For the record.....

FOR THE RECORD.....


"Some twenty five years, or there about, it seems like my success in the dog game began" stated Jerry Holcomb in a write-up appearing in the book titled FIGHTING FOR LIFE by Frank Rocca II. It is an interesting account of his life and times with the APBT and his ups and downs.

He does not state that the topic of this write up is the only dog he attributes to his success, but is an integral portion of it. Jerry had quite a few dogs from well known breeders of the East coast, with ups and downs linked to his name, but Jerry had the opportunity to witness some "steamrollers," as he referred to them, from the yard of Maurice Carver. He began to buy a few from Carver's yard, and was very pleased with them. One of those purchased as a three month old pup was a bitch he called HONEYBUNCH. She grew and developed a strong body so, "I decided to breed her the first time she was in heat due to her pedigree, although she was cold at that young age. My choice for that first breeding was an ultra game male, TRIM MOODY." Jerry's reputation as a top contender in the sport continued to "steam roll up the side of the mountain." Jerry's HONEYBUNCH, was first registered into ADBA with the hand written pedigree given to Jerry by Maurice. (It was the practice of Maurice to give a handwritten pedigree on the dogs he sold, minus a name, but listing the dogs description sex, color, date of birth etc.).

She had soon won three making her CH HONEYBUNCH, and her first litter tallied up 11 wins among them. Jerry then bred her to OSO NEGRO, producing other greats.

After her third win, she was sold to James Crenshaw. No papers were given by Jerry. It was later that James registered the dog with a single registration form as J.Crenshaw's "HONEY" and it was assumed that she was a litter mate to Jerry's CH HONEYBUNCH.

Soon after, a well intentioned fancier relayed a statement to Ralph inferring that they were indeed the same dog. Ralph was on the phone with Maurice. When questioned, he said, "I let the new owner name the dog, & spend the time and the money on the registration. I can't remember where these pups go to after I sell them but I'll bet they're good ones." He told Ralph that Pat kept records as far as what bitch had how many, out of what stud, and when they were born, but other than that, the money went to the bank (or wherever) and that was that. Ralph contacted Jerry, (who Ralph remarked was a "good ol boy")and understood our dilemma and seemed satisfied that ADBA add his name as (Jerry's) under the dogs name and we used the name CH HONEYBUNCH with Crenshaw's as the current owners name as a possession. This article is to set the record straight as to the discrepancy of names and owners, and give credit to those who deserve it.

She continued her breeding career, producing greats from various studs. James adds more luster to the career of CH HONEYBUNCH as he writes in his first book in regard to her." I bred her to RASCAL and got four three time winners and one four time winner. Bred to HURT, she had no pups. I bred her to Finley's BO and got four CH dogs, and five notables", campaigned by various owners. "I next bred her to OTIS getting two five time winners, plus others who they themselves produced Champions."

"Most pedigrees of the better bred dogs today have her name behind them." stated James. "I believe without any doubt that CH HONEYBUNCH is the best producing female of all time, I have never known of another to even come close to the total number of winners of her immediate offspring, and the family continues to produce generation after generation. The quality has not declined much, if any."

"On many occasions when I go to my kennel and look at all the nice good looking dogs still here, I can see CH HONEYBUNCH standing near the big Oak tree looking the way that only she could. Sometimes I have to stop and dry my eyes, but it is a feeling not many men ever have and I consider it an honor and a privilege to have owned and shared time with the greatest bitch of all time, CHAMPION HONEYBUNCH."

The ADBA will continue to represent the original decision of 1978, and will continue to clarify the issue with (Jerry's) under the name, as space permits, as they have done in the past. (Refer to GAZETTE Volume 2, Issue 3 Page 14.) There you've heard it. Chapter 1, Verse 1, now closed.


YIS

 

Good read once again. Thnx for sharing !

 

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