Tolkien Kennels was founded in 1974 by Larry & Angela Stein. Larry has been in OES since 1970 and Angela has had OES since 1967. Larry's first showdog was Some Buddy's Magic Morn, DOB 10/14/71 bred by Some Buddy Kennels. Angela's first OES was a pet, "Bonzo"(she did not name him!). Although he was from a puppy mill and was not a very good specimen, she was hooked by his wonderful temperament. She went to a match, where Serena Van Rensselaer was judging, to watch the match and learn about showing. After speaking to her, Angela went and worked for Hendrik & Serena Van Rensselaer of Fezziwig Kennels and her first show dog was Fezziwig Diggory Chuzzlewit, DOB 6/2/71.Diggory won the OESCA Specialty Northeast Regional Match at 3 months of age setting a record for the youngest puppy to do so over 129 puppies. We met in 1972 and were married in 1974. In 1976 we purchased Bahlambs Bawdy Broad ROM"Belba" DOB 11/6/76 also nicknamed "Tata", bred by the late Caj Haakansson. Then in 1980, we purchased Ch.Sniflik's Warwyck Forecaster ROM"Yoda" DOB 5/23/80 from his breeder Linda Burns, who finished owner handled from the Puppy Class at 10 months of age, setting a record for the youngest owner handled OES champion. "Yoda's" sire Ch.Aphrodite Snow Sniflik ROM was one of the greatest producers in breed history.
A few other dogs, who have played a prominent role in our breeding program are: Ch.Sniflik's Show Stopper"Tessa" bred by Linda Burns and owned by Val Maloney, who was generous in sharing her with us. "Tessa" produced our Ch.Tolkien Frodo Baggins"Beaver".Namerca Stay Cool(UK), owned by June Langley was bred to AmCanCh.Sniflik's Warwyck Forecaster ROM and produced AmCanCh.Tolkien Bilbo Barune ROM"Bilbo", who became very influencial in Wessex Kennels. Ch.Rholenwoods Enjoli, who was leased from Alan Blank, produced the dam of Ch.Tolkien Star of Erandil"Emily". Ch.Bahlambs Barnum on Broadway "Rodger", who sired our Ch.Tolkien Drogo Baggins"Wicket". Warwyck Sniflik Sophia "Sophia" who was the dam of Tolkien Dangerous Liasons ROM "Valmont", who has been very influencial in Shaggylamb Kennels.
Together, we have bred 49 champions, of which 31 have carried the Tolkien prefix and have bred/owned 8 ROM producers. All of our dogs have been breeder/owner handled to their championships.
Being fans of The Hobbit and the Ring Trilogy, we named our kennel after it's author J.R.R.Tolkien. Most of our dogs have registered names from these books.
Tolkien has also bred Bearded Collies since 1984 with the purchase of Sweetwater Tolkien Magic from Tom & Ann Garrett who owned one the breed's best bitches Ch.Ha'Penny Sweetwater Agility ROM. Jill went BOW over her litterbrother Ch.Ha'Penny Moonshadow ROM at the 1981 BCCA National Specialty from the 9-12 Puppy Class handled by Ann. Tolkien has bred 11 champions & 4 ROM producers, Ch.Tolkien Moonstruck ROM "Cher" her daughter Ch.Tolkien Fast Forward at Raintree ROM "Dana", owned by Raintree Kennels and her grandaughter Ch.Tolkien Raintree With One Look ROM. Ch.Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins "Roy" represents our 5th generation. He is the all time top winning Bearded collie world wide. To date he has 75 Bests in Show, 338 Herding Group I and he is the BOB winner of the 2011 Bearded Collie Club of America National Specialty.
Larry is an AKC Licensed Judge and has had the ultimate honor of judging the OESCA National Specialty in 1993 as well as judging the Australian OES National Specialty in Adelaide in 1998. He has judged in the US, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands. Together, we work together in our own business of Medigraphics, producing Medical & Veterinarian Illustrations.