We had our first Sheltie in 1962, the year of our marriage. She was a rich red sable, line bred to Ch. Helensdale Ace and a little oversize. We began training her for obedience and in the course of attending obedience competion, began to watch Shelties in the show ring. Deciding that we needed a bitch as a foundation, we purchased Francehill Pretty Polly from Margaret Searle. Polly was to be a very successful foundation for the Felthorns, Felthorn Indian Ink was one of her sons and features in many pedigrees of present day Shelties. Her daughter Felthorn April Dancer was mated to Troubleshooter of Shemaur to produce the first Felthorn Champion, Beachcomber, a sable dog of perfect size and excellent construction, he was Best of Breed at Crufts in 1976. He sired Ch. Francehill Beach Boy in his first litter . The tricolour Felthorn Slack Alice was a daughter of Beachcomber and she produced the blue merle bitch Felthorn Marionette. Although only shown as a puppy (she was rather small with a two piece head), Marionette became one of the most successful brood bitches in the history of the breed. Her story can be found in the 2000 edition of the ESSC handbook and on this web page, see Felthorn Moonbeam. Her daughters, Ch. Felthorn Lady and Ch. Felthorn Button Moon have both produced champions themselves, and Ch.Felthorn Lady is the first of four generations of champion blue merle bitches, a first in the history of the breed in the U.K. Although noted for blue merles, the Felthorn Prefix has produced champions in all the three main colours. There are, to date, ten homebred champions in the U.K. as well as champions in several European Countries, South Africa, and Australia. We are both active members of the English Shetland Sheepdog Club, Dick having been Secretary for fifteen years, followed by Chairman for the last seven years. Barbara is currently acting Secretary and both were responsible for organising the recent International Conference attended by Shetland Sheepdog breeders and exhibitors throughout the world.