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Phi-Vestavia is the collaboration of two breeders: Cathy Ochs-Cline of Vestavia, and Reverend Patrick Ormos of Phi Kennels, registered. They have been breeding under the combined kennel name since 1984. |
| Cathy has owned purebred dogs
since she was 11 years old. Her parents bought an English Springer
Spaniel and became involved in obedience. In 1972 they acquired a
show quality Springer bitch and began showing her in conformation shows.
Cathy was hooked from her first show. She spent her teenage
years showing springers in breed and junior showmanship. She also
worked for several professional handlers. She acquired her first
Cardigan in 1975 and bred her first litter in 1976. Since then
there have been more than 100 champion Cardigans with the "Vestavia"
or "Phi-Vestavia" prefix.
Cathy has been a member of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America since the 1970's. She served on the Board of Directors from 1990-1994, and from 2000-2004 as Corresponding Secretary. She was editor of "The Cardigan -- News Bulletin of the CWCCA" for four years. She developed the CWCCA Homepage and served as webmaster until 2001. She edited the 2004 and 2006 CWCCA Handbook and judged the CWCCA National Specialty in 2004. She currently serves on the Judges' Education Committee and has her license to judge Cardigans and Junior Showmanship. She is a founding member of the Chesapeake
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club and currently serves as Vice-President. |
Cathy at the 2003 National with Phi-Vestavia Another Alliteration "Abby" who won Best Bred-By in Show |
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Patrick and Lyneth at the 1988 National |
Patrick, also known as "Ormolu"
on Showcardi-L, got hooked on dogs in the late 1950s, when he went to his
first dog show in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His original breed was German
Shepherds. He bred his first Canadian champion in 1968, when he also registered
his prefix (Phi). In 1980 he changed to Cardigans. He and Cathy began breeding
together in 1984 (thus, Phi-Vestavia), and have gone on to much success.
Phi is permanently registered in Canada in recognition of his accomplishments
under that kennel name. He is well-known internationally for his many articles
on the breed under his "One Person's Opinion" byline. Patrick
and his family moved to the USA in 1990.
Patrick is currently licensed in both Canada and the USA as a multi-breed judge. He has been a long-time Breed Mentor, and member of the Judges' Education Committee. In the real world, Patrick is known as the Rev. Dr. and is Rector (Senior Pastor) of an Episcopal congregation in San Antonio, where he lives with his wife Kristine (also the Rev.) and their son, Daniel. |
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Christmas 2002 at the Cline residence. Left to right in back: Ch. Phi-Vestavia Peter Pan (Peter), Ch. Kennebec Honky Tonk Girl (Loretta), Ch. Phi-Vestavia Walk This Way (Wilbur), Ch. Shadowalk Xanadu (Zany), Ch. Phi-Vestavia Royal Rhapsody (Fergie), Ch. Phi-Vestavia Neon Black (Nicky), and the veterans in front: Ch. Phi-Vestavia Nautilus, PT (Percy) and Ch. Phi-Vestavia Synchronicity (Sammy) |
The goal of Phi-Vestavia is simple: breed the best Cardigans possible. We strive to breed dogs of outstanding quality with the wonderful Cardigan temperament. Our dogs are all housedogs, kept as our own family pets. Although we keep the dogs in cages while we are away from the house, while we are home the dogs are a part of household -- usually underfoot! We believe in keeping only a small number of dogs to be able to devote ample time and attention to each individual.
We breed sporadically, and only when we have
advance reservations for puppies. If you are interested in one of
our puppies, it might mean a long wait (Please read our puppy
policies). However, we would be happy to refer you to other breeders
who have puppies available. We sometimes have adult retirees available
for adoption.
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