In the beginning…….
The first black tans to live at Tartuffe came from Bellevue Stud in Scotland in 2004 and together with a boar from
Joan Radeglia and a sow from
Tandy Cavies have at the outset, created the line that you see today. In homage to the ‘tartan’ roots of the family, all Tartuffe tans are given traditional celtic or clan names.
Although there have been some useful and exciting injections into the line over the years from other reputable sources such as Pristine Pigs, Caponhall Stud and most sucessfully Pzribram Stud, the original ‘Celtic’ line built on sound temperament, solid type, robust substance, and above all ‘character and distinction’ undoubtedly remain the trademark of a Tartuffe tan.
The first black tans to live at Tartuffe came from Bellevue Stud in Scotland in 2004 and together with a boar from
Joan Radeglia and a sow from
Tandy Cavies have at the outset, created the line that you see today. In homage to the ‘tartan’ roots of the family, all Tartuffe tans are given traditional celtic or clan names.
Although there have been some useful and exciting injections into the line over the years from other reputable sources such as Pristine Pigs, Caponhall Stud and most sucessfully Pzribram Stud, the original ‘Celtic’ line built on sound temperament, solid type, robust substance, and above all ‘character and distinction’ undoubtedly remain the trademark of a Tartuffe tan.
The foundation of any good stud is in the boar.......
Smile please!
The famous line up of show girls from 2007.
From left to right - Pride (adult), Marnie (adult), Mornah (5/8), Breeshan (U5),Malmurie (5/8) and Dorcas (U5).
I have used this image on advertising for the stud and promoting the black tan breed over the last few years - it took several shots to get one where they nearly all faced forwards!
From left to right - Pride (adult), Marnie (adult), Mornah (5/8), Breeshan (U5),Malmurie (5/8) and Dorcas (U5).
I have used this image on advertising for the stud and promoting the black tan breed over the last few years - it took several shots to get one where they nearly all faced forwards!
It's judgement time
Jacob, Pride and Marnie at the Tendring 100 Show under Bernard Wiles in 2007.
Breeshan means business!
Sometimes, you just know when 'the one' comes along -I waited for three years for this one! Breeshan at 10 weeks became the pin up girl on my business cards, and wherever she was shown she brought home the red cards and the rosettes!
The Showgirls!
Breeshan and Dorcas as young adults - both identical in temperement and character, but unfortunately for Dorcas, Breeshan had by far the better belly!
Both sisters were paired up with a boar at 8 months - a risky decision to put both best and reserve show sows in for a litter! A decision that I hastily retracted only to find that Breeshan had been caught and Dorcas had not!...................if only it had been the other way around,
anyway, 10 weeks later Breesham sucessfully delivered two babies - a very overmarked, tangerine tan sow and a heavily grizzled and patched otter boar! Just goes to show you cant always get quality from quality! Thankfully Breeshan never dropped an ounce of condition or lost a hair through the whole process, so she quickly returned to the show bench.
Both sisters were paired up with a boar at 8 months - a risky decision to put both best and reserve show sows in for a litter! A decision that I hastily retracted only to find that Breeshan had been caught and Dorcas had not!...................if only it had been the other way around,
anyway, 10 weeks later Breesham sucessfully delivered two babies - a very overmarked, tangerine tan sow and a heavily grizzled and patched otter boar! Just goes to show you cant always get quality from quality! Thankfully Breeshan never dropped an ounce of condition or lost a hair through the whole process, so she quickly returned to the show bench.
Tartuffe Breeshan - Best In Show
In June 2008 Breeshan was awarded 'Best In Show' at the National Cavy Club 5* Area stock show at Lincoln under Andrew Sparkes and she became the first tan cavy in the UK to take top honours.
This award came as her babies reached 7 weeks old!
Always the model and ever the show girl, Breesham would always pose happily for her close-ups.
This award came as her babies reached 7 weeks old!
Always the model and ever the show girl, Breesham would always pose happily for her close-ups.
Double Trouble!
Dorcas and Breeshan at home................
Tragically, Breesham died suddenly from a respiratory tract infection eight weeks after winning her best In show without being shown again.
Breesan is buried in the garden next to the cavy shed with her rosettes and prize cards - she has a special place in my heart and in the history of the breed.
Tragically, Breesham died suddenly from a respiratory tract infection eight weeks after winning her best In show without being shown again.
Breesan is buried in the garden next to the cavy shed with her rosettes and prize cards - she has a special place in my heart and in the history of the breed.
Oldie but goodie!
Even though the belly is agouti'd and the eye circles have more or less dissappeared, Dorcas still ikes to get out to the odd Veteran Class - taking NFTCC Best Veteran Tan title in 2010.
Back to the drawing board.................the search for 'The One' begins again.
Spot the odd one out!
The anticipation of finding 'the one' in every litter never fails to excite me!
Bbbbb-beautiful baby!
Tartuffe Beebea - born summer 2010, with her sister Deedea and brother Tearlach........have re-ignited my faith in my previous hard work and determination.
The difference 10 weeks can make!
Beebea winning the NFTCC Young Stock Show at Lincoln under Graham Thorpe in September 2010.
Rising Stars!
In 2009 at the Specialist Club Show in Fareham, I was given a little black tan sow by Rachael Wallis of Pzribram Stud - she was a very over-grizzled in the muzzle but is such a superbly coloured tan sow that I was delighted to have her as an addition to the breeding programme I named her.....Fareham.
Fareham produced a really nice litter at the beginning of April 2010, in particular a sow that I named Farrah (to remember where she came from!)
Tartuffe Farrah - Best In Show at the NFTCC Rosette Stock Show (48 entries) in October 2010 under Caroline Smith as a young seven month old.
Farrah's time at Tartuffe was tragically cut short when she died following complications after giving birth to her first litter, made worse by the fact that two of her babies died soon after - As a beautiful reminder however, she leaves behind a promising little lady that we managed to sucessfully foster onto another lactating sow at the time, and now 'Fionah' is doing great; destined for the show bench later in the year.
Fareham produced a really nice litter at the beginning of April 2010, in particular a sow that I named Farrah (to remember where she came from!)
Tartuffe Farrah - Best In Show at the NFTCC Rosette Stock Show (48 entries) in October 2010 under Caroline Smith as a young seven month old.
Farrah's time at Tartuffe was tragically cut short when she died following complications after giving birth to her first litter, made worse by the fact that two of her babies died soon after - As a beautiful reminder however, she leaves behind a promising little lady that we managed to sucessfully foster onto another lactating sow at the time, and now 'Fionah' is doing great; destined for the show bench later in the year.
The show sow line up for 2011........looking hopeful!
Tartuffe Tamlach, a boar who is a bit of a suprize development really, showing better promise in terms of quality markings compared to the 'obvious show quality' of my other young potential show/stud male 'Tearlach' ................still a bit of grizzling to clear but a superb belly that he is quite happy to show to anyone who cares to look!
Tartuffe Isobelle - 5/8 sow on her first time out
Best In Show at NFTCC Midlands Stock Show March 2011 out of 57 entries.
Best In Show at NFTCC Midlands Stock Show March 2011 out of 57 entries.
Tartuffe Tamlach - Best In Show on his debut at Suffolk Cavy Club Open Pen Show in April 2011 under Lisa Kaveney.
Tamlach is the first Tartuffe black tan cavy to win BIS at an open show since Breeshan in 2008. he is likely to head up the breeding programme for 2012 as stud boar.
Tamlach is the first Tartuffe black tan cavy to win BIS at an open show since Breeshan in 2008. he is likely to head up the breeding programme for 2012 as stud boar.