Michael Masters
As a child I grew up with animals around me, in particular dogs – Jack Russell terriers to be precise which my father used for hunting. I always wanted a cocker spaniel but was told that they suffered with bad ears so was never allowed to own one while living with my parents.
I purchased my first cocker spaniel at the end of 1981 – a blue dog by Sh. Ch. Pentavy River Patrol and exhibited him with varying results. This dog taught me an awful lot with regard to presentation and showmanship. Soon came a blue bitch by Sh. Ch. Ouaine Juryman and mated together produced my first Junior Warrant winner, and black and white bitch – Harmist Minstrel Girl.
In 1988 I made up my first show champion cocker ‘Sh. Ch. Zams Silver Dollar’ another blue roan dog of Ouaine breeding.
In 1993, following two years out of the ring, I made up a golden cocker dog ‘Sh. Ch. Jinesska Golden Prospect for Manchela’ originally purchased as a pet.
In 1998 I purchased a golden cocker bitch from the famous Canigou kennels – she achieved BIS at open shows and commendable awards at championship shows.
In 2000 I made up a homebred orange roan cocker bitch ‘Sh. Ch. Manchela Moonglow (a descendant of Silver Dollar).
In the same year I bred a litter from Manchela Candleglow (litter sister to Moonglow) and retained Manchela Blue Lagoon. In 2001 he was awarded Best Puppy in Breed at Crufts and in 2002 Best of Breed at Crufts.
He now has 16 cc’s, 13BOB’s & 9 res cc’s, top parti-colour in the UK for 2002 & 2003.