Guide to the Bedlington Terrier Club of America Collection (1946-2000)
2006/8:002 – AKD 4.0
4.5 Cubic Feet
Collection processed by Norma Rosado-Blake
PROVENANCE
A gift from Vicki Petris, President (2008) and Linda Freeman, a club member.
ARRANGEMENT
The collection’s arrangement includes several series and sub-series including: (1) Publications, (a) The Bulletin/Tassels & Tails, (b) Miscellaneous, (c) The Manual, (d) Magazines, (e) Pamphlets; (2) Meeting minutes; (3) Correspondences, (a) Subject; (4) Articles; (5) Photos; (6) Ephemera; (7) Scrapbooks; (8) Index cards. A bulk of the items in the publication series have been retained in their original enclosure with the exception of The Manual which had its plastic spiral spine removed. Photos were re-housed in sleeves, placed in envelopes and folders. One scrapbook was removed from its original enclosure while the other, Ivy McQuesten, was retained in its original binding and placed in an oversized box. The index cards were removed from its wooden file box and placed in proper acid-free boxes. Also a note taped on the wooden file box was re-keyed and placed on acid-free paper and retained with the index cards.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Club
In 1896 the American Bedlington Terrier Club, was admitted as a member of the AKC, however, declining membership forced the club to disband in 1898. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the parent club, as we know it today, was created.
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| The 1st meeting photo from The Bedlington Terrier, BTCA Collection |
Dr. Charles J. McAnulty and Anne & Anthony Neary organized the first meeting of the Bedlington Terrier Club of America on 28 May 1932 held at the Morris & Essex Kennel Club dog show in Madison, New Jersey. First on the agenda was the election of officers. Colonel M. Robert Guggenhiem and Ethel Blake were elected president and vice president respectively. Anna Neary was elected as a second vice-president. And rounding out the executive officers was Dr. McAnulty, elected as the club’s secretary-treasurer. The club was admitted as a member to the AKC in 1936.
Throughout its history the BTCA has maintained a healthy relationship with foreign Bedlington clubs such as the National Bedlington Terrier Club (England) as well as participation in Terrier specialty shows such as Montgomery County Kennel Club’s dog shows.
The development of the club historian position during the 1970s signaled the club’s commitment to protect its history. On the health front, the club, along with the assistance of the Canine Health Foundation and other institutions, has provided an immense amount of progress on variety of genetic disorders, diseases and the dog genome sequence.
By the 1990s, the club was on the cutting edge of technology. As one of the first parent clubs to participate, the listserv became one of the most important tools to connect members, in real time, who would not otherwise have an opportunity to do so. Today, the club maintains three listservs on various topics such as agility.
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| Ch. Tarragona of Rowanoaks by Muss-Arnolt, AKC Art Collection |
The Breed
The Bedlington’s ancestry is debatable. One camp believes that the breed is made from Dandie Dinmont blood and others. Whereas, on the other side of the debate, others believe there exists no evidence to suggest this and therefore is nonsensical. Contemporary experts agree with the latter, however, there are others that remain resolute to the Dandie Dinmont theory.
The breed’s history is part biblical folklore. It is said that as the Magi set out towards the north star, one left his puppy to watch over his flock of sheep, one article notes. Upon his return, he found the puppy lying wounded next to a dead mountain lion. He replied, "You are only a little black puppy – but you obeyed me and saved my flock – so I tell you that from now on you will change and grow to look more and more like a sheep."1 Appropriately enough, the breed is, at times referred to as the Christmas dog. However, the breed described as "Head like a sheep – but heart like a lion." is its ubiquitous mantra. Biblical story aside, it is commonly believed that the breed originated in 18th century England.
Some evidence suggests that the breed dates as far back as 1702. On a visit to the region of Rothbury, England, a Hungarian aristocrat writes,
"Today we hunted...On the way [home] we passed a gypsy encampment...These people had small Agar [Hungarian greyhound] like dogs with hair like that of a lamb. Lord Charles told me they were great dogs for hare and rabbit..."2
There is further evidence to support its gypsy origin.
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James Allan, born in 1720, lived in the same region among the Roma (gypsy). He became one of the most celebrated Northumberland pipers, but more importantly, he is credited with owning the first true Bedlington Terrier. His father William Allan kept terriers. "[He called them] Rodberry (Rothbury Terriers) Terriers, and were the ancestors of the present day Bedlingtons .Two of [William] Allan’s were Peachem and Pincher, names appearing among later dogs; and we find the name of Piper...borne by the first Bedlington Terrier..."3.
One century later, Ned Coates, the Bedlingtonshire vicar’s son, acquired a Rothbury bitch named Phobe. After Mr. Coates’ death, Joseph Ainsley4 acquired the dog and mated her with, Anderson’s Piper. The offspring, Anisley’s Piper, whom is believed to be the patriarch of all leading contemporary Bedlingtons, is considered the first true Bedlington Terrier. In 1845, Mr. Ainsley gave the breed its name as we know them today.
Thomas Pickett, the Duke of Bedlington, is credited with popularizing the breed in England. Pickett describes the breed as a, "...farmer’s friend and country’s gentlemen. [Its qualities include] stamina, fire, courage, and resolution."5 He bred some of the most well-known dogs including, Tear’em, Tyne, and Tyneside. The latter of which was the subject of a painting by George Earl.
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| Photos from the collection |
By 1880, America had its first Bedlington imports. J. W. Blythe of Iowa imported two bitches, which were shown at a St. Louis dog show. His bitch Young Topsy was the top dog in the breed division of the Rough Haired Terrier Class. The first Bedlington registered in America was Tynesider II in the American Kennel Register Volume I, 1883. By 1886, Ananias (4,475), owned by a W. S. Jackson a Canadian, became the first Bedlington Terrier registered with the American Kennel Club’s Stud Book.
The breed’s arrival in the United States, marked a change in the breed’s form to reflect the mountainous regions, particularly the Adirondacks. This generation of Bedlingtons were hardier, more rough and rugged. And by this time, the breed’s image was that of an aggressive dog and a fighter, however, this changed during the 1940s with Colonel M. Robert Guggenheim’s dynasty of dogs.
By the 1890s, William H. Russell of Manhattan and upstate New York, an expert on the breed, owned the first Bedlington Terrier champion, Tick Tack (20,699). Additionally, he bred the first American-bred champion, Qui Vive (20,756). It was Mr. Russell’s work that led the way for other breeders.
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| Index cards from the collection |
By the early 1920s Colonel Guggenheim opened his Firenze Kennels, where he bred Firenze Babylon Blue Beauty (384,385), whom is considered the matriarch of one of the oldest American-bred Bedlington Terrier bloodlines. At the 1927 Westminster Kennel Club dog show, his Bedlingtons dominated their class. During that same year, his import Ch. Deckham O’Lad of Firenze, took the breed’s first Best in Show in the country. By now, Col. Guggenheim was, unequivocally, the Bedlington breeder of the time.
Other notable breeders included Dr. Charles J. McNulty and his wife, who acquired Warrior of Leeds (487,725) and imported Caroline (55,035). Subsequently, they founded Tyneside Kennels, which produced some of the most well-known champion dogs of all time.
During the 1930s, Rowanoaks kennels, owned by Col. Mitchell and Connie Willemsen was a leading producer of champion Bedlingtons. Its most famous dog, Ch. Tarragona of Rowanoaks, produced a slew of champions and a legendary bloodline.
William A. Rockefeller’s kennel, Rock Ridge, produced one of the most notable dogs in Bedlington history--Ch. Rock Ridge Night Rocket. He took Best in Show at the 1947 and 1948 Morris & Essex Kennel Club dog show. The dog’s success continued in 1948 when he took Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. With his success, the breed’s registration numbers skyrocketed.
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| Ch. Rock Ridge Night Rocket with handler Anothny Neary at Westminster, 1948. AKC Administrative Collection |
In 1948, the Bedlington ranked as the AKC’s 56th (out of 111 AKC recognized breeds) most popular breed. By 1949, it jumped six places in the AKC registration standing. The total registrations continued to increase with its apex in the early to mid-1960s. Today the breed’s registration numbers are not as strong as in the past, however, owners are no less dedicated to protecting the breed’s viability. And why not? Bedlingtons possess great qualities that make them wonderful show dogs and pets.
The breed is intelligent, inquisitive and affectionate. Their clown-like personalities and need to please their owners make them fun-loving family pets. The breed’s coat can range in color from blue, sandy, liver or a combination there of, however, the blue coat is the most popular color in the show ring today. Their unique appearance stands out in the show ring or on the street. The breed’s physique is a juxtaposition of divergent features; they are graceful and light on their feet, yet remarkably muscular, quick and sturdy dogs.
In the 1970s and 1980s, copper toxicosis, an inherited autosomal recessive disease, plagued the Bedlington community. Essentially, this potential fatally disease, strikes adolescent dogs and bitches and produces subtle symptoms. Scientists like, Dr. Larry P. Thornburg and institutions such as University of Michigan, began researching this disease in the 1980s and by 1995 a landmark DNA marker test identified the first non-carrier of the disease.
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| An illustration from Trimming the Bedlington Terrier, BTCA Collection |
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The bulk of the collection dates from the 1946 to 1966, with several primary and secondary sources of note. There is a decent amount of items from circa 1996 to 2000, however the collection lacks enough information from the 1970s and 1980s. There are many issues of the club’s official magazine and correspondences that cover various subjects with a strong emphasis on health related topics.
The sub-series of Tassels & Tails, first published in 1945 and initially a monthly publication, but currently a quarterly publication, is the strongest part of the collection. Comprehensive in nature, it contains meeting minutes, constitution and by-laws, breed standards, articles, photos, financial information, and other information.
The collection contains several books published by the club that detail the breed. The Bedlington Terrier is a treasure trove of information on the breed’s history, top winning dogs and anecdotal pieces. A Visual Interpretation of the Bedlington Terrier published in 1982, is a compendium of standards, among other things, including the earliest recorded one in 1839. The Manual published in 1964 and 1970 contains breed history in England and America, registration numbers and photographs.
Another strong part of the collection, albeit a secondary source, are the books.
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| 1996 National Specialty, BTCA Collection |
A couple noteworthy items include the 5 October 1996 meeting minutes which include a wellness report and a report from VetGen, a veterinarian genetic disease research company, on the DNA test findings for copper toxicosis. The index cards are a valuable resource for dogs whelped prior to 1953. They contain pedigrees and progeny of some of the most well-known dogs of their time.
The scrapbook, Ivy McQuesten who owned and bred Bedlingtons for two decades, include a several photographs of her and her champion dogs.
The 1998 summer issue of Tassels & Tails has sustained some water damage, thus rendering it useless. Pages that did not sustained water damage, were photocopied on acid-free paper and placed in a folder; the original issue has been placed in a closed file. You may access the original issue with a written request with the AKC Executive Secretary. You can read more about our closed file policy at www.akc.org/about/depts/archive/mission_procedures.cfm.
1 The Bulletin, The Bedlington Terrier Club of America, Winter 1955.
2 Honey Mist Kennels www.honeymist.com (2009).
3 G.O. Shields, Ed., The American Book of the Dog. [Rand, McNally & Company: New York], 1891, p. 395.
4 Anisley is sometimes spelled as Aynsley.
5 The Bulletin, The Bedlington Terrier Club of America, Winter 1964-1965.
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