Page 76 - ShowSight, November 2020
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                ELIZABETH TOBIN, BLUESTONE SMOOTH FOX TERRIERS
  pictured top to bottom: Ch. Bluestone Copyright “Checkers” Ch. Pennfox Trackway’s Wicked Brew “Witchy”
My parents decided I should help fund my new hobby. I did some dog sitting for these same neighbors and, no surprise, I would wind up at the local animal hospital where my friends all worked. I did some odd jobs, mainly bathing dogs for the groomer, who bred and showed Wire Fox Terriers. Her name was Paula, and she had really good talent as a breeder and handler. She had just purchased a Smooth Fox Terrier from Mr. and Mrs. Farrell of Foxden Kennels. “Smoothie” was my first introduction to the breed beyond what I saw in the ring at the local shows. He was such a cool dog. We could not help but spoil him! He made me love the breed, as he reminded me of my first love: a cleverly made hunter.
At that same time, English Cockers were a breed I really enjoyed, and I had some success breeding and showing. Eventually, however, Smooth Fox won out. Mrs. Farrell sent me a really nice dog that I showed until moving to Texas. He was a great learning curve, and helped form my next few years ahead.
Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their influence.
From those first formative years of working at the animal hospi- tal to attending local shows, I had a great education in this sport. I really did not have one mentor to teach me about Smooth Fox, but rather, I watched the likes of Dick Cooper, Ken Murray, Jack Funk, Doug McClain, George Ward, Lanny and Penny Hirstein, and Bob LaRouch present and care for their charges. All of them had top winners in their respective breeds. This was back in the day when we had to move each night, and would stop for dinner along the way to the next site. We talked dogs at most of these dinners. They were there to answer questions from a kid who had many questions. They didn’t mind. It was also a time of good dogs; domination of top kennels with set type in many breeds. This, along with reading
as much as I could on structure, kennel management, showing and conditioning (the nuns confiscated many books in class), was my first insight into how to show and condition, and eventually, breed- ing came along. I learned from each of these, and use those set prac- tices today. I continued to ask many questions, helped out handlers, and tried to learn as much as I could.
Mrs. Farrell and Harold Nedell were friendly, and when Har- old was looking for a kennel manager, Mrs. Farrell suggested he contact me. It was a good situation for a young kid who needed a foot in the door and could work with a breed of dog she loved. I also ran his large boarding kennel. It was my move to Houston that basically started my career of showing dogs professionally, and eventually, with managing Foxmoor Kennels (then known for good Smooth Fox) that really taught me about how breeding can work— or not. Pleading with Harold to exhibit at the 100th Anniversary Fox Terrier Show (not having been under his employ but a couple of months), my first outing as his new manager I took WB onto BOS with a lovely bitch, one I had fancied since my arrival, under Ric Chashoudian. It was on this weekend that my very raw talents were spotted by Ric, and I soon made many trips to Baton Rouge to perfect my trimming, handling, and dog management. Ric was a tough but superb teacher.
Harold, a self-made millionaire, taught me good business prac- tices. We did well together, breeding some nice dogs that are pres- ent in good pedigrees today. Eventually, I left Harold’s employ and went out on my own, moving to Austin.
It was not long after that Mrs. Clark judged in Dallas, and saw a young dog I had whelped for Harold, which I’d named Dick Tracy, a Brat son. Mrs. Clark had a young bitch she wanted to breed to Dick. Within the time of her getting bred, and a return flight to Maryland, Mr. Clark had become ill, and it was decided I would whelp the litter to carry on their Smooth line. That was the start of one of my bitch lines. Mrs. Clark and I always kept in touch, and her guidance, on so many fronts, sticks with me today.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Mark Threlfall and Bonnie Threlfall. Both of these great dog people taught me the vir- tues of showing good dogs, conditioning and trimming properly (no short cuts), and running a business as it should be run. Bonnie is a master of her craft. She taught me about line breeding, reading catalogues and pedigrees, and running on puppies to grow them up. Montgomery was always a weekend to look forward to, as I spent many of them with Mark and Bonnie. We would discuss dogs while driving to the next show; the great Smooth discussion! Week- ends like this were in anticipation of seeking out breeding stock, looking for a new stud dog, or purchasing a new bitch to enhance our breeding program.
Others who have taught me and shared their knowledge: Peter Green and Beth Sweigart, the best this sport offers. Both have a great eye for a dog. The late Sergio Balcazar, who bred some excel- lent Smooths and shared his breeding with us. He, Gabriel and I would banter on the right kind of dog!
Julia Gasow, of Salilyn English Springer fame, was the most masterful breeder (and a wonderful individual) who set type in her breed that stands up today. Researching her pedigrees, follow- ing her type, helped me understand line breeding, stamping type, and adhering to your principles of structure, even though our two breeds could not be more different.
So many good people have influenced me along the way, and not always locked into my breed; diversity is key, and makes a bet- ter dog breeder. We learn from not just one breed, but from many! In my years, I have bred not only Smooth Fox, but also, in tan- dem with other breeders and owners, Irish Setters, English Springer Spaniels, Airedale Terriers, and Wire Fox Terriers, all of which have
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