The Sheltie Beginnings
My interest in dogs began in 1983 with membership in the Cen-Tex Kennel Club, an AKC All Breed Club located in Waco, Texas. Obedience training of the family pet expanded to owning my first pedigreed Shetland Sheepdog, Sunrising Sweet Marie (1983 - 1995) and a 20 year membership in the club. "Sunny" was the beginning of my first breeding program. She produced puppies who earned obedience titles and "Landen" a blue merle boy who grew up to be Champion Silkhaven Steel N Thunder. Several years later another blue merle boy arrived. Ch. Silkhaven Shoot N The Breeze "Scooter". Working with reputable breeders in the Midwest, I began a sable and white bloodline of Shetland Sheepdogs. The focus was on a moderate Sheltie (under 15 ˝ inches tall) with moderate bone, natural ears, a sweet face and a sound body. Dogs purchased and bred were several generations OFA and CERF. These bloodlines continue with Champion Silkhaven Simple Treasures "Brad"(co-owned with Lea Bertsch) and his mother “Simmie” Silkhaven Simple Pleasures (currently owned by Darlene Musick).
“Simmie” is the daughter of Silkhaven Riders N the Sky "Hank" who was my constant companion until his death in the summer of 2003. Losing Hank ended an era for Silkhaven Kennels.
Sheltie Faces to Adore
The year 2003 saw the beginning of my interest in creating a quality line of Tibetan Spaniels with an emphasis on soundness and sociability. Work on my Master’s Degree was nearly complete and the Tibbies were proving themselves to be fabulous therapy dogs. They were small enough to attend meetings without disruption (Most of the time. Sorry, Dr. LaBauve) and enjoyed meeting and greeting new people. I took them shopping, to visit family and friends, to class, to picnics, dog meetings, long driving trips across the United States and just to the convenience store on the corner. The opportunity to purchase a group of dogs from a TSCA member discontinuing their breeding program prompted my decision to stop breeding the shelties and focus solely on the cute little rug rats who had stolen their way into my heart. To celebrate my decision, I changed my kennel prefix from
Silkhaven Shetland Sheepdogs and Tibetan Spaniels to
Still a big fan of Shelties and Collies and having many friends in those breeds, I am finding that sometimes it is just as much fun to judge as it is to show. I especially enjoy working with puppies so Sweepstakes are my favorites! Judging Assignments
August 2, 1997
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All About Aamilet!
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Congratulations Brad!Brad earned his championship in 2004. He is now Champion Silkhaven Simple Treasures.
Brad is standing at stud with co-owner Lea Bertsch in Austin. |
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Scooter
Brad
Hank
Aamilet Tibetan Spaniels