Mollie Collins and Ven
(by Jane Saunders, first published in Keeshond 2000 in September 1996)
I hope you enjoy reading about some the events and happenings of the Ven kennel. Mollie's first name was in fact Mary but for some reason Mollie became the name by which she was generally known. From my early recollections of childhood Mollie and Jere always showed great kindness and were a fount of knowledge to a Keeshond-mad child!! We used to be given a day off school to visit the large Southampton Show on the common opposite my grammar school. I would make straight for the dog show where Mollie and Jere were usually to be found on the benches with whichever Kees they were showing at the time. Packed lunch stowed safely under the bench and I was in my element! They always had time for people and were prepared to share their expertise with others. In the 1960's the Ven kennel was at its height with a string of champions owned and bred by Mollie, resident at Ven. The real story of Mollie's addiction to Keeshonds started 30 years before when, as Mrs Richard Fort, she visited Miss Hastings' famous Evenlode kennels. A young student kennel maid at Evenlode met Mrs Fort and this was to lead to the lifelong friendship between Barbara Glover and Mollie which was to span two continents and 50 years.
The beginnings
The following account of that first meeting appeared in the May 1965 Keeshond Club newsletter. Mollie wrote the following in that issue,
"One spring evening in 1932 I went to see Miss Hastings and her family, and was taken for a walk by her, down the fields with her Keeshonds. The enchanting sight of their fluffy white tails like bouncing rabbits disappearing into the dusk was one of the factors which made me lose my heart to this charming breed. It ended up by my taking
two puppies, Fuzzy and Buzzy, by Miss Hastings' imported Black Bock, out of Orania. Fuzzy lived to be 17 years of age and ended her life with me in the USA."
Put to Birtsmoreton Jon, Fuzzy produced Mollie's first show dog Am. Ch. Black Peter. In the same article Mollie recalls her first club show, at Tattersalls. Knightsbridge... "1 was the proud winner of a 'highly commended card which put me into transports of delight until eaten by its recipient". From little acorns mighty oaks do grow.
Mollie soon acquired a number of quality dogs, mainly from Miss Hastings, but some from Mrs Gardiner of the Presbury affix. In 1935 she obtained the bitches Diana and Hedwig of Evenlode and Presbury Sister and a young dog, Herzog of Evenlode. Around this time Richard Fort, Mollie's first husband, was posted to the USA for a period of approximately two years and so the kennels went too. The dogs soon settled in their new home which had the charming name of Apple Tree Hill in the town of Pleasantville. The Van Sander (for Van Sander photos see bottom of page) kennel quickly became established as a breeder of quality stock and many of the dogs took on and beat leading American dogs of the day. Their progress was avidly followed by Miss Hastings and references to their many show successes were recorded in her kennel cuttings book. The Our Dogs Christmas issue of 1937 carried a summary of their success. During the 18 months spent in America the kennel made up four U.S. Champions and the dogs won over 300 prizes. Champion Black Peter and Ch. Presbury Sister each won non-sporting groups and they and Ch Herzog of Evenlode were placed many times in the groups. Ch. Herzog was Best of Breed at Westminster Show New York. the first Keeshond specialty show and the Morris and Essex show. His niece Ch Anni Van Sander was 'Winners' bitch at the same shows with the largest entry ever known in America. Champion Herzog CD also made history by being the first obedience-trained Keeshond in the USA to win the title 'Companion Dog'.
1938 found the Van Sander kennel back in the UK and the dogs, once out of quarantine were shown and available at stud. However they had not been back in England a year when Mr Fort was again posted to America, this time for a period of approximately 5 years. Mollie was not too overjoyed by this and wanting help with the dogs, asked Barbara Glover to go with them. So occurred the famous trip on the Cunard ship the Queen Mary when l6 Keeshonds crossed the Atlantic in style. Miss Glover told me a sad tale of how she had become separated from her Hagerose of Evenlode. Apparently having arrived in the USA, she needed to return to England to sort out permits and other business to enable her to return long term, but war broke out and it was impossible to get back. Mollie did everything possible to get Barbara's belongings back to her and apparently some successfully made the perilous journey across the Atlantic but others did not. Hagerose was never able to be reunited with her owner and died in America.
Little material exists about the war years but American Kennel Club registration documents show that in the early forties Jere Collins became co-owner of some of the Van Sander dogs. Tragedy struck at this time when Richard Fort died suddenly. The friendship between Mollie and Jere blossomed and they were married. A Smooth Fox Terrier man, Jere had one of the leading kennels of them between the wars. However, on marrying Mollie they were gradually phased out in favour of Keeshonds. He had a smooth Fox Terrier as a pet for a number of years but always said that he had married Kees and was content with them.
A new start in England
News of Mollie and Jere Collins appears again in the breed notes of 8th February 1952 when it was announced that they had returned to England and were settling in the Salisbury area. They soon acquired a dog puppy and naturally returned to Miss Hastings' kennel - Evenlode. Young Geron (by Int. Ch Rayvalen Geron of Grovelyn ex. Wren of Evenlode) was purchased as a pet for their young son Tom. Geron was registered in Tom's name and shown by him with considerable success. Whelped in 1951, he achieved his title in 1956. During the same year he achieved two of his tickets and several reserve C.Cs. As Tom Collins was at school and Mollie and Jere in America, Barbara Glover handled Geron to his second C.C. at Bath under Leo Wilson. His third C.C. followed at Richmond under Miss Cousins. Geron died of a heart attack in 1965 and was greatly missed by all at Ven. He proved a useful stud and in addition to Vanderveer of Vorden, sired Ch. Rahida of Rhinevale. Irene Tucker, of the famous Vorden kennel used Geron at stud on her Ch Veraura of Vorden. Mollie Collins had booked a bitch puppy from the litter and requested the pup be registered Vanderveer, after a Dutch family known to her. Vanderveer was to become the foundation bitch of the Ven kennel.
Vanderveer proved to be not only a good showgirl, gaining her title in 1959, but also a valuable brood. She had two litters by Ch Big Bang of Evenlode, whose sire, Young Tom, was litter brother to Young Geron. The first whelped in 1960 produced Ch Berryvale Smug of Ven, Ch Dutch Uncle and Tassle. Smug, owned by Mrs Muschamp, and Dutch Uncle had spectacular show careers and regularly shared top honours. In 1963 the two took the double at WELKS under Miss Hastings. Dutch Uncle quickly followed this with CC and best of breed at Chester, where his younger full sister, Aunt Susan of Ven, took the RCC. He won his crown at Leicester under Mr A O Grindley. The judge in his critique made the following comments, "Lovely dog in beautiful coat & condition right on top of his form. Beautifully balanced throughout, most attractive in head & expression, neat ears, sound in body & quarters & lovely feet & legs. Most alert & moved briskly & soundly, never leaving the decision in doubt for one moment. CC and BOB which makes him in my opinion a very worthy champion. He quite took my eye from the moment he entered the ring."
Tassle stayed at Ven and did some good winning, including the Bitch CC at Birmingham City in 1963. She was however, usually in the shadow of her litter sister, Berryvale Smug. In the 1963 Year Book Mollie described Dutch Uncle's success in the following way: "Shown fearlessly under all judges, has at 9 Championship shows this year won 4 CCs and 5 RCCs. His first crop of puppies is very promising" At the same time his sister Berryvale Smug of Ven had won 6 CCs. By 1966
Dutch Uncle had gained 9 CCs and been many times Best in Show at open shows. One of his best wins came in 1965 when he won Best of Breed at Bournemouth Ch. Show and went on to win the nonsporting group. The success of this litter secured the Dorcas Brood Bitch trophy for Vanderveer in both 1962 and 1963 as well as runner up in 1961. These wins also secured Ven the Norton Trophy for top kennel in 1963. The mating was repeated and this time produced the beautiful Aunt Susan of Ven. This was Vanderveer's last litter and her offspring, Aunt Susan and Uncle Henry, were named in memory of the last of the human Vanderveers. Sadly Uncle Henry died young due to Hard Pad despite having been vaccinated and all the efforts of his new owner. Aunt Susan was a beautiful bitch and a worthy champion. She took the Res. CC at Crufts when only 9 months of age. She was in the ring with Tassel's daughter Vivandiere and Saskia (so had stiff competition) but she won her third CC and title at WELKS in 1965. At Chester the year before, she had shared the honours with her full brother, Ch Dutch Uncle where as usual she was shown by Jere. I remember the beautiful painting of her which latterly hung in Barbara Glover's hall. She would have given our present day exhibits a run for their money. Vanderveer also had a litter by Volkrad of Vorden and a bitch from this litter, Vanessa of Ven, in tum produced another beautiful bitch, Ch. Saskia of Ven. Vanessa did not live at Ven but with a farnily near Tidworth Hampshire. She was a born hunter and amongst her successes could boast a brace of pheasant and a fox! Saskia was sired by the top winning Evenlode Monarch of Merrybelle, bred by Mr Merry and owned and campaigned by Miss Hastings. Saskia became the youngest Kees to date to achieve her title when Stanley Dangerfield gave her her crown at Bath at only 18 months of age. On that day Dutch Uncle won the DCC and Mr George's Carola of Ven the Res. BCC. Later in 1964, the Ven Kennel triumphed at Chester by taking all four top honours. Dutch Uncle was best of Breed with Aunt Susan winning her 2nd CC. Res. to her was Mrs Muschamp's Ch Berrivale Smug of Ven and the Res. Dog CC went to Mrs Woodiwiss' young dog, Duroya Guardsman of Ven (Commandant of Duroya ex Tassle of Ven).
If Tassle was to be denied the show success of her sister she made up for it as a brood bitch. Her daughter Vivandiere achieved her title along with her litter brother, Duroya Guardsman.
These two kept the Ven flag flying and often shared top honours including both gaining their Junior Warrant awards in the same week while still puppies. Their successes secured their mother the Dorcas Brood Bitch trophy in 1964 and 1965, an honour she took on from her mother.
.Vanderveer's many honours overshadowed the fact that it was her kennel companion, Christmas Carol of Evenlode, who produced the first homebred Ven champion. Although she did not gain her title her daughter, Merry Christmas of Ven, became the first Ven-bred and the third Ven-owned Champion.
The early 1960's were the golden years for the Ven kennel with them securing the Norton Trophy in 1963, 1965 and 1966.
Vanderveer proved to be not only a good showgirl, gaining her title in 1959, but also a valuable brood. She had two litters by Ch Big Bang of Evenlode, whose sire, Young Tom, was litter brother to Young Geron. The first whelped in 1960 produced Ch Berryvale Smug of Ven, Ch Dutch Uncle and Tassle. Smug, owned by Mrs Muschamp, and Dutch Uncle had spectacular show careers and regularly shared top honours. In 1963 the two took the double at WELKS under Miss Hastings. Dutch Uncle quickly followed this with CC and best of breed at Chester, where his younger full sister, Aunt Susan of Ven, took the RCC. He won his crown at Leicester under Mr A O Grindley. The judge in his critique made the following comments, "Lovely dog in beautiful coat & condition right on top of his form. Beautifully balanced throughout, most attractive in head & expression, neat ears, sound in body & quarters & lovely feet & legs. Most alert & moved briskly & soundly, never leaving the decision in doubt for one moment. CC and BOB which makes him in my opinion a very worthy champion. He quite took my eye from the moment he entered the ring."
Tassle stayed at Ven and did some good winning, including the Bitch CC at Birmingham City in 1963. She was however, usually in the shadow of her litter sister, Berryvale Smug. In the 1963 Year Book Mollie described Dutch Uncle's success in the following way: "Shown fearlessly under all judges, has at 9 Championship shows this year won 4 CCs and 5 RCCs. His first crop of puppies is very promising" At the same time his sister Berryvale Smug of Ven had won 6 CCs. By 1966
Dutch Uncle had gained 9 CCs and been many times Best in Show at open shows. One of his best wins came in 1965 when he won Best of Breed at Bournemouth Ch. Show and went on to win the nonsporting group. The success of this litter secured the Dorcas Brood Bitch trophy for Vanderveer in both 1962 and 1963 as well as runner up in 1961. These wins also secured Ven the Norton Trophy for top kennel in 1963. The mating was repeated and this time produced the beautiful Aunt Susan of Ven. This was Vanderveer's last litter and her offspring, Aunt Susan and Uncle Henry, were named in memory of the last of the human Vanderveers. Sadly Uncle Henry died young due to Hard Pad despite having been vaccinated and all the efforts of his new owner. Aunt Susan was a beautiful bitch and a worthy champion. She took the Res. CC at Crufts when only 9 months of age. She was in the ring with Tassel's daughter Vivandiere and Saskia (so had stiff competition) but she won her third CC and title at WELKS in 1965. At Chester the year before, she had shared the honours with her full brother, Ch Dutch Uncle where as usual she was shown by Jere. I remember the beautiful painting of her which latterly hung in Barbara Glover's hall. She would have given our present day exhibits a run for their money. Vanderveer also had a litter by Volkrad of Vorden and a bitch from this litter, Vanessa of Ven, in tum produced another beautiful bitch, Ch. Saskia of Ven. Vanessa did not live at Ven but with a farnily near Tidworth Hampshire. She was a born hunter and amongst her successes could boast a brace of pheasant and a fox! Saskia was sired by the top winning Evenlode Monarch of Merrybelle, bred by Mr Merry and owned and campaigned by Miss Hastings. Saskia became the youngest Kees to date to achieve her title when Stanley Dangerfield gave her her crown at Bath at only 18 months of age. On that day Dutch Uncle won the DCC and Mr George's Carola of Ven the Res. BCC. Later in 1964, the Ven Kennel triumphed at Chester by taking all four top honours. Dutch Uncle was best of Breed with Aunt Susan winning her 2nd CC. Res. to her was Mrs Muschamp's Ch Berrivale Smug of Ven and the Res. Dog CC went to Mrs Woodiwiss' young dog, Duroya Guardsman of Ven (Commandant of Duroya ex Tassle of Ven).
If Tassle was to be denied the show success of her sister she made up for it as a brood bitch. Her daughter Vivandiere achieved her title along with her litter brother, Duroya Guardsman.
These two kept the Ven flag flying and often shared top honours including both gaining their Junior Warrant awards in the same week while still puppies. Their successes secured their mother the Dorcas Brood Bitch trophy in 1964 and 1965, an honour she took on from her mother.
.Vanderveer's many honours overshadowed the fact that it was her kennel companion, Christmas Carol of Evenlode, who produced the first homebred Ven champion. Although she did not gain her title her daughter, Merry Christmas of Ven, became the first Ven-bred and the third Ven-owned Champion.
The early 1960's were the golden years for the Ven kennel with them securing the Norton Trophy in 1963, 1965 and 1966.
New Imports
Despite all the successes Mollie felt that new blood would benefit the breed and so she set about importing a young American champion who had been the youngest dog to go Best of Breed ant the Westminster Show (New York). He made history in the breed by becoming thc first stud dog to cross from America to Britain. In his native America Mollie Collins wrote of him in 1963 "There is a saying 'The strength of a breed is in its stud dogs, but the strength of a Kennel is in its Brood Bitches', and that has been our good luck in having Miss Hastings' famous Ch. Big Bang of Evenlode as our outstanding post-war sire. When a dog proves yo be such a force for good, and sires such lovely puppies, every thinking breeder when possible uses him. Eventually one finds all are closely related, and therefore a distinct outcross is indicated. Enquiries overseas produced the fact that Am. Ch. Ruttkay Moerdaag seemed to be the answer to our problems. He is therefore arriving from America on Sept. 2Sth. I am particularly pleased to say that his pedigree contains a .number of dogs bred by me before the war containing Evenlode blood, and also offering a strong outcross to breeders of today ". So Bertie returned to the 'land of his fathers'. He made his first show appearance as an onlooker at the Keeshond Club Championship show of 1964, apparently not in full health after his stay in quarantine but well on the road to recovery.
Bertie quickly made himself useful and the summer of 1964 saw Vanessa, Ch Saskia and Aunt Susan all with litters by him.
One of his frrst show appearances was at LKA that year when Miss Hastings gave hirn 2nd in open and wrote the following critique, "Rather well made, good boned, excellent legs and feet. I liked his carriage with head well up standing and showing very well, coat profuse but rather rusty. When in real show form should go a long way because he has that "presence" which is necessary in champions".
Moerdaag never made his English title but as a sire he made his mark on the breed, producing 6 English champions, five bitches and one dog. Put to Aunt Susan he produced Ch Kandijkuif, Aunt Louisa of Ven and Ch Viljoen of Ven from different litters. To Barbara Glover's Welford Ina, he produced first Ch. Welford Lucky and later, Ch. Welford Nina. A litter from Ch. Vivandiere produced Ch Viva of Ven and from Mrs Muschamp's Ch. Berryvale Smug of Ven came her Ch. Belle Blonde of Berryvale.
Bertie had a delightful temperament and was much loved by all at Ven, acting as the gate dog and supervising all the comings and goings at Ven. His death after six happy years was much mourned by all. At the time of his death he was responsible for champions in the UK, USA, South Africa, Finland and Sweden, plus champion grandchildren in the USA and Australia. A truly international dog.
Moerdaag was not the only dog to be imported by Ven in the 1960s. During a judging appointment in Holland in 1967 Mollie was taken by her bitch winner and so in 1968 she imported two bitch puppies from the same kennel. One was out of her best of breed winner and the other from the bitch's sister. The bitches, Helga and Helma, were lightly shown and Helma went off to live with Miss Yvonne Morell in Somerset. Both were bred from and contributed new bloodlines to the breed.
The late 1960s saw another crop of Ven successes with Aunt Louisa, Viljoen and Viva all gaining their titles. Aunt Louisa and Viljoen dominated the rings in 1969 and both gained their titles in that year; Aunt Louisa gained three CCs in less than four months.
Another dog bought in by the Ven kennel was Duroya Charms Son of Ven. He was a Dutch Uncle son, out of Duroya Charm (a Commandant daughter). He obtained his title in 1972 and proved a useful stud, siring Mrs Woodiwiss's Ch Duroya Imogen and with Ch Welford Nina, produced Ch Welford Orinda of Ven.
1970 was to see the birth of one of the breed's most famous sires and a new star at Ven. Polly Flinders of Ven, a Charms Son of Ven daughter, was put to Bill and Doris Purdon's Ch Riesling of Rhinevale. The mating combined the American Moerdaag line with the famous Ven and Evenlode lines of the 1950s and '60s. The result of what had been thought to be a miss was a singleton dog puppy who was appropriately named Surprise of Ven. Doris recalls being offered the pup but as they had only recently acquired Ledwell Dutchman they decided against having a second so soon. Surprise quickly made his presence known and he won his first CC at WELKS in 1972 whilst still a junior. Two more quickly followed and by the end of that year he had won his crown. His show career was sadly cut short when the car in which he was being transported was involved in an accident. Mr and Mrs Collins and Barbara Glover were leaving The North of England Club's Championship Show with four dogs when the car was struck and the side badly damaged. The only casualties were Barbara Glover who sustained concussion and Surprise who had a damaged leg and was lame. Mrs Woodiwiss and her sister, Miss James, offered everyone hospitality for the night and they had to return home minus their car. Surprise suffered a stiffness in the leg as a result and was not shown again. He was happy to remain at the Manor House, Houghton in Hampshire and to enjoy the steady stream of young bitches who came to visit him. It was as a stud dog rather than a great showman that Surprise will be remembered, as he sired nine English champions to a variety of lines.
Not only did Surprise produce winning offspring for the Ven kennel but also famous dogs for other exhibitors. The first two Gavirnir champion bitches came from his litters to Rhinevale Roitelet of Gavimir and helped to found the Gavirnir line. His daughter, Gelderland Aurelia, was the dam of Ch Gelderland Clipper of Swashway who went on to sire 12 English champions and 4 overseas champions. Ch. Ledwell Heidi produced the famous Ledwell 'L' litter including Jean Sharp-Bale's Ledwell Lysander; winner of 26 CCs, and Ch Ledwell Lustre, the foundation bitch of the Keeslands and dam of four English champions in one litter. As a result there are few of today's dogs which do not have Surprise somewhere in their past. I remember him for being one of those dogs who repeatedly produced beautiful daughters. In the late 1970's the Ven kennel was to be responsible for another great dog. Dutch Oven of Ven, another Surprise daughter, was mated to Anne Macdonald's Hanovarian Twilight. The result was the beautiful Hanovarian Zeus of Ven who did so much winning for his owner. Zeus was made up in 1979 and was to be the last Ven-bred dog to receive his crown.
A charming story about how Dutch Oven was named was that she was very weak when born and was placed in a warm oven to revive her and keep her warm. I once asked Barbara Glover how the Vens were named as they never had the strict alphabetical theme of other kennels, or stuck to any letter of the alphabet. "I just named them", was her reply and I can well imagine that. Some did follow a theme like the Vanderveer's 'military' litter containing Vivandiere and Guardsman. The last Ven litter ever bred was born on Trafalgar Day and received names including Emma, Horatio, and Hardy. Ven Emma stayed at Ven and on Mollie's death remained with Barbara until her death in 1991.
Bertie quickly made himself useful and the summer of 1964 saw Vanessa, Ch Saskia and Aunt Susan all with litters by him.
One of his frrst show appearances was at LKA that year when Miss Hastings gave hirn 2nd in open and wrote the following critique, "Rather well made, good boned, excellent legs and feet. I liked his carriage with head well up standing and showing very well, coat profuse but rather rusty. When in real show form should go a long way because he has that "presence" which is necessary in champions".
Moerdaag never made his English title but as a sire he made his mark on the breed, producing 6 English champions, five bitches and one dog. Put to Aunt Susan he produced Ch Kandijkuif, Aunt Louisa of Ven and Ch Viljoen of Ven from different litters. To Barbara Glover's Welford Ina, he produced first Ch. Welford Lucky and later, Ch. Welford Nina. A litter from Ch. Vivandiere produced Ch Viva of Ven and from Mrs Muschamp's Ch. Berryvale Smug of Ven came her Ch. Belle Blonde of Berryvale.
Bertie had a delightful temperament and was much loved by all at Ven, acting as the gate dog and supervising all the comings and goings at Ven. His death after six happy years was much mourned by all. At the time of his death he was responsible for champions in the UK, USA, South Africa, Finland and Sweden, plus champion grandchildren in the USA and Australia. A truly international dog.
Moerdaag was not the only dog to be imported by Ven in the 1960s. During a judging appointment in Holland in 1967 Mollie was taken by her bitch winner and so in 1968 she imported two bitch puppies from the same kennel. One was out of her best of breed winner and the other from the bitch's sister. The bitches, Helga and Helma, were lightly shown and Helma went off to live with Miss Yvonne Morell in Somerset. Both were bred from and contributed new bloodlines to the breed.
The late 1960s saw another crop of Ven successes with Aunt Louisa, Viljoen and Viva all gaining their titles. Aunt Louisa and Viljoen dominated the rings in 1969 and both gained their titles in that year; Aunt Louisa gained three CCs in less than four months.
Another dog bought in by the Ven kennel was Duroya Charms Son of Ven. He was a Dutch Uncle son, out of Duroya Charm (a Commandant daughter). He obtained his title in 1972 and proved a useful stud, siring Mrs Woodiwiss's Ch Duroya Imogen and with Ch Welford Nina, produced Ch Welford Orinda of Ven.
1970 was to see the birth of one of the breed's most famous sires and a new star at Ven. Polly Flinders of Ven, a Charms Son of Ven daughter, was put to Bill and Doris Purdon's Ch Riesling of Rhinevale. The mating combined the American Moerdaag line with the famous Ven and Evenlode lines of the 1950s and '60s. The result of what had been thought to be a miss was a singleton dog puppy who was appropriately named Surprise of Ven. Doris recalls being offered the pup but as they had only recently acquired Ledwell Dutchman they decided against having a second so soon. Surprise quickly made his presence known and he won his first CC at WELKS in 1972 whilst still a junior. Two more quickly followed and by the end of that year he had won his crown. His show career was sadly cut short when the car in which he was being transported was involved in an accident. Mr and Mrs Collins and Barbara Glover were leaving The North of England Club's Championship Show with four dogs when the car was struck and the side badly damaged. The only casualties were Barbara Glover who sustained concussion and Surprise who had a damaged leg and was lame. Mrs Woodiwiss and her sister, Miss James, offered everyone hospitality for the night and they had to return home minus their car. Surprise suffered a stiffness in the leg as a result and was not shown again. He was happy to remain at the Manor House, Houghton in Hampshire and to enjoy the steady stream of young bitches who came to visit him. It was as a stud dog rather than a great showman that Surprise will be remembered, as he sired nine English champions to a variety of lines.
Not only did Surprise produce winning offspring for the Ven kennel but also famous dogs for other exhibitors. The first two Gavirnir champion bitches came from his litters to Rhinevale Roitelet of Gavimir and helped to found the Gavirnir line. His daughter, Gelderland Aurelia, was the dam of Ch Gelderland Clipper of Swashway who went on to sire 12 English champions and 4 overseas champions. Ch. Ledwell Heidi produced the famous Ledwell 'L' litter including Jean Sharp-Bale's Ledwell Lysander; winner of 26 CCs, and Ch Ledwell Lustre, the foundation bitch of the Keeslands and dam of four English champions in one litter. As a result there are few of today's dogs which do not have Surprise somewhere in their past. I remember him for being one of those dogs who repeatedly produced beautiful daughters. In the late 1970's the Ven kennel was to be responsible for another great dog. Dutch Oven of Ven, another Surprise daughter, was mated to Anne Macdonald's Hanovarian Twilight. The result was the beautiful Hanovarian Zeus of Ven who did so much winning for his owner. Zeus was made up in 1979 and was to be the last Ven-bred dog to receive his crown.
A charming story about how Dutch Oven was named was that she was very weak when born and was placed in a warm oven to revive her and keep her warm. I once asked Barbara Glover how the Vens were named as they never had the strict alphabetical theme of other kennels, or stuck to any letter of the alphabet. "I just named them", was her reply and I can well imagine that. Some did follow a theme like the Vanderveer's 'military' litter containing Vivandiere and Guardsman. The last Ven litter ever bred was born on Trafalgar Day and received names including Emma, Horatio, and Hardy. Ven Emma stayed at Ven and on Mollie's death remained with Barbara until her death in 1991.
Judging and Other Interests
It was not just as breeders and exhibitors that Mollie and Jere will be remembered but also as judges of the highest calibre both in knowledge and integrity. They both awarded tickets in this country as well as having the honour to judge in the USA and Europe. After awarding her first CCs at the Richmond Show in 1954, Mollie wrote, "1 feel there is a great improvement in bone and type but action should be watched. There were a number of round light eyes, also I did not like the way that some dogs ears were trimmed." In 1968 both Mollie and Jere judged at Delaware Valley in the USA with Mollie doing the Puppy classes and Jere the rnain show. At the end of the show they were both presented with gold rnodels of Keeshonds, Mollie's in the form of a brooch and Jere's a tie clip.
Jere was a stickler for movement and woe betide any dog who didn't match up to his high standards. His other great love in life was thoroughbred horses and like many of the old school of horse and dog folk. understood the underlying anatomy of a correctly made dog and therefore a good mover. When Jere died in 198l a trophy was wanted in his memory. Mike Stockman wrote a piece in the Summer 1983 newsletter where he recounted that he remembered Jere at any show firmly placed behind the judge where he could best see the movement of all exhibits. "Woe betide the judge who didn't perform to expectations! " After consultation with Mollie it was decided that the most appropriate memorial would be a trophy for the best mover at the Keeshond Club Championship Show. So the Jere Collins Memorial Salver was conceived to honour one of the kindest men any of us could ever wish to meet and to reward that which he valued so much in a dog. the perfect gait.
Mollie had been dogged by ill health and had survived two bouts of throat cancer. Her last home was in Salisbury with Barbara where the last litters were bred. She still showed her Ven Emma until the year before her death and judged at the Salisbury Open Show. With her death in October 1985, Barbara lost a friend of 50 years and the Keeshond world one of the kindest and most knowledgeable of people. Mollie was from a generation of gentlewomen who learnt the finer crafts as part of her education for life. She learnt fine embroidery at school in Europe and on her death left behind a legacy of exquisite church embroidery for which she was world famous. Examples of her fine gold work can be seem in Salisbury Cathedral and at Houghton Village Church beside her one-time home, the Manor House.
Mollie for many years held the post of President of the Keeshond Club and helped to see it through some difficult times in the early 1960s. In the 1970's she was an able Vice President. She was a worker as well as a leader and for a number of years ran the club stall at shows. Mollie and Jere were also perfect hosts to other members and twice opened up their home for a Keeshond social day. The first such event was held at Downton Manor near Salisbury and the second when they lived at Fountain Court, Bramshaw, in the heart of the New Forest. A charming account of the Fountain Court day mentions that it had coincided with the Southampton Open Show at which Dutch Uncle had won Best of Breed and best exhibit on the first day. He should have returned on the day of the Keeshond social but remained at Fountains Court with his owner to entertain his guests.
Mollie Collins had achieved what few could ever dream of. To build two famous kennels capable of winning top honours on both sides of the Atlantic, yet through all her success never to lose her total love for the breed that owned her. She once remarked that the strength of a kennel lay in its bitches, and her aim was to continue to breed a line of beautiful bitches with ideal temperaments. I feel her string of champion bitches showed that this was very true. Mollie finally summed up her feelings in an article which appeared in the Newsletter in the Summer of 1978. In it she wrote; I hope the younger breeders of today will, in later years, look back as I do and say, "What fun it has been, and how glad I am that I chose a Keeshond, the most delightful and charming of all dogs "
Article published by kind permission of Jane Saunders
Jere was a stickler for movement and woe betide any dog who didn't match up to his high standards. His other great love in life was thoroughbred horses and like many of the old school of horse and dog folk. understood the underlying anatomy of a correctly made dog and therefore a good mover. When Jere died in 198l a trophy was wanted in his memory. Mike Stockman wrote a piece in the Summer 1983 newsletter where he recounted that he remembered Jere at any show firmly placed behind the judge where he could best see the movement of all exhibits. "Woe betide the judge who didn't perform to expectations! " After consultation with Mollie it was decided that the most appropriate memorial would be a trophy for the best mover at the Keeshond Club Championship Show. So the Jere Collins Memorial Salver was conceived to honour one of the kindest men any of us could ever wish to meet and to reward that which he valued so much in a dog. the perfect gait.
Mollie had been dogged by ill health and had survived two bouts of throat cancer. Her last home was in Salisbury with Barbara where the last litters were bred. She still showed her Ven Emma until the year before her death and judged at the Salisbury Open Show. With her death in October 1985, Barbara lost a friend of 50 years and the Keeshond world one of the kindest and most knowledgeable of people. Mollie was from a generation of gentlewomen who learnt the finer crafts as part of her education for life. She learnt fine embroidery at school in Europe and on her death left behind a legacy of exquisite church embroidery for which she was world famous. Examples of her fine gold work can be seem in Salisbury Cathedral and at Houghton Village Church beside her one-time home, the Manor House.
Mollie for many years held the post of President of the Keeshond Club and helped to see it through some difficult times in the early 1960s. In the 1970's she was an able Vice President. She was a worker as well as a leader and for a number of years ran the club stall at shows. Mollie and Jere were also perfect hosts to other members and twice opened up their home for a Keeshond social day. The first such event was held at Downton Manor near Salisbury and the second when they lived at Fountain Court, Bramshaw, in the heart of the New Forest. A charming account of the Fountain Court day mentions that it had coincided with the Southampton Open Show at which Dutch Uncle had won Best of Breed and best exhibit on the first day. He should have returned on the day of the Keeshond social but remained at Fountains Court with his owner to entertain his guests.
Mollie Collins had achieved what few could ever dream of. To build two famous kennels capable of winning top honours on both sides of the Atlantic, yet through all her success never to lose her total love for the breed that owned her. She once remarked that the strength of a kennel lay in its bitches, and her aim was to continue to breed a line of beautiful bitches with ideal temperaments. I feel her string of champion bitches showed that this was very true. Mollie finally summed up her feelings in an article which appeared in the Newsletter in the Summer of 1978. In it she wrote; I hope the younger breeders of today will, in later years, look back as I do and say, "What fun it has been, and how glad I am that I chose a Keeshond, the most delightful and charming of all dogs "
Article published by kind permission of Jane Saunders