Sh Ch Wendover Gentleman...and his somewhat strange way to fame!

[ursula wilby]

This story was told to me in the beginning of the 70;s by Mrs Lupton, the breeder of Labradors (and later setters) = Owner of the Dorrfiels kennels.
The local milkman was spanish and owned an irish setter that he had bought at the Wendover kennel. This dog used to accompany him on his daily milkrounds (hell this was the 60´s and nobody was allergic to dogs). Now the spanish milkman was going to return to Spain but seemed for some reason unable to take his dog with him. The dog had never been near a show but had only been a pet. The milkman offered the dog to Mrs Lupton as she was on his milkround and they often used to chat about dogs in general, but as Mrs. Lupton told me: "I only had labradors at the time and could see no great use for an Irish setter dog. However nice he was. But I looked at the dog and thought he was good looking so I asked the milkman to try to get Mr. James of the Wendover kennels to take a look as well. Perhaps Mr. James would want him or could at least find a suitable home for Gentleman."
This of course was exactly what happened and Mr. James took Wendover Gentleman back. The rest is history...as they say.
According to Mrs. Lupton, the spanish milkman probably never knew what he left behind in England.

[Sharyn Latchford]

Wendover Gentleman is in the back of my girls...what a great story...

Sharyn
NZ

[ursula wilby]

The story shows that even experianced breeders dont see everything from the word go. One of the gratest studs ever in England, and he was sold as a pet and narrowly missed being used at all!

[ursula wilby]

Mrs Lupton also added: "In hindsight, I could have kicked myself. There I was being offered the greatest irish setter stud on a plate and I turned him down!"

[Jo Ottinger]

Great Story. Thanks for sharing

[Michelle Webster]

So I have found it at last!!! I remember June Coates telling me this story and it explains why Gentleman didn't begin his show or stud carrer until he was 5 years old.

[Frances McKimm]

Yes this is a great story and I might just add to it that 'Gentleman' had been sold as a youngster as there 'wasn't enough of him then'! But the spanish owner let the dog going swimming to his heart's delight - and he developed the most wonderful body - the rest is history;