Beltra Collies, Corgis and Chihuahuas

Beltra is a small kennel established in 1988 by Norman and Marie Magill.  Marie had been breeding and showing Rough Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs for over 25 years along with a Pomeranian. Norman had owned Pembroke Corgis for a similar amount of time but had only recently began to show dogs when he met Marie at Larne Show in 1986. 

Marie’s love affair with Collies began as a young girl of six, after watching the Lassie films when her dad brought home a little eight weeks old ball of fluff.  The sable and white Rough Collie was of course called Lassie.  There followed many other quality Rough Collies from some of the best known kennels including Corydon, Angelfield, Jasand and of course Rubec.  Marie had great fun showing them throughout Ireland and sometimes on the UK mainland.  She also managed to fit in time to show her Shelties and her little Pom.

Norman had kept Corgis since he was 5 years old and had a succession of dogs and bitches called Taffy and Trixie (very original).  His first show dog. Normstaff Killynure was a natural bob-tail but unfortunately grew too big and did not enjoy the ring.  However, he was a very important part of our lives as we would not have met had Normn not been bitten by the show bug while showing Taffy.

Beltra Kennels were set up when we were married and our first show dogs were a collie and a corgi. The famous Rough Collie Snow - Ch. Rubec Snow Symphony - "Snow" and a Pembroke Corgi - Cooneen Cherish at Beltra (JW), - "Chrissie".

 Snow in full bloom

 Snow was bred by Maud and Alan Mather out of Ch. Rubec Blue Peter and Ch. Sangreat Snow Sapphire of Rubec.  Snow went on to become the UK’s top Rough Collie in 1989 winning 12 CC’s and 6RCC’s in under a year. 

Snow only had two small litters but produced some lovely blues and tri’s who won at many shows and also won Reserve CC's for Beltra.   As well as these three wonderful ladies we also had several sable collies.  Unfortunately, we did not campaign these beautiful bitches as much as we should have, and so they were unable to get the awards they deserved.

However, it was hard to replace the characteristics and temperament of the Blues (and Blue-bred Tri) but eventually we found another Madam - Tasha - Haradale Blue Symphony at Beltra ( Haradale the Highlander & Rubec Snow Jewel at Haradale) bred by Mr. & Mrs. K. Harrington. 

Snow’s best mate was Chrissie, bred by Cecil and Joan Williamson, a tricolour Pembroke Corgi who won several Green Stars.  Chrissie was not campaigned much on the mainland but was a wonderful brood bitch.

In her her first mating to Ch. & Ir. Ch. Manto Red Earl she produced Buster - Beltra Bovver Boy (JW & 2 CC’s) and Jenna - Ir. Ch. Beltra Bardot (RCC) in .  The kennel had a lot of success with these beautiful dogs throughout Ireland and the UK. 

Family commitments have restricted our showing and breeding recently but our daughters Lauren and Ashley have also got the show-bug and have taken an active interest in showing and helping out at shows.  Our third daughter Kelly, prefers to stay in the background and play with her two corgis at home.

We have recently brought in a baby Rough Collie Storm – Altnareagh Black Dress at Beltra bred by Robert and Iris Cummings.  However, as the Collies were too boisterous and the Corgis too heavy to lift onto the table for a young handler, we recently went for something smaller - a Smooth Coat Chihuahua, Pheobe – Keenaughts Bareleg Bronagh at Beltra bred by Patsy and Wilma McDevitt.  After some success with a headstrong puppy, Patsy and Wilma have also very kindly let Ashley have Lily - Ir. Ch. Amber Tiger Lily at Keenaughts, another s/c Chihuahua, to encourage her to show and maintain her interest in this very charismatic breed.  We recently have had alitter out of Lily where she produced three lovely babies who we hope to campaign in 2008.

Beltra do not breed litters very often and on the few occasions that we have bred our dogs, it is to produce top quality showdogs for ourselves and we very seldom have puppies for sale.  Also most of our dogs tend to stay with us for life and any time we have sought homes for our dogs they are usually with people personally recommended to us and able to provide the time, interest and loving homes.

Marie has been judging Rough Collies and Corgis, along with many other breeds for well over 25 years.  She has recently passed the Rough Collie Breed Council Final Assessment and is awaiting final approval to award CC’s.  She has already awarded Green Stars in Pembroke Corgis.

Contact us at marie@beltra.co.uk