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Glen Twiford
Wind-Call Collies

May 1, 1919 – January 14, 2013


"If you are fortunate to have success in any walk of life, it is because you are able to stand on the shoulders of the greats who came before you. Nowhere is this more true than in the world
of dogs. Not only do you utilize the building blocks of early breeders from long ago, you are also privileged to utilize the accumulated knowledge of those experts who came into your life in so many ways."

Patricia Craige, Born to Win (p. 232)


By Sally Futh

The Collie Club of America's oldest and most respected member died January 14, 2013.

Glen Twiford was 93 years old, and had been breeding Collies for many more years than most of us have been around.


Glen At the Denver Stockyards


Growing up on a Wyoming ranch, his early Collies were working and show dogs, and he kept that working ability and structure as one of his guidelines through many years of success in the show ring, including a CCA National Specialty Winners Bitch, CH Wind-Call's Silver Sapphire(1961) and her son, CH Wind-Call's Night Hunter, who followed her to Best of Breed in his hometown, Denver, Colorado, in 1965. Wind-Call Collies were successful for many other owners including the Rickenbaughs, the Honigs, andnames less in the limelight.


Glen with WC Jock (1970) gr. daughter of Ch. Brandwyne Pandora (Glen's 1964 CCA WB) and dam of WC Western Wear.


Glen housed Collies by the dozens at his ranch in Denver and was the go-to authority on color breeding as well as a mentor and friend to old and new breeders alike. In his retirement near San Diego, he continued to own a fascinating aviary and world class Collies, including a blue bitch I'd have stolen in a heartbeat and a handsome smooth dog among his favorites. His home was filled with treasures of statuary, including some of his own pieces and beautiful wild animals as well as Royal Doultons and Griffiths. An artist and sculptor, some of us are lucky enough to have one of his beautiful Collies in our homes. His mosaic of CH ToKalon's Blue Banner, CD, was recently added to the American Kennel Club collection.

Glen was one of the rare judges to whom one showed hoping for his good opinion, not for the win. That kind is a disappearing breed, but his stamp of approval meant more than any major.

Glen was always a gracious host on our too-infrequent visits to Valley Center; he was a wonderful conversationalist and always had something pertinent to say about the state of the world and the breed. If he ever forgot anything from the past, I can't remember what it was!


Glen Twiford's Wind-Call Collies always promoted the collie as a versatile, loyal and loving breed.


More about Glen:

Judged the National Specialty three times: 1958, 1964 and again in 1984.

Breeder-owner handled the 1965 Best of Breed winner, CH Wind-Call's Night Hunter.

CCA's oldest living member until January 14, 2013

Pioneered the use of the Collie as a stock dog.

Awarded Quarter Century Group's "RIght Stuff Award" in 1996.

Started in Collies when he was 12-years-old.

Went to college and worked in advertising in New York City but was still able to maintain the collies back in Wyoming.

When asked how he learned so much about the collie, his answer: "He learned from the collies themselves, working and training the dogs with livestock on the ranches."

In Glen's family, he was the only true Collie fancier. The rest of the family enjoyed the dogs at a distance, except for his brother who had a collie or two.

Spent first 30 years of his life with the dogs under working conditions.

Started breeding Collies about five years after his first acquisition. His early dogs were from Arken and Bellhaven.

CH Wind-Call's Silver Sapphire was Glen's favorite female. She eventually won Collie Club of America National Specialty Winners Bitch in 1961.

Wind-Call Wacoon was his favorite from a breeding standpoint.

Started showing collies 10 years after his first acquisition.

Started judging around 1949 or 1950.

He thought it should be a requirement that judges should have to verbally justify what they have put up at shows.

Glen had many champions over the years. He only showed locally except for National Specialties and a rare trip outside his area.

Glen's collies were noted for excellent head detail, outstanding balance and outline as well as soundness.

Bred many other purebred dogs, including dachshunds, some breeds of terriers, whippets, dobermans, an irish wolfhound and Best of Breed at the 1957 American Shetland Sheepdog Association


Glen judging at the Collie Club Of Connecticut in 1960.


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March 2, 2024
MASSACHUSETTS – New litter of sable puppies by CH Sequoia The Mandalorian ("Mando"), out of CH Sequoia Gaelforce Rhythm Nation ("Dancer") – one smooth boy, one smooth girl, one rough boy, five rough girls. Plan to start placing puppies 2/18/24. Also, one rough sable female adult available.

Contact: 978-853-0611 or jenpetter314
@gmail.com


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