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Jerome Elliott reflects on decades with Cheri-A English Toy Spaniels and Afghan Hounds, and his approach to preservation breeding.
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Jerome Elliott: I grew up in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington.
Jerome Elliott: My family always had purebred dogs, including an Irish Setter, English Springer Spaniel, and a number of retired show Brittanys which became my Father’s favorite hunting dogs.
Jerome Elliott: I avidly read Dog World magazine and had always wanted a dog of my own. Through a program in that magazine, Junior Handlers could receive a purebred dog to show in Conformation, and for Juniors at no cost. My first Brittany came to me in 1973 as a result of that program, from the Harmony Lane Kennels of Anne Smith, from Woodstock, Georgia (Sequani lines).
Jerome Elliott: John Wood Jr. was my partner with the dogs and a leading influence in learning how to train, condition, and present each of my breeds to their best advantage.
Co-breeders Debbie Petersen and Peter Belmont Jr. both provided a great deal of information and experience in refining the type and details we achieved in the Afghan Hounds.
Shirley Lightfoot (Celerity) was the prominent influence in Salukis, and Mrs. Mollie Castle (Oakridges – UK) was a wonderful mentor in English Toy Spaniels. Dana Hopkins (Danaho), who had traveled to the UK many times prior to our trips, also provided good insights into this breed for us.
Jerome Elliott: I think you have to have a clear idea of what you’re trying to accomplish before you set out to do something. In my opinion, you must also have a thorough understanding of your breed (its virtues and issues), and have a distinct plan to improve your initial breeding stock from where you started to get to what you aim to achieve. Linebreeding has proven to produce the best vehicle for us, though some breedings were necessarily outcrosses. We also sought out and started with excellent breeding stock.
I feel strongly that litters should never be conceived out of convenience. Always seek out the very best combination possible. I see no point in doing a breeding that will not likely produce something better, if not significantly better.
We went to the source, the UK, to get our initial English Toy Spaniel stock. There were a number of well-established and proven breeders of longstanding there, and their dogs tended to be extremely consistent and of high quality.
Multiple Group-winning CH Oakridges The Chimes ROM, “Digby,” was our first import. Digby sired ten champions, including our first Best in Show winner in our first litter, and the first Blenheim in history to achieve that honor, BIS CH Cheri-A’s Lord Andrew. The dam was CH Dorkazyl Taffeta ROM, who produced eight champions; also linebred from Oakridges ancestry.
Multiple Group-winning CH Kilbarchan’s Jason was our next notable import (also with Oakridges ancestry), the sire of Multiple Group-winning CH Romferna Rachel, who was the dam of two Multiple Group-winning littermates, CH Cheri-A’s Lord Henry and the No. 1 ETS B&PC CH Cheri-a’s Lady Hamilton (sired by Digby).
Our last import, BIS CH Kingscourt Beau Jo Is Marchog, “Harris,” notably sired Multiple BIS BISS CH Cheri-A Wingo Lord Marque, BIS CH Cheri-A Wingo Lord Nelson, and the Multiple Group-placing brothers GCH Cheri-A Wingo Lord Olivier and GCH Cheri-A Wingo Lord O’Henry Marchog. In turn, “Olivier” sired the outstanding MBIS BISS CH Xela’s ET Phone Home, “Elliott,” and “O’Henry” sired NBISS BIS GCHS Cheri-A Wingo Lord Paddington ROM in partnership with Wendy Goddyn and Brenda Riffey. I will be forever grateful to the late Wendy Goddyn (Wingo) for the partnership we had, and the beautiful dogs we produced in just a few litters.
I must not fail to mention NBISS MBIS CH Cheri-A Lady Isabella Smokey, co-bred with Michelle Shannon (Smokey Valley). “Shower” remains the top-winning bitch in breed history, shortlisted at
Westminster, and placed in the Group at the revival of the Morris & Essex Kennel Club. She produced only two puppies, Group-winning CH Cheri-A’s Lord Leopold and BIS CH Cheri-A Wingo Lord Nelson.
Previously mentioned “Paddington,” nicknamed “P2,” co-owned with Doug Johnson, Jamie Hubbard, and Brenda Riffey, is the last of the well-known dogs produced at Cheri-A’s. P2 has sired some outstanding get, notably BISS Group-winning GCH Clussexx Big Man On Campus, “Edwin,” owned and handled by Emma Christie, and the current top Blenheim & Prince Charles for 2025, Multiple Group-winning MRBIS Eng/Am CH Clussexx Hail Her Reign, “Pepper.” (This bitch won majors on the weekend of the National Specialty and also finished her Championship in the UK in three shows, all CCs with Best of Breed, and a Group Third at the iconic 2025 Windsor Championship Dog Show; owned by Doug Johnson and Jamie Hubbard, always handled by Jamie.)
P2’s successes as a sire are thanks in large part to the genius of Doug and Jamie, who made breeding choices which resulted in a number of impressive progeny. Edwin and Pepper are two of the best English Toy Spaniels I have seen, and I am proud to have contributed in some way, excelling in squareness, head type, substance, and movement.
Jerome Elliott: Because of a lot of hard work to present some exceptional dogs to the fancy across multiple decades, more recognition is now routinely given to the English Toy Spaniels in current times. My friends Richard and Patti Branch Caldwell’s dog, “Cooper,” NBISS MBIS GCH Ringo Star Ot Nevskogo Hobbita, achieved the rank of Number One Toy Dog in the country a few years ago. I honestly didn’t think this could ever happen in my lifetime. In fact, TEN different English Toy Spaniels across the two varieties have WON Toy Groups as of this writing in 2025. That is a remarkable achievement for the breed. Compared to where we started in the late 1980s, there weren’t ten dogs that even placed in a Group in a calendar year, and some years there were less than 20 Group placements between all of the dogs collectively in the course of a year.
I would say there are more truly square dogs now than I can remember in the past, but that is an area where much work should still be concentrated. Substance is another area where some are lacking, and should be improved. Without a doubt, the area most in need of help is conditioning, grooming, and training. Dogs that do not present themselves make it difficult for the judge to evaluate them, and in some cases, have caused the breed to have a “reputation.”
In regard to Afghan Hounds, we continue to have representation at or near the top winners in the Hound Group year after year. There tend to be a number of big-winning dogs, and in my opinion, the best of those are very similar in presentation, type, and high quality. I judged a Regional Specialty in New Jersey last week, with 36 total entries minus some absentees. BOB, WB/BW, BOS, WD, and both Select winners were all dogs I would be proud to own. I can only say that, in many entries, this cannot be said. I was impressed. Some of those were outstanding. Two of those winners, which are littermates, also won Awards of Merit at the National this year. I think the breed is on the right track.
Breeders need to continue to concentrate on a good square shape, standing AND moving, correct head and eye, and correct coats. There is no coat easier to live with than a good one, and no nightmare worse than dealing with a bad one.
Jerome Elliott: I heard people complaining one too many times after judging had been completed at a local Specialty. I have decades of experience in my main breeds, and I hoped I could be a part of the solution, rather than a part of the problem. Since childhood, I looked up to and admired the judges at the shows, and I had always wanted to be one. I had previously judged Sweepstakes at a number of Specialties, including some Nationals, and always really enjoyed it. After a few false starts, I finally got myself together in 2023 and will soon judge 20 breeds, plus Junior Showmanship. I hope to be able to apply for the balance of the Toy Group some time in 2026.
The sport has changed greatly since you first began as an exhibitor and breeder. What are your thoughts on the current state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?
I have been welcomed into the Clussexx family, with P2 having been in residence there. The philosophy of a number of breeding partners as preservation breeders, which Doug Johnson and Jamie Hubbard have developed, may be a good way forward for others to work as well. Shared vision and responsibilities, access to proven lines and breeding stock, and working with the best of the best—that is how I see hope for the future of the sport. Many people new to the breed have had wonderful experiences with this mentorship, and it can be daunting to attempt on your own. If you have a chance to work with the best, don’t hesitate! You don’t have to go it alone; I believe those days are gone.
Jerome Elliott: I have been actively involved in the York Kennel Club since 2013 and am currently Vice President and Recording Secretary, and I’m very involved in the Celtic Cluster every March over the St Patrick’s Day weekend: five all-breed shows in York, Pennsylvania, with a large number of independent and concurrent Specialty Clubs, Supported Entries, and some National Specialties. The cluster maintains entries of around 2400 dogs on the weekend, with shows Wednesday through Sunday. Many people in the Eastern region of the country plan their year around it, as entries are large and competitive, and in many cases that is the only place where majors are virtually guaranteed for many breeds each year. This cluster is a labor of love for those of us involved, and I plan to continue to stay actively involved, and continue to expand my judging, which I truly enjoy.
Bottom line: Most clubs need new members who are willing to work. The shows do not put themselves on, particularly the larger shows. If you want the shows to continue to exist, please join, volunteer, and help out in your area.
Mentoring those interested in my breeds is always something fun to do, and I enjoy sharing my breeds with others.
Jerome Elliott: I am an avid collector of canine art, books, and ephemera. I spend a lot of time in my own extensive library.
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