Ch. Roseneath Eustone (Rebel)                        Goldfields Dog of the Year 1988

A tribute to a "great" Bulldog - Ch. Roseneath Eustone (Rebel).
Julia van Rooyen

It is not uncommon at dog shows and gatherings of bulldoggers for conversation to centre around the "greats" of the past, and as such, I have been requested to write an article on "Rebel" recalling some of the highlights in his career. Rebel was well known to all showgoers in the show fraternity and TV commercials during the mid 80"s - especially the "Cardies" TV. However, to present day exhibitors he is but a "ghost" from the past.

Rebel was born on 3 December 1982 and was sired by Ch. Lebo's Dallas Ex USA Ex Ch. Rockliffe's Lady Sarah. He was one of a litter of 8 puppies all of whom survived. Most of that litter became Champions and possibly best remembered would be his litter sister Ch. "Roseneath Mata Hari"

At the age of 6 months he went Best Puppy at the SA Bulldog Club Championship Show and Baroness Koudijs who came from Holland in her critique said "he has a great career ahead" words which proved so correct many years later.

At age 9 months he was a Champion and already started winning Best of Breeds. He won numerous Best of Breeds during his show career at both Specialist, Group and All Breeds Club levels under experienced breed Specialist Judges and all rounders alike - local and overseas.

In 1987 Rebel was placed 5th in the overall title of Dogmor Dog of the Year finals and in 1988 he won the title DOGMOR DOG OF THE YEAR. Winning at dog shows made Rebel special, especially at major events like those mentioned . He was referred to as one of the top winning bulldogs in all major Dog Magazines both local and overseas.

Like all "greats" his show career was soon forgotten when he was retired from the show ring at age -6 years after winning the 1988 Dogmor Dog of the Year Event. (And it was an event in those days. To quote Vivienne Tothill from The Weekend Saturday Star - August 20 1998 she wrote " Nearly 40 000 people will head for Gilloolys Farm this weekend. Doggy hysteria grips the SA public as the 1988 Goldfields Dogmor Dog of the Year Show swings into action for the annual two-day "doggy binge". ) Today's attendance at the same show has dropped by at least 50% - a sign of the times?.

However, his most important and lasting tribute to the breed, which nobody could deny him - not even his severest critics, was his true greatness as a sire. In very limited breedings (a fact I can today reflect on with some regret), produced 17 Champions - a challenge no other Bulldog has ever equaled before or since in SA. His closest contender being Ch. Rockliffe Thydeal Audacious and Ch. Rockiliffe Jarleth who had sired 14 and 15 Champions respectively. A fact not to be glossed over was that both Audacious and Jarleth featured prominently in Rebel's breeding on the maternal side. In my nearly 30 years experience in Bulldogs I cannot recall any other SA sire who has produced Champion progeny anwhere near that number.

The worth of a sire or dam to the breed must surely be measured in the Champion progeny produced rather than show records and litters produced.

The Bulldog magazines from the USA and other parts of the world on an ongoing basis feature photographs of Eng. &Am. Ch. " Kippax Fearnought" - a remarkable Bulldog. One wonders when looking at his photograph if it is not deliberately published as a constant reminder of the statement a Bulldog should make in the show ring. Perhaps we can all learn that instead of stealing thunder from "great" dogs that their photographs should be closely studied with a view to trying to understand what made them "great".

multi BISS Ch Royal Doulton 

WW Ch Roseneath Quest 

Roseneath Prime Target  

  Mutiple Best in Specialist Show winner and a Multiple  BOB winner

winning under British Breed
Specialist Judge Peter Robson at the South African Bulldog Club ch. Show