Interview with Mary Ann Imhoff, Merivern German Shepherds

1. how did you get into GSD and why did you choose GSD's? Was the GSD the first purebred you owned?

Our first German Shepherd Dog was purchased early in my marriage. German Shepherds were my husbands's choice. I really wanted a "Lassie." I always loved horses and dogs, so I would have settled for any large breed as long s it had 4 legs and a tail. As a youngster I put on a neighborhood dog show, and I do believe I was the judge. Hmm… what does that say? At any rate, my "Best Dog In The Neighborhood" was a Collie named Laddy.

2. Do you have a kennel name; if so, how did you choose it?

Our kennel name is Merivern. It is a combination of my husband and my name. Merivern looked cooler to me than Maryvern so that's how we chose it.

3. When did you start showing GSD's? Did you ever show your own dogs? If you did, when did you start using handlers (and why)?"

We started showing dogs in the 1960's. I showed them and my husband showed them. We took our first litter to a match and two litter maters from a local breeder sired by Fels of Arbywood went Best Puppy and Best Opposite. Our puppies placed in their classes. The judge was Donald Ames. We went home and sold all our puppies and went out to find a bitch that could produce puppies like the ones that beat us.

4. What is your perception of showing dogs then… as to now?

In the past, the numbers in the classes were much larger. the numbers are down now but the quality in most cases is much thicker.

5. When did you breed your first homebred champion and who was it?

We finished our first champion in 1969. His name was Anew Frontier of Merivern. He was out of a Gr. Victor Ch. Alert of Mi-Noah ROM daughter and sired by a Ch. Field Marshall of Arbywood son.  We purchased his dam as a 5 year old and bred her once, got our champion, sold her and throughout we were really smart. Until we discovered the difference between a "producing" bitch and one that just gives your puppies. We went quite a few years before we had that same quality in our kennel.

6. Who has the greatest influence on you during your early attraction to the dog world?

Sandy Krueger, Barbara Nutter St. John and Norma & Paul Faford were our mentors and friends in the early years. I co-bred some pretty nice sables with Pat Lotts and of course, lucky enough to know Jerry & Arlene Keller, the co-breeders and owners of Gr. Victor Ch. Sequel's Senator of Merivern ROM. With a top handler living in the next town and co-owning and co-breeding some of our litters with him did not hurt. Gary Staser could also help us get our promising youngsters in the right hands. As in any success in life, lots of people gas us a hand and encouragement. Ed Binning finished our first Champion while he was working with Denise Kodner, back when she was a handler. Gary Staser finished a large number for us and made some of them Selects.

7. When you were first starting in GSD's what breeders impressed you the most?

Lucy Woodard of Arbywood Kennels was very impressive. She would show up at dog shows with all three of those beautiful males in her station wagon. She was very friendly and gracious lady. Never heard her brag, but then I guess she didn't have to.

8. Of all your many wins, which one had the greatest meaning to you?

I think the most thrilling win for me, would have to be my teen age daughter Tracee, guiding Sel. Ch. Emerhein's Deri of Merivern to second select under Ralph Roberts. I mean, I can still get tears in my eyes thinking about it.

9. Who do you admire in today's scene and why?

I admire the Cliffs, all three of them. They own, in my opinion one of the greatest producing dogs of current times. Always giving credit to the lovely bitches bred to Bailey and the beautiful dogs in his background and their breeders. I have, over the years admired many breeders, of course the Fords, the Rinkes, Jane Kerner, Fred Migliore. My currents buddies Fran and Jerry Rood, Pat Walker and her lovely daughter Deb Norman. All good dogs need to be presented to perfection and no one does it better than Mike Sherman and Debbie Atkinson. I would also have to includes Jim Moses, as a breeder, handler, judge and icon of the breed.

10.

Congratulations to Ranita's We've Got Tenacity BEST OF BREED Illini GSDC Feb. 19th 2017 under Sally Hayden.

SIRE: Ch. Ranita's Dexter Morgan

DAM; Wolf Creeks Athena V. Merivern (daughter of our famous

Sel. Ch. Wolf Creeks Kallie of Merivern)

        

Congratulations to RUMOR 2017 Westminster Best in Show.

WOW 2016 GRAND VICTOR IS NO OTHER THAN OUR " Mr. Fritz"

2016 GRAND VICTOR CH. WOLF CREEK'S GALAXY OF MERIVERN ROMAdd Congratulations to his lucky owners, Ed Farrell and his breeder owner Pat Walker.  What more can this beautiful boy accomplish?BEST IN SHOWS 
GROUP # 1 S
BEST OF BREEDS
SPECIALTY AND ALL BREED SHOW
SELECT # 2 TWICE
#1 TOP PRODUCER ON FUTURITY TABULATIONSa
REGISTER OF MERIT
AND NOW GRAND VICTOR
Big Thank you to Scott and Lauren Yergin.
Thank you to Judges Bob Slay and Helen Gleason,
who awarded Galaxy this great honor from the Veterans Class.
Also to the two judges (Lew Bunch and David Rinke) that awarded him Select # two, in his younger years.
Can't forget Jon Beyer who had faith in him and finished him to his Championship Title.
The frosting on the cake as a breeder, he is the litter brother to
GRAND VICTIX WOLF CREEK'S AQUILLIA OF MERIVERN
GALAXY SIRE IS CH. KENLYN'S ARIES v HICLIFF ROM
GALAXY DAM IS TAZZMAN'S DEMILO OF MERIVERN ROM

CHERPA'S EVENING GRACE OF MERIVERN

SIRE: GCH. CHERPA'S EXXON OF LEALYNN
DAM: SEL. CH. CHERPA'S CAMERA READY OF MERIVERN
We were so proud of Gracie today.  At our National, in the 15 to 18 month class, Gracie got a third and much ringside support.
Thank you to Judge F. Susan Godek.
Thank you to the Drapers for sharing her and her Dam with me.

Hylock's Phenom of Merivern

SIRE: CH. WOLF CREEK PHOENIX OF MERIVERN ROM

DAM: CH. HYLOCK'S SENDER AGAIN

(PHOENIX DAUGHTER)

Watch for Phoenom at the shows.  He is Pharoah's full brother.

Sender Again aka ICE is pictured on our blog.

We are very excited about this young dog and so happy to be sharing him

with breeder Jerry Rood, Handsome handler Jon Beyer and Ricky Robinson.

Tazzman's Songbird Merivern

Sire: Sel. Ch. Kennelwood's Man U Man
Dam: Wolf Creek Reese V Merivern
Songbird's sire is #2  on the Top 20 Futurity/Maturity Sires list.
Songbird's dam is the full sister to the notorious Bubba J.
We have high hopes for Songbird!

Hylock's American Pharoah of Merivern

Sire: Ch. Wolf Creek Phoenix of Merivern ROM 

Dam: Ch. Hylock's Sender Again

              (Phoenix daughter)

Thank you Lana Lee Jorgensen Law for Pharoah's 4 point major.
Thank you Pharoah's Agent/Handler Deb Atkinson and Rachel Vandendool

Pharoah would like to congratulate all his family on their achievements,

From the 2015 Top Producing Futurity Sires:

#1 Phoenix's full brother Sel.Ch.Wolf Creek Galaxy of Merivern ROM watch for all

his beautiful progeny in the Stud Dog Class at this years National!

#2 Phoenix's son Sel. Ch. Kennelwoods Man U Man

#3 Phoenix himself tied for 3rd place

#4 Phoenix's son Ch. Bleibtreu's Expresso v Elite Design

#18 Phoenix's son Ch. Tonor's Under Siege

#18 Phoenix's son Ch. Elite Design Real Steel of Wolf Creek

Looking forward to watching  the Phoenix kids and grandkids at this years

2016 National Specialty in St. Louis.  October 11th thru the 15th.

Good luck to all breeders and exhibitors.  Have fun and have a safe trip!

PHAROAH

INBRED PHOENIX SON

SIRE:Ch. Wolf Creek's Phoenix of Merivern ROM

DAM: Ch. Hylock's Sender Again aka "Ice"

Pharoahs co/breeders and owners are Jerry and Fran Rood.  We are so lucky

to share him with Fran and Jerry.  They are the best!

PHOENIX SISTER WOLF CREEK'S ZENITH OF MERIVERN

Zena pictured with the co-breeder of our long coat super star boy.
Pat Walker and Deb Norman did a great job of whelping Zena's
litter.  She relaxed on their horse farm in Springfield, Il while waiting
for  the birth of her royal heirs.

CASEY GOLD AND MR. FLUFFY

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We are preparing to show and promote a longcoat if the standard is changed.  Hoping of course, it does not change.
BUT, if it does we have a royally bred baby to be
"The Leader of the Band".
His sire is Gr.Vic. Ch. Tazzman's Aregon ROM.
His dam is Wolf Creek's Zenith of Merivern.
Zenith is a full sister to Ch.PhoenixROM,Best In
Show Sel.Ch.Galaxy,Gr.VictrixCh.Aquilla,Sel.Ch. Kallie, Sel.Ch.Antares and Ch. Orion.
Casey,Andy, and Paul Gold are owned by
Wolf Creek Zenith of Merivern.

NEW PHOENIX SON AT MERIVERN!

                                 HI-CLIFF'S SAM I AM
Sam's beautiful mother is Sel. Ch. Hi-Cliff's Four Star Review.
Sam's breeders are the renown Cliff Family-Pat, Randy and Darlene Cliff.
Sam came to us through the generosity of Pat and Celeste Draper,
Cherpa German Shepherds, Riverside, California.
Pat and Celeste are breeding some very quality animals.  Watch for them
at this years National Specialty, in St. Louis, Mo.
Sam's handsome handler and best friend is Jon Beyer.

PHOENIX SUPER STAR SON "BUBBA J" GOES SELECT AT 2013 NATIONAL

CH. WOLF CREEK GUARDIAN OF MERIVERN (BUBBA J)
Owned and loved by Linda Selmon and Debbie Atkinson.
Watch for Bubba's excellent progeny at the 2014 shows.
Bubba's breeders Pat Walker and Mary Ann Imhoff (Merivern).
Bubba's best friend and handler/agent Mike Sherman.

PHOENIX Brother 2013 # 1 AKC German Shepherd Show Dog ALL SYSTEMS!

SELECT EXCELLENT GCH WOLF CREEK GALAXY OF MERIVERN
Numerous BEST IN SHOWS and SPECIALTY BEST OF BREEDS.
Awarding Galaxy his Selects were Lew Bunch and David Rinke.
Galaxy's proud owners are Pat Walker and Ed Farrell.
Galaxy's proud Handlers/Agents/Best Friends are Loren & Scott Yergin.
Galaxy's proud Breeders are Pat Walker and Mary Ann Imhoff(Merivern).
Watch for Galaxy at the All Breed and Specialty shows, he is such a
pleasure to meet. 

PHOENIX #1 2013 Fut/Mat Sire and #1 AKC Top Procucing Sire

Once again, many of our top breeders in the AKC confirmation ring,
have shown their respect and confidence in Phoenix's producing
ability.  Pat Walker and I thank you.  As a result of your beautiful
ladies, Phoenix has earned the title of:
2013 #1 Futurity/Maturity Sire and
2013 #1 AKC Top Producer based on AKC major point shows,
re. the Red Book.

We are kinda thinking that makes him:
2013 # 1 Top Producing Sire All Systems.

Thank you PHOENIX for some thrilling Futurity/Maturity, &AKC Shows!

 

PHOENIX # 1 2012 Futurity/Maturity Sire

CH. WOLF CREEK PHOENIX OF MERIVERN

Thank you to all the breeders, who brought their lovely girls to him.

Thank you to Fran and Jerry Rood for all their help and giving Phoenix his home away from home.

Thank you to his co-owner Pat Walker for allowing Phoenix to spend so much of his time away from her home.

Thank you to Mike Sherman and Debbie Atkinson for being his best friends,

handlers, and agents.

PHOENIX ROM

IS MY DREAM COME TRUE DOG

OUR BEAUTIFUL PHOENIX DAUGHTER

CH.HYLOCK'S SEN-DER AGAIN

ICE AKA HYLOCK'S SEN-DER AGAIN
DAM IS CH. HYLOCK'S SEN-DER
SIRE IS OUR PHOENIX BOY

Thank you Fran and Jerry Rood, for sharing your beautiful girl with us.
Watch for our Ice with Jon Beyer and Michael Sherman in the new 2013 show season.
We think you will like her, along with her 5 show quality brothers and sisters 

PROUD BREEDERS OF FUTURITY VICTOR BUBBA

AS A BREEDER IT DOES'T GET ANY BETTER!

This famous boy is :
Ch. Wolfcreek Guardian of Merivern

Owned and loved by Linda Selmon and Debbie Atkinson. 
co/breeder Pat Walker
Thanks so much for the picture Linda.

PHOENIX SON ex KOBE'S DAM

Beautiful little Phoenix son from the best producing girl around.
Owner/Breeder is Ann Schultz's of Edan Shepherds.
Thank you Ann for having such faith in Phoenix.

His dam is no other than No Laughing Matter of Edan ROM.

She is also the dam of Can.Grand Victor American Select and Gr. Ch. I'm All That Matters of Edan, better known as Kobe.

Wishing he was mine........................................

PHOENIX SUPER STAR SON

Ch. Wolf Creek Guardian of Merivern

aka Bubba-J

2012 MATURITY VICTOR
Thank you Helen Gleason & Cappy Pottle
2011 FUTURITY VICTOR
Thank you Robert Kish & Rita Sandell

Watch for Bubba-J at your local shows with Mike Sherman.

WHAT A FAMILY!

Proud owners are Linda Selmon and Debbie Atkinson.
Proud breeder is Pat Walker.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT

XMAS NAP  FOR PHOENIX PUPPY AND GUEST!

PHOENIX GOING HOME FOR HOLIDAYS

Ch. Phoenix ROM kissing Johanna (Fran Roods granddaughter) a goodbye.

As many of Phoenix's friends know,  he has been with Jerry, Beverly and Fran Rood for the last few months.  Phoenix has now decided to grace
Pat and Doc Walker with his presents.
 
He is such a sweet boy.

PHOENIX SUPER STAR BROTHER

GCH. CH. Wolf Creek Galaxy of Merivern

Watch for Galaxy at your local All Breed shows or Specialty shows.

He does both.

What a family!

Proud owners are Ed Farrell and his co-breeder Pat Walker

Am.& Can.Sel.Ch. Wolf Creek Kallie of Merivern

Kallie and her new family would like to congratulate her 3 brothers and sister on their 2011 AKC championship titles.
Gr.Victrix Ch. Wolf Creek Aquilla of Merivern
Ch. Wolf Creek Orion of Merivern
Ch. Wolf Creek Galaxy of Merivern

ANOTHER PHOENIX SON GOES BEST IN MATCH

HYLOCK'S SMOOTH SAILING OF MERIVERN

Dam is Issues(our Jamiroqual daughter)

Our newest star is loved by Jerry and Fran Rood and Paul, Casey and Andy Gold.

Can't forget his handler Tracee Keyes and caretaker Kelly Hilgers( my lovely daughters)