A Little History

Mike Ruston

About myself.... and a little history.....
 
In 1961, I started my apprenticship in the commercial printing industry, it was 1963 when I was allowed to produce my first print exercise and ironically it was a stud card for a German Shepherd called "Erhard". At that time Mr Vernon Lee who was our company accountant, and evidently his wife Margaret owned the dog.

Of course, Champion "Delridge Erhard" was bred by Beryl Budd who is a well known breeder exhibitor.
Some twenty years later I met my wife Ann who for sometime had an interest in "German Shepherds". At that time she owned a bitch called Jenny who as an animal I admired and loved, it was at that time the " Bug" started. When Jenny passed away Ann I decided to purchase and take on a couple of dogs. A Labrador was my choice. "Thomas"( Lancroft Midnight Express) was a beautiful black Lab, both Ann & I became very close to him, we showed him on a few occasions,with some success, he became our "Mascot" we always took him to the "Shepherd Shows " most people accepted him, and he made friends with lots of exhibtors. He was the life and soul with an absolute first class character.
He is sadly missed.

Ann of course wanted another German Shepherd, after making some enquiries we were told that Mrs. Margaret Lee who was a wellknown breeder and exhibitor, had a male Shepherd for sale. of course when we met I was introduced to her husband, of course we knew each other having worked for the same company twenty years earlier.!!

"Ben" ( Catila Benny ) was purchased, where ever Ben was, Thomas wasn't far away they were good mates. Bens "Show" background was credible in is early days, but went to do very well as he matured winning excellent classes at veteran level. That was when veteran classes had up to some 8 to 10 entrants. He died having a " Torsion " we did all we could, but we had to let him go to save him from suffering
 
From that point Ann and I have always been involved in the "Breed" we joined "Essington German Shepherd Club" taking an active part, and eventually becoming committee members, and later I became "Chairman" but recently I have Ann has been secretary for some years and also looks after the refreshments after the clubs training sessions.
 Looking back the likes of George Garbett, & the Late Mick Doherty have played a very important part of my life in the breed they were always there to offer and pass on their knowledge.

Terry Hannan who in my opinion was an expert at posing / stacking dogs, I really never said as much to Terry but watched and learned...

 Both Malcolm Griffiths and Andrew Connolly who's handling skills are second to none, and of course Malcolm's verbal critiques were always absolute. Just by watching & listening you can learn so much.

The late Tony Howson was an excellent handler, Tony was also a printer by trade so we shared our interests......

I have also over the years been associated with. "Leicester German Shepherd Club" "Birmingham & District Gsd Club." & "Malvern Sports Dog Club" These clubs have played a big part of my knowledge of the breed.

In 2001 I was invited to join the committee of the "German Shepherd League of Great Britain" in 2002 I was asked to take on the role "Editor" of the "Year Book " following the footsteps of... Dennis Bibby...Jack Oliver......Joyce Ixer etc. It was an unexpect role for me to take on but with the support of the "Panel" I believe it was a success, but sadly it would be the last time it would be published..........

Breeding, Judging, Handling & Stewarding have played a big part of my involvement with the breed and I am grateful to a lot of people too many to mention,
having enjoyed every minute of it and still do...!!!

Its very encourageing to see the youngsters coming through the ranks the "Junior Rally" has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years. Ann & I fully support the scheme
It's thanks to Shirley Hutchinson (Mascani) who has been the driving force behind the scheme, and I wish it well & offer my best wishes this years forth coming
"Junior Rally" 2009.

Mike Ruston