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The
Bessalone affix is held by Susan Knowles and her daughter
Sally. Susan bought her first GSP, a bitch called 'Silver
Archer' in 1979. Silver Archer was sired by Sh Ch Isara
Kurzhaar Archer, of the famous and original 'A' litter
bred by Mrs Fio Roberts.
Susan's
second dog was purchased from Des and Daisy Hodgkinson
of the Stormridge Kennel. Stormridge Hurricane (Cane)
was the first born puppy in the first litter to be sired
by the great Ch and Ft Ch Geramer's Sea Venom (Blue -
24 CC's and 22 Field Trial Awards). This mating took place
before Blue even gained his first title. |
The
quality of the smallest and apparently weakest bitch in
the litter was spotted by Des and Daisy Hodgkinson of
the Stormridge Kennels who took her on in exchange for
a dog puppy - Stormridge Oak. (right)
Des
showed this bitch and she became Sh Ch Misty of Stormridge.
Susan also kept a very flashy dog from this litter, Marbled
Archer. Stone became the constant companion and first
working GSP of Susan's husband David.
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David believes
that occasionally, descendants of Isara Kurzhaar Archer are
blessed, or perhaps cursed with exceptional intelligence. Stone
was such a dog. (Ask Susan for the stories!)
Susan showed
Cane and Oak and occasionally Stone for a number of years with
some success at Champ Show Level, and a great deal of success
at Open Shows. Champ Shows at this time were dominated by two
great dogs; Ch & FT Ch Geramer's Sea Venom and Sh Ch Galahad
of Booton.
Stormridge
Snowstorm was the next dog to join the household. At Championship
Shows Snowstorm was overshadowed by his brother, Sh Ch Stormridge
Midnight, but he was a fantastic ambassador for the breed at
Open Shows, where he won countless BOB's. Few people will know
that he was also a fine working dog with a soft mouth and was
a staunch pointer.
In early
1987 Susan and David helped to rescue 4 puppies from a locally
bred litter. One of these puppies was a rather reluctant eater
and so they kept it back. The dog decided he belonged to David
and became Bessalone Little Ben. If you ever meet David you
may 'call' his wife, you may 'call' his children, but unless
you want to spend an eternity at the bottom of the river Clyde
don't ever 'call' Ben!
'Dog
of a Lifetime'
Ben was a
reluctant retriever, but had a truly exceptional nose. David's
most valued possession was a letter from a Gamekeeper in Derbyshire,
written to Ben, thanking him for saving his job. The shoot,
which should have produced bags of 80-100 birds had produced
bags of 10, 42 and 33, when one of the guns asked David to bring
Ben. The first drive produced 36 birds and every single one
was shot off Ben's points. That day produced 210 birds, a record
for the shoot. Every Saturday thereafter produced over 100 birds,
until the end of the season. The letter was buried with Ben.
David believes
that Ben was his 'dog of a lifetime' and none can ever replace
him.
Susan's
next dog was to be perhaps her 'dog of a lifetime' - Sh Ch Stormridge
Moonraker of Bessalone.
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Dempsey
has won 5 CC's and 5 RCC's. He has sired 8 Show Champions
and numerous other winning dogs. (See Studs.) Few people
appreciate that Dempsey is also a genuine working dog,
learning his trade at the shoulder of Bessalone Little
Ben.
Since moving to Scotland Dempsey has worked the Grouse
Moors of Coulter Hills and the Tinto Hill. At 11 years
old Dempsey still enjoyed an occasional show and definitely
enjoyed his stud dog duties which he tackled with great
enthusiasm. Dempsey's Sh Ch offspring include Sh Ch Wadas
Primrose of Washakie, Sh Ch Rodale Ranger and the BIS
winning dog Sh Ch Isara Kurzhaar Wooster for Merganser. |
Sadly one
of Dempsey's puppies, Rodale Rumbarba, (Conti) died in a tragic
accident on the hills at just 3 years old. He had already been
awarded his first CC by Fio Roberts. He was a lovely dog to
own and is sadly missed.
At home there
are currently three of Dempsey's offspring; Isara Kurzhaar Apple
Cider (Cider), Isara Kurzhaar Evaluater (Rio) and Westpoint
Durham with Bessalone (Shaun)
