Aztec and Bailey

April, Indiana and Maya

Bailey (Ch Selcarim Black Silk) has been mated to a lovely Ruby boy, Aztec (Ch Fantasyfarm Aztecsungold), both of whom are featured elsewhere on this site.  I haven't bred a Ruby girl since the first pup in my first litter 8 years ago, and am really hoping for one in this litter...  New exhibitors have been promised pick of the Black & Tan girls, to be their first show dog.  I've planned this litter for some time, and am really anticipating some lovely babies.

July 16 1998

11:45pm to 3:15am: 4 x BLACK & TAN GIRLS!!!  My goodness!  They just kept coming - Black & Tan girl after Black & Tan girl!  All are a healthy size, ranging from 7oz to 9oz, and have so little white, it will be difficult to tell them apart.  Bailey has done a wonderful job as mother, and we both have 'power naps' during the night, as she whelps by my bed.

4:30am: A RUBY BOY.  I'm awoken from my nap, and wonder if this is going to be another Black & Tan girl.  It's a RUBY!!!  I'm so excited at the prospect of a Ruby girl, and keenly check the 'unders' - it's a BOY!  Oh well, he's got the chunkiest head and body, and is very robust at 10oz.  He really stands out amongst all that black!

Babies:  All are doing well, and are very strong and healthy.  It's not going to be easy to pick the best of the Black & Tan girls for the new exhibitors - a lot needs to be weighed up.  Eventually I decide on the third born, as she is nicely constructed, has a sweet head, scissor bite and the prospect of a good coat.  Her new owners call her "April" (later Ch Chelport Black Velvet JD AD).  Aztec's owner Sharon takes the first born, "Opal" (Chelport Opal Nera), while I keep the smallest girl "Maya" (Chelport Black Orchid) and the boy "Indiana" (Chelport Indian Red).

Careers:  This is one litter where I am very proud to claim the successes of the babies, and am very grateful for what was sent to me.  April went on to a highly successful show career, winning many Challenge Certificates (CCs), Best of Breed awards, and a Specialty Championship RCC.  She then moved into success in other dog sports, gaining her Agility (AD) and Jumping (JD) titles.  "Indiana" was a multi Best of Breed and CC winner, also winning a number of in-Group awards at Championship shows.  He was retired after battling a traumatic injury to one of his legs, at the hands (boots?) of an intruder.  "Maya" was retired from showing at 10 months, when her mouth was undershot.  It became a perfect scissor bite at 21 months!  She was then returned to the ring to win many all breeds championship show Neuter in Group awards.  "Opal" won Baby in Group at her first show, and went on to have a couple of litters for Sharon.

Thank you, Aztec and Bailey!