1985 NAFC FC TOPBRASS COTTON
July 6 1978 - Feb 13 1995
breeder: Joseph & Jacquelyn Mertens
owners: Jeff & Bev Finley & Jackie Mertens
sire |
AFC Holway Barty |
| 1985 NAFC FC TOPBRASS COTTON | |
dam |
CH Sunstream Gypsy of Topbrass |
Cotton was a very special dog who touched the lives of 3 families. I
originally gave him to Jeff & Bev Finley as a replacement for their
Topbrass Custer, who died under anesthesia at 18 months of age. Custer was
Cotton's older brother and litter mate to OTCH TOPBRASS
RIC O SHAY BARTY owned by Sharon Long & FC AFC
TOPBRASS MANDY .
Jeff & Bev trained with me every day. Jeff ran Cotton in 19 Derbies
earning 46 points. At one point he won 6 blue ribbons in a row (2 qualifying
wins & 4 Derby wins). He also finished Cotton's FC AFC. The Finleys
lost interest in trialing after several years. In the meantime Cotton was
strictly a family pet. Finally Jeff agreed to let me run Cotton in 5 trials.
That was in July of 83. At the time, Jeff was sure that Cotton would run
for no one but him. I trained him for about a month before the fall field
trial season. He won 3 of those 5 trials with a double header at the 5 th
trial. That fall he earned 36 points in 9 trials and was a finalist in the
National Open.
Jeff came and got him the day of his retirement after the Golden Retriever
Club of America Specialty Field Trial in Burlington, WI. in 1991. He then
became Jeff's dog again and was totally devoted to him and his new wife
and family. Bev or I would occasionally care for him when Jeff was traveling.
He never spent a day in a kennel run.
Cotton was a true gentleman. He was easy going, and layed back until he
got to a trial, then he was intense, alert, and a fanatical retriever. I
felt privileged to stand beside him, and that is what one did. He did his
own thing and usually retrieved the bird he darn well wanted regardless
of which one you thought you sent him for.
Cotton sired seven FC/AFC's in the U.S. and several more in Canada. He has
over 25 Qualified All age offspring. He also has left his mark on the obedience
& hunt test world with OTCH & MH kids.
Cotton was a special part of my life and introduced me to many lasting friendships
including Jeff & Shelley Finley, Bev & Fred Steininger, and the
many field trialers I met and befriended along the way. He was the only
golden to win a National Amateur, was high point amateur dog for two years,
won a Double Header, and became the high point golden of all time, but most
of all he was a true golden gentleman and friend.
To View the list of: Cotton Titled Offspring
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Jackie & Joe Mertens |
