Silver Chalice Farm

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     I was born and raised in Montana and as long as I can remember I have been attracted to dogs and horses.  My family would go visit my cousin who was a foreman for Rankin--one of the largest land/cattle owners in Montana at that time. I would walk up to any dog in town including the ones that no one else would go near.  I had a dog as a young child and then none until I graduated from college.

     When I went back to college for a Veterinary Technician degree in 1980 I decided I was going to get a dog.  One of the people I worked with said “an Australian Shepherd was the breed for me”.  I got my first Aussie in 1981 and it was the beginning of a love affair that is still continuing.  I started with a little red girl named Copper registered with the National Stock Dog Registry.  Copper produced several nice working dogs and we had many years together.  I also had horses at the same time and raised some foals.  I showed horses briefly and then videotaped at horse shows for several years. 

     I have continued my career as a veterinary technician which includes yearly continued education and seminars.  Inside that I have also researched foods, nutritional supplements, herbal supplements, as well as alternative and holistic approaches in order to reach my goal of raising healthy, well-balanced, quality dogs.

     I wanted a unique name for my farm, one that stood for quality and integrity.  The name Silver Chalice reflected that for me.  Silver a precious metal, of integrity, used to recognized quality and Chalice the vessel or container to hold the quality and integrity.  I use SCF for registration purposes. 

     My breeding program has produced several champions and pointed dogs.  AKC Ch. Rockin K’s Diamonds N Rubys, AKA Sassy, is now in Denmark .  Sassy produced Tosca (AKC Registered: Gefion's LaTosca, HSAs, HXAds, AX, OAJ ASCA Registered:  WTCH HTCH Gefion's Punchline LaTosca CD, GS-O, JS-E, RS-E, HXAds, AX, OAJ, HTDIII, HRDIII, HTADIII, DNA-VP with 1 ATDc leg, 1 CD leg (AKC/ASCA), 2 AXJ legs, 2 HXAd legs).  Tosca was also Most Versatile Aussie at the 2005 ASCA Nationals.  Sassy & Tosca are OFA Excellent.  I am also the breeder of the first American Aussie import to be an Australian Champion and she went on to gain her CD and CDX and according to Robyn of Sugargum Aussies she is still the only one to have achieved all those titles.  Her dam was my first champion AKC CH. SCF Come Dance on Broadway.  This is just 4 dogs that I am very proud of and I would like for you to go to my brags page to see more of my title holders.

     I have come a long way since my first Aussie and I have to remind myself that we all have to start somewhere.  I have had several people help me along the way in my approach and breeding program.  I would like to mention one person in particular who has been very instrumental in refining my breeding program and mentoring me with so many things.  Jo Kell (Rockin K Australian Shepherds) has been a dear friend and so helpful over the past ten plus years and I would like to thank her for everything.

     I have had stutter steps over the last 25 years of raising the Aussies, as have many breeders, but I think of these as tools for refining and sharpening my planning skills for the future of the dogs coming from Silver Chalice Australian Shepherds.

Kay Gentzler

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Last Update - September 9, 2007