(Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange)
(Blakeen, Afghan Hounds and Poodles USA)
(By Steve Tillotson December 2018) Blakeen is a kennel name known to most Afghan hound breed history enthusiasts. However the Hoyt's first and primary breed was Poodles, Afghan hounds arrived at Blakeen several years later in 1940. We'll cover Poodles first, if you are in hurry scroll the page for Afghan hounds. The Blakeen kennel was originally located at Katonah, New York, on a property purchased by Mrs T Whitney Blake in 1922 which she gifted to her daughter Hayes Blake Hoyt. She was known in society and the dog world as Hayes Blake Hoyt and did not use her given name of Charlotte. AHT will thus follow her name preference (Hayes Blake Hoyt) throughout this article. 1. THE HOYT FAMILY The Hoyt family traces back to Simon Hoyte from England who went to the USA in 1628 and became one of the first settlers of Connecticut. The founding Hoyt's owned extensive tracts of timber land. One ancestor on the Whitney lineage side (via Elizabeth Whitney) was Charles Thompson who was one of the signatories to the American Declaration Of Independence. (Hayes Blake Hoyt was born in Rochelle, New York, on the 24th Oct 1901. and she died 10 Oct 1985 in New Haven, Connecticut. Her parents were Theodore Whitney Blake and Lillian Kesley/Kaisley. (Hayes Blake Hoyt had two male siblings - William and Kesley/Kaisley. (There was some confusion during our research over the Kesley/Kaisley names. A family member has contacted us and explained as follows) - "The name Kesley was changed from Kaisley because it sounded less Irish (being Irish was not en vogue at the time) by Lillian Kaisley Blake. Hayes Blake Hoyt studied English and Philosophy at Yale, and studied Art at the Art Students League. The Whitney family (via (Hayes Blake Hoyt's Grandfather) had a long standing association with Yale. The Grandfather gifted Yale University two properties, one that was a previous family home, and one that was one of his business pemises. Both properties became part of the Yale University campus. Another example of Yale closeness occured in April 1923 when (Hayes Blake Hoyt gave a dinner/dance to honour the daughter of the President Emeritus of Yale University. .
Sherman Reese Hoyt was born on the 13th January 1900 in New York. He died on the 12th January 1980 at their Washington, Connecticut home. His father John Sherman Hoyt was a lumber manufacturer. His Mother was Ethel P S Hoyt. The family lived at 900 Park Avenue, New York, a wealthy area in the City. They employed 6 servants, one each from England, Ireland, France, Sweden and two American servamts. Sherman Reese Hoyt was a student at Yale and started out working as an engineer for the Cinaudagraph Corp in Stamford Connecticut, the company produced leading edge audio systems. He eventually rose to the position of Managing Director of the corporation. He was too young to be drafted into WWI, but he joined The Yale Student Army as a Training Cadet (C Yale Unit New Haven Connecticut) in 1918. He went to Yale University. (Hayes Blake Hoyt states that her first poodle Blakeen Paul of Misty Isles was a present from her mother. (Hayes Blake Hoyt also owned Roulette of Misty Isles,Ambroise of Misty Isles and Blakeen Right Royal, all were black Poodles. In Hayes Blake Hoyt's book "Your Poodle" she writes about her Standard Poodle who saved the life of her then three year old son, Paul the Poodle loved to swim and would dive into the family pool from a springboard. He also liked to dive into the lake from the ledge of a large rock that protruded out over a deep spot. A nanny was supposed to be watching Hayes Blake Hoyt's toddler son but had become distracted. When he wandered off, the dog protectively followed him. Hayes Blake Hoyt was standing on a plateau above the overhanging rock and looked down to see her tiny son climb out onto the ledge. She raced three hundred yards down through undergrowth to reach him. She found Paul standing between the boy and the ledge, holding the childs swimsuit in his mouth, and pushing him away from the edge. The boy was hitting the big black dog as hard as he could and calling him a "bad doggy". Hayes Blake Hoyt said the dog looked relieved to see her but seemed surprised when she "lavishly praised him and covered his black head with kisses".
(Hayes Blake Hoyt's mother was quite the Socialite and one of her close friends was the President of Yale University, probably a legacy relationship related to her fathers involvment and his gifting of property to the University. We note that both (Hayes Blake Hoyt and Sherman were students at Yale and we presume that is where they met and formed a relationship. (Hayes Blake Hoyt's father Theodore Whitney Blake was an engineer who initially started his own business of an Armory Company servicing the needs of the US Military. He famously invented the "Cotton Gin" and he also invented a " Rock Crusher" that ground down rocks as a base for roads. His company was responsible for building the roads in New Haven. One of the longest roads in New Haven is "Whitney Ave" named after him. Later he started the Whitney Blake Manufacturing Company in 1899 that made telephone and telegraph cables for the Government. The company still exists today and has moved from its New Haven headquarters to Vermont. (Hayes Blake Hoyt and Sherman travelled to Europe - Sherman was the first to travel abroad before he married. - On his passport application dated 27 Apl 1921, he stated that he was a Student and that he planned to visit Europe for several months, specifically England, France, Belgium and Switzerland. The reason he gave for his visit was "Travel". We find in the passenger manifest for this voyage aboard the SS Aquitania that Sherman Reese Hoyt, his parents and his siblings all arrived back in New York from Southampton, England on 3rd September 1921, so this visit was presumably a family expedition. On 26 November 1946 Sherman Reese Hoyt and Hayes Blake Hoyt both arrived back in New York aboard the SS Queen Elizabeth from Southampton, England. The purpose of their visit included (Hayes Blake Hoyt judging the International Poodle Club Show at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London. The Blakeen kennel was originally located at Katonah, New York, on a property purchased by Mrs T Whitney Blake for USD 125,000 in 1922 and was gifted to her daughter (Hayes Blake Hoyt). Hayes Blake Hoyt and Sherman married in 1928, they were both living in different addresses in Park Avenue, New York at the time of their marriage. The Katonah property eventually became their new home. Sherman Reese Hoyt's passport application dated 27 Apl 1921, stated that he was a Student and planned to visit Europe for several months, specifically England, France, Belgium and Switzerland. Reason given for his visit was "Travel". We find in the shipping records that Sherman Reese Hoyt, his parents and his siblings arrived back in Newyork from Southampton, England on 3 September 1921, so the visit was presumably a family expedition. The Hoyts moved around a few times, but they generally stayed within the New York/ Connecticut area. In 1930 they owned a farm in Weschester, with Sherman Reese Hoyt's occupation listed in the census as a Farmer. The farm included Dogs, Horses and a Model Dairy. Sherman Reese Hoyt stated on the census the estimated value of the property was USD 100.000. They employed two maids, a cook and a butler
2. HAYES BLAKE HOYT - RENOWNED AUTHORESS As a child Mrs Hoyt's first dog was a Pomeranian, he nearly broke her heart because he preferred the cook. After she married she had many dogs, including Poodles Afghan Hounds, Gordon Setters, Dachshunds, Pekingese. It was not until 1933 when the children started school that Mrs Hoyt became actively interested in dog show circles. During the war she became a director of Dogs for Defense. After the war she had a weekly radio program. She has been a commentator for Westminster Kennel Club. She had her own weekly TV show "Dog Show of Champions" (WJZ-TV). She was a writer for Popular Dogs and the AKC Gazette. In 1952 Popular Dogs gave her an award for "Outstanding service for the year". She Authored the books "Your Poodle, and All You Need To Know About Dogs.
3. NEWS ARTICLES ON BLAKEEN THE NEW YORKER, MARCH 16, 1935 Long talk story about Duc, Hayes Blake Hoyt's champion white poodle. Having won everything in sight, including the Westminster's Best in Show, he has now been retired, Nunsoe Due de la Terrace of Blakeen can devote his latter days to rubber mice and to hating the rug at Ninety-second Street house, which gives him electricity. Duc is five. He was born in kennels near Geneva, Switzerland. With a lot of blue ribbons clinging to him, he was sold to the Nunsoe Kennels in England, flying the Channel to get there. It was in London Hayes Blake Hoyt saw and loved him. In December he arrived here on the Aquitania as a surprise gift from Mrs Hoyt's mother. 3.1 "NEW YORK TIMES" COMMENTS ON BLAKEEN 1936 We mentioned Blakeen Paul of Misty Isles earlier and it appears that this line was the start of Blakeen activity. Here is a news snippet dated February 2, 1936 from the New York Times - Baltimore, Md., Feb. 1. -- Champion Ambroise of Misty Isles, an upstanding black poodle, owned and shown in the ring by Hayes Blake Hoyt of the Blakeen Kennels of Katonah, N.Y., and New York City, tonight was awarded the highest honors of the twenty-third annual dog show of the Maryland Kennel Club. 3.2 "HARTFORD COURANT" ARTICLE ABOUT BLAKEEN 23 DEC 1939 - Amazing Record of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Hoyt's Poodles Sensation of Dog World. Having for a few years seen the glories of Blakeen, I was delighted when the boss Invited me to write this brief story of the amazing record made by the reds, whites and blacks of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman R. Hoyt's Blakeen Poodles at Katonah, N. Y. Started in a small way In 1933, Blakeen has shown 25 Poodles to their AKC championships, has sold 12 dogs that have since made their titles and has bred 20 champions of record, which in itself would be something to rave about. In addition, Blakeen. generally with Mrs. Hoyt holding the lead, has gone best of show, all breeds, more times that I can wag my stump of a tail. This record has been made by six different dogs, three of which have been bred by Blakeen, and with three colors, white, black and red, represented. No other kennel has this record, and what Is most amazing, the majority of the group and show wins have been made where the going has been heaviest In numbers and quality. The records for 1939 alone (and Blakeen did not show too often) show that the total entry of shows in which Int. Ch. Blakeen Eiger. current Poodle leader went best of group or show, totaled more than those shows in which eight other Poodles were like winners. It isn't generally known that Blakeen really dates back to Mr. Hovt's boyhood, when he loved one of the rare Poodle specimens of the dav, which was his pet. The breed never got anywhere in the general scheme of shows, etc.. until the Hoyts brought out the lovable and unforgettable Int. Ch. Nunsoe Due de la Terrace of Blakeen. the master showman of all dogs that put the breed on the lront pages when he went best of show at the 1935 Westminster. Like him or not, he made the breed. "The Duke" was shown but 18 times and topped nine shows and was never downed In the breed, and you wouldn't believe me If I told you all the shows his children have won. suffice to tell you that my special pals. Ch. Blakeen Jung Frail and Int. Ch Blakeen Elger have nearly swept the boards the past two years. White. like their dad. but not possessed quite of his master touch as a showman, thev have done their share to keep the breed in the news. "Jungle" was best American-bred, all breeds, for 1938 and It looks as though Elger was best American -bred non-sporting dog for 1939. Quite a record for litter brother and sister. Of course, being shown with the colorful and superb touch that Mrs. Hoyt gives her charges, might have had something to do with their record, but vou must consider that it was Mr. Hoyt that finished "Jungle's" marvelous record of 1938 when Hayes Blake Hoyt went to England and France to Judge
The test of worth. is. as it should be, in what can be produced. "The Duke" (CH Nunsoe Duc de la Terace) proved his worth, the winning blacks had to do the same. Blakeen Eiger and Blakeen Jung Frau met their tests nobly, and Blakeen Cyrano "Cy" has some sons and daughters coming out that are knockouts. Best of all. the qualities are holding up in the third generation. The greatest sire of blacks in the breed today Is Blakeen's Ch. Griseley Labory of Piperscroft. C. D., a silver, that has produced winners In whites, blacks and silvers. It Is not generally known, except to those who watch the breeding in catalogue entries that E. E. Ferguson's Ch. Pilllcoc Aplomb, that has been winning this year on a mileage trek that would make all other dog tourists look like "block-walkers." was sired by the lovable Griseley. Little wonder that Blakeen can well boast of its "secret of success." Having nosed around Blakeen a lot in recent years, I can honestly tell you that "you haven't seen anything yet." Yes. watch "Cy" In 1940, but watch some others, whites and blacks, and some miniatures that are simply breath-taking in their loveliness. And. while you are at it. keep an eye open for some swell Gordon setter puppies that should be out late In 1940.
Following extract from Petcha- "The story of how Duc came to Blakeen is worth recounting. Hayes Blake Hoyt's mother was going to England and asked her daughter if she would like something from over there. Hayes Blake Hoyt was just getting started in dogs and had heard talk about “the best Poodle in the world,” but when her mother tried to buy him she was turned down: the Duke was not for sale. Undeterred, and eager to procure only the best for her daughter, the American visitor asked what price might convince his owner to part with Duc; Miss Lane mentioned an “astronomical” sum that she was sure would deter any potential buyer… but a check arrived in the mail forthwith from (Hayes Blake Hoyt's mother who purchased Duc as a gift for her daughter. Duc sailed to his new home in America, arriving in December 1934. (Reportedly, Duc’s purchase price would equal approximately $100,000 today.) In early 1934 Duc made his American debut by winning the Group at Westminster from the classes, his first show on American soil!. After completing his AKC title and winning several all-breed BIS, Duc repeated the Westminster Group win in 1935, now with Best in Show as well. It was the first time that a Poodle won Westminster and the acclaim was unanimous. According to those who saw him, nothing like Duc had ever been seen in the American show rings. He must have been special, because reportedly shown only 18 times in the US, he won all 18 BOB, 16 Groups and 9 Best in Shows". (Source: Petcha Petsmart Community)
3.3 "CANINE CHRONICLES" ARTICLE ON BLAKEEN POODLES 2013 An extract from an article printed in Canine Chronicles which conveys the huge signifigance and importance of Blakeen in the development of Poodles in the USA - By Amy Fernandez (Canine Chronicles) September 24, 2013 Poodle breeders love to debate the inherent shortcomings of various sizes and colors, and critical evaluation is essential. However, to maintain perspective on the breed’s progress it’s equally important to step back occasionally and review the big picture. Only 34 Poodles were registered in 1930 when Alice Lang Rodgers and Helene Whitehouse Walker began importing stock to respectively found the Misty Isles and Carillon bloodlines. Walker’s import, Ch. Whippendell Poli of Carillon, also became the first Poodle to win a Westminster group that year, and the Poodle scene kicked into overdrive. Many top American kennels emerged, but nothing eclipsed the fame of Blakeen. In the summer of 1932, Hayes Blake Hoyt began assembling her kennel in Katonah, New York. She imported her first Poodles in 1933. Later that year, a surprise gift from her mother became the final word in birthday presents and instantly raised the Poodle benchmark. The magnificent white Standard, International and English Champion Nunsoe Duc de la Terrace, was already a top winner and celebrated stud before he made history in America. Shown 18 times, he won 16 groups and nine BIS. Owner/handled by Hayes Blake Hoyt, he became the first Poodle to win Westminster in 1935 and she became the woman to break that glass ceiling. By 1936 she had almost 50 Poodles and Blakeen dominated the ring for decades. Her outstanding accomplishments in Standards have overshadowed her equally important contributions to Miniature Poodles. 3.4, "THE NEW YORKER" 1935 The New Yorker, March 16, 1935 - Hayes Blake Hoyt's champion white poodle. Having won everything in sight, including the Westminster's Best in Show, has now been retired, Nunsoe Due de la Terrace of Blakeen can devote his latter days to rubber mice and to hating the rug at Ninety-second Street house, which gives him electricity. Duc is five. He was born in kennels near Geneva, Switzerland. With a lot of blue ribbons clinging to him, he was sold to the Nunsoe Kennels in England, flying the Channel to get there. It was in London Mrs. Hoyt saw and loved him. In December he arrived here on the Aquitania as a surprise gift from Mrs Hoyt's mother. 4. MRS HOYT, RECORD BREAKER - BIS WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 1935 Hoyt's White Poodle CH Nunsoe Duc de la Terace won BIS at Westminster Kennel Club in February 1935 under judge Judge Alfred B Mclay. "Duke" as he was known, was bred in Geneva, Switzerland and then exported to Miss Lane's Nunsoe Kennel in England where he became a champion. Duke was then exported from England in 1934 to Blakeen. Duke was the first Poodle in history to go BIS at Westminster Kennel Club in February 1935 and Mrs Hoyt was the first woman ever to handle a WKC BIS A nice little snippet from Arthur Frederick Jones (Editor of the AKC Gazette and also Kennel Editor for the New York Times 1940's - 1950's) writing about WKC 1935 for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. - (Hayes Blake Hoyt goes into the ring with all her dogs - she had 7 Poodles at Westminster 1935. Reese stands just outside the ring. He is attired in the regulation smock of a handler and he has in his capacious pockets the brushes and combs and chalk that go to make the dogs look so well in the ring. And then just to make the picture complete, 7 year old Kaisley and 4 year old Sherman are found sitting with their chins on the ring fence watching everything that mother and father and the dogs do Duke and Hayes Blake Hoyt's amazing record at Westminster Kennel Club continued when he won non sporting dog group the next year 1936. Duke came out of retirement after 12 months and won his third consecutive group victory at Westminster Kennel Club in 1937 Things didn't always go well for Blakeen at Westminster Kennel Club - In 1950 Ch Poodle Snowboy of Blakeen was denied an award at WKC due to "too much chalk left in the coat". The judge was Bea Godsel (of Shirkhan/WKC 1957 fame). As an aside, the imported Afghan Hound of Sunny Shay - Turkuman Nissims Laurel was Hound Group winner in 1950, so she challenged Sunny for top honours. 4.1 WESTMINSTER 1934
4.1 IMPACT ON POODLE POPULARITY FOLLOWING BLAKEEN WKC WIN The consensus of breed comentators is that Duke is singularly responsible for the breed's popularity taking off in the USA and Poodles became the most popular breed in the USA for many years following Duke's fame and achievements. American Kennel Club Stud Book Registrations For Poodles 1938, 434 1937, 344 1936, 285 1935, 277 1934, 134 1933, 127 1932, 39 1931, 39 1930, 34 1929, 23 1928, 14 1927, 3 As is apparent from the above, Poodle registrations took of in the year that (Hayes Blake Hoyt won BIS WKC with her Poodle Duke in 1935 (doubling the 1934's registration numbers) and the breed continued to gain in popularity, eventually becoming the most popular breed in the USA for several years and Blakeen dominated the ring for decades. Snippet from - "Origin and History of the Poodle", by Hayes Blake Hoyt, Poodle Showcase, December 1964." - "It is also with embarasssment that I must mention Blakeen which is my Kennel prefix, but we did play a part in enhancing the popularity of the Poodle, and also in improving the quality of the white Poodle". In regard to the latter, about thirty years ago there was a common expression in American and English Poodledom which was "It's very good for a white!" but today there is some doubt whether the best black can ever equal the best white! Now this is largely due to the efforts of Mr and Mrs Sherman Hoyt, and also play a large part in the present popularity of the Poodle". When it came to developing Poodle colors, English breeders had already grappled with this conundrum for nearly a century. By the time Blakeen began developing a line of Miniatures, British kennels like Mannerhead and Harpendale were successfully breeding them in rare colors like silver, blue, and apricot. By 1940, Blackeen was making inroads with Miniatures like Ch. Vendas The Black Imp of Catawba. But she had built her reputation on whites, and that color represented one of the biggest challenges. 5 MAUD EARL PAINTING OF DUKE In 1935 Hayes Blake Hoyt commisioned the famous painter Maud Earl to paint "Duke". Maud Earl stands out among the many nineteenth century artists who painted portraits of the pure bred dog. She painted in England at a time when many of our present day breeds were being recognized by The Kennel Club, and dog shows were growing rapidly in popularity. Earl painted many of the most important breed specimens of the day, and she is represented in the collections by fifteen original paintings and forty-nine photogravures. Among the prominent fanciers who owned these paintings were Mr. Francis Redmond of Totteridge Kennel Fame, Her Grace, Kathleen, The Duchess of Newcastle, who lived at Clumber Park, and numerous famous fanciers in America.
There is a bit more to thie Duke painting story. Duke actually unveiled the painting himself ! Hayes Blake Hoyt hid one of Dukes favourite rubber toy rats and tied a thin line to the toy rats tail. At the appropriate time, Mrs Hoyt revealed the toy, Duke grabbed it and walked away with it, pulling the cord attached to the cover and revealing his portrait underneath it. 5.1 LEVON WEST PAINTING OF DUKE In addition to the Maud Earl Painting of "Duke", (and the Mergagree painting of Rudiki, see later in Afghan Hound section), (Hayes Blake Hoyt also commisioned the artist "Levon West" to paint a portrait of "Duke"
6. VINTAGE SHOW NEWS/ITEMS In February 1939 at Westminster Kennel Club, Rudiki owned by Q A Shaw Mckean went, BOB and (Hayes Blake Hoyt went BOB with a poodle. In May 1940 (Hayes Blake Hoyt went BOB with a poodle at the huge Morris and Essex show - (Hayes Blake Hoyt's Poodle Jung Fau of Blakeen went BIS and her Rudiki of Prides Hill won the Sporting Hound Group. In April 1940 at the First Company Governor's Foot Guard Athletic Association Dog Show, Hartford, Connecticut, poodle CH Blakeen Eiger, bred, owned and shown by Hayes Blake Hoyt won BIS. It was the fourth year in succession that this great dog made his way into the final ring by virtue of winning the non sporting group, and the second time he came out as BIS. The judge was James M Austin (Catawba Afghan hounds) and this was his first appointment as BIS Judge. Hayes Blake Hoyt stated that the win meant a great deal to her, for she was sure that it came from a man who "really knows dogs". In May 1940 Hayes Blake Hoyt went BOB with a poodle at the huge Morris and Essex show - Hayes Blake Hoyt's Poodle Jung Fau of Blakeen went BIS and she now also owned Ch Rudiki of Prides Hill who won the Sporting Hound Group. 7. HAYES BLAKE HOYT'S QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
We mentioned previously that both Reese and (Hayes Blake Hoyt had travelled to Europe, both together and independently. Lyall Payne has uncovered the following details of their travels - 1933 (sailed home on the SS Aquitaine – Southampton to Cherbourg then NY) 1936 (home on the SS American Farmer then the SS Yarmouth from St Johns New Brunswick to Boston Mass) 1946 (home on the SS Queen Elizabeth from Southampton into NY) – stayed at te Berkeley Hotel, London 1949 she went to England on her own (on 18 June 1949) flying Pan Am Airways from La Guardia airport, NY to London, England. 1936 Travel (Hayes Blake Hoyt wrote about one of these visits abroad - "Poodles Across the Pond" (Popular Dogs, 1937). (The following is a selection of relevent highlights. The full document can be viewed via the links at the bottom of this page). We presume the Popular Dogs article in 1937 aligns with the 1936 Travel date in Lyall's list above. "Mr Hoyt and I have returned from a month's visit in England, and I cannot begin to describe how nice it was to be in that country again: the country which is so friendly to dogs, and all animals, and so cordial and gracious to fellow enthusiasts. It was a great pleasure to lunch at the English Kennel Club, to chat with Holland Buckley and Mr Bowell, and also to visit our friends, the Cecil Barbers. At the home of the latter we were greatly impressed with a fine, young Sealyham dog, and two very beaufiful Scottie bitches. Mrs Barber took one of the bitches to the Paris Exposition, where it won best terrier in the whole show. "We stopped at the famous Nunsoe Kennels of Miss Jane Lane, where I purchased a black and also a white grandson of Duc. Miss Lane has over 100 Poodles at her kennel and many of them are really beautiful dogs excelling in size and soundness. I was greatly impressed with an apricot-colored male which belongs to both Miss Lane and Mrs Ionides. I doubt whether we could keep this beautiful color in America, owning to our bright sun, but it is exquisite, and this particular dog is a marvelous representative of the breed. I was glad to see Miss Lane's dear old Ch Christopher Robbin again, and he still rules the Nunsoe household! "We also greatly enjoyed meeting Mrs Tyndale (Vendas Affhans and Poodles, UK), who has bred many of the best Miniatures in England, and whose name is certainly in all of the good pedigrees. AHT - A very important Afghan hound carrying the Vendas affix was UK CH Vendas Tash Down who went BOB Crufts 1948 and was the pillar in the foundation lines of the UK Carloway Afghan hounds. The "Bury Free Press" (England) 9th September 1949 - Wrote about Mrs Tyndale and her dogs - "All the leading miniature poodle winners in the UK can be traced to the Vendas strain, while these poodles and their decsendants have won over 60 championships in the United States to date, no other stock has produced more champions either here or in America. "I have been breeding dogs since the Ark" Mrs Tyndall said on Monday "and for the past 25 years I have concentrated on these poodles alone. I began to specialise after winning a poodle miniature in a raffle".One of the country's leading judges of dogs, Mrs Phyllis Robson has described these poodles as combining breeding, beauty and brains and having charming temperaments. In addition to brown, black, silver and white Mrs Tyndall also bred the first ever Apricot one". Between 1932 - 1936 (Hayes Blake Hoyt handled 11 of her dogs to their championships. In May 1936 the AKC Gazette published a feature on the Blakeen kennel. 1946/7 Travel There are multiple newspaper archives referencing (Hayes Blake Hoyt visiting France and England to Judge in 1946/47 . We can confirm the England Judging event - (Hayes Blake Hoyt judged the International Poodle Club Championship Show, held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, photo below dated November 30th 1946. This was the first International Championship show for Poodles since the end of WWII. (Hayes Blake Hoyt attracted an amazing entry of 450.
8. CLOSING COMMENT (POODLE SECTION) As is apparent, Blakeen was huge in Poodles for over two decades (1933 - mid 1950's). The Blakeen legacy continued for decades after the kennel ceased activities. A study of poodle advertisments through the 1960's reveals regular references to Blakeen Lineage in other breeders new stock with comments such as - "descended from Blakeen" etc. Researching Blakeen reminded me of Bill Ivens (Ivardon) who was both an Afghan Hound breeder and a Poodle breeder. Similar to Blakeen, Ivardon's primary breed was Poodles. Interestingly, both Hayes Blake Hoyt and Bill Ivens have each authored a book on the Poodle. I think, perhaps, in both cases, Blakeen and Ivardon, they were so huge and successful in their era with Poodles that, understandably they both majored in that breed. That having been said, both kennels made a significant contribution to Afghan hound breed development. 9 BLAKEEN AFGHAN HOUND SECTION Afghan hounds joined the Blakeen kennels in late 1939 with the Hayes Blake Hoyt's purchase of the puppy bitch Babec Of Blakeen (Lakhsman Of Enriallic x Asra Of Ghazni) bred by Q A Shaw Mckean (Prides Hill). On 15th December 1922 The Pall Mall Supper Club in New York held a dinner to raise funds for the Soldiers and Salors Club of New York at the Hotel Lorraine. (Hayes Blake Hoyt's mother Mrs Whitney Blake attended as a patron, along with others, which included another Patron Miss Amelia E White (Kandahar Afghan hounds) and her sister Miss Martha White (Kandahar Afghan hounds), who was a committee member. We mention this social titbit just to highlight the fact that (Hayes Blake Hoyt's family were connected with founding Afghan hound breeders, such as Q A Shaw McKean (Prides Hill) and the White Sisters (Kandahar). The Hoyts bred a litter of 4 from Babec in July 1941 (sired by Rudiki which they also owned prior to 1941). Sometime later in 1941 Babec was transferred to Mr Leo Murphy (Gramur Kennel, USA), his first Afghan hound. Mr Murphy was a renowned judge who was invited to Judge Crufts and also the Belfast show in the UK. Mr Murphy bred two litters from Babec in June 1942 and August 1943, both litters sired by his dog - Mahabat Khan Of Arthea The Hoyts acquired the bitch CH Rudika Of Blakeen (Rudiki Of Prides Hill x Lasca Klana), bred by Mrs Ida Kenny) in 1940. Rudika won her title in just 8 shows)
Blakeen's next Afghan hound was Ruksh Of Blakeen (Rudiki Of Prides Hill x Pommel Rock Kashan) whelped February 1951 bred by Leah Pozar & Macky McConaha (Khanhasset). Ruksh was a littermate to the great Ch Ali Khyber and Khanhasset's Kanda. Charles Costible (Kandika) bred a litter out of Rudika of Blakeen, sired by his Khanhasset Kanda which produced Kandorissa Of Aldachar who was bred to Ch Taejon of Crown Crest and the ensuing litter in May 1954 produced Stormhill Silver Dream for the Whithingtons, and produced the bitch "Hope" for Kay Finch (Crown Crest). Hope was the dam of several important Crown Crest hounds, including Crown Crest Mr Universe (Incidentally, Charles Costable was Mr Universe's co-breeder), , Crown Crest Miss California. The May 1954 litter also, produced the bitch "Faith" for Virginia S Mika (Mikai), so this Rudika line led to some significant breedings a few years later. A September news report confirms that Rudika was then co-owned by Charles Costabile and Marion Flosheim, see news archive left photo below
The Hoyts would have surely seen and admired Rudiki at WKC in 1939 where he went BOB. The Hoyts Poodle also went BOB at WKC that year. The Hoyts would have seen a lot of Rudiki (who they eventully came to own), as they were regularly competing against him with their Poodles for top awards at shows. The Hoyts had a big day at the Morris and Essex show in May 1940, which was held in the grounds of Mrs Hartley Dodge's (Girelda Farm Kennels) in New Jersey. The Hoyt's Ch Rudiki went BOB and the Hoyt's poodle Ch Blakeen Jung Frau went Best In Show. Morris and Essex is perhaps second only to Westminster Kennel Club show, so BOB's and BIS's are a huge achievement. 25,000 spectators attended the show, and 10,000 stayed (despite rain and a waterlogged venue) to watch the Best In Show.
Philadelphia Enquirer, May 1940 - Hayes Blake Hoyt carried off major honours. Not only did her poodle win the non-sporting class and best in show, but her stylish stepping champion Rudiki of Prides Hill, an Afghan hound, scored tops in the sporting hound group. Being a home-bred, the Afghan won the group's special American bred trophy and in placing first ws the winner over champion Meadow Lark Draftsman the noted Beagle owned by Mrs William Dupont JR. Rudiki also went Best Of Breed on December 15th 1938 at the Phildelphia show, beating out the English import Garrymhor Kisthwar, owned by Mr Mrs Sampson of San Francisco.
Hartford Courant 11 February 1940 - The Blakeen Kennels of Mr and Mrs Sherman R Hoyt, Katonah, N.Y. have purchased the Afghan hound, Ch. Rudiki of Prides Hill, recognized as the greatest living member of his breed in America. Under the ownership of Q.A.Shaw Mckean, Rudiki scored numerous breed and group wins, including best of breed and second in the hound group at the Westminster Show a year ago. He is entered at the Garden this week. Hartford Courant 2 Jan 1942 - Mrs Marion Foster Florsheim of Darien, whose Afghan hound Ch Rana of Chaman of Royal Irish scored frequently during 1941 including a breed victory at Westminster, has added two top-notchers to her kennel. These are the youngster, Ch Rudika of Blakeen, and the older Ch Rudiki of Prides Hill, bred by Q.A. Shaw McKean which she purchased from Mrs Sherman R Hoyt Immediately after purchasing Rudika of Blakeen, Marion Florsheim bred her to Rana Of Chaman Of Royal Irish and the litter whelped on 2nd September 1942. The litter included Ch Asri-Havid Of Five Mile who went to Eva Gudgeon's Birchwood kennel in Canada where he was a prolific stud , Ch Yenghiz-Khan Of Five Mile and Ch Zumurrud Of Five Mile, both retained by Marion and who proved to be influential sires in the USA.. Rudika would eventually become owned by Charles Costible (Kandika). Charles Costible was the co-breeder of Ch Crown Crest Mr Universe (born 1957) with Kandika breeding (and thus Rudika) in the pedigree. Rudika's career record involves Multiple Best In Shows, she was never defeated by another bitch of any breed, 21 BOB, 19 Group wins, 21 Group Placements and produced 6 Champions, The Hoyts also acquired the bitch CH Rudika Of Blakeen (Rudiki Of Prides Hill x Lasca Klana), bred by Mrs Ida Kenny) in late 1940. Rudika won her title in just 8 shows As of November 1943, Rudiki had accumulated 58 BOB's (Career 77). 56 Group's (Career 73), 31 Best Hound (Career 40), and 8 (Career 15) Best In Shows, and produced 31 Champions,
MEGARGEE PAINTING OF RUDIKI OF PRIDES HILL
Artist Megargee putting finishing touches to Hayes Blake Hoyt’s Afghan Hound Ch. Rudiki of Pride’s Hill which was published in Life Magazine &AKC Gazette Possibly his most high profile job for Hoyt was a 1940 commission to portray her newest acquisitions, the magnificent Afghan Hound, Ch. Rudiki of Pride’s Hill, a grandson of Ch. Sirdar of Ghanzi, purchased from Shaw McKean. By then, Hoyt, Megargee and Rudiki were all magnets for public fascination. The combination was irresistible and Life dispatched a writer and photographer to capture the sittings for a major feature. It was also covered by the AKC Gazette, and they extolled “The beauty of coat and form that characterize Reddy may be seen in the splendid painting by Edwin Megargee.” For a few years, Blakeen campaigned equal numbers of Afghans and Poodles, and Rudiki ultimately earned 15 BIS, 27 Best American Bred in Show, 40 Groups, and 77 Breed wins. After (Hayes Blake Hoyt’s Afghan kennel was disbanded in 1941, Rudiki went on to make records for Marion Foster Florsheim’s Five Mile Kennel in Connecticut. (Hayes Blake Hoyt was was President of the AHCA in 1943. (Hayes Blake Hoyt judged the 25th AHCA National Speciality held at the Henry Hudson Hotel, New York, in February 1964 The chief awards were - WD and BOW Joan Stepanauckas's Kauno Levis. WV Werner and Mary Sheldon's Khahira Shady Lady BOS Gloria Brittain's Ch, Monarc's Nubia. BOB Patricia Sinden's and Joan Fantl's Ch. Taimir's Redstone Rocket. (Hayes Blake Hoyt was present at the first two AHCA Sanctioned Matches, firstly as an exhibitor in 1941 and as the Judge in 1942.
On June 13th 1942, the Tenth Annual North Wechester Kennel Club Show was held on the estate at Kotanah, of Mr, Mrs Sherman Hoyt. The Group Judge was Dr Howard W Church. who gave group to the Afghan hound CH Rajah Of Arken Related content Type, Soundness, Quality, Style" by Hayes Blake Hoyt 1966 Canine Chronicles article referencing Blakeen Poodles WKC 1935 video of CH Nunsoe Duc de la Terace- Petcha - Ch. Nunsoe Duc de la Terrace of Blakeen Canine Chronicles 2012 Artist Megargee Type, Soundness, Quality, Style" by (Hayes Blake Hoy 1966 Hayes Blake Hoyt, "Poodles Across the Pond" (Popular Dogs, 1937) Origin and History of the Poodle", by Hayes Blake Hoyt, Poodle Showcase, December 1964. |
