Photo: Andre van den Heever


Bred by Bea & Jamey Pruitt (USA)

Owned by
Alison Banks
and
Andre Croucamp

Presented by Kenneth Holmes

 

Alric American Cocker Spaniels

083 592 4606 / 083 775 9073

 

 

 


Ch. & Ch. (USA)
PBJ Talk Dirty To Me of Alric
Born: 14 May 2014
Black and tan male

 

•  KUSA National American Cocker Spaniel - 2016

•  Multiple Best of Breeds (championship shows)

•  Multiple Group Placings

•  Cape Gundog Club Best Junior In Show - 2015

•  Currently #43 in AnimalTalk Top 100 Ratings

•  Currently #6 Gundog in AnimalTalk Top 100 Ratings

 

FOR THE LOVE OF THE BREED

Testimony to a formidable breeder, Alison Banks.

 

My mother died when I was four and my father took me off to the Lopis Pet Shop in Eloff Street to choose a puppy. I am sure that having seen the Lady and the Tramp left some indelible mark on my young mind, because there was only one puppy for me. - a tiny little red English Cocker girl. The stage was set for the romance of a lifetime. I was introduced to my first Yankee in New York and came back with my first black and tan “Lady”.

Jackie O from Martha's Vineyard gave me one puppy. I lost Jackie in a divorce and Webster died three years ago - aged sixteen. I had lost my best friend and my safety blanket.

This is when I met Alison Banks - a remarkable woman who remembers the name of every single puppy she has ever bred. To make a long story short, after two weeks of interrogation and persuasion, I convinced her to entrust to me the most delightful puppy, Scarlet. I had gotten my safety blanket back.

Alison's' mother bred and imported Yankees for as long as she can remember. What set Alison and her mother apart was that it was never about the money or the accolades. It was simply about the love of the breed, and improving the breed. Alison has taught me everything I know about the breed. She is a walking encyclopedia - from breed standard to breed problems; from grooming to showing; from toplines to roaches... and I don't know the half of it yet. Above all, she highlighted what wonderful dogs the American Cockers are.

Until you have actually owned one of these remarkable dogs, you don't know what you are missing. Glen Plaskins' novel “Katie Up and Down the Hall" is the story of an American Cocker Spaniel uniting an entire micro community. (A must-read for anyone who owns or thinks of owning a Yankee). They don't yap, they don't shed, and need relatively little grooming if you keep them in a puppy cut. They are fiercely loyal, great with children and totally beautiful to look at. If you want to keep them in show condition they require an incredible amount of work, they are stubborn and they love food just a little bit too much. They will demand all your attention and always be in your face. If you wrong them they can sulk (for five seconds) but that merry tail is back in seconds.

I assisted Alison in bringing in Kristoff, a multiple American champion. When he arrived in Johannesburg, via Texas, via New York, he came out of his crate with a tail wagging madly, introduced himself to my dogs and cats like a true gentleman. He was one of us. He was here for the ride - and what a ride it has been.

Being true to her beliefs, Alison didn't bow to petty politics in the show ring and showed Kristoff selectively under trusted, honourable judges. Behind Kristoff there is Team Kristoff! This team includes everyone from my staff to my children who pack gazebos and go along for moral support. Above all there is his handler. The dashing, effervescent Ken Holmes. What a pair - a match made in heaven! The two of them flying around a show ring always makes me wish there was a musical kur for dogs. Alison and Ken have ensured that Kristoff is currently the KUSA champion American Cocker Spaniel for 2016. He is rated number 43 in the TOP 100 dogs ratings of Animal Talk magazine and rated the 6th best Gundog.

Kristoff lives happily in Cape Town with his mom, Alison, who grooms him to look like the prince and the gentleman he is. For shows he flies up to Johannesburg and stays with his other family. He goes to the park, swims in the duck pond and the koi pond and goes back to Alison marked FRAGILE and HARD WORK.

 

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GCH. & CH. PER'S PARAGE GLENMURRAY'S THE LONE RANGER CH. COLDRY'S SWEET SEDUCTION
GLENMURRAY'S CIAO BELLA
CH. HARTLINES SPRING BEAN CH. HARTLINES BEN JAM IN
CH. SCHATZI'S ANSWER TO SPRING
GCH. & CH. PBJ'S FEARLESS CH. COLDRY'S SWEET SEDUCTION CH. EIGHTY EIGHTS BLACK JAG
CH. OUR GANG'S FINE VICTORY
CH. PERI'S PEACHY CH. CAROUSEL NO DOGGONE KIDDING
CH. WIBS MAGICAL FANTACY
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