“My Time with the Gera Bitches” by Janet Wayock
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CH Rebecca of Gera, one of the early greats in the Gera line.
In 1948, I acquired my first Dachshund. I made the same mistake as many novices and purchased a male. He was of excellent pedigree, combining Blue Key and Albion lineage, but was considered quite large for the time (about 25 lbs.). He was shown to advantage, however, but never used at stud and so contributed nothing to the Timbar breeding program. Several others followed with varying degrees of success in the show ring in the ensuing years but no definitive breeding program was established yet as I was still groping in my mind toward a ‘muster’ or pattern. I can truthfully say Dr. Herbert Sanborn influenced my decision in choice of bloodlines when he adjudged Rebecca of Gera best in California and Albion’s Own Penelope in St. Louis.
CH Barbara of Gera. Janet Wayock’s foundation bitch and a Top Producer
After suitable negotiation, I purchased the black and tan bitch, Barbara of Gera from the Shultis’. She was the real beginning. Barbara was a medium-sized bitch who excelled in front and rear quarters, length of neck and movement. Head type was rather indifferent, although correct, and her keel could have carried back further. Her sire was CH Fleet of Gera ex Red Locket Barbara, a daughter of CH Black Jack v Bergman who was a Favorite son. An analysis of pedigree would reveal the strong bitch line from which she descended in which the most probable dominant genotype traits would be correct front assembly and good rears…Careful observations of animals coming from one kennel devoted to linebreeding can point out a number of things to the trained eye. That the Gera type was distinctive was obvious. Mrs. Shultis was a strong advocate of a well-laid-on shoulder, straight-fronted Dachshund. Her breeding program was based on prepotent bitches for this front assembly. In fact, her genius was such that dog after dog that hit the show rings was easily identifiable as a Gera dog. It carried a certain elegance, balance and the signature front. true, many of the dogs were a trifle over angulated in rear quarters, but at that time, this breeder, as well as many on the West Coast, was concentrating on improving front assemblies.
CH Fleet of Gera, sire of CH Barbara and later one to stand with the Wayock dogs
In the micro-analysis, the Gera dog at that time, was a skillful blendings of White Gables, Rivenrock, Marienlust and Isartal lines. the first notable bitch was the aforementioned Rebecca of Gera, a daughter of CH White Gables Basil out of Rivenrock Dorcas. When combined with CH Favorite v Marienlust, the most prepotent dog of our time, she produced Allegro, Eden and many other champions and one bitch who was not, Aria of Gera. This black and tan bitch evidently carried a veritable treasure of genes and when mated to Admiral v Marienlust (A Leutnant son) produced the lovely CH Annette of Gera. Annette bred to CH Badger Hill Nobby (another prepotent dog and descendant of Favorite) produced the famous “F” litter of Fleet (who I was most privileged to own}, Faris, Flair, Faventia, etc.
CH Allegro of Gera, Number One Hound, 1952
Another pertinent observation at this juncture is the fact that every generation in this line produced a super bitch who could in turn reproduce the most desirable qualities of the family. It was probably this factor more than anything else that influenced my decision towards Gera. I personally feel that the bitch is 60% of any breeding and always try to breed my bitches to a male who is descended from an outstanding female line.
CH Eve of Gera
In relation to my own breeding program, I have had the most consistent and overall success with a 3-part Gera to one Marienlust or Heying-Teckel cross and an outcross on one side every fourth generation and then going back to the Gera line. For me, type holds best, bone does not diminish appreciably….and my fronts are consistently stamping themselves with very few exceptions with the correct angulation. I think Gene Shultis would be pleased for any success I have had. I am deeply indebted to that lady’s sterling advice and the good foundations she gave my kennel by breeding such superb specimens with which to begin.
By Janet Wayock of Timbar Dachshunds
Published in the August 1974 issue of The American Dachshund, as part of the Ray Shultis memorial pages.