Contributor

Barbara Schwartz

3 published articles

Barbara Schwartz’s love affair with the Collie began when she first read Albert Payson Terhune’s books. Her family always had a Collie. Thus, when she and husband, Martin, got married, their first purchase was a blue merle Collie named “Clifford.” He was a wonderful pet and lived with them for 16 years. They began showing Collies in 1963, and after several false starts, bred their first litter in 1966. That first Impromptu litter included three champions, the CCofA Futurity winner, two other Futurity Class winners, the CCofA WB and BW, and a future BIS winner. Five from that first litter produced champions. Since this inception, there have been numerous Impromptu champions. Many current kennels are based on dogs they have bred. Barbara’s current line still shows their original dogs on the pedigree. Breeding the perfect Collie is still her illusive dream. Barbara has been a licensed AKC judge since 1970. She has had the privilege of judging bitches at the CCofA show in Atlanta in 1980. Presently, she also judges Shetland Sheepdogs, Doberman Pinschers, and Great Danes, as well as Junior Showmanship. Barbara is a member of the Collie Club of America, the Collie Club of America Foundation, the Collie Club of America Quarter Century Club, the Collie Club of New Hampshire, the Middlesex Kennel Club, the Dog Judges Association of America, and the Dog Writers Association of America. Barbara and Martin live in Hollis, New Hampshire, at Impromptu Farm, which includes: Daughter Amanda (nursing student, equestrian, and family beauty); son Kenneth (computer whiz, entrepreneur, and family hunk); 30 Collies, two Jack Russell Terriers; three horses; and six cats (including one 17-year-old, 27-pound Siamese that rules the house).