Our breed is a product of our history and the dedication of those stout breeders who defined our breed through judicious breeding. Breed type, form and function were developed over time until the present day Norfolk Terrier evolved.
Allright Kennels
Allright Kennels, founded with Ickworth Sandstorm in the mid 1980's, Franke Hinsch continues to be an active breeder in Germany. |
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Elisabeth and Philip Fell, Badgewood Kennels
By Barbara Miller
Mrs. P.S.P. Fell with Badgewood Windmill Girl and Judge Mrs. M. May
Philip, known as “Tiny”, and Elisabeth, called “Betty”, were always involved in one breed or another. She grew up with Whippets and Wires in the house that her parents leased from the Phipps family on what is known as Old Westbury Gardens here in Long Island, New York. As a teenager her mother gave her a Sealyham Terrier. Tiny, on the other hand, didn’t own a dog until Betty purchased a Beagle for him when they became engaged. A move to Pasadena, California, an eight year stint, occurred when they got married due to Tiny’s career with the Union Oil Company as a top executive. Betty showed her Whippet on the west coast and finished him when they returned to Long Island in 1956. Both Betty and Tiny were born to prominent families, he a great grandson of Anthony Joseph Drexel, the founder of Drexel University; she related to many well known Long Island families.
The Fells lived in Kent, England for ten years when he became an executive of Gulf Oil in 1960. Years ago Betty told me having the National Forestry as their backyard was an ideal place to run her Whippets. She had her heart set on the Norwich and Norfolk breeds having spotted two, owned by Henry Bixby, at the Westbury Kennel Club which were exhibited by the great Percy Roberts in 1935. In 1960, in England, they purchased their first Norwich from the Ragus kennel of Marjorie Bunting, Ragus Elegant Lady. On a trip back to the states they purchased a Norfolk bitch Ch. Newry’s Mrs. Mc Thing of Badgewood handled by Len Brumby. The Fells bred her to a Bethways stud and returned to England whereby the bitch delivered in quarantine. And so their involvement in both breeds began early on and our breed is better for it.
Tiny was the club delegate from 1974 until his death in 1979. It was his fortitude that enabled the breed to become two, with final approval from the American Kennel Club. And so it was in January 1979 we became two breeds, the Norfolk and Norwich. Betty became a judge in the early 1930’s due to her mother’s encouragement and judged both in England and the States at such shows as Westminster and West of England Ladies Kennel Society (England).
In the fall of 1979 the Fells hosted the club’s Match show at their showplace, Badgewood, in Oyster Bay, Long Island. They asked me to serve as Match show chairman. During lunch they provided live music and wine and I enlisted members to supply a goodly amount of food; all served on a perfectly manicured lawn. It was a perfect Fell day.
Ch. Badgewood The Huntress was Betty’s favorite Norfolk. She won the National Specialty two years in a row, 1977 and ’78. Jack Simm was their private handler for many years here in the States. He piloted Ch. Badgewood Monty Collins to a National Specialty win and a two time winner of the breed at Montgomery in 1975 and ’76. The Badgewood Norfolk and Norwich were a force and we all owe the Fells a round of applause for their fortitude in bringing the breed to the public and for their involvement in all club activities.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010 |
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Belleville
I got my first Norfolk as a pet in 1987. I had never seen a Norfolk before and had found them in a book in the library, liked the look and the sound of them, so set out to find one.
My ‘affix’ was registered in 1992 and was the name of the house that I was living in at the time.
In 1990, without knowing what I was doing at the time, I bought a bitch (Malbis Jenny Wren) from a small pet breeder. It later turned out that she was by Lowmita Nutcracker, a son of Ch Ragus Whipcord (sire of 16 English Champions), whilst her mother was a granddaughter of Ch Ragus Songbook, also a son of Ch Ragus Whipcord. Although no great star herself, Jenny had great breeding. She turned out to be the mother of my first homebred Ch, Belleville Cloudscape and grandmother of Ch Belleville Cloudvoyager, who is in the pedigree of every Belleville bred Champion except his mother, litter sister and full brother!
The reason that I was so successful in my first few litters was that the first “real” breeders that I made contact with were Lesley Crawley and Marjorie Bunting (Ragus) and Michael Crawley (Elve). Lesley and Marjorie educated me in line breeding, Marjorie would sit for hours and tell me about dogs in the pedigrees plus she still had Ch Ragus Songbook as a very old dog.
It was through their advice that I mated Jenny to Ch Elve Cloudyhead (ultimately the sire of 8 English Champions and who had Whipcord as a Great- Grandfather 3 times and a GG Grandfather 3 times) and who was consistently siring nice puppies to lots of different bitches. This produced Cloudscape. In addition Michael Crawley let me have Ch Elve Willow Goldworthy with him in partnership and she was my first CC winner and my first champion. She was a Cloudyhead granddaughter through her sire Ch Salette Gold Bullion and, when mated to Cloudvoyager, produced my first Champion show Group winner, Ch Pirouette at Belleville
Since those early days Belleville has been Top Winning Norfolk Kennel in the UK every year but one since 1994. We have made up 32 Norfolk and 10 Norwich Champions. We won Group 2 at Crufts in ‘04 with Ch Belleville Sweet Nothings (2 x BOB at Crufts including ’03 where she was also BPIB). She was also BPIS at the National Terrier Club Championship Show in ’04. She won a Group 1 and several other Group placings. Ch Pirouette at Belleville won 2 Groups and a RBIS. Ch Belleville Magic Flute won a Group and several placings. Ch None Stop to Belleville won 2 Groups. Several other have won Group placings. We have also just won our first CC with our Portuguese water dog.
I was secretary of the Midland Counties Norfolk Terrier Association for 10 years. I am an accredited breeder and a member of the Kennel Club. I also wrote breed notes in Dog world for both Norfolk and Norwich for several years.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010 |
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Barbara Fournier & the Bethways Norfolk
Submitted by: Barbara Miller
She was a constant at Westminster Dog Show even when her health didn’t cooperate. You could find her easily in a crowd; black cowboy hat, turquoise jewelry and the usual cowgirl jacket. It wasn’t always that way as Bobbie, as she was called, was born and raised in Bethany, Connecticut. It was in her home state that she fell in love with the Norwich Drop Ear and became an early successful breeder. Bobbie trained her Norfolk, groomed them and was proud as punch exhibiting each of them. Not too long ago I stumbled upon a photo of one of her famous dogs, Ch. Bethways Ringo. What a chunk! I wish he were around today because I’d certainly use him on one of my bitches. For the most part the early Norwich and Norfolk were a bit fine boned but not Bobbie’s. She had her breeding program down pat. Ringo did his owner/breeder proud by going group 4 at the Somerset Hills Kennel Club, while the club’s president, Mrs. Anne Winston looked on. Bethways Norfolk covered both coasts as they were well represented in California by Ch. Bethways Miss Chops at both the Ventura and Santa Barbara shows in 1970.
On an Easter Sunday with her friend Monika Doerk the two women packed her grandmother’s motor home with their belongings and dogs and headed for Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1974. The kennel property was being sold and they had about six weeks to shut down and move out, sort of like the early pioneers. The move opened her heart to the sun, warm climate, less pressure and lots of horseback riding. She was a transplanted easterner turned cowgirl. Jane Anderson of Mystic, Connecticut offered to take on Bobbie’s retired Norfolk, including Miss Chops. Ch. Bethways the Red Baron was at Jane’s and I so much wanted to breed to him. Off I went to Mystic and the Baron but unfortunately the breeding didn’t take. Ringo went with Bobbie to Santa Fe along with puppies and about eighteen adults. All the furniture, horses and farm equipment headed out west in a commercial van.
Bobbie became a member of the Norwich Terrier Club in the early 1950’s and remained a staunch supporter until her death. Her early friendships in the breed included Anne Winston, Mary Baird and Joan Read. She was an outstanding judge and played the game fairly; judging the dog, not the handler. She was with me in the mid 1990’s when I judged an Open show in England. She was a good friend to the Norfolk and their owners. This cowgirl didn’t have a mean bone in her body and a good word for all. Her friendships traveled near and far. Anyone who visited her in Santa Fe was sure to be taken on a trip to the Grand Canyon. She was generous to a fault. Her niece, Holly, sent me her black cowboy hat. It’s a treasure as she was.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010 |
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Chidley: Joan Read’s Biography for Norfolk Yearbook
When I lived in Virginia and bred Labradors, I knew Mrs. Read as a preeminent Labrador judge. I came to know her as a friend and mentor through her son Curtis who of course had Labradors and lived near me in Virginia. Joan and I first co-owned a lab she bred who was winner’s dog at the national. We became even closer when I became involved with Norwich and Norfolks when I moved from Virginia to Long Island. She owned my first Norfolk sire Elve Pure Magic bred by Michael Crawley. TG had a short but influential career as a stud dog in the 70’s.
Mrs. Read was born to a life of privilege in New York, her family being one of the most important in New York if not the country. Both President Franklin Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt were her relatives, Franklin being her cousin. In her early years she was a great sportswoman actively involved in showing both horses and dogs, both in the field and in conformation. She apprenticed judging under the great Percy Roberts and her keen mind and eye for a dog made her a great student. Her career as a horse woman and Labrador handler in the show ring and field was cut short by Polio contracted while she was in her 30’s. She turned her attention to a breed whose size suited her, Norwich, in the early 50’s. She bred prick ears for many years with great success and introduced a line of drop ears in the 70’s. First with Shenanigans of Chidley her foundation bitch followed by the purchase of TG from Michael Crawley, his first litter of Norfolks. TG was a very influential sire in his time forming the foundation for many of the early and current breeders, Abbedale, Surrey, Venerie, Yarrow, Greenfield, and Gleneg and the Alright Kennel in Germany.
Mrs. Read was never one to campaign a dog she only wanted to exhibit at the meaningful shows. Having her dogs gone to the shows every weekend did not appeal to her even if you told her she had a good chance to win the group she would say I would rather win the breed at Montgomery or one of the important shows where Norfolk breeders gathered. She was a great dog person who studied pedigrees and progeny and could be relied upon to give a fair, if no-holds-barred appraisal of a dog or litter or prospective breeding. She had great success as a breeder herself in Labs, Norwich, and Norfolk. Her CH Royal Rock Don of Chidley is unsurpassed in influence as a Norwich sire producing close to 100 champion offspring as well as 2 Westminster Best in Show winners. I think Norfolks won her heart because they are so game and determined, both qualities she shared with her beloved dogs. This love was demonstrated by her writing the definitive book on the breed “The Norfolk Terrier”. This tome took years to complete and occupied many of her waking hours. She was thorough in her research and sure of her facts and managed to produce one of the most comprehensive breed books available. The Norfolk Terrier was a true labor of love. Besides believing Norfolks should have a book of their own she believed Norfolks should have a club of their own. When the breed divided she felt so strongly that there should be two clubs that when the NTC became the NNTC she founded ANTA, still an active Norfolk Club dedicated to the complete Norfolk, Show dog , Earth dog, and companion. ANTA still holds annual events at which many Norfolk people gather to learn more about their breed and enjoy the day of showing, working, and doing all the things Norfolks love to do.
Joan’s legacy is not just her fabulous book or ANTA but more importantly the many people she introduced to the breed and those of us in Norfolks she nurtured and helped develop. So many people who are important breeders today owe a great deal of their dedication and knowledge to Joan. I for one will always be in her debt as she was both my mentor and friend. The many hours I spent in the evenings talking to her about dogs and the dog people who first introduced and bred Norwich and Norfolk was invaluable to my understanding and appreciation of the breeds. I only wish I had the foresight to record only a part of all she had first hand knowledge of. Those of us that knew her were privileged.
Joan was as determined as the little dogs she championed and it was this determination that helped her overcome all of life‘s obstacles. I feel privileged that she counted me as a friend and shared her love of our breed with me.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010 |
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Colonsay Kennels
Miss Marion Sheila Scott Macfie, First and Lifetime President of the Norfolk Terrier Club,
and her famous Colonsay Dalmatians and Norfolk Terriers, in 1935.
Colonsay Kennels was founded by Miss Marion Sheila Scott MacFie in 1933 and she joined The Norwich Terrier Club in 1935. She believed the breed should a small red harsh coated dog with drop ears. Mrs. MacFie successfully bred and showed before the war and survival of the breed during the war was largely credited to her. Any black and tan dogs she bred were allowed the Colonsay prefix but were not bred as she believed the recessive black and tan gene would soften the coats and make for a fuller coat. Many of the well known kennels on both sides of the Atlantic were built from a Colonsay foundation, including Nanfan, Ragus, Waveney Valley and Hunston. Miss MacFie began a campaign in the 1950's for the Kennel Club to separate the Norwich breed into separate ear types, prick ear and drop ear varieties but her goal was not accomplished until 1964.
Founding lines with a Colonsay foundation can be mapped back as:
Colonsay (1933) to Ragus to Gotoground (1963)
Colonsay to Nanfan
Colonsay to Waveney Valley (early 1940's)
Colonsay to Hunston
Colonsay to Ickworth to Allright (1980's), Titanium, Crackshill and Ragus
Colonsay to Titanium
Colonsay to Crackshill
Colonsay to Kedron
Colonsay to Port Fortune
Contributed by breeder Eileen Needham of Titanium Norfolk, an early history of the breed: Miss Marion Sheila Scott Macfie, breeder of the “Colonsay” Dalmatians, joined the Norwich Terrier Club in 1935. She preferred the drop-ears and founded her Colonsay Norwich on Mrs. Mainwaring's Tiny Tim of Biffin, and the Hon. Mrs. Brooke's Kinmount Pip. Miss Macfie bred and showed extensively and successfully, and it is largely due to her efforts that the drop-ears were kept going in such strength throughout the years of World War II. Although there were a few outstanding drop-ears in the late 1950-60s, with a winning pair owned by Miss Macfie, Ch. Colonsay Orderley Dog with 19 C.C.s and Ch. Colonsay Banston Belinda with 12 C.C.s, (a record at that time for a bitch), and which remained unbroken until recent times, drop-ear entries went down until, in 1964, they were only about a quarter of those of the prick-ears. Miss Macfie had already begun a campaign to give each type a separate register within the one breed, but it took seven years before the two types actually achieved separate recognition in 1964. Although the Club had wanted separate registers within the one breed, the Kennel Club had insisted on two separate breeds being formed, with different names. The more dominant prick-ears kept the name "Norwich Terrier", and, after some debate, it was agreed that the drop-ears should become the "Norfolk Terrier".
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With Colonsay Banston Belinda |

The Colonsay Residence |

Colonsay Flutter, Dabster, Emma and Ch Dixy |
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Elve and Michael Crawley
By Lesley Crawley
Michael Crawley’s kennel of Norfolk, Norwich and Australian Terriers came by its prefix by chance. The English KC turned down over 20 name applications and finally accepted part of the name Elvenring, so Elve came into being. It is pronounced LV and became one of the most well known prefix’s in the UK during Michael’s 23 years of breeding and exhibiting.
His first 4 champions Michael handled for himself but later he preferred to take a seat at the ringside and watch his wife Lesley handle his dogs.
The kennel achieved 16 Norwich, 2 Australian and 11 Norfolk champions, only 5 of whom were not home bred. Among the many wins the kennel had were 2 all breed BIS’s, 2 Best Puppy in Shows at the National Terrier (The UK’s top terrier show), 9 group wins in 2 breeds one being at Crufts. From 1990 to the year 2000, Elve Norwich stud dogs were top sires on the breed club points table for 8 of the 10 years.
In 1996 Elve stud dogs held the first 4 stud places, a record yet to be equaled or beaten in Norwich.
Michael’s most famous Norwich stud was CH Elve The Viking, whose 11th champion offspring was the group 1 at Crufts, CH Elve Stormwizard.
His top Norfolk stud dog in the UK was CH Elve Cloudyhead, who won Top Stud twice and was sire of the first male group winner and the first multiple group winner in Norfolks. This was CH Salette Gold Bullion who won 25 CC’s, a record at the time. In the USA he bred the well-known stud dog AMCH Elve Pure Magic, owned by the late Joan Read. He also bred ENG and AM CH Elve Nick Redthorn at Belleville, who was 2nd Top Terrier in the USA in 1998.
In Australian Terriers he bred 2 champions, one of whom, CH Elve The Forger, became the first Aussie in the UK to with a Puppy Terrier Group and when adult, won 2 group 2’s at a time when Australians never won such awards in the UK.
The most famous Elve Norwich was CH Elve The Sorcerer, who was the first male BIS winner. He was also the first multiple group and BIS winner and was certainly the pathfinder for such wins in the UK and is in the pedigrees of most top-winning dogs today.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010 |
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Farndon Kennels
From an old publication contributed by James Scharnberg
Another horseman, W.E. West, the Market Harborough feedman, acquired breeding stock from Jones and supplied the Pytchley Hunt with working fox bolters. By 1920 his prick ear Farndon strain which can also be traced back to Mrs. Fagan's Brownie, were famous as working terriers and as the pets of American horsemen. The lasting Farndon influence on American Norwich prick ear breeders was established when Pax Of The Briars and his three sons migrated in the late '40s. Mr. West bred the first English prick ear Champion Farndon Red Dog, M.F.H. and the first American prick ear Champion Rachael, Mrs. Randolph's foundation bitch. In 1950 the Dean Bedfords imported Farndon Randolph, the first English and American Champion.
Mr. West's record exports to America can hardly be equalled. It is unlikely, today, that such concentration of typical stock would be parted with if it existed. England's loss was our gain with the early Champions Rachael and Victor, followed by the Champion Farndon brothers, Randolph, Rodney and Romeo. Today the Farndon influence is concentrated at Oakley, the senior prick ear kennel in America. Pemberton and Chidley also cherish the Farndon line as Jericho, Quartzhill, and Foxybrook do in England. |
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Gotoground Kennels
Gotoground Kennels of Esmee O'Hanlon started her kennel with a Ragus Norfolk in 1963. Elel Spruce was a heavy influence on the Gotoground kennel foundation Norfolk.
From an old publication contributed by Frank Rogers:
GOTOGROUND NORWICH TERRIERS
(Drop-ear)
The Kennels are situated in a most glorious position on the North Norfolk Coast. All the dogs have free range, absolutely essential for healthy growth and development of the young stock, who can thus develop their working instincts from Puppyhood. In 1958 we were top winning kennel in the Breed wsith 7C.C.s and Ch. Hunston Hedge Betty was again top winning Bitch and Ch. Gotoground Widgeon Bunny was top winning Drop-eared Dog, being the youngest Drop-eared Champion at the age of 17 months, he qualifies for his Junior Warrant. We have a total of 32 C.C.s since starting to breed Norwich Terriers in 1954. We have made 4 Champions in this time; two are home-bred and two were reared here from young puppies. All have won the C.C.s under different judges. Gotoground Foxhunter, sire of Ch. Widgeon Bunny, I exported to America in 158. In 1959 I sent his litter brother Gotoground Gunner (one C.C. and two Res. C.C.s). Gunner's progeny have distinguished themselves in the Show Ring. Gotoground Brownie's Girl won an Open D. or B. Class at the age of 7 months; Gotoground Countryman two firsts and Res. C.C. at Birminham City Ch. Show, aged 8 months, and two firsts at Birmingham National in November, 1959.
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Hunston Kennels, founded by Kay Southwick is credited with pioneering the Black & Tan Norfolk, actively breeding until the mid 1970's. She is credited with developing Black and Tans with good harsh coats and built the Hunston line from a Colonsay bitch. |
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Ickworth Kennels
Ickworth Kennels was started by Alice Hazeldene, who handled for Mrs. Macfie and interhited the Colonsay Kennels in 1965. Though she retired from breeding in 1981, her generosity with Norfolk fanciers at home and abroad was revered. |
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The following is a short story written by Sheila Monckton of Jericho Kennels, contributed by Frank Rogers
VIXEN AND TAN
Early in the 1930’s, I was sitting and writing letters and two of my bitches were asleep at my feet, when suddenly they shot out of the room, and I heard their infuriated voices raised in the hall. I went out to find that the local Policeman had called to see my husband. I do not know if he thought the parlour maid was too slow in answering the door, anyway he walked into the house. That was as far as he got, for Vixen and Tan had got him cornered, and in between their barks took running nips at him if he moved. These same two did not always make a row when anything went wrong. Every night they would come upstairs with me and sleep in their basket beside my bed. I always left the door open so that I could hear if my elder children cried in the night, as Nanny slept next to our youngest and their rooms were down the passage. One night I heard plop, plop, as Vixen and Tan hopped out of their basket and ran to the door, and then there was silence. On getting up to see what had disturbed them I saw a small figure in the moonlight. This was my eldest son Peter walking in his sleep. Thanks to these Norfolk Terriers waking me up and not waking my son, I got him back to bed without a mishap.
Sheila is said to have had Nannies and Parlor Maids and to have lived a very grand life! A quote from Sheila:
" I bought my first Norwich Terrier from Mr. P.V. W. Gell, a puppy called Red Squirrel, which I nicknamed Vixen, and then I bought Neachley Tan. It is from the latter bitch that I founded my Jericho kennel and all my terriers trace back to her". |
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Kedron Kennels
A stalwart New Englander, Miss Edith McCausland, imported her original drop ear stock from Miss Macfie to found her Kedron Kennels. Miss McCausland's Angel's Whisper of Colonsay appeared in the Norwich ring at New England shows; her owner always stayed for the Terrier Group, whether there had been breed competition or not and the public gradually became acquainted with the sporting terriers. Kedron also acquired a reputation in the Obedience ring. In time, Miss McCausland sold her remaining stock to another terrier fancier Josephine Gould of Milton |
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Mr. Lewis (Podge) Low, September 1905
with the white prick-eared bitch Ninety and one of her puppies. He had several litters from her sired by Rags. All the puppies were red and some were bought by Mr Frank Jones, also known as Roughrider Jones, who began to breed them himself.
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Mt. Paul Norfolk
Ann Winston
A quote from Anne Winston, Mt. Paul Norfolk:
"Good ears are inherited by breeding to those who have them. If they are placed properly, as in the standard, they will drop properly. I never had any problem luckily. They must be set on the side of the head a bit below the dome. If set too high, they tulip. There is no other way out."
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A PERFECT STORM IN THE SOMERSET HILLS
By Sue Ely
My introduction to what is now known as the Norfolk Terrier came as the result of a perfect storm in Norwich Terriers, D.E., and a dinner party at Anne Winston’s in 1963. The storm had been building since 1951 with the descendants of Mary Baird’s Snuff and Sneeze at her Castle Point Kennels, in Bernardsville, NJ. Upon the untimely death of Josephine Spencer in that year, Mary was able to buy Partree Cobbler and breed him to her best bitches, descendants of Snuff and Sneeze. There on the Bernardsville Mountain their get and progeny flourished in kennels built amid the specimen trees and generous paddocks of Castle Point under the watchful eye of Mary’s indispensable kennel man, Robert Young.
The storm gained strength in 1953 when Anne Winston bought a bitch, Castle Point Trivet, from Mary Baird. The Winston farm included a nice portion of the valley of the Raritan River’s north branch and extensive woods along the flank of a gentle hill, Mt. Paul, between Peapack and Mendham. By 1954, the Mt. Paul kennel was a force to be reckoned with among the ranks of drop-eared Norwich Terriers. Mt. Paul Anderson, the first champion Anne produced, was the result of Castle Point Trivet bred to George Pinch. Descended from imported English stock and owned by Louis Murdock, George was a game dog to ground, and many of his get excelled at earthwork. Several were used to bolt foxes by Buster Chadwell, longtime huntsman of the Essex, NJ, Foxhounds.
The third thrust of the storm formed in 1956 when Priscilla Mallory, who lived on a working farm between Gladstone and Mendham, halfway between Anne and Mary, bought a bitch, Mt Paul Bridget, from the next litter of the same breeding as Mt. Paul Anderson. While Anne and Mary explored and enjoyed all the talents their terriers had, Priscilla’s focus in the next years at Wendover was predominantly on conformation. Although she valued the breed’s natural talents, she worked carefully on the genetics of each generation, seeking to produce the finest specimens. She was a fixture at the local match shows, and, as a good friend to both Anne and Mary, often had an opinion about a litter or new import that was taken very seriously.
For the next 20 years these three ladies were the prevailing winds of the Somerset Hills and of the widening world of the Norfolk Terrier. Not only did they expand their breeding programs by using each other’s dogs, but they widened and deepened the Norfolk gene pool by continuing to import dogs from English kennels, notably Nanfan, Ickworth, Ragus, and Colonsay. They competed joyfully, critically, and not just in the show ring. Anne Winston was the first person to win an American Working Terrier Association certificate; and Mary Baird hosted many AWTA meets at Castle Point, complete with a rushing stream and a raccoon in a cage!!! Priscilla Mallory produced some extremely influential and versatile dogs as a result of her sharp eye for selecting good stock both at home and in England.
These three women were my mentors. They provided me with an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and encouragement. My first Norfolk was a Mt. Paul Anderson son. Anne sold him to me at that dinner party in 1963. I have gone from that beginning with fond memories and the knowledge I gained in a perfect storm.
Sue Ely, Pinchbeck Norfolk Terriers.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010
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Nanfan and Joy Taylor
By Geoff Corrish, Porfessional Handler
In this life of ours, we go along day to day, meeting people as we do, and if we are lucky we meet someone exceptional. For me that person was Joy Taylor.
It happened slowly. Of course I had read the wonderful Nanfan adverts in the dog press and had seen her at various shows. At this time she had a handler called Andrew Hunt. Andrew had been my best man at my wedding and obviously we were good friends. At this time another close friend, Dorothy Dorking ‘Lowmita’ was showing Toy Poodles quite successfully but admired Joy’s Norfolks. Could I introduce her and, more importantly, would she sell her a puppy? So at one of the shows I saw Joy with Andrew and so I took Dorothy, introduced her and left them to discuss purchasing a puppy. It was not long afterwards that Dorothy did indeed acquire a puppy, and he turned out to be Ch. Nanfan Nectarine. He was the first of several champions for Dorothy, another being Ch. Lowmita Hazelnut. Through this puppy I got to know Joy better and would often chat at shows. Then came the phone telling me that she and Andrew had parted company and would I consider handling Nanfan’s for her? Would I? You bet I would and I jumped at the chance.
The first Norfolk I handled for her was in 1983, Ch. Nanfan Sweet Potato. ‘Spud’ was one of the sweetest dogs to show, but also would stand his ground if necessary. He had one of those wonderful heads that the Nanfan’s were famous for. He was Best of Breed at Crufts in 1983 under Mr. Reg Gadsden and Best in Show at the Jubilee Breed Ch. show in 1982. He was also top Norfok in 1982. If his showing career was a fabulous one then as a stud it was even better. In the famous ‘C’ litter, he sired Ch. Nanfan Catmint, Nenne Nunsten’s Ch. Nanfan Category in Norway and even more famous was Barbara Miller’s fabulous Ch. Nanfan Crunch, who I believe started the Maxwell’s. ‘Catmint’ was another lovely dog to show. He was on the large side but very sound and again that fabulous head and mouth and big teeth which sadly we seem to be losing. ‘Category’ was, I believe even better than Catmint. I was judging in Sweden and this dog walked into the ring and I just thought, ‘Wow”, never even thinking that he was one of Joy’s. When I saw that head and expression I knew it had to be, somehow. Joy’s dogs always had the most fabulous coat textures and color, with rich reds. Because of the hard coat texture, often growing furnishings was very difficult. She was very critical of black and tans and would not have one near her! Even now there are no black and tan’s at Standhall Cottage!!
Around the time I was showing for Joy, her biggest rival was Marjorie Bunting of Ragus fame. I can’t say Joy hated Marjorie, but both being strong women, they were never close either. I think in fairness to Joy, she could acknowledge a good Ragus, whereas I am not sure Marjorie would a Nanfan. Eileen Needham was probably more into Norfolk’s then than now. We see her more these days with Norwich. But the ‘Titaniums’ had a lot of Nanfan behind them and Ch. Ferdinand the Warrior of Titanium had Nanfan Sleigh Belle as her dam and was, I believe, Eileen’s first champion. This was in the 80’s and Martin Philips was just about starting in Norfolks, having previously shown Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Jaeva Matti Brown was possibly his first champion and didn’t he go to Barbara Miller as well? There were several new people to the breed and just starting to find their feet. Rita Mitchell had a Daffrann bitch from Daphne Thacker, and David Saltmarsh was showing Pipridges Hustler, who was by Joy’s Ch. Nanfan Summerstorm, and later became David’s first champion. Of course the Ragus dogs were always handled by Marjorie’s daughter, Lesley Crawley. I would need a separate article to chronicle this kennel’s dogs. Like Joy, they came thick and fast.
I suppose not many of you out there would have been able to visit Joy at Standhill cottage. So, what was it like? For me, it is like paradise! Situated close to the Cotswolds and the ancient city of Worcester, you drive down this lane which you imagine no one lived on and then suddenly, there it is. Set back off the road, black and white faced frontage. It is so old that Joy told me one day that Cromwell had actually stayed there one night on his travels back to London. Now that IS old! Inside there are stone floors, beams and wattle walls, but it has a magic all of its own. In the kitchen she had an Aga oven which she used to have to fill with coal to keep the whole house warm. Even then if you went in winter you still had to sleep in something warm! Joy was as ‘tough as old boots’ as we say over here. The dogs were up the garden in a range of old stables and she always believed that these were essentially working dogs and as such, should be allowed to work. Often she would come to a show without one of the dogs, saying it had gone to ground but would be out by the time she got home.
Joy was not always an easy person, but generated respect wherever she went. She worked hard in all weathers, in pouring rain and even in snow, she would be out with her beloved dogs. In my eye she has made the breed what it is today. To know her was to love her.
Her death was a great blow to all who knew and loved her. She is buried in the most beautiful English Churchyard you could imagine, and is within sight of her beloved Cottage. Elisabeth Matell of Cracknor fame now resides there and even now when I am there I often say to Elisabeth, “Make sure you do it right because Joy is watching you”.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010
Nanfan Kennels, founded by Mrs. Joy Taylor, was built from a Colonsay bitch and Mrs. Taylor was committed to breeding a Norfolk that was successful in both the field and the show ring, although the war prevented her from exhibiting her dogs in the early years.. Another dog of influence in the foundation of Nanfan Kennels was Elel Spruce. The first Nanfan champion was Ch. Nanfan Nimbus (born in 1960) but her favorite Nanfan dog was said to be Nanfan Heckle.
A copy of an old article written by Joy, "Breeding and Blood Lines". contributed by Frank Rogers |
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Partree Kennels
Before the war drop ear exhibitors were joined by Mrs. Duncan Spencer who in 1948 became the first official Club President. Josephine Spencer imported Trump of Boxted, by Tobit, as a foundation sire for her Partree Kennel. Her next import, Cobbler of Boxted, was Best Of Breed, 1948 Specialty, repeating his win as a champion in 1949. He produced winners for Port Fortune, Kedron and Pinch, his Colonsay breeding suited the American dogs he served. Today, although the overall quality of drop ears is more uniform, the breed seems to lack as sound and typical an individual as "The Cobbler".
Cobbler's blood at Castle Point is greatly valued and Newry has his stamp through Ch. Woodchuck of Wingan, grandson of Port Fortune the Ace. A devotee of hunting vermin, Woodchuck was also an accomplished retriever. Between 1956 and 1958, through Henry Bixby's Pinch line Newry attained stature with the three champion Newry brothers, McAleenan, McShane and McGilly. |
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Port Fortune Kennels
Miss Jean Hinkle acquired her original drop ear stock from Miss Macfie to found her Port Fortune Kennels. A breeder of Welsh Terriers, Miss Hinkle in 1938 commissioned Percy Roberts to bring back the litter mates Colonsay Allkiff and Colonsay Allcando from England. Allkiff was the first black and tan drop ear dog to gain his title, while his sister proved to be a grand foundation bitch carrying the dark color gene. Her most influential descendant, Port Fortune The Ace, would have been "a sure champion in any terrier man's book, but for the war".
As the Norwich Club grew, the necessity for impartial breed judges became apparent. Miss Hinkle proved a dedicated judge, helping Norwich gain their present status. She would have been proud of the Port Fortune descendants and disciples. Exhibitors were warned that type and size had to be established. Her judging was positive, novices were never discouraged by enumerating faults. She not only knew dogs - she also knew dog lovers. |
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Ragus and Marjorie Bunting
By Lesley Crawley
The kennel name was chosen by my mother, Marjorie Bunting. It is sugar spelt backwards, ‘Little Sugars’ being the words her sister June used when speaking to all small creatures. Rags, the most influential stud dog in Norwich during the development of the breed, and us, also make up the name. Consequently it seemed appropriate and the prefix is pronounced Raggus instead of the phonetically correct, Ray-gus.
My grandmother, Grace Marks, joined my mother as a partner in the early days. After her death I joined as a partner. I believe I was about 13 at the time.
The kennel has bred and/or owned more than 110 champions, most of which I have handled. Another 20 champions I have handled for my husband, so altogether in 4 breeds (Norfolk, Norwich, Australian and Borders) there have been at least 130 champions handled by myself or my mother. Ragus is only the second kennel in the UK to have owned and/or bred over 100 champions.
My best champion ever is CH Ragus Rings True who, in 2008, took the British dog scene by storm, winning 8 consecutive terrier groups, 12 all told, and 3 BIS all breeds so far. He has taken virtually all the show records possible for a Norwich, ending last year as Top Terrier and 3rd Top Dog all breeds. He was also the top British, owned and bred Terrier at Crufts 2009. Most of his wins have been awarded by dyed in the wool Terrier judges which is surely a great compliment.
My other top dogs were CH Ragus The Devil’s Own from whom Rings True has taken many records and CH Ragus Truly Unruly, Rings True’s dam, the first and only bitch to win more than one group in the UK. She and her son (Rings True) are the first parent and offspring to win BIS at the National Terrier, our top terrier show. So far she is the dam of 6 UK champions from only 3 litters and has been the top Norwich Brood every year since her first litter, including Top Terrier Brood in 2006. She is the most successful all around Norwich bitch ever.
In Norfolks, Ragus still holds the top Stud Dog record for 17 champion offspring with CH Ragus Whipcord, the first black and tan champion, and Top Brood with 7 champion offspring for CH Ragus Brown Sugar. These records have been held since the 1980’s.
One of the best Norfolks we have bred is CH Ragus Bewitched who founded 5 generations of champion bitches, a Norfolk UK kennel record. The sixth generation down the Bewitched line was CH Ragus Boy Blue who won 16 CC’s in all, 11 of which were won as a puppy, an all breed UK record still. Altogether, Ragus has bred or owned 35 Norfolk champions.
Since my husband’s death I have not bred Norfolks because I could not keep more than one breed and I choose to keep Norwich, always my favorite. Also Norwich needed me more and I live next to a well-known Norfolk kennel, Belleville, so I don’t miss them.
Altogether in Norfolk and Norwich I have handled 12 different group winners and 4 different BIS winners, including the first Norwich BIS winner, CH Ragus Gypsy Love. No other kennel of Norwich has owned, bred or handled an all breed BIS winner to date.
The Ragus kennel will soon be 70 years old and is certainly the oldest kennel of Norwich still to be breeding and exhibiting.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010
Ragus Kennels of Mrs. Marjorie Bunting and later her daughter, Leslie Crawley, began with Congham Binder, a Colonsay stud. Her Ragus Sir Bear is credited as the first Black and Tan to earn a CC in the UK. The early 1970's produced Eng. CH Ragus Whipcord, the first Black and Tan champion. Mrs. Bunting also bred the first Norfolk bitch champion. Ragus was the foundation upon which the Gotoground Kennels was built.
An old article written by Marjorie Bunting, "Why 'The Norfolk'?" |
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“Few of the present NTC members can quite appreciate what were our beginnings in the show ring-class after class with one or two entires and judges who glanced at them with a ‘what-breed-is-that’ look.”
Sylvia Warren, 1966
RIVER BEND AND MAPLEHURST
THE FOUNDATION YEARS
Compiled and written by Margaretta Wood
They say sisters are different flowers that grow in the same garden, and so it was with the sisters Warren. Sylvia Warren was humorous and outspoken, Katherine Warren Thayer, orderly and diplomatic. Separate yet equal, these two ladies of strong New England stock are part of the tapestry that weaves its way to the present.
Sylvia Warren’s River Bend Farm was located, by no small coincidence, in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, and it was on this farm, in 1939, that her first drop-ear Norwich “Bruff” came to live. ByTrump of Boxted out of Muffin, this dog was a gift from the Partree Kennels of Josephine Spencer, and while he only sired one litter it proved the point that from small acorns come mighty oaks. The result of breeding Bruff to Henry Bixby’s “Jenny Pinch” was CH. Tuff, CD, who proved to be an outstanding and prolific American-bred sire. A power at both River bend and Partree this dog of sound type and temperament also laid the foundation for, among others, the premier kennels of Bethway and Castle Point. Mary Baird loved to tell the story, “I bred to Sylvia Warren’s Tuff not only because he was an exceptional dog, but balso from sentiment. His grandfather was my original (drop-ear) Norwich, Snuff, a black and tan I had owned in England in 1930. CH. Tuff contributed a dark eye, bone, a perfect scissor bite, harsh, red coat, intelligence and independence. He sired my very first champion, Castle Point Simon”. Barbara Fournier attributed her success line-breeding to CH. Tuff. “I bred my foundation bitch, Kedron Cobbler Biscuit, back to her grandsire Tuff. The result of that unionb produced my first champion, Bethway’s Brigham Young, a cornerstone stud at Bethway”.
In 1946, Tuff was mated to Kedron Dorcas which resulted in two bitches, Pippet and Solo. This event might have proved insignificant were it not for the fact that Sylvia Warren gave Pippet to her sister. And in very short order our breed had its first goodwill ambassador.
OPEN A NEW WINDOW, OPEN A NEW DOOR
Katherine Warren Thayer was the mistress of Maplehurst Farm in neighboring Worcester County, Massachusetts, where she thrived on a love for life and nature. Most certainly, she was no stranger to the world of canine competition. Her brother Bayard Warren was a well-known breeder of Sealyham Terriers and holds a place in dog history by breeding and owning the Westminster Best In Show winner of 1924, CH. Barberryhill Bootlegger. With the arrival of Pippet, Katherine Thayer quickly took on the challenges that can face a numerically small breed. She had observed several good breeds fall into disrepute through the exploits of a few and, along with her sister, was a champion of the “do-it-yourself-show-it-yourself” school. Together with her friend Josephine Spencer, the unofficial Breed Club was reorganized and gained AKC recognition in 1947, opening doors at home and abroad. With Mrs. Spencer as the first official President and Katherine Thayer as its Secretary the breed prospered. Judges sent a copy of the Standard, emphasizing its working origins; detailed records and statistics were kept; prospective members were personally sought; a monthly AKC Gazette was provided; specialties, match shows and trophies were established; and perhaps of most importance a warm relationship was formed with British breeders which allowed for easier importation of desirable bloodlines. One such import was Katherine Thayer’s Hunston High Flier. This black-eyed son of CH. Waveney Valley Alder, considered by many to be a forefather of today’s Norfolk, proved his own worth on these shores by siring many a good dog, the best known among them being the dominant CH. Bethway’s Tony, and River Bend Tory, the first of its breed to earn the coveted title of UD. While preferring to leave the breeding of dogs to others, Katherine Thayer’s eye for form and function was unmatched and she freely communicated her ideas and convictions to fellow breeders with extraordinary results, laying the foundations which have preserved the breed as a sporting companion. Past president Alden Blodget spoke of Katherine Thayer, “Due to her untiring efforts, our breed’s future is secure-in the home, in the field, and in the show ring. Let Mrs. Thayer’s ideals continue as an inspiration to all those who safeguard the best interests of our breed.”
Katherine Warren Thayer died in 1958, a profound loss to friends and breeders both here and in England. In just twelve short years of breed involvement she managed to accomplish what many could not do in a lifetime. Her sister Sylvia carried on, breeding and working on behalf of their beloved breed. In the waning years, River Bend’s drop-ear breeding relied heavily on the talents of Mt. Paul Heidi (CH. Mt. Paul Anderson x Castle Point Styx) who produced a litter of six from Bethway’s Pence, a litter of five from Gotoground Fox Hunter, and another litter of five from CH. Bethway’s Pensium. In 1968, after years of persuasion, Sylvia Warren finally accepted the position of Club President, remaining thereafter as its Honorary Vice-President until her death in April of 1972.
Two weeks later at the Club’s Annual Meeting, longtime friend and then Club President Mary Baird read to the membership “Be it resolved that the Norwich Terrier Club recognizes the enormous contributions of Sylvia Warrant and her late sister Katherine to this club and the breed. Together, from our breed’s smallest beginnings, they held us together with the highest standards of integrity and sportsmanship. Each in their own way had a clear understanding of the best interests of the breed, determined that its working qualities be recognized and preserved by an enduring foundation. Be it resolved that this Resolution be spread upon these Minutes, April 28, 1972.”
The Resolution carried by unanimous vote.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010 |
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Waveney Valley Kennels of Victor and Daisy Page were founded by a Colonsay bitch in the early 1940's. The Waveney Valley Norfolks were best known for their harsh coats. Mr. & Mr. V. Page of Ashman's Hall Sussex own the Affix "Waveney" which according to the Kennel Club is "Waveneyvalley" they bred Breeze and Bluebell.
An interesting publication contributed by Frank Rogers referencing two Waveney Valley dogs:
BREEZE AND BLUEBELL
I do not think anyone will claim to have better rat catchers than Mr. Frederick, who lives in Glamorganshire and is an Official Ratcatcher or as I believe nowadays they are called Rodent Operators or Vermin Exterminators. He takes his two drop-ear Norwich Waveney Valley Breeze and Bluebell on his rounds and every year they help to catch over 400 rats.
Also contributed by Frank Rogers, an obituary on Victor Page, published 1975:
Last summer Victor Page died at the age of 80 on his vast Suffolk farm. During his lifetime his devoted Waveney Valley pack enjoyed such an impact on our breed that it is unlikely their influence shall ever wane, though they attended their last championship show prior to 1960.
It was this breeder's conviction that his Norwich were successful as they were "country bred and sportingly matured". By day all of his terriers roamed the fields and woodlands of Ashmans Hall in order to "lead perfectly natural lives so essential to all breeding stock."
These were proven field terriers who in the ring were noted for their harsh coats, gay temperaments, and the "physical conforrmation necessary for a good worker with the refinement necessary to a show winner.". |
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