<A M O N D A H L>

Ray & Ann Weeks

I started out as the chauffeur. My interest was in dahlia growing and the dogs were my wife, Ann’s hobby. We were both separately successful and as our hobbies and expertise developed we spent more and more time going in different directions. We sat down and discussed what we should do and as a result the dogs and Ann won, women always win and I joined Ann and the dogs.
At first I had little interest or knowledge about our dogs and dog shows appeared to consist of dogs going round in circles, so to pass the time I began seeing if I could identify which dog went with which breeder. I began selecting by type although I didn’t know it at the time. . One particular breeder’s dogs were very easily identified namely Gorsefield and over time and through close observation I began to spot specific characteristics: knowledge which is invaluable when selecting a stud for our breeding bitches, Ann and I have had noticeable successes, over the years, we are very serious about our breeding line – Amondahl- a conglomerate name made up from Ann, Raymond and Dahlia, but our dogs have never been a business but a passion. We have bred and shown many superb dogs over 20 years and at present have two outstanding animals, Amondahl Nexus (Ike) and Amondahl Gemini (Gemma). But I’m getting ahead of myself, let me go back to when Ann got her first dog.
I was frightened of dogs but in the end gave in and through Bob Roberts, we looked for a puppy. We picked Heidi- Anfranauds Fortune Teller, certainly not a show specimen, but we decided to learn together doing obedience training, where we met other people in the breed and our interest moved on with the production of our first litter of puppies that included a superb dog, Saxon, Highland Drummer Boy by Cito and he was the start of our show career. Saxon had 26 firsts at Championship and Open Show levels despite, sadly, we lost him at 3 years due to a perforated ulcer. His head study is used by the GSD League of Great Britain, and by other clubs on their official badges so he lives on.
We purchased Karikburg Barbel at Amondahl from Paul Bradley and she became the foundation bitch of our kennels. She did well in the show ring, winning both Championship and Open Shows but her biggest asset was as a producer.
Barbie produced Amondahl Hexi (Eva), questionably one of the top producing bitches in the country, a winner herself and a producer of noticeably Amondahl Kyra at Dorjontal, Amondahl Kurt CDX, WDX, Champion Amondahl Melissa and Amondahl Marsha. For her third litter, Eva, who was by the prolific producer Lauser vom Hasenborn, was mated in Germany to reserve World Sieger, Jack.vom Trienzbachtal which produced one of the most outstanding litters in quarantine Amondahl Octavia, 1 CC & 4 RCC’s, Amondahl Ora at Dorjontal, Amondahl Oriel, Amondahl Overlander, Amondahl Inka and Amondahl Olivia.
Over the next years we continued to breed and show quality dogs winning classes at the Two-Day Nationals in Scotland, Northern Ireland England and Wales. Ann still recalls the personal pleasure winning at the Two Day National in Wales under the late Herr Walter Martin SV, winning a strong puppy bitch class of 69 quality animals. Melissa was only 8 months old and Ann was delighted with this success. Although we have won at many shows some stay in the memory longer than others and some achievements become landmarks – particularly our first ChampionMelissa and my selection for Championship Judging. We have come a long way from our early beginnings to become a recognised Kennel within the breed, the passion is still there.
To bring you up to date I must mention our appearance this year at Crufts, Ike was first junior dog. He is out of Gemini, who was Best Puppy for 1998. Gemini is out of Melissa by AmondahlAquarius, 1 Cc and 1 Rcc, who is out of Amondahl Oriel so Ike has the strength of the Amondahl bitch line. I am restating what I said at the very beginning of this article – we have bred for consistency of strength and soundness of temperament, relying on the strength of our bitch line to combine well with our choice of stud dogs. We have done very well over the years and recognise the help and encouragement from many friends. I can’t name them all but could not fail to mention Paul Bradley and Tracy White who gave us invaluable help and guidance when we first began breeding and showing and we hope to give the same help and advice to newcomers.
“Keep your eyes open, your mouth closed and make your own decisions,” is a quote from Ann and really good advice to anyone coming into the breed! Observe well the established Kennels and owners, see what they do right, keep your own counsel until you have gained the experience and knowledge you need and then decide what you want, what you think is important and make considered breeding decisions.
We hope to carry on breeding and showing for a long time. I don’t always take Ann’s advice, as people well know, but I’m glad I changed dahlias for dogs!

Favorite Male: Ch Ariomwood High & Mighty

Favourite Female: Ch Catja of Vornlante

(This article was published by Crew & North Staffs GSD clubs Ch.Show Catalogue in 1998)

1st Feb 2002
Update to above article.
Since the above article was published Amondahl Nexus has become a Champion getting his 3rd ticket for his new owners, Martin Bretterton, David Kennish and Gill Edwards and gaining his 4th ticket shortly after becoming a Champion and going from strength to strength.
Sadly in December 2001 we had to say good bye to Gus (Amondahl Aquarius), grandfather to Nexus and head of a proud line. He will be missed as our pet but he lives on through Nexus and his daughter Gemini.
Amondahl Oberon, another of Aquarius’ grandsons is making an impression on the show circuit, having won the reserve CC whilst under 2 years old for the AVINJA’S kennels. He continues to win consistently for his owners, Jackie Mc Derby & Tony Hughes

Ray & Ann Weeks (AMONDAHL)


	Biography
	Ray & Ann Weeks I started out as the chauffeur. My interest was in dahlia growing and the dogs were my wife, Ann’s hobby. We were both separately successful and as our hobbies and expertise developed we spent more and more time going in different directions. We sat down and discussed what we should do and as a result the dogs and Ann won, women always win and I joined Ann and the dogs. At first I had little interest or knowledge about our dogs and dog shows appeared to consist of dogs going round in circles, so to pass the time I began seeing if I could identify which dog went with which breeder. I began selecting by type although I didn’t know it at the time. . One particular breeder’s dogs were very easily identified namely Gorsefield and over time and through close observation I began to spot specific characteristics: knowledge which is invaluable when selecting a stud for our breeding bitches, Ann and I have had noticeable successes, over the years, we are very serious about our breeding line – Amondahl- a conglomerate name made up from Ann, Raymond and Dahlia, but our dogs have never been a business but a passion. We have bred and shown many superb dogs over 20 years and at present have two outstanding animals, Amondahl Nexus (Ike) and Amondahl Gemini (Gemma). But I’m getting ahead of myself, let me go back to when Ann got her first dog. I was frightened of dogs but in the end gave in and through Bob Roberts, we looked for a puppy. We picked Heidi- Anfranauds Fortune Teller, certainly not a show specimen, but we decided to learn together doing obedience training, where we met other people in the breed and our interest moved on with the production of our first litter of puppies that included a superb dog, Saxon, Highland Drummer Boy by Cito and he was the start of our show career. Saxon had 26 firsts at Championship and Open Show levels despite, sadly, we lost him at 3 years due to a perforated ulcer. His head study is used by the GSD League of Great Britain, and by other clubs on their official badges so he lives on. We purchased Karikburg Barbel at Amondahl from Paul Bradley and she became the foundation bitch of our kennels. She did well in the show ring, winning both Championship and Open Shows but her biggest asset was as a producer. Barbie produced Amondahl Hexi (Eva), questionably one of the top producing bitches in the country, a winner herself and a producer of noticeably Amondahl Kyra at Dorjontal, Amondahl Kurt CDX, WDX, Champion Amondahl Melissa and Amondahl Marsha. For her third litter, Eva, who was by the prolific producer Lauser vom Hasenborn, was mated in Germany to reserve World Sieger, Jack.vom Trienzbachtal which produced one of the most outstanding litters in quarantine Amondahl Octavia, 1 CC & 4 RCC’s, Amondahl Ora at Dorjontal, Amondahl Oriel, Amondahl Overlander, Amondahl Inka and Amondahl Olivia. Over the next years we continued to breed and show quality dogs winning classes at the Two-Day Nationals in Scotland, Northern Ireland England and Wales. Ann still recalls the personal pleasure winning at the Two Day National in Wales under the late Herr Walter Martin SV, winning a strong puppy bitch class of 69 quality animals. Melissa was only 8 months old and Ann was delighted with this success. Although we have won at many shows some stay in the memory longer than others and some achievements become landmarks – particularly our first ChampionMelissa and my selection for Championship Judging. We have come a long way from our early beginnings to become a recognised Kennel within the breed, the passion is still there. To bring you up to date I must mention our appearance this year at Crufts, Ike was first junior dog. He is out of Gemini, who was Best Puppy for 1998. Gemini is out of Melissa by AmondahlAquarius, 1 Cc and 1 Rcc, who is out of Amondahl Oriel so Ike has the strength of the Amondahl bitch line. I am restating what I said at the very beginning of this article – we have bred for consistency of strength and soundness of temperament, relying on the strength of our bitch line to combine well with our choice of stud dogs. We have done very well over the years and recognise the help and encouragement from many friends. I can’t name them all but could not fail to mention Paul Bradley and Tracy White who gave us invaluable help and guidance when we first began breeding and showing and we hope to give the same help and advice to newcomers. “Keep your eyes open, your mouth closed and make your own decisions,” is a quote from Ann and really good advice to anyone coming into the breed! Observe well the established Kennels and owners, see what they do right, keep your own counsel until you have gained the experience and knowledge you need and then decide what you want, what you think is important and make considered breeding decisions. We hope to carry on breeding and showing for a long time. I don’t always take Ann’s advice, as people well know, but I’m glad I changed dahlias for dogs! Favorite Male: Ch Ariomwood High & Mighty Favourite Female: Ch Catja of Vornlante (This article was published by Crew & North Staffs GSD clubs Ch.Show Catalogue in 1998) 1st Feb 2002 Update to above article. Since the above article was published Amondahl Nexus has become a Champion getting his 3rd ticket for his new owners, Martin Bretterton, David Kennish and Gill Edwards and gaining his 4th ticket shortly after becoming a Champion and going from strength to strength. Sadly in December 2001 we had to say good bye to Gus (Amondahl Aquarius), grandfather to Nexus and head of a proud line. He will be missed as our pet but he lives on through Nexus and his daughter Gemini. Amondahl Oberon, another of Aquarius’ grandsons is making an impression on the show circuit, having won the reserve CC whilst under 2 years old for the AVINJA’S kennels. He continues to win consistently for his owners, Jackie Mc Derby & Tony Hughes Ray & Ann Weeks (AMONDAHL)	Winning Dahlias Ch. Amondahl Nexus Amondahl Hexe Ch. Amondahl Melissa