and Bill were frustrated at their inability to obtain the quality of dog they needed,
so their third Boxer, Ronel’s Jacquet Satie, a CH. Eldic’s Landlord daughter, was
bred to Ch. Rocky of Shawnee Trail. This combination produced their first champion,
Ch. Jacquet’s Ronel Micah, an exciting brindle dog. He was awarded Boxer Review’s
Top Boxer in the East the same year he died in a tragic car accident. However, he
had sired three liters. From the first litter came Ch. Jacquet’s Mirah of Micah,
who was to have a role in Jacquet’s later success; however the true foundation dog
was Ch. Jacquet’s Zephan from a repeat breeding of Satie to Rocky.
Zephan had an outstanding
temperament, making him a perfect match for Ch. Barday’s Chatterbox, who had been
given to Rick by Tom and Barbara O’Neil. Her strong line Brayshaw breeding helped
establish Jacquet’s excellent heads and bites.
With a small circle of friends, including
Ron and Eleanor Erickson, Richard and Marvis Thornberg, Ed and Florence Wilderson,
Eleanor Haeberle, Liane Dimitriff, Gerry Broadt and Lena Ludwig, a few foundation
Boxers and some advice from the likes of Alva Rosenberg and Victor Clemente, Jacquet
began its meteoric ascent in the Boxer world.
Due to difficulties encountered at the
beginning of Jacquet, Rick has taken to heart some sage advice: “Sell your best puppies
and don’t show against them.” Thus Jacquet deliberately shares good dogs. This has
brought scores of new people into Boxers, many who later entered the show ring.
The
Jacquet family is a phenomenon. In addition to his dedication to the dogs, Rick has
continued to make himself available to the owners of his dogs. The shared problems
and successes together with sound advice and heartfelt encouragement have made this
multifaceted enterprise a legend in its own time.
While Rick has been criticized about
the number of dogs that are co-owned, he has been eminently successful with the people
as well as the dogs without the usual problems. Anyone who has ever co-owned a Jacquet
Boxer will tell you it is a pleasant experience. Rick truly feels that the dog belong
to the primary owner; his co-ownership is secondary. What is most important is his
guidance, encouragement, assistance and continued enthusiasm. Rick is truly the kindly
patriarch who is justly proud of every members success.
Of course, it helps if the
dogs are of top quality Since 1981, Jacquet has received the annual award for the
Kennel making the most champions 19 times and since 1982, the award for the Kennel
Breeding the most champions 25 times. At the 1996 ABC awards dinner, after receiving
the Breeder of the year award for the 14th time it was noted that no other kennel
in the history of the ABC has accomplished this. Rick and the Jacquet Family are
justly proud of their American Boxer Club Sires and Dams of Merit which is - at this
time - 24.
