16 March, 2009

Formakin Kennels -

The first established ACD Kennels in the UK

As the secretary has kindly acquired the rights to protect the affix "Formakin" for the next 20 years I thought members might like to know something of its history.

In 1933 John bought his first Pembroke Welsh Corgi from Sid Bowler of the Bowhit Kennels.  Nippy cost him 2gns, with a free service plus 3 shillings and sixpence carriage from Haverford West to Perth!  Deciding to breed Welsh Corgis he took out the affix in that year.  Formakin was a place name where he and his father were farming at the time.  But he often said that he wished he had chosen something else as we "Sassanachs" seemed unable to pronounce it properly.  It should be FOR-MA-KIN and not FOR-MAKIN.

Although he worked his Corgis on farm as Cattle dogs and as very efficient ratters he also became well known in the show world.  His best known dog was probably Int. Ch. Formakin Orangeman who was sold to the USA for $600 - a lot of money in those days.  "Paddy" as he was known beat H.S. Lloyd's famous Ch Tracey Witch of Ware at the Irish KC Championship Show in Dublin in 1947.  A not too popular win with some of the Irish.  One was heard saying "It never rains on St Patrick's Day, but can ye be wonderin' at it when a dog called Orangeman goes Best In Show."  I think I am right in saying this was the first time a Corgi has gone BIS at an all breeds Ch. Show.

Another well known dog was Formakin Expectation who won the Junior ASPADS Stakes in 1959.

During the '50's we spent much of the summer touring the UK with our "Formakin Canine Starts" display team.  The team also included rabbits, ducks, sometimes a cat (she did a tightrope act) and a goat.  The canine side usually consisted of Corgis (a team of 4 pulling a covered wagon) Salukis, Greyhound, Maremma, Cocker, Papillon, GSD and Border Collie.

The affix was also used for British Toggenburg and British Saanen goats which were successfully shown, as well as appearing in films and TV.  When we moved to Dorset John started breeding Welsh Cobs and Ponies and took up event carriage driving with Welsh Cobs.  We also bred part bred Welsh and part bred Arabs.  My Arab/Highland mare, Formakin Tamara, won a Gold award in the Golden Horseshow Ride.  There were the Shetland Ponies which were used for pantomimes.  We could turn out two teams and a pair if needed for Cinderella.  The Formakin Shetlands also did well in the show ring and as working ponies.  We then decided to breed Shetland Sheep and did very well with these winning at County Agricultural shows round the country.

Last, but certainly not least were the ACDs.  When on a lecture tour in Australia we hardly knew anything about ACD's.  But a visit to Connie Redhead changed that!  John said, "These are REAL dogs - lets have one."  We were forever grateful to Connie Redhead for letting us have one of her favourites.  Au Ch Landmaster Darling Red.  We had a lot of fun, not to mention championship wins with our ACDs but this is not a breed for "old fogies" so we reluctantly decided to give up breeding.

So as you can see John made full use of his affix and I hope members feel it was worth protecting.

Mary Holmes

Back to ACD History

Back to ACD History in UK