At The 61st Westminster in 1937 Claire brought out

Four Sealyhams

Magnificent, Sweetness, Superman and Noel

and they walked away with the Best Team Trophy.

 

 

 BENJI HAD A MAGNIFICENT CAREER

Twenty Six Best Of Breeds

Twenty Terrier Group Awards

Eleven Best In Shows

Sired Four English Champions

Sired Fifteen American Champions

Benji was sold in 1942 to Walter Gilmore of Walgil Kennels in Louisville, Ky. He lived there as a private stud dog and house pet. After several attempts to save him he passed away in 1943 of Uremic poisoning . He was ten in human years. Kidney problems plauged Sealyhams and genetic tests were not yet available which forced Claire to branch out into other breeds like West Highland Terriers.

 


CORA'S " SECRET WEAPON"

WOLVEY NOEL

photo by R W TAUSKEY

 

 

 

 

A Secret Weapon Indeed !

The bitch Ch. Wolvey Noel of Clairedale's

Press Clippings Would Take Up Pages ........

Nine BIS in 1936 another Eight in 1937 ........

 

At it's height in the late '30's there were up to 60 Sealys at Clairedale in Red Cedar Point, Hampton Bays. Margaret described it this way 'It wasn't a fancy place, but it was a very good kennel. Everything and everyone that was built, bought or hired was done so with the dogs in mind. Most important was the care of the animals,and she had enough people to care for them properly.'

I have heard that the Southampton Town Animal Shelter may still be using part of Claire's kennels . If that is true , (I know they are located at Red Cedar Point) it would illustrate just how good they were to have lasted over sixty years

 

UPDATE JAN 2014

 

IT TURNS OUT THE KENNEL BUILDINGSS WERE PRE FABS BY A COMPANY NAMED HODGSON COSTING OVER FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS

THESE PICS ARE FROM THE HODGSON CATALOG

 

 

 

SIGN CIRCA LATE 1940s early '50s

 APRIL 2014

 

I got an e mail a month or so ago regarding the building that I had no idea still was there

The kennel house, has been in the ownership of the same family since 1960 when Claire's estate was sold off.

It has been converted into a private home and is fantastic condition.

The owner, who is a The Knapps Lived Here reader. discovered a great deal about Clairedale history from the book and this websight.

She recently added this beautiful sign.

I have been invited to visit here my next trip back to Long Island.

I have to think Claire Antoinette Knapp Penney Dixon would be quite happy to know this.

 

 

 

 

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