The Parents

So just who are the parents and why do we think they are so special?

Ruth
Grand Champion SunnyOaks N Yankee Dals House That Ruth Built
CH Tuckaway Winged Foot ROMX x CH SunnyOaks Spicen It Up ROMX

Ruth is 4 years old. We feel so very lucky to have Ruth in our lives for many reasons. Her dam Ginger was a top competitive dalmatian when we first began showing, and she frequently was shown locally, which meant we saw her a lot. Ginger and her owner/handlers made a beautiful team - almost moving effortlessly around the ring. From very early on we hoped we could have "something" from Ginger... some day. Ruth is from Ginger's second litter, the sire being Jack-another very influential dalmatian to the breed. Many dalmatian pedigrees will have Jack somewhere in the background. There were 8 puppies in the litter Ruth came from - 6 were shown, and all finished their championships within months of each other. A breeder is hopeful to have one show dog from a litter, but to have 6 is quite a fete. Both Dam and Sire have become top producers, and hence have been awarded the suffix ROMX after their registered names.

Although Ruth lives in "our" house, she is Jeff's dog. It is my understanding many or the females from her litter are "daddy's girl". She and Jeff are attached at the hip! She is Jeff's first show dog, and boy do they show. Ruth loves to show. I will ask her "do you want to be a showgirl this weekend" and she will run and jump on the grooming table to get her nails and whiskers done for a show. Ruth and Jeff have been awarded nicely for their work. At the Eukanuba Classic in 2009, Ruth received an Award of Excellence under a dalmatian breeder judge - a very nice nod and complement to the type of dal Ruth was becoming. She was invited to attend Crufts in England in 2010. During 2010 we actively campaigned Ruth as a special. This basically means Ruth had already obtained her Championship, and now we were showing to earn points, which becomes a way for all dalmatians to compete with each other across the country. For 2010 Ruth was ranked in the Top 20 of all dalmatians in the US in breed and all breed ranking. Breed points/ranking basically becomes the number of same breed of dogs defeated (ie dalmatians) during the year at conformation shows, and all breed ranking is points obtained when competing against other breeds of dogs. Ruth was the 4th dalmatian and the 1st female dalmatian to be awarded the new title of "Grand Champion" in 2010. At the Dalmatian Club of America Nationals in 2011, Ruth and Jeff were invited to compete in the Top 20 event - a fun formal evening for the top 20 dalmatians from the prior year to be showcased. Both Ruth's parents have been Top 20 winners in the past. In 2011, Ruth's half brother Ricky also was a Top 20 dalmatian.

Although Ruth is a wonderful show dog, she is an even better house and family dog. She has a very middle of the road temperament, which is easy to live with. She is playful and loves to fetch. She is always up for a bike ride or a good walk. She can play hard and keep up with "her boys" but she is quick to cuddle with someone on the couch. She has been easy going enough to be a juniors dog with our granddaughter at shows.

Mikey

American Grand Champion / Canadian Champion  Cranbrooke Back to the Future

CH Fireman's Freckled Friend ROMX x Am/Can Champion Cranbrooke Doc's Pop'n Up Stars

Mikey lives in Canada with his family, Doug and Linda Taylor of Cranbrooke Dalmatians. Mikey was on our short list of young men to look at for a potential Ruth breeding when we went to the 2011 Dalmatian Club of America Specialty shows. I liked that Mikey's pedigree would line up on another great dal "Jester", in Ruth's pedigree. And I knew of the "Spotty"  dog who is Mikey's sire. Spotty was known for his great movement - a necessity for a dalmatian who structurally should be able to coach (run alongside a carriage) for miles. At the speciality show we were fortunate to see several of Mikey's offspring in the show ring. They all exhibit great coming and going movement, and a flowing side gait. On paper, and by observation, Mikey was the only boy Jeff and I were in complete agreement on for the potential breeding with Ruth. We then set off to meet Mikey in person and we were pleasantly pleased with his temperament, along with his kind and out going personality. Structurally, we felt he would be a good compliment to Ruth.