"So many are not interested in the past anymore -- someday, today will be the past."  "I hope persons can look back on this current generation and be as proud as we are of the people producing the pedigrees and dogs that our bloodlines contain."

 

The photo of our "London" was taken when he was 7-1/2 years of age in our home in Ohio.  London was sired by the top producing Ch. Artru Johnny-Be-Good, and his dam was our multiple All-Breed Best in Show bitch, Ch. LaMar's Ivory Summer.  We are extremely proud of London's producing, but most importantly, we are proud that his get to follow were among the breed's top producers.

 

Our mentor was Edith Kelly who bred Kelly's Chantilly Lace. 
Chantilly Lace was owned by us and was the grandmother of Ch. LaMar's Ivory Summer, who was retired as the Top Winning Bitch in the History of the Breed in 1969 and the dam of our Top Producing, Ch. LaMar's London.  Edith Kelly was well-known and wrote many articles for "The Cocker Visitor" and many articles in the hardbound books of Bart King.  Edith and her mother raised cockers under the "San's" prefix prior to her marriage to Warren Kelly.  If this pedigree is extended you will find San's and O'Shagstone breeding. When Edith passed away, Bill Gorodner & Lloyd Alton wrote an article for the "Cocker Spaniel Leader" on Edith Kelly and her contribution to the breed and included photos of her dogs that we gave them for use in the article.  She bred only buffs and her pedigrees contained mostly reds. She had a breeder/owner/handled Best in Show All-Breed red bitch, her dear "Rhythm". When her children arrived, she continued her breeding program, but could not attend the shows. Always, however, continuing her bitch line by breeding to the top studs of the day and of her choice.  Her breeding will be found behind the famous Artru and Norbill bloodlines as well.

 

"Now you know why we love and appreciate an excellent bitch line, when you look at the work Edith Kelly accomplished in her time for the future of the breed."  

Elaine & LaMar Mathis