THE BEGINNING

It started when Pam saw a neat dog...funny, happy, medium-sized and so pretty.  A few years (and an exboyfriend) later, CH Shandalee Star-Spangled Banner,  bred by Sue Goldberg, joined her life.  Banner was 3½ when Pam got her.  We mention this because we believe adults may be right for people whose household situations are such a Wheaten puppy is not realistic.  We have occasionally placed young adults with great results for all.  

Pam agreed to let Sue breed Banner, resulting in Pam's getting interested in dog shows.  A second litter produced Farley, CH Shandalee Glory Bound, the first dog Pam owner-breeder-handled to a championship.  Farley produced Pam's first home-bred champion, CH Banner Local Hero, "Mack", named after a Springsteen song...the first "rock 'n' roll animal.  Unfortunately, Mack was never used at stud, ending that line.

HAVE A COOKIE...

Also joining Pam in the early '90s was the Cookie Monster...Shandalee Satin Doll.  Cookie became the foundation of 5 generations of Banner Wheatens...and the dog that John proved his training abilities on, earning her CD on her 11th birthday.

Cookie produced Jezebel, Banner Little Miss Magic.  Jezzie spent her life with Pam's brother & sister-in-law and had one litter...but oh, what a litter!  Out of 4 puppies, 3 became champions.  One is CH Shandalee Banner She-Devil, CGC...our Brio.  

Brio, bred to CH Hilltop's Diamond Gem, gave us 2 important girls:  "Addie", CH Banner Devil in the Details, and "Morgen", CH Banner Speak of the Devil.  These two girls were bred, Addie producing 3 champions and becoming a Top Producer for 2005, and Morgie producing 2 champion boys.  

EAST MEETS WEST...

We believed in not putting all our eggs in one basket, so to speak.  A first attempt to diversify, CH Caraway Banner News was stymied by the specter of PLN in the pedigree as was a second attempt with CH Luvlade’s Banner Headline.  

In 2005, we purchased "Gabby", who became CH Marymore Banner Gabriel's Choice, from her breeder Mary Peltier of La Habra Heights, CA.  Gabby had her first litter in December 2007, producing Bob and Rudi, who didn't take long to finish their Championships.  Rudi produced two litters...each producing Specialty winners...and their offspring are on the cusp.

From further up the West Coast,  Pinch joined us from Spokane, WA in the fall of 2010.  She became CH Burdigan Banner Five Finger Discount.  She is living proof of our claim that "Wheatens lie"...her truly adorable face belies a bratty personality.  You know...perfect!   Her first two litters produced three champions, and those girls have gone onto big things in the whelping box and the ring. Pinch now has Champion grandchildren and great-grandchlidren. Pinch also has quite a Facebook following.

Gabby and Pinch are the foundation for "Banner Wheatens 2.0"...everyone currently in our breeding program has one or both of those girls in their background.  They remained our special, permanent companions in their retirement.

AND ONE MORE THING...

That would be "Georgia", CH Y-V Surrey Sail Away.  Georgia is our Norfolk Terrier, a "back to the future" representative from John's days breeding Norfolks.  Georgia has in her pedigree two Norfolks John bred many, many years ago.  Georgia was his
re-entry into...and Pam's introduction to...Norfolks.  Or, in Georgia's opinion, "aren't you lucky I deign to have you in my presence!"

Georgia became a Champion in December 2008, handled by Andrew Green.  She retired to go live a wonderful long life with friends where she connived treats, delighted everyone who met her and buffaloed the cats into thinking she's a friend until her death.