Our focus on breeding Eclipse & Garnet was to maintain specific traits that are in my lines, ie: small, well-layed back ears, almond shaped eyes, good pigment, breed type, beautiful heads, lovely expression, outgoing confident temperaments, strong rears, correct hare-shaped feet, nice shoulders, correct toplines & tail set. My vision was to improve on inherited muscle, coursing instinct, a tad more angle to the pastern, with both sire & dam already having good body. I could have bred to a stud dog with an enviable show record, but, those are mere statistics, & would have done nothing to IMPROVE or maintain certain traits. I also did not want big ears, straight shoulders, straight & narrow rear, & lack of body. So far, I have seen inherited muscle in 90% of these pups & correct angles & the bonus is the gorgeous, eye-catching colors & patterns. (I do not breed for specific colors/patterns). This is a line breeding on my first show dog, CH Steppenwolf King Richard & my first brood bitch, AKC pointed Sirhan Amasonka Chekovna, with solid Kumasan Champions & Greyhaven Borzoi lines also in the pedigree. It is worth noting that BIS SBIS Eng Can Am Stonebar Sebastian is in the pedigree 3 times. Eclipse is the son of my beautiful, flamboyant CH Russian Moonlight Sonata, co-owned with Laika Borzoi who just turned 14 years old (along with 1 of his litter brothers). Eclipse is an exempliary coursing dog, who has exhibited an unwaivering keeness, focus, & enthusiasm for the lure, never cutting the course, & undaunted by his competitors that cut him off or slam into him. Many compliments from fellow coursing folks have been bestowed upon Eclipse. He sure is a phenominal courser. Marilyn Polsfus of Greyhaven Borzoi selected Sonata to breed to her Magy Noir making her decision based on watching him at the National & on video. She had the foresight to envision what she was looking for to improve & maintain the traits in her lines. Marilyn bred Eclipse's brother & permitted his use as a stud to Seabury Borzoi. CH Greyhaven Stalking Moon has had much success as a sire, with 2 Russian Champions, 1 Canadian Champion, 6 American Champions thus far. I am confident that my breeding will do well. I waited for these pups to grow up & be at least 12-16 weeks old before they were placed. I prefer to wait until they are older than 6 weeks & grow them up before I deem a pup "show potential". At 3-6 weeks old, I will not grade the litter & say they are all outstanding show prospects. All but 3 pups now resides in either a show or performance home or both. 5 are pointed so far, mostly from the puppy classes.
Garnet has earned her JC & her SC & "E" has his Senior Courser title & a 5 point major in a field of 14 at AKC coursing & earned his FCH with 13 firsts & 1-2nd in his 14 trials with 10 Best of Breeds and his ORC (oval racing championship. Both E and Garnet are microchipped! Both E and Garnet-heart normal and eyes clear. E earns FC 5/18/08 and Nettie earns her SC 5/18/08!!!! |
