“Caraneal is not, and never Was, only aBout the Glories of the shoW rinG.”
still refer to today as one of the greats. Georgette says, “Robbie and I are so humbled to have been able to breed a dog of this magnitude and I was glad to have had a long ‘homework stage’ to appreciate him in the first place and be able to help him achieve what he did.” There are many Yorkies in past eras that have been considered among the breed’s best. Starting with the breed’s pater familius , Huddersfield Ben, going through the Petite Yorkies of Goldie V. Stone, and on through the awesome early dogs of the Gordon- Bennet sisters of Wildweir fame. In the early 1950s, before many of our times, was the incredible Ch. Star Twilight of Clumor, that won the Toy Group at the Garden—twice. Then there was Ch. Little Sir Model and of course the Gordon-Bennet sisters’ famous home bred sire Ch. Wildweir Pomp N Cir- cumstance. Following that, there were the Mayfair dogs and then the famous Cede Higgins, that was the Best in Show winner at the Garden under Mrs. James Edward Clark. Those were followed, of course, by many, many more great Yorkies. In surveys and on most lists, Georgette’s Kristopher is part of the aforementioned pillars. Georgette goes on about Kristo- pher and tells me she could see in each stage—baby, teenager and finally as an adult—that he had the potential. When he was very young the one thing she was concerned about was that he was so dark. But people in the breed were already talking about him and what his potential just might be. The wonderful handler, Terry Childs, told her that Kris- topher’s coat would eventually break. And break it certainly did. It took about
two and a half years for Kristopher’s coat to come in and though the wait seemed eternal, it was worth it because he retained his beautiful silky dark blue and gold color even into old age. Kristopher’s show career included twenty specialty bests, three all-breed bests, 36 group firsts, 118 group place- ments and 207 Best of Breed wins. He received three consecutive Pedigree awards as the top Yorkshire Terrier, the YTCA Top Winning Dog award, the YTCA Stud Dog award for two years, and a Best of Breed at Westmin- ster. In Puerto Rico, he won the Toy Group for each of the four interna- tional shows, a Reserve Best in Show and, to top all of that off, he won the award of Best Visiting Dog. Those wins added the international titles of Puerto Rican, Latin American and Interna- tional Champion. Kristopher was a top producer, leaving his own distinctive mark on the breed. He sired over 60 champions, including specialty show winners, group winners and several all champion litters. All the joy of a top-winning dog has a debit side of the ledger. There are the long hours and trips that don’t end up with the sparkling successes that are anticipated. There are the hopes of the top contenders en route to group and Best in Show wins and then the facts of life when the breed judge picks anoth- er to move up on show day. Georgette says, “It takes guts and stamina, travel and advertising cost and much more, and each ingredient is necessary, as part of the whole, to put over even the best of dogs. “People are another part of the equa- tion. The supporters, fans, friends and
fellow breeders who breed to the dog or show his puppies all make the exercise fulfilling, but then there are those who are waiting for the slightest slip and the envious ones start talking. Some of the rumors that fly can be very hurtful, but the positive sides make it all worth- while, especially the friends made along the way. Among my best memo- ries are spectators and people in other breeds who expressed their apprecia- tion of Kristopher’s fine qualities. When the ride was over and I decided to retire Kristopher, I felt both relief and sadness at the same time. My campaign of Kris- topher lasted for three years. “I chose to retire him when he was on top. His last show was winning the National Specialty under renowned judge Ruthie Cooper. I wanted every- one to remember him as he was in his prime. I’ve seen others dragging it out until the dog becomes stale and falls from the judges’ graces, who then begin to look for a new winner. I think this is a sad finish for a dog that has giv- en every ounce of his heart in the ring.” Caraneal is not, and never was, only about the glories of the show ring. There have been pet dogs that have been part of the family, a few would have only been kept and loved by Georgette and Robbie. A tiny puppy that needed an extra push sometimes stayed, even if it was in their home and their hearts. Then for many years, there was Robbie’s beloved Aussie— “den dad” of all the Yorkies. In recent years there have been several co-owned and loved Japanese Chin that Georgette has shown with her usual flair and expertise. This relationship between breeders has given these dogs an ide- al home life as well as their chances in the ring. The holiday season Christmas bash at Caraneal has grown over the years with some family members mixing with a large adopted family, mostly with people in other breeds. The style, car- ing and class that Georgette carries out in show rings is equally evident in her holiday dining room. One of the high- lights of these holiday feasts at Caraneal are the Yorkies, the pet Maltese and the Chin all in festive costumes. A good time is had by all.
© JC Photo by Klein
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