When I went to "Crufts" in London for the first time in 1962, a whole world opened for me in Collie world. So many beautiful dogs that we didn't know before.
That's where I really got to know the English Collies. In 1963 I bought my first import from the most famous breeder in Belgium, Mr. EvdBroek, the (sable male “Manderin van het Wijmenbosch”).
In 1965 I ordered my first English import puppy female from Crufts, only by pedigree. Her father was there and a sister of her mother. I only bought her on that fact. The breeder lived so far away that it was not possible to look and take her with me.
A week later she came to the Netherlands by plane and we were able to pick her up and admire her at Schiphol Airport. She was 3 months old at the time and her name was “Ch.Mywicks Lady Jayne” and sable in color. She has always carried her name “Lady” with great dignity.
In 1971, I bought the then one-year old sable male “Ch. Sangreat Sullivan”, who finished third at Crufts. We also had our sable bitches “Sangreat Suella” and “Tawnykirk Turtle Dove” from this kennel.
All these dogs had a certain background with the well-known “Antoc” line. Our well-known “Nat & Int. Camp. Starboy from Antoc” also a sable male, came direct from there. Later followed by “Antoc Texas Ranger” and the fine sable male “Ugony's Sweet Talkin Guy”. Those were our imports.
In order not to think that only good dogs were imported, I would also like to mention some dogs bred by ourselves, which have also given our kennel a well-known name.
Among the males there were: “Sir Idol Rathlin” – “Sir Lochinvar” – “Sir Zephir”.
Females: “Lady Aileen”- “Lady Black Playmate”- “Lady Cindy”- “Ch.Lady Godiviva”- “Lady Helloway”- “Lady Jayne”- “Ch.Imperial Lady”- “Lady Mango”- “ Lady Melody”- “Lady Nancy”- “Lady Olga”- “Lady Quilana”-“Lady Sally Ann”- “Lady Suella”- “Lady Tawny Token”- “Lady Tamara” and “Lady Volita” .
These dogs put our kennel name on the map in those years. When I now write about “us” I mean in the first place of course my wife and our daughter Conny, but also very emphatically our son René; also a real Collie fan!
We have spent a lot of time together and have done and experienced a lot together. At the age of 14 he presented his own dog for the first time at an exhibition. The dog became champion and best of breed. René was of course very proud and so were we!
When he emigrated to Australia with his wife in 1984, they also bought a direct descendant of the “Antoc” line there. They and the whole family have been able to enjoy this for 14 years.