Hi, My name is Marie D. Zink (Marie to some, Debbie to most). I got my first Dalmatian
when I was seventeen years old. Little did I know nor my family realize what an
impact the Dalmatian would have on our lives. Our first Dalmatian Oliver’s Aphrodite
better know as ‘DAFFY’ was bought from a local breeder. I did show ‘Daffy’ for about
a year in confirmation. When I became clear that ‘Daffy would not be able to finish
her championship, obedience became our new project. ‘Daffy’ attained her CD within
5 shows, which included going High in Trial at the Dalmatian Club of Detroit Specialty.
Ill health stopped ‘Daffy’ from competing further in obedience so after obtaining
one leg towards her CDX, ‘Daffy’ was retired to become a couch potato.
My first American champion was Ch. Viking’s Bret D. ‘Bret’ finished his championship
at 13 months. He finished with wins including a 5 pt Specialty major by Winner’s
Dog from the 6-9 month puppy class at the winter Western Reserve Specialty. ‘Bret’
was shown most of his career by Carol Shubert who became one of my dearest friends
and Mentor. Always show sparingly, ‘Bret’ became a multiple group and Specialty
winner. Finishing one year as the number 10 Dalmatian. Another notable Bret D Dalmatian
was Ch. Tamarack’s Beowulf on Indalane. ‘Wolfen’ came to us at nearly one year old.
He had lived with another Dalmatian breeder who had decided they did not want him
anymore and Eleanor Hilen graciously allowed him to come live with us and within
the next year he to became an American Champion. My first bitch to finish was Ch.
Clockgate’s Mistress of Bret D. ‘Jayne’ gave me four Champions, she is the grandmother
of champions.
In 1983, I had talked to Charlie Garvin about getting a ‘Sarah’ puppy. He mentioned
they had a puppy dog who was 10 months old who needed some training and thought ‘Sam’
might be the dog for me. I made arrangements to meet ‘Sam’ at the Columbus shows
the following weekend. Needless to say, my life was NEVER the same. The day saw
me bring home the future Ch. Korcula Midnight Star Bret D better know as ‘Charley
Dog’. ‘Charley’ sired 53 champions during his lifetime with another 6 that were major
pointed but did not finish. ‘Charley’ produced one puppy, ‘Coach’ better known as
Ch. Cyncar Head Coach of Croatia. ‘Coach’ and ‘Charley’ were very similar in head
style, markings, and body type. ‘Coach’ was Best in Sweepstakes at the 1995 DCA Specialty.
‘Coach’ sired numerous champions including Ch. Dalcana in Living Color Bret D ‘Belana’.
‘Belana’ was winners Bitch at the DCA specialty in 1998. ‘Belana’ produced ‘Becka’
Ch. Snow Hill Indy Bret D who produced 7 champions. ‘Becka’ produced a daughter
by the name of ‘Spotlight’ Ch. Bret D Spotlight on Snowhill. ‘Spotlight was bred
only once. She had two puppies. One of those puppies was ‘Major’ Ch. Bret D Sergeant
Major.
‘Majors’ career has been fun to watch. During his 2 year show campaign, he has
attained over 160 Best of Breeds, Multiple Group One’s among many other group placements,
he also obtained 4 BEST IN SHOWS! He is also the winner of 9 BEST IN SPECIALTIES.
His children have won Best Puppy in SHOW (All-Breed), Best Jr in Futurity 2008, Specialty
winning Winners Dog or better at Specialties. As I look back on nearly 38 years
of breeding and showing these beloved dogs, I can say that I am proud to have loved
and owned some of the breeds best. Dalmatians have been my life long passion and
what a ride it has been. Hoping for more good things still to come!
