US title sees Rufus make breed history
05 Nov 2009 08:00
HISTORY was made in Australian Terriers during the cluster of shows held around the Montgomery County terrier show, when Ch Millvalley Red Rufus (pictured) gained his US title.
After considerable research by Rachel Leeson with the help of the Kennel Club library and American Kennel Club records compiled some years ago by Aussie enthusiasts in Colorado, it has been established that he is the first in the breed to become both a UK and American champion.
Second major
Although more than 50 Australian Terriers were exported to the US between 1950 and 1981, none of these was a UK champion at the time.
Rufus won his second major at the Raritan Valley specialty held as part of the Hatboro Show under Beth Sweigart. Rufus was handled by Bill Mcfadden that day and breeder Sheila Stoddart was present to witness the occasion.
Rufus is currently living in Wisconsin with Julie Seaton of the Temora Australian Terriers who made up a homebred champion the same day.
Rufus won his eighth CC with BOB under Sue McCourt at the National in May and won his first five-point major the weekend of the Australian Terrier Club of America specialty at the end that month. He has been a dual sire of a litter of eight puppies, and DNA has confirmed he is the sire of six of them. Another litter of eight puppies was born at the end of October sired solely by him.
Rufus is expected back home in Scotland sometime next year.