AMONDAHL
Ray & Ann Weeks
I started out as the chauffeur. My interest was in dahlia growing and the dogs were, Ann, my wife's hobby. We were both , separately successful and as our hobbies and expertise developed we spent more and more time going in different directions .We sat down and discussed what we should do and as a result the dogs and Ann won, women always win and I joined Ann and the dogs.
At first I had little interest or knowledge about our dogs and dog shows appeared to consist of dogs going round in circles , so to pass the time I began seeing if I could identify which dog went with which breeder.I began selecting by type although I didn't know it at the time One particular breeder's dogs were very easily identified namely Gorsefield and over time and through close observation I began to spot specific
characteristics: knowledge which is invaluable when selecting a stud for our breeding bitches.
Ann and I have had noticeable successes, over the years , we are very serious about our breeding line-Amondahl- a conglomerate name made upfrom Ann, Raymond and dahlia- but our dogs have never been a business but a passion. We have bred and shown many superb dogs over 19 years and at present have two outstanding animals , Amondahl Nexus (Ike) and Amondahl Gemini (Gemma ) But I'm getting ahead of myself, let me go back to when Ann got her first dog . I was frightened of dogs but in the end gave in and through Bob Roberts ,we looked for a puppy. We picked Heidi -Anfranauds Fortune Teller , certainly not a show specimen, but we decided to learn together doing obedience training ,where we met other people in the breed and our interest moved on with the production of our first litter of puppies that included a superb dog , Saxon, Highland Drummer Boy by Cito and he was the start of our show career. Saxon had 26 firsts at Championship and Open Show level despite, sadly, we lost him at 3 1/2 years due to a perforated ulcer. His head study is used by the GSD League of Great Britain, and by other clubs on their official badges so he lives on.
We purchased Karikburg Barbel at Amondahl and she became the foundation bitch of our kennels. She did well in the show ring ,winning both Championship and Open Shows but her biggest asset was as a producer.
Barbie produced Amondahl Hexi ( Eva), questionably one of the top producing bitches in the country,
a winner herself and a producer of noticeably Amondahl Kyra at Dorjontal , Amondahl Kurt CDX,WDX, Champion Amondahl Melissa and Amondahl Marsha. For her third litter , Eva, who was by the prolific producer Lauser vom Hasenborn , was mated in Germany to reserve World Sieger, Jack vom Trienzbachtal which produced one of the most outstanding litters in quarantine with Amondahl Octavia, 1 CC & 4 RCC's , Amondahl Ora at Dorjontal , Amondahl Oriel, Amondahl Overlander ,Amondahl Inka and Amondahl Olivia.
Over the next years we continued to breed and show quality dogswinning classes at the Two day Nationals in Scotland , Northern Ireland England and Wales . Ann still recalls the personal pleasure winning at the Two day National in Wales under the late Herr Waltt Martin SV, winning a strong puppy bitch class of 69 quality animals. Melissa was only 8 months old and Ann was delighted with this success. Athough we have won at many shows some stay in the memory longer than others and some achievements become landmarks -particularly our first Champion Melissa and my selection for Championship Judging. We have come a long way from our early beginnings to , I think, a recognised kennel within the breed , the passion is still there.
To bring you up to date I must mention our appearance this year at Crufts , Ike was first Junior dog. He is out of Gemini, who was Best Puppy in our breed at Crufts 1996 . Ike was also Pedigree Chum and Breed Council Top winning Puppy for 1998. Gemini is out of Melissa by Amondahl Aquarius, ICC and 1 RCC who is out of Amondahl Oriel so Ike has the strength of the Amondahi bitch line .I am restating what I said at the very beginning of this article - we have bred for consistency of strength , soundness of temperament, relying on ' strength of our bitch line to combine well with our choice of stud dogs. We have done very well over the years and recognise the help and encouragement from many friends. I can't name them all but could not fail to mention Paul Bradley and Tracy White who gave us invaluable help and guidance when we first began breeding and showing and we hope give the same help and advice to newcomers.
"Keep your eyes open , your mouth closed and make your own decisions," is a quote from Ann and really good advice to anyone coming into the breed ! Observe well the established Kennels and owners, see what they do right , keep your own counsel until you have gained the experience and knowledge you need and then decide what yo want, what you think is important and make considered breeding decisions.
We hop to carry on breeding and showing for a long time. I dont always take Ann's advice, as people well know, but I'm glad I changed Dahlia's for dogs!
Favourite Male: Ch Ariomwood High & Mighty
Favourite Female: Ch Catja Of Vornlante
