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Living in the Pacific Northwest affords our dogs access to a lush, park like setting, access to the house via doggie doors and of course couch and bed privileges. We don’t keep dogs crated during the day as we have fully fenced yards, access to several runs with thermal dog houses, toys and agility equipment to keep their minds and bodies active. The yard can often look like a kids toy box, especially with “unstuffed” plush toys. Their favorite hobby is watching the pheasants and antagonizing the squirrels.
Being retired has been a wonderful experience, not only for me but the dogs. There’s more time to spend with them and we always enjoy having visitors, human and doggie. We travel to the shows that are more than an hour away in a motor home so everyone can go. Once a show dog, always a show dog! We have more opportunities to attend training classes, more space to practice show training, obedience and agility. And there are places to go hiking, swimming, and do field work. So all that being said, how did I ever get involved with the Sport of Dogs?
 In 1968 by husband and I purchased our first Irish setter for hunting purposes. A year later we attended our first dog show, watching breed competition and then obedience. Looking at Shawn, we knew she wasn’t of correct breed type so we became involved in obedience and the rest is history! Shawn went on to complete her Utility (UD). Over the next 13 years we purchased and bred Irish, English and Gordon Setters who later became American and Mexican Champions, a few with obedience titles. Along the way we added a couple of English Springer Spaniels whom we finished and produced one litter.
In 1982 we purchased our first English Cocker, Stormy. He was supposed to be black and tan, but none could be found, so this black bundle of joy entered my life. He became Ch Woodbine’s Stormy Weather, CD and the start of the A uld Sod line of English Cockers. We would have gone further in obedience but he just “refused” to pick up a dumbbell correctly! As is the case with most exhibitors, you can’t just have one so I purchased two black bitches, with Lochranza and Kavora backgrounds, that became the foundations of my line. Over the years I’ve added Wittersham, Ebonwood, Lochdene, Caradamine and Charbonnel lines to my breeding program.
1993 and 1994 were very rewarding years for a virtual newcomer to the breed. Scarlett, BISS Am/Can. Ch Auld Sod Sunrise O’Eaglecove, a young red bitch I’d bred, owned and handled myself was Best In Sweepstakes at the Southern California Specialty, her brother Paper Chase, going Best Opposite Sex. Scarlett picked up several points shortly thereafter. In 1994 she finished at the Flatirons Supported entry by going Best of Breed from the Bred By class. What a thrill under a Breeder/Judge! A t the Denver Specialty the next day she was Best Opposite Sex and at the National the same week she was in the final lineup. She then went to the Cascade weekend, picking up Best of Breed all three days and two Group 2s. She has several Best in Specialties from Northern California. Scarlett was ranked #5 English Cocker that year based on nine shows! She continued to be shown sparingly, coming out for Specialties and supported entries until she was a veteran. Scarlett was a once in a lifetime girl for me, fun to show and live with. She was an exhibitionist; you could just see her gather herself up while entering a ring, strutting and demanding that everyone watch her. And they did!
Most everything we have today is a Scarlett descendant. Through her lines we’re proud to have produced numerous Best In Sweeps and Best of Breed winners. There are obedience, agility, therapy, and recently, field titles earned by Auld Sod puppies and their owners. We couldn’t be prouder of our puppy owners. They are the backbone of the breed. Most just tried something new to do with their dogs, and have excelled in their accomplishments. Our hats are off to those individuals and their everyday companions!
Over the past 35 years we’re proud to report:
51 American Champions
33 English Cocker Champions
8 Dual – American, and Mexican or Canadian Champions
1 International Champion
24 Obedience, Agility, Field and Therapy Titles
3 High In Trials
1 Multi Best of Breed Specialty Winner
5 Best In Sweepstakes Winners
Their owners or I handled most, with few exceptions. An accomplishment in itself!
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