and countless Group placements. There is no doubt that Sally will continue to hit home runs for the Pointer in the show ring.
Ch. Woolmen’s Apricot Li’ l Tipaway, BOB at Santa Barbara KC in 1982, handled by Bobby Barlow.
The Solivia kennel of Susan Olivia Lewis Thompson began in the early 1970s with Irish Setters and English Cockers, but eventually got into Pointers, Susan’s childhood pet. Since its inception, Solivia has bred over 120 American and international champions, in all colors including solids. One of the foundation dogs here is Ch. Orion of Crookrise, bred by the Crookrise kennels in England, who, when bred to descendants of the old Truewithem line, produced many champions, including Am./Can. Ch. Solivia’s Blackheart Bravado, himself the sire of 26 champions; Ch. Solivia’s Baby Bunting, the dam of 13 champions; Ch. Solivia’s Briarpatch Bunny; Am./Int. Ch. Solivia’s Maid of Cotton, CGC; and many others. Another great Solivia dog is Am./Braz./Mex./Int. Ch. Onsage Marquetry of Solivia, a top international show dog and sire.
Four-time national specialty winner, Ch. Jason of Kinnike won eight BIS awards during his career, which spanned most of the 1980s. He won his first BIS at 14 months of age and his last specialty from the Veterans Class at 8 years old. The historical wins of Ch. Cumbrian Black Pearl, setting a new BIS record for Pointers with 22 all-breed shows, took place in 1984, when she was the number-one Sporting Dog and number-three all-breeds. On her way to the record, she won 84 Groups.
Ch. Bee Serious Kinsman, BOB at Westminster in 2000, handled by Peter Green. Judge, Houston Clark.
In 1986 Ch. Marjetta National Acclaim won the prestigious BIS award at Westminster. In all, he won 19 BIS awards and became the breed’s top sire with 107 champion offspring. “Deputy,” as he was called, left his mark on many winning kennels, including Ablearm, Bee Serious, Tahari, Coralwood, Paladen and others. While we’re talking about top producers, we must acknowledge two top-producing dams, Deputy’s mom, Ch. Truewithem A Taste of Triumph, dam of 29 champion get, and the reigning top-producing dam Ch. Sydmar the Heartless Wench (Blair), who produced 31 champions in just 4 litters. Her progeny include five BIS and two specialty winners, and she has herself won many prestigious classes.
Den and Elsa Lawler began their Bee Serious Pointers in 1985 with Ch. Marjetta Kountry Music, bred by Glen Boyer and Marjorie Martorella. She produced eight champion progeny. In the early 1990s, the Lawlers had great success with the BIS-winning bitch Ch. Marjetta Reatta of Kintyre, bred by Marjorie Martorella, handled by co-owner Cindy Lane. Then came along “Elliott” in 1996: formally Ch. Albelarm’s Bee Serious, bred by Mrs. Alan Robson and Michael Zollo, presented by Peter Green and co-owned with Judy and Frank DePaulo and DeeAnne Malanga. By 1997 Ch. Albelarm’s Bee Serious won 22 BIS and 122 Group Ones, not to mention Best of Breed at Westminster from 1996 through 1998. These two top-drawer Pointers became the inspiration and foundation of the Bee Serious Pointers. The next great dogs out of Bee Serious were Ch. Bee Serious Kinsman, who became the top Pointer in 1999 and 2000, and Am./Can. Ch. Bee Serious Lord Jim, JH, the top Pointer for 2002.
Three-time national specialty winner Am./Can. Ch. Luftnase Albelarm Bee’s Knees, CD, JH became the country’s number-one dog all-breeds in 1989. During her career she won 47 Best in Show awards and 147 Group Ones. She was sired by Westminster BIS Ch. Marjetta National Acclaim.
The Kinnike kennels of John and Erica Bandes began in 1979 and has produced over 100 champions, including 4 of the breed’s 8 Dual Champions and many titled field dogs. The four Kinnike Dual Champions are DC/AFC Kinnike Wythelde, SH, the breed’s first bitch Dual Champion; DC Kinnike Blackthorne; DC/AFC Kinnike Hedda, JH; and DC Kinnike Simon, JH. The Kinnike bloodlines are based on the famous Crookline dogs from England and can be found in the Luftnase and Albelarm stock as well. Among the top dogs here are multi-BIS-winning Ch. Jason of Kinnike, Ch. Kinnike Hannah, CD, JH and Ch. Kinnike Mathilda, JH; both bitches are the dams of two Dual Champions. The next Dual Champion from this kennel should be Ch. Kinnike Stewart JH, totaling five.
Thanks to the dedicated breeders that we’ve mentioned, many new dogs and kennels continue to enter the show world and finish on top. One such dog is Cheryl Laduc’s multi-BIS-winning Ch Cookieland’s Life Of Leisure, co-owned with A. Cantor and A. Walker. The Pointer in the US thrives in the show ring and in the field, often dominating the competition and proving that the breed is as near perfection as a pure-bred dog can be.
Some remarkable characteristics of the Pointer are the breed’s exceptionally high energy level, directness of purpose and zest for life. However, there are also the more subtle and telling things that make the Pointer the unique breed that it is. Living with the breed reveals both the Pointer’s innate intelligence and uncanny ability to work things out.
The average Pointer doesn’t “need” people: he accepts them. If it were possible to ask your Pointer if he required some assistance, the answer might well be, “I can manage that by myself very well, thank you.” A Pointer might think this is so; however, a Pointer must have direction and discipline. You must never forget that this is a dog carefully bred through history for speed, stamina and intelligence—admirable but lethal qualities if not properly channeled.
The Pointer’s striking appearance has, in many cases, been the reason for selecting the breed as a household pet. Unfortunately, too often the needs of the breed are ignored. The owner of a Pointer must respond to this highly intelligent breed’s athleticism. If he cannot guarantee his dog at least one hour of daily exercise, then there must be someone in the household who can. Then and only then can the Pointer become the ideal family dog. Otherwise, the potential owner should consider a different, less active breed.
If such care and training can be provided, it is still important not to act hastily. For the Pointer who is destined to be an all-around family and house dog, it is better to choose from a breeder who has selected for characteristics that include an eye to the show ring and companionship rather than from a breeder who is concentrating exclusively on hunting. Hunting dogs may be far too active for the family who doesn’t require a sporting companion, though it is necessary to screen show breeders carefully as well.
People are attracted to the Pointer for many reasons: his beauty and deportment are legendary. Other owners wax lyrical about the intelligence and ability of Pointers in the field and even in day-to-day life. Besides these attributes, there is a wide range of beautiful colors and markings from which to choose.
However, all of these characteristics do not constitute reason enough for anyone to purchase a Pointer without the prospective owner’s conducting a little self-evaluation as well.
This is not a breed that can be left home alone all day long and then be taken out for a ten-minute walk in the evening. Many generations of selective breeding make the Pointer a dog that must run. The breed, no matter from what lines it may come, show or field, has the innate desire to experience the great outdoors and perform its duties as a hunter of game. A Pointer can be a great companion and close friend for his entire life, but only if the owner is ready to invest the time, patience and exercise outdoors required to bring the breed to its full potential.
Pointer pups are very cute. Their floppy ears, elastic physiques and waggy-tail personalities make them irresistible. Indeed, Pointer puppies are the subject of calendars and greeting cards printed around the world each year. It is important to realize, however, that a Pointer puppy will spend only a very small part of his day sitting and looking cute. The far greater part of the day will be spent investigating, digging, chewing, eating and needing to go outdoors, only to immediately insist that he be
