Sheltie Friends

I have several Sheltie friends that are very dear to my heart. They have all played a big role in helping me get my start in the world of showing and breeding Shelties. I wish to dedicate this page to all of them.

I want to thank Deb Martin of Celestial Shelties for simply getting me started. She has been a wealth of information and such a big help to me. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't know a lot of what I know today regarding breeding and showing Shelties. She has been a mentor to me and a true friend along the way. Thank you Debbie for your help and kind words. She has a wonderful way of giving helpful criticism without making you feel ignorant. Deb, also I might add, is the fantastic creator of this beautiful website as well!! Celestial Web Designs

I also want to thank my dear friend, Melanee Clark of Stellar Shelties. She not only is the breeder of my first show dog, but she has become a very close friend. We think so much alike sometimes it is scarey. I love her line of Shelties because most of them originate from Canada's finest. We both like the same qualities in our Shelties, abundant haircoat, ample bone, typey heads, and melting expressions. Melanee has taught me so much about showing as well and a whole lot about genetics. I have a very special place in my heart for Melanee and we plan on teaming up together in the near future!

Another breeder I wish to thank is Joy Good of Goodtime Shelties for not only sharing a very special sable boy with me, but for being a true friend as well. She has also been a wealth of information for me and a huge help. She is such a loving and caring type of person and truly has a zest for life. I really admire her and look forward to shows when we can show together. We have so much fun and that is what it is all about.

Dianne Hawes of Wistwin Shelties is yet another top ranked breeder that I will be forever indebted to. She was willing to give a "newbie" like me a really fantastic start with a beautiful red sable and white bitch of 2 1/2 years old. Her name is Charm and she has a melting expression with a nice soft eye and fabulous headpiece. I couldn't have a nicer girl as a foundation bitch. Dianne and I both are expecting great things out of Charm. I can't thank Dianne enough for this wonderful opportunity of co-owning such a lovely girl with her. Charm has also given me my first home-bred champion hopeful!!

Jane Hammett of Shadow Hills Shelties has been a tremendous help in my learning process about showing and breeding Shelties. I can't say enough about Jane and I feel she is a true asset to our breed. She is passionate about our breed and finishes practically every single Sheltie she has shown and owns. I really look up to her and can only hope that one day I can be half the lady Jane is with Shelties. She gave me a grooming lesson once and I was amazed at her talent for making a dog look so extraordinary for the show ring!! She has also entrusted me with one of her show prospects and Jane will be handling her for me when she is ready for the ring. My thanks to Jane and I hope to do her proud!!

Last, but definitely not at all least, I would like to thank my new friend and mentor, Sandy Hawkins, of Providence Shelties. She rescued me when I wrote to her about using one of her dogs as a stud dog and as it turned out, he was a neutered male!! I could tell the first time Sandy replied to my email that she was a lady who knew her Shelties and had an exceptional "eye" for what is correct in our breed. She realized that I was in need of a lot of help in order to learn our breed really well, so she took it upon herself to spend countless minutes and hours teaching and mentoring me in everything from correct conformation and movement to the ins and outs of breeding and showing. I have learned more in the past 6 months than I have in the 25 plus years of having Shelties. She is a lifesaver and I trust her judgement and advice completely. I couldn't have been more blessed with such a fabulous and knowledgeable mentor! If anyone ever needs any help with Shelties, this lady is the one you want to go to. She is totally honest and I have to admit, I got my feelings hurt a time or two along the way, but she won't let me go wrong and has really helped me develop a much better eye for what is correct. I still have alot more to learn, but the learning process is an ongoing thing if you want to do things right. Sandy always says, "Always teaching, always learning," and those are great words to live by!!

If you are looking for that special companion or a really nice show/breeding prospect and I can't help you, any of the above Sheltie friends of mine would be more than happy to help. I couldn't have gotten this far without each and every one of them. A big THANK YOU to all of you.

Mary Bryant

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