(Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange)
 Dr and Mrs. Harry G Marxmiller ( By Steve Tillotson August 2013) Owned by Dr and Mrs. Harry G Marxmiller 12096 Iredell St, North Hollywood, Calif (Phyllis Robson compiled advert for Dellire published in The Kennel Review, Dec 1940) Dr Marxmiller is tremendously enthusiastic about his Hounds which are kept purely as a hobby, and he is fortunate in having a very charming wife who shares his love of Afghans. The genial Doctor is a great student of pedigrees and line breeding and feeds his dogs on very scientific diets full of the right vitamins Afghans happen to be one of my loves (Bulldogs were my first) so it was a pleasure to pay the Dellire establishment a visit and pour over pedigrees and discuss the various bloodlines. I often wonder if Afghanites over here (USA) appreciate how much Ch Westmill Omar and Asra Of Ghazni have done for the breed in America - whenever I see a pedigree it is ten to one these dogs are mentioned.  I only mention this, because in every Afghan kennel I have visited these two dogs are always in the pedigree and Dr Marxmiller has got a double cross on their blood, as well as that of the illustrious Ch. Sirdar Of Ghazni, always pronounced to be the perfect dog, except for one one thing - size. He measured only twenty-four inches but this was because he broke his leg when a puppy in Afghanistan, had it badly set up in the hills and reborken and reset when he came down to Cabul - enough to stop any puppy's growth. I asked the Doctor how he came to take up Afghans and he told me an interesting little story. He used to be president of the Western Foxterrier Breeders Association and having done some kindness for Mr Bert Heath - the Editor of Kennel Review - was asked by the latter if he would accept a good dog as a present. The Doctor said "What kind of a dog?" and Mr Heath replied, "Anything you want, just name the breed." The Doctor replied "There is only one sort of dog I want, an Afghan Hound, a fawn bitch with a red streak down her back, a show specimen and lastly but not by any means least, one that isn't shy." Mr Heath was going East to the Garden show and on his way stopped at Chicago, but could find nothing there. However at Westminster he discovered Dura Of Prides Hill, who went best American-bred bitches, and he purchased her from Mr Shaw McKean, wired the Doctor and shipped the bitch. "And," concluded the Doctor, "that's the kind of man Bert Heath is."  Dura turned out to be the foundation of the Dellire Kennels and soon made her championship. She is a fine fawn bitch by Westmill Omar ex Anita Of Prides Hill, who in turn is a daughter of the well known Brindle, Ch Badshah of Ainsdart - thus full of the best imported blood. She is three and one half years old and has raised eighteen puppies. The first time she was mated to Ch Fatima's Son Tufan Khan (of Indian imported blood on his dam's side), a son of Tufan of Ainsdart who was a son of Ch Sirdar - incidentally Dura was out of the last litter Omar sired and she had nine pupies which were all sold. In the second litter she also had nine and of those that the following four are for sale, aged fiteen months. (1) Omar Khayyam of Dellire, a red with big bone, a very virile dog of good temperament. (2) Cleo de merode, a blue brindle bitch with a black mask, a clean skull and good bone. (3) Cleopatra Of Dellire, who has been shown and has already seven points towards her championship; she is a fawn with a dark saddle, good dark eyes and coat of the right texture. (4) Kyramka of Dellire, a fawn, with a black nose and really dark oritntal eyes. She was shown as a puppy and won her classes.  The star in the kennel is the lovely young red bitch, Polo Negri of Dellire - she is a litter sister to the above four. A red with a black mask, good head and just the right size and a beautiful mover with a grand temperament. I fell in love with this bitch the minute I saw her and when she comes into full coat nothing can stop her becoming a champion. She made her debit at Glendale show under Mr Bud Lewis, who promptly gave her best of breed, a foretaste of things to come. Still another dog is Tirrana of Dellire, a lovely cream with dark eyes, who already has points towards his championship. Went winners at the recent Los Angeles Kennel Club show.  The doctor is only reducing his kennel because he has recently undergone a severe operation and finds the care of so many dogs too much for him. Anyone wanting sound healthy stock should visit the Dellire establishment. If they are interested in the more serious side of dog breeding they will enjoy a talk with Dr Marxmiller who is a mine of information and a most genial and interesting man. The illustrations for this article were furnished by that clever photographer, Mrs Joan Ludwig, and are untouched. PHYLLIS ROBSON Kennel Review December 1940 Whats New Page Library Of Articles/Main Menu Toolbar |