History of Sheiling

Both Merv and I grew up with animals – dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc. Merv’s family had blood hounds for hunting and my family had Maltese as family pets. In the early 70’s, Merv was active in dog community in and around Sarnia, Ontario and was privileged to own and show a MBIS Great Pyrenees, Digby.  Digby was gone long before we met up in that fateful bar in Jamaica.

Once we were married and settled in our own home, Merv was insistent that we get a dog to add to the family. He so wanted a grandson of Digby, but I was seriously allergic to Great Pyrs. So, we started searching for a medium-large coated working/herding dog that would work with the allergies and get us both involved with dog activities. Somehow, we landed on Bearded Collies. Shortly thereafter, we added our first beardie, Jesse (Rafferty’s Jesse Morrison) to our family. He came from distinguished lines: Argo (Ch. Amrulee Argo Whauphill) was his sire, Tyler (Ch. Algobrae Sterling Silver was his grandsire, and his brother, Max (Ch. Rafferty’s Miracle Maxwell) was the 1984 BCCC specialty BOB. We thought he was destined to be quite the show dog. Alas, he grew to 25 inches at the shoulder and over 70 lbs. He became our brown clown, taught us about beardie humour and temperament and drew us into the wonderful world of dog. Jesse is the dog profiled in our logo.

We then started looking for a female show puppy. Merv did his homework and studied UK and North American lines and decided he most liked the style and type of Edenborough, Orora and Algobrae lines. He particularly loved Tyler and his daughter, Am/Can Ch. Benbecula’s Classical Jazz. We contacted the Waites and Bea and Kevin Sawka. Through Bea, we were able to acquire Corrie, Am/Ch. Benbecula’s Crystal D’Arque and soon after, her mother, Chelsea, Ch. Algobrae Chelsea Blue as the foundation for Sheiling. Our first litter was born to Chelsea and Judy Dorman’s Rhett (Ch. Bluweirie’s Master Rhett) in 1985.

We were welcomed into the beardie family and had the privilege of being mentored early on by the breed’s best – Bea (Classical), Della Fellows (Delroy), Cynthia Mahigian-Moorhead (Parchment Farms), Brenda White (Moonhill), Bryony Harcourt-Brown (Orora), Maureen Reader (Tamevalley) and others. Our mentors shared their knowledge, love of the breed and became lifelong friends. We have been active in the CKC, our local kennel club, the BCCC and BCCA since the early 80’s. Merv and I both have served as president and specialty co-chairs for the BCCC for a number of years , have judged beardies in Canada, the US and Europe and are active in the BCCA mentor and judges’ education program.

Some notables in our journey:

• First litter was born to Chelsea (Ch. Algobrae Chelsea Blue, ROMX) to Judy Dorman’s Rhett (Am/Can Ch. Bluweirie’s Master Rhett), in 1985.
• Corrie (Am/Can Ch. Benbecula’s Crystal D’Arque) was one of the first to pass herding instinct testing sponsored by the BCCC in 1987.
• Corrie was Top Bearded Collie in Canada in 1988.
• First BIS by Dollar (BIS Am/Can Ch. Sheiling’s Silver Dollar, ROM, HIC) in 1989.
• First BISS by Alfie (BISS Am/Can Ch. Moonhill’s Classic Treasure) in 1990.
• Pedigree’s Top Breeders of Bearded Collies in 1991, 1992, 1993.
• Chelsea was the first to retire the BCCC Top Brood Bitch trophy by winning the annual award four times.
• Corrie was awarded Brood Bitch as 3 BCCC National specialties.
• We celebrated four consecutive generations of ROMX awards when Barney (Am/Can Ch. Sheiling Nonesuch Spirit, ROMX, ROMIX, and ROMAX) gained his ROMX titles with both the BCCC and BCCA. Others with ROMX – Chelsea; her daughter, Corrie; Corrie’s daughters Sweetpea (Am/Can Ch. Sheiling’s D’Arque Sugar, ROMX) and Fine’ (Am/Can Ch. Sheiling’s D’Arque Secret, ROMX); and, Sweetpea’s son, Barney.
• 2002-2003, Kaesa (Ch. Sheiling Dreams of a Child, ROM) earned her HT (Herding Tested title in Canada) JHD and PT in the US.
• In 2004, Maxine (Am/Can Ch. Sheiling Angel of the D’Arque), ROM, JHD, TDI) went BVISS and BISS from the Veterans class, and her son, Conor, was BPISS at the Chicagoland specialty.
• 2011, Conor (Am/Can Ch. Sheiling Awesome Angel with all his titles) qualified for his Masters Excellent in Versatility with the BCCA and was the first beardie to earn his OBM 1, 2, & 3. In 2012, he proudly presented beardies at the National Obedience Invitational and is well on his way to his OTCH and triple championship.

We began to wind down our breeding program in 2004. Merv’s interest started to wane. He had become very involved with our son’s favourite sport, lacrosse, and classic cars after he lost his heart dog, Corrie. He still loved to mentor, evaluate litters, judge and enjoy a drink and dinner with friends. He had completed requirements for his CKC and FCI judging licenses and was doing consulting work for the UN that gave us wonderful opportunities to travel to Europe and meet others involved with our breed. On a trip to Germany, he found the last gift he would give me…my Lizzie. She has helped fill the void left by the sudden passings of Merv and Maxine (my heart dog).

33+ years have gone in a flash but have also brought many of my most cherished memories….leaving me to wonder, what does the future hold?