'Taliya' was the result of years of planning and much patience. From my first Weimaraner in 1974 I had always dreamed of breeding a dog like 'Taliya' unfortunately to get to this level it is a long hard haul, years of planning, waiting for the right stud dog, patience and knowledge of genetics .... and luck. I sensed I was close to my goal when I planned the mating of my ‘Paris’ Ch Grauhund Moody Blues to her half brother Ch Grauhund New Man In Town AI in Late January 1992.
'Taliya' was nearly called “Somerford Ford Laser” because she was born on the passenger side front floor of a ford laser sedan. My step daughter Megan had taken suddenly ill and I needed her to see a doctor urgently, I knew that 'Paris' was in the early stages of whelping but I didn’t realise that she was that close. I bundled 'Paris' and my step daughter Megan into the car and we rushed off the doctor. Running between the doctors' waiting room with a sick child and back to the car to check on the dog I realised that we were a lot closer to delivery of the puppies than I had anticipated. 'Taliya' and her brother were both born on the floor of the car before we left the doctors consulting rooms.
Little did I realise at that time but my life was about to turn upside down. 19 days after Taliya’s birth my partner of 14 years died suddenly and unexpectedly. I was left with two adult Weimaraners a litter of new born puppies, two young children to care for and a new business that had opened its doors in January 1992. On reflection it was a miracle that I was able to care for her litter and it was only with the support of my family and friends that enabled me to live through that difficult period in my life.
At that time in 1992 I made a very reluctant decision to let my dream puppy go to a new home…….. suddenly my life was no longer suitable to give the care and attention that a dream puppy like Taliya deserved. This was one of the hardest decisions I had to make at that time, but for 'Taliya' it was a good decision and her life turned into a bed of roses, a future that an 'Angel' like 'Taliya' deserved.
Initially she was purchased by Val Peters of Greydove Kennels in Co-Ownership with Eileen Huxtable. After a brief stay with Val Peters she was transferred by Eileen Huxtable to my friends Jean Hutchison of Hollowhills Weimaraners and Carol Thompson of Kadma Weimaraners in Queensland.
Together Carol and Jean gave 'Taliya' a loving home and a wonderful career in the show ring in Queensland.
After I first posted this section of my website Jean contacted me and gave me a little more detail about Taliya's early life in Queensland. See an edited addendum at the bottom of this page.
Taliya has left a permanent imprint on the gene pool of famous Australian Weimaraners.
Even today in 2007 her first generation progeny are amongst the top dogs and bitches in Queensland, NSW and Victoria winning multi Best in Shows Groups and Specialties. Some of her offspring have even been exported back to the USA and around the world.
During her breeding career 'Taliya' was put to some of the best dogs from the USA and Australia and her sons and daughters are almost as famous as their amazing mother.
In the years that followed Taliya’s birth I continued to raise my partner’s children and while dropping out of the ‘show dog’ circuit for some time I watched 'Taliyas' career with distant pride.
I kept her mother for many years until she died of bloat and her half brother 'Omen' who died in 2002. It was not until after his death in 2002 that I again started breeding and planning to redevelop my line.
Thanks must be given to Carol Thompson who has helped me maintain the links back to ‘Taliya’. Last year Carol gave me young girl that we call 'Anya" her full name is 'Kadma Taliyas Angel', and it was hoped that she would continue to produce angels unfortunately while we were at a dog show in the summer she was bitten by a snake and we lost her very suddenly. Carol is a dear and generous friend and is always encouraging and supportive and I thank her for her friendship over the long years we have know each other.
At this point I would also like to finish this part of the story by paying tribute to another mentor and dear friend Laine Knox of Ashlaren Weimaraners. Laine has encouraged and supported me to once again become involved in the sport of Champions and has helped me with some very solid foundation bitches and so I say a heart felt thank you to both of these amazing women.
Here is our final tribute to our first angel on the block............
'Taliya'
Aust Grand Ch Somerford Charlies Angel
24/03/92 - Dec 2004
Sire: Australian Champion Grauhund New Man In Town A.I.
Dam: Australian Champion Grauhund Moody Blues
D.O.B. 24/03/92
Hip Score - 4:6=10
In the words of Carol Thompson, Kadma Weimaraners
‘Taliya was Queensland's first Weimaraner Grand Champion bitch as well as being Top Show Bitch for 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. All this and the dam of three outstanding litters. Eleven out of thirteen of her children are Champions! She is a multiple Best in Show winner under several breed specialists and had the most wonderful show ring presence. What more can I say except she was our Princess’
In the words of Jean Hutchison, Hollowhills Weimaraners
Re Taliya – As you know I owned Pagan who was a Charlie daughter (Am Aust Ch Deerpaths Charlemagne Imp USA) and she was just such a beautiful girl but couldn’t have anymore babies. I heard about your litter in early 1992 and actually telephoned you but you told me the entire litter was sold.
I communicated my disappointment to Eileen Huxtable (importer of Am Aust Ch Deerpaths Charlemagne Imp USA) and she knew how much I wanted one of your babies from this particular litter. Without warning she telephoned to say “Angel” was available – that is what she and Val Peters had called her. Seems Eileen Huxtable had decided to offer Angel to me in Queensland of course I jumped at the chance. So Angel was due to fly to Brisbane but didn’t arrive on the flight Eileen said she was on – missed that flight but came on the next one. She was little and to be perfectly honest Jim, not the prettiest little pumpkin at that time. I decided to ask Carol T of Kadma to co-own her with me as Carol had room for another Weimaraner at her place and I didn’t at that time.
We had to come up with a new name for her as neither of us liked “Angel”. So she became 'Taliya'. As the months went by we noticed our ugly duckling started to blossom into the beautiful princess Taliya . Carol and I co-owned her for many years and when she was older I asked Carol if I could have a litter from her and then I would sign her over to Carol as a single owner.
I mated her with Aust Ch Hollowhills the Sorcerer (AI) – my dog Lancelot. She had 4 puppies – 3 boys and 1 girl. All 4 went on to become Australian Champions and all 4 won Best in Groups and many In-show awards.
Val Peters of Gredove Weimaraners bought one of the boys – Jack who then sired Lisa’s Hope’s first litter which Rowdy came from. Sadly only Wanda is still alive. Wizard (who you can see on my website) just died recently from bloat. Wanda is now just over 12 years of age.
Wanda gave me 2 absolutely beautiful litters which I would give anything to have all over again. Out of the first litter to Am Ch Von Luchbachs All Fired Up (Imp USA) – Smokey whom Kathleen and I imported – 2 were exported – Jill to Sweden and Harrison to America. Harrison became an American Champion (campaigned by Debbie Hopkins) and also sired a couple of litters for Debbie. And this ended my co-ownership of Taliya sadly.
You can see Wizard, Jill, Harrison, Takhi and Mr Who on my website.
http://hollowhills.dogsites.com.au/
I shall have to look at my photos (in a cupboard that attacks me when I open it) and find the photos I took of Taliya when she was mated to Lancelot. I even wrote a little story about the valiant knight, Lancelot, wooing the beautiful Princess Taliya and I had a special princess hat made for her for the photos – not a stupid hat – one of those hats Gwenavere would have worn with the flowing thing.
And so Mr Delaney, you can see your Taliya is in pedigrees in lands far, far away.
I think I have covered everything but if I think of more, I shall let you know. Oh, and Taliya was Show Bitch of the Year (Wei Club of Qld competition) in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and I still co-owned her for the first 2 x Show Bitch of the Year awards.
Cheers
Jean
Litter whelped 15.7.95
Sire : Aust Ch Hollowhills The Sorcerer (AI)
Dam : Aust Grand Ch Somerford Charlies Angel
3 boys, 1 girl
Boy – Aust Ch Hollowhills Leige Lord (Jack) bought by Val Peters for Barry Stevenson
Boy – Aust Ch Hollowhills Star Gazer (Fergus)
Boy – Aust Ch Hollowhills The Wizard (Wizard)
Girl – Aust Ch Hollowhills Lady Cailia (Wanda)
Litter whelped 17.12.98
Sire : Am Ch Von Luchbachs All Fired Up NRD (Imp USA)
Dam : Aust Ch Hollowhills Lady Cailia
Girl – Hollowhills Marsique (Jill) went to a show/hunting home in Sweden
Boy – Am Ch Hollowhills Wizard of Oz (Harrison) went to California
The remaining 2 went to pet homes.
Litter whelped 21.9.99
Sire : Aust Ch Hollowhills Lord Ascolon (AI)
Dam : Aust Ch Hollowhills Lady Cailia
2 boys went to pet homes
girl – stayed with me to become Aust Ch Hollowhills Gwenhwyvar (Takhi)
boy – J SV-01, KBHV-02, SV-03, NORDV-03 Hollowhills Dream Lord (Mr Who) went to Sweden
Mr Who sired a litter for Classic Dreams Weimaraners in Sweden which are doing incredibly well in both the show and hunting scenes.
