form then, that would appear perhaps foolish and ridiculous to our dog people of today, but remember we had to learn to creep before we could walk and those “early 80’s” started the good old American Spaniel Club on it’s triumphant way anyhow.

He judged his final assignment in 1940 and died at his home in Plainfield, NJ at the age of 94.

Artru is a prefix that is still part of the Cocker Spaniel particularly the ASCOB variety. In 1995 Ruth was inducted into the ASC Hall of Fame. She bred, along with her husband Benny (Arthur H.), BIS winners in all three varieties.

As a handler Mrs. B was always the consummate pro. Not only were the dogs put down to the minute and trained to perfection but she was the one to go to when you wanted the job done. She finished champions for herself and others at a rate that could get one’s head spinning. It almost seemed like child’s play but like all great talents Ruth only made it look easy. She was a hard worker and was very generous in sharing her knowledge and her dogs with anyone who showed interest and turned many a newcomer into a real breeder. The Artru cockers were as at home in the Obedience ring as in the show ring and countless couches wherever in the world good cockers count.

The Artru stud force was a legend in the breed. They are in the pedigrees of almost every worthwhile cocker no matter the variety. In buffs the Artru name is akin to sterling on silver and because of all these accomplishments Ruth is ensconced forever with the breed’s best in the ASC Hall of Fame.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame For Service to the Organization post 1950

Frances’ total commitment to the Cocker Spaniel serves as an inspiration to fanciers of the present and of the future. She was born in 1918 and left us too soon in 1993. As the editor of the ASC Centennial Books, which won a Dog Writer’s Award, she left ASC a great legacy. Her scientific background coupled with tremendous enthusiasm for dogs and their history served to light the catacombs of cocker history. Her study on Ch. Obo II and his many breedings contributed to the understanding of how the first major cocker stud dog disseminated his type and color background to the breed.

In collaboration with Norman Austin, Frances was a diehard in promoting tri-color and brown Cocker Spaniels. Her Ch. Baliwick Brass Lights was the first specialty winning tri-color who made the fancy very aware of this coloring. Ch. Moderna’s Brown Derby blazed a trail for brown cockers and brought them much recognition as having potential for real breed type.

Frances additionally wrote a number of invaluable books on cocker history and for a time with Norman published a cocker magazine, Cocker Spaniel International, that today is a true collectible.

Her extraordinary scholarship and ability to convey it to others earned Dr. Frances Greer her place in the ASC Hall of Fame.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame For Service to the Organization prior to 1950

The biography of Honorable Townsend Scudder is easily found in the political graveyard of the past. In the primary elections in 1923 Teddy Roosevelt was running for delegate to the Republican National Convention and had been making a number of speeches denouncing the activities of the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan mounted a vigorous campaign against him in upstate New York and to a lesser extent on Long Island. Shortly before the primary he had to make a speech at Auburn, New York, and he asked his wife to telegraph anyone she could think of to enlist their support for his cause. She mistakenly sent a telegram to Judge Townsend Scudder, the leading Democrat in Nassau County at the time.

Judge Scudder, an Honorary member of Matinecock Lodge, Past Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, and an eminently fair and honorable man, telegraphed back: “CONFINED TO MY HOUSE WITH SICKNESS BUT WILL REACH PROPER PEOPLE AND DO MY UTMOST.” Roosevelt was elected.

Dubbed as the trial of the century by news media of the day, the notorious Snyder-Gray murder case inspired much in the way of art, both literary and theatrical. Two of the greatest classics of film, Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice, were inspired by the murder of Albert Snyder in 1927. The jury found the defendants guilty of first-degree murder and on May 13, 1927, Honorable Townsend Scudder sentenced both to death by execution. Ruth Snyder was the first woman to die in the electric chair in NY State.

Judge Scudder saw a male he wanted to purchase while visiting a Chicago kennel and the terms of the sale were he must buy the entire kennel in order to obtain Ch. Blackstone Chief. Among those 32 was a young red puppy sired by Blackstone Chief that Scudder named Robinhurst Foreglow. Herman Mellenthin greatly admired the dog and even though he was not producing well with the Robinhurst bitches Herman went looking for just the right bitch making a trade for her ownership. He brought his newly acquired Res Dolly to Foreglow and cocker history was written when Red Brucie was whelped 9 weeks later. Foreglow, bred to Billy Payne’s Westminster Best In Show winner, Ch. Midkiff Seductive, would produced the black/white, Ch. Midkiff Miracle Man, two-time winner of Best In Show at ASC in 1925 and 1926. It was from Robinhurst Kennels that legends sprang and the breed would reach a new plateau.

Scudder was not only an ASC delegate, but he was also an AKC Director (Feb. 1919 – Jan. 1923 and again from June 1932 to July 1939) and he is listed in the AKC Source Book (the history of the AKC 1884-1984). He served as President Emeritus of ASC and was a charter member of the ECSCA. His assistance was instrumental in gaining recognition for the English Cocker as a separate breed.

Few, if any can of today’s English Cocker fanciers can realize how much Judge Scudder did to preserve and promote our breed. The English Cocker Spaniel Club formed in 1935, had only about 10 active members, and it was 11 years later became a breed in it’s own right. Throughout that time Judge Scudder worked indefatigably at whatever was needed to help the breed along. With us, he worked for more than a year in drafting a standard: he wrote scholarly articles for the purpose of instructing the public on the differences between the 2 cockers. He was always ready and willing to assist newcomers and to advise the inexperienced. (Geraldine Dodge, Popular Dogs, April 1960)

He died at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut on February 22, 1960 at the age of 95.

Herman’s interest in dogs began as early as 7 years of age and continued until he died in March 1942 two months after judging Westminster. He attributed his early experience in horses for his success as a talented breeder and even before the event of Ch My Own Brucie, Herman had already earned his place in cocker history. His dogs set a pattern in all 3 Varieties of top winning dogs in both Bench and Field competitions and Ch My Own High Time was the very first cocker to win a Dual Championship.

In 1921 Herman made a trade for a bitch, acquiring Rees’ Dolly whom he felt would click with a stud dog owned by Judge Townsend Scudder. Red Brucie, a dog who was an exaggeration of everything in a cocker spaniel, was the result of the mating. When an inquiry was made as to the selling price of Red Brucie, Herman already had a plan and remarked the dog was not for sale at any price. Red Brucie was shown a few times, collecting some points and honors but he was never seriously campaigned to a Championship title. Herman had his mind set on other goals he felt were of more importance. He wanted to breed the perfect cocker spaniel and his breeding decisions, along with the Red Brucie’s influence, would lead to the cocker of today.

Ch My Own Brucie, son of Red Brucie, was that once in a lifetime dog who grew up to fulfill every dream of Herman Mellenthin. Although My Own Brucie adored Herman no doubt he knew his destiny was to become a shining star. On rare occasions, as stars sometimes do, he liked to make his own decisions about how he would perform that day. Once Brucie decided… not even his beloved Herman could change his mind. Despite his occasional stubborn streak Brucie alongside Herman climbed a stairway to fame and glory and for the duo it was an easy climb. In 1938 he was Best American Bred Sporting Dog of the Year by the American Kennel Club, he won a group at Westminster 1939 and a Best in Show at Morris and Essex Kennel Club. By 1940, Herman and Brucie were becoming household names winning at every prestigious event and when he was judged to be “Best of the Best” at Westminster KC every home in America seemed to want a cocker spaniel like Brucie. After adding another Best In Show to his long list of accomplishments, Brucie is the only cocker spaniel in our breed history to win a Best In Show at Westminster twice.

When Herman died, Brucie was purchased from the Mellenthin Estate by Herman’s close friends, the Garvan family of Dungarvan Kennels. The following year Brucie joined his beloved master and the New York Times, June 1943 carried his obituary that day. Herman Mellenthin left behind a legacy of breed contributions that will never be erased and he did it all in such a short time of living. He was only 53 years old when he died.