|
Can.Am.Ch. Raycroft Sunbeam |
|
| We are greatly indebted to the late Rae Furness of Raycroft Clumbers in England for taking a chance on complete novices to breeding and showing, let alone to Clumbers, and trusting us with such a stunning young girl. We had contacted Rae, having done research on the breed and fallen for the beautiful Raycroft line, and explained what we were looking for and what our intentions were. We were prepared to wait as long as it took to get a puppy, and were rather shocked to get a reply that said she had a litter on the ground and this lovely bitch puppy was available! Of course we couldn't say yes fast enough, and Megan arrived in Canada as an 11 week old puppy, just a few weeks after we had imported our first Clumber, Thomas, from Wales, the result of a recommendation and referral by Rae. We were fortunate in that much can go 'off' with young Clumbers and an 11 week old show prospect may not turn out to be show quality by 4 or 6 months, but Megan grew into as lovely an adult as she'd been as a puppy. A year later Rae repeated the breeding that produced Megan, and from that litter came the great 'Garfield' Sh.Ch. Raycroft Socialite, who would go on to win Best in Show at Crufts dog show in England, over some 20,000 other dogs! |  |
| Showing the Clumbers was tough as there
was very little competition in our area, but when she found competition
Megan rose to the top. At her first Clumber Spaniel Club of America
National Specialty Megan won Winners Bitch for a 5 point major, and also
was the only bitch selected for an Award of Merit, owner handled all the
way. She went back to the US for another specialty and some supported
shows and earned another 5 point major by going Winners Bitch and Best of
Opposite Sex over specials at a supported show. We ventured across the
border a couple more times when we could find competition and she earned
the final points towards her US championship easily. Later on we would
finally find competition close to home to finish her Canadian championship
as well.
Megan whelped her first litter in November 1989, and her second and final litter in October 1990. One of the puppies from her first litter went back to the stud dog owner and went on to produce a US national specialty winner, and a puppy from her second litter went to breeders in Belgium and has done well for them there.
|
|
|
|
| The most wonderful thing about Megan was her personality. She was the sweetest dog to have around, and everyone, including ALL the dogs, loved her. As an older dog with diminished senses she could still find me if we were out in the yard together, and while I was busy cleaning up the yard I'd inevitably suddenly feel a bump on the back of my legs and turn to see an indignant Megan sitting staring at me DEMANDING a cookie! And she always got one! | |
 |
Megan just after her arrival, at 11 weeks. |
|
"Hey guys, wait for me, Megan at 11 weeks
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Clumbers are a slow maturing breed. At 1 year (left), Megan shows great promise, but is still very immature looking. At 4 years (right), Megan has matured into a lovely adult, and is shown winning Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite Sex over specials at a Clumber Spaniel Club of America supported entry show, for a 5 point major. |
|
|
|
|
Megan at 3 years, winning Winners Bitch and an Award of Merit at the 1990 Clumber Spaniel Club of America National Specialty, under her breeder, the legendary Rae Furness of England. |
 |
|
|
|
A rather typical state to find Megan in - sleeping! Forgive the filthy couch, that's what you get when it's a muddy spring and the dogs are spoiled couch potatoes! |
|
|
|
Aaaaah, teddies make good pillows! |
|
|
|
Did I mention that Megan slept a
lot as she got older?! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
