The History of Scrimshaw Labradors
My history with dogs and horses dates back to the approximate age of two. My
history with Labradors began in the 1950’s when my best friend Louise and I
decided to get summer jobs in kennels.  Up to that point we had been content to
haunt dog shows absorbing knowledge from anyone willing to share it with us.  
Those were the great days of two-day benched shows and we arrived when the
doors opened and left when the doors shut, absorbing knowledge like sponges.

My particular interest was in Collies (Albert Payson Terhune was in his hay-day)
and Louise’s was Smooth Fox Terriers.  So, of course, Louise got a job in a
wonderful Collie kennel and I was offered one in a kennel full of those plain,
black dogs that were still relatively unknown.

Yes, almost all were black at that time and unlike today there were so few being
shown that breeders often banded together to make points. Entry fees were
$2.00. Needless to say, I immediately fell totally in love with Labradors. I was
most fortunate and honored to have as my mentor and friend, Barbara Barty-
King of Aldenholme Kennels, one of the leading kennels of the day.  Joan Read,
of Chidley, is another person to whom I owe a great deal and I must also include
Dorothy Howe, of Rupert, Charlotte Rockwell of Jonte, and my dear friend
Mary Swan of Chebacco.

Thanks to Mrs. Barty-King I received an unparalleled education involving all
aspects of the Labrador Retriever - showing, field training, obedience training,
pedigrees, breeding and all aspects of kennel work done properly.  At
Aldenholme, I was allowed to handle the “second string” while Mrs. Barty-King
showed “first string.”  However, as it is sometimes  with children and dogs,  I
won my first Best of Breed in 1954 with Aldenholme Robbina (a daughter of
Chidley Robber).  I never looked back.  In the 1960’s after school and marriage I
knew I wanted to continue Aldenholme lines but unfortunately Mrs. Barty-King
was no longer breeding Labs. I
managed to find enough of her lines in other kennels to begin breeding and in
two generations had what I would consider my foundation.

In 1973 I bred my first champion, Ch. Scrimshaw Another Deacon, a grandson
of Tweed of Blaircourt and the son of Scrimshaw Mother Carey who went back
to all my old favorites from Aldenholme.  In 1979 Deacon’s daughter ex Ch.
Sandylands Crystal, Ch. Scrimshaw Blue Nun, was the #1 Lab bitch in the US
(Kennel Review).  She had the distinction of finishing with a Group First from
the classes.

In 1988 Deacon’s grandson, Ch. CoalCreek’s Gimme A Break was the #1
Labrador in the US.  Breaker was co-bred with Debbie Sharpsteen by her Ch.
CoalCreek’s Briary Breakthru ex Ch. Scrimshaw My Sin (Blue Nun’s sister).  
Tanker was owned by other friends, Lillian and George Knobloch.  

In due time we bred Can.Ch.Scrimshaw Manda Lifeboats to Eng./Am./Can.Ch.
Lindall Mastercraft.  Manda was by Can. Ch. Scrimshaw Call Mee Ishmael (Ch.
Jayncourt Follow Mee ex Scrimshaw Church Mouse, sister of Blue Nun and My
Sin) ex Scrimshaw Clearly An Angel UDT, TDX who was herself a sister to Blue
Nun and My Sin. The Manda/Mastercraft breedings gave us several champions,
hunting titled dogs, obedience title holders, producers of champions, wonderful
companions and not least, a guide dog for the blind. This breeding also
produced what we consider our “once-in-a-lifetime dog" - Ch. Scrimshaw
Duckless Fairbank JH WC.  

Duckless went on to produce over 100 puppies for Guiding Eyes For The Blind
in Yorktown Heights, NY in addition to many champions, show and field
winners, hunting dogs, bomb dogs, obedience dogs, trackers, companions, and
wonderful, typical Labs. He was a great character who was noted for producing
fantastic, positively bomb-proof temperaments, soundness and good looks as
well as intelligence and working ability.  His legacy lives on in his grandchildren
and great grandchildren who are still in evidence today. We are fortunate to still
have some of his children with us at Scrimshaw.

Throughout the years we have been blessed with many fine dogs, both
Labradors and a handful of Smooth Fox Terriers. I am proud to say that we
have produced many champions and multi-purpose Labradors both here and
internationally. But just as importantly, we have produced generations of
mentally and physically sound companions and family pets. You will find more
about our history and photos of many of our dogs in “The Book of The Labrador
Retriever” by Anna Katherine Nicholas, published by TFH, which is still in
print, as well as various other Labrador books and magazines.  

Although I am now an AKC judge, my husband, John and I still breed one or
two litters a year and welcome sincere inquiries and visitors by appointment.    
Barbara at a recent judging
assignment with Louise.  
Still best friends.
Barbara and Lodestone Magnet
"Lodi"
The Labrador Club Specialty at
Westbury, NY, May 18, 1952. Left, Best
of Breed, Ch. Chidley Spook,
owner/breeder Joan Read (Chidley),
handler Anne Carpenter.  Right, Best
Opposite, Ch. Ashur Deacon,
owner/handler  Barbara Barty-King (
Aldenholme).  Both were sired by Joan
Read's Ch. Hugger Mugger.
Ch. Aldenholme's Gremlin
Ch. Aldenholme's Mumbo Jumbo
Ch. Aldenholme's Juno
Aldenholme's Robbina
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Ch. Aldenholme's Robbieson