I started in the dog showing world with a Shetland Sheepdog bitch in the late 1960s. She was over size and produced large puppies as well. I went to Crufts to find a stud dog for her and saw these shaggy, hairy dogs I later found out were Bearded Collies. I fell hook, line and sinker and eventually found a bitch puppy in October 1971. She became my foundation bitch and produced my first champion dog, namely Ch. Banacek Moonlight Blue. He bred on and sired B. Shot Silk who got 2 C.C.s and 2 Res.C.C.s. In between there were others who won well both here and overseas.
In 1989 1 was unfortunate enough to displace a disc in my spine, resulting in spinal surgery and being laid up for about 12 months. I tried to continue showing my Beardies but found the amount of work involved just too much, so began to look round for something smaller.
Remembering back, I'd taken my Beardie dog to a local Open Show when he was 11 months old and had spoken to a Gentleman who had a little black and cream bitch tucked under his arm. Not recognising the breed I enquired what she was. Thus, my introduction to The Lowchen. This was in 1975, and on asking how much puppies cost, the price of £250.00 was too much as I had two young children and only my husband's wage to live on.
Back to 1990, and the start of my hunt for a Lowchen bitch puppy of show quality. Not an easy task, as they were few and far between. After many visits to Championship Shows on Toy day and several visits to Janet Edwards and Sally Gibbons, I was told about a two year old bitch who had already had a litter and was for sale. To cut a long story short, I shot up to Manchester to see her and returned home with Duncara Umind A Morning Song.
I did show Symphony at several shows, but she never really liked showing, so in due course she was mated to Ch.. Tethall Damson Design and produced a litter of 4 bitches and 2 dogs. I kept a black and cream bitch, who became Ch. Banacek Singing The Blues. In due course Annie was mated to Pridesden Paparazzi and produced 4 black and silver dog puppies. I kept one, who in time became Ch. Banacek Call It The Blues. Annie had 4 litters in total, but only produced I bitch puppy, still, more of that later.
In early 1995, Sally Gibbons very kindly let me have Tethall
Fanthom Forester From Banacek to run on until we saw how he would turn out.
He exceeded all our expectations, and gained his title late in 1996.
In December 1995, Cleeview Brave Lady Banacek joined us from Janet and Trevor
Edward's and was mated to Ch.B.Call It The Blues in 1998. Again it was a litter
of 4 boys and Ch. Banacek Heartbeat stayed at home.
Singing The Blues' final litter was to Ch. Beaulion Gay Gordon
in 1998 and at long last we had a bitch puppy - Banacek Annie's Song. Maisie
was shown but unfortunately developed a very wavy coat. In 2002, she was mated
to Ch. B. Heartbeat and produced B. Walking On Sunshine, who has 1 C.C. and
I Res.C.C. Sadly, Libby was mated in 2004, had difficulties whelping so had
a
C. Section for I dead puppy, then developed bad mastitis and, on the advice
of 4 different Vets, was spayed in November 2004.
Thus, in one fell swoop, my Bitch line came to an end.
But this is not the end of the story. We have very good friends
in Lowchens and so two little girls joined us in September 2004 and March
2005. Many thanks to George and Ian (Beaulion) and Ann Smith (Aquilonia) for
our 2 lovely girls, our breeding program will now continue through the boys.