From the September, 2003 “Aire-ing The News”
by Carole Bullwinkle-Foucrault
I’ve been asked if I would share a little about Briardale Airedales and myself. Most of you know me as Carole Bullwinkle, maybe Carole Bullwinkle-Foucrault or maybe Carole b which was the name on my grooming shops that I owned in the late 1980s until my retirement in l999.
I started out showing in 1952 (of course I was very young), and only showed in obedience. I purchased my first Airedale in l965, a male named Briardale First Mate. I loved him dearly and I made most of my mistakes on him.
I acquired my first bitch by chance from a man who was in the military and had to go over seas. Her name was Ch. Briardales Misty Sea. She won Best of Breed at our 1967 California Airedale Terrier Specialty, going first in the group. Then I took her to Montgomery in l967 and, showing her myself, went Winners Bitch and Best of Winners. I was so green that after I went Winners Bitch I asked the President of the National Club if I had to stay for the rest. My husband needed to be home for his new job on Monday and the judging was running late and we were going to miss our flight back home. It was suggested that I stay and to my surprise we went Best of Winners!
It took me another seven years before I won that National again and that was with a male I bred named Ch Briardale Kung Fu (call name was Cain). He went Best of Breed at the Southern California Specialty and the next day he won the Airedale Terrier Club of America Specialty, winning the famous ATCA bowl. This was his first show as a Champion. The year was 1975, I believe. In the 1980s there was my Best In Show bitch Ch. Briardales Luv Elegant Lady and three time Best of Breed at Montgomery, Ch. Harringtons Kantankerus Kyna (TANK), who I bred. In the l990s I will remember another Winners Bitch at Montgomery, Ch Briardales Yours Truly. My number one male dog is my beloved Ch. Coldstream Black Tie and Tails (Tieler ) who, at age 13, is laying at my feet as I write this article.
As I look back over the years, I have made so many close friends through Airedales. I have been President of this club several times over those years. I had the opportunity to be the first woman AKC delegate. As I look at the sport of dogs, – Handler, Breeder, Judge – I have felt the most comfortable as a breeder. I feel it is there that one has complete freedom to make your own decisions.
I have over the years enjoyed reaching out into other breeds. Putting together pedigrees and seeing how quickly I could reach the winning circle. Some of the more successful breeds were Bichon Frises, Chinese Crested, Maltese, Lakeland Terriers, Irish Terriers, Welsh Terriers, and Wirehaired Dachshund. Many were champions, winning groups and specialties. I have put obedience titles on my dogs: CD, CDX, and UD. I have trained a Golden Retriever in the field and took an Airedale through Schutzhund training and agility training. Today I am breeding Norwich Terriers and already have a group and specialty winner.
As a breeder my first priority is to produce sound healthy dogs – dogs that will first be an excellent companion for any family. Dogs who will be able to do the task they were bred for. In Airedales my dear friend and co-breeder Corally Burmaster and I developed a program to test the attitude and temperament of our puppies. This test was very successful in placing our puppies in the proper homes. We never had a puppy returned to us because it was not compatible with its family. We did have a few occasions when the family environment changed and we needed to find another home.
I believe people who have a desire to become a breeder must seriously study pedigrees, go to shows and look at what other breeders are doing. Visit litters of puppies and ask lots of question from the accomplished breeders in one’s area. I believe it is the responsibility of the accomplished breeder to mentor others who have a desire to become breeders for the sake of our breed.
Breeding dogs is not for the faint of heart. It is a labor of love. But the rewards are great. I have made such lasting friendships in all the breeds I have pursued. The dog brings great joy to so many people. Without the dedicated breeder there would be no pure bred dogs. The dog is the only animal that has the true agape (unconditional) love. No wonder Dog spell backward is God. But I must admit there is nothing like an Airedale. There will always be an Airedale in my life. He is the second King in my life.
As I wrote this article I realized that I am quickly becoming one of CATC’s oldest members and I would like to share with you what is in my heart pertaining to club activities and membership. Most of the years that I have been a member I have seen great strides in the area of new member growth and new events that involve all the membership. I have noticed that our club has become stagnant in growth and we have become content with the same old events. I see in other activities in my life that we have a new generation whose desire for outside involvement is different. This new generation works very hard, some at more than one job and they seem to be looking to connect with activities that involve their whole family including their dog. It appears that they do a lot of research before purchasing a dog so that they buy the right dog for their life style.
So as a club, who needs growth, especially from those who own a companion dog, we might try to encourage activities that would give them an opportunity to bond with their Airedale and with other Airedale owners. Maybe at a meeting we could ask members why they joined our club. Maybe they needed to know how to live with their Airedale better because of behavior problems, training, or grooming issues. We could share with them the club’s activities that could help them achieve this.
Also I think we should introduce new and interesting events for those who may not be interested in showing their dog. Like group Airedale walks, a demonstration of the new art of dancing with your dog, or clicker training for fun. We should create opportunities for sharing together, like having picture contests of one’s Airedale; take time for story telling, how about an award for the best story about one’s Airedale? Have a meeting pertaining to Airedale rescue: the how and why an Airedale ends up in rescue. Invitations for those who have a rescue dog to come and share about their Airedale. Maybe a “meet a fellow rescue owner” day in the park. Guest speakers (could be from our own membership) who would speak about specific topics pertaining to just Airedales or the club.
We are a club formed in 1906 and we are a direct member of the American Kennel Club, able to move freely in any direction. I believe in my heart that change of direction is needed. So many people in the past gave their all to keep this club together. Together we grow, divided we fall. Let’s sincerely look around and began to see the needs of each other. Ask and you will find, seek and the door will begin to open to a new horizon. There is a new generation that we must begin to address. There have been, and are now, those members who have sacrificed so much to keep this club together. I also know that there are those just waiting to be asked to become part of this great club. Let’s open our eyes and began to see the need and open our ears and hear the desire of ALL that own this great breed. Those who can mentor begin to take your rightful place and reach out. One member who was the best at this was Wilma Carter. I saw her take this club from a four or five person membership to a fifty membership by mentoring, not for her sake but for the sake of the breed. Our Airedales gives us so much love, yet should we not do the same one to another? Let the coming years be greater than the previous years.
A Proud Member and Airedale Owner.
Carole Bullwinkle-Foucrault