Rose Heying
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- In this 1972 photo, the late Rose Heying holds the Beaters’ Club Hall of Fame Award presented in 1970. The award was decorated with a head study of CH Favorite of Marienlust. Behind Mrs. Heying is an oil portrait of CH Falcon of Heying-Teckel done by Jeanine Sudinski.
In Memory – The Late Rose Heying
By Sanford Roberts, published in The American Dachshund, January-March 1980
I remember exactly the day I met the late Rose Heying, half of the famous name in Dachshunds that easily could have been trademarked for decades. Spouse Pat and I had recently returned to the continental United States following a five-year residence overseas, and this warm September 24, 1960, at the Hollywood Turf Club in Inglewood, was to become forever a pleasant and enjoyable memory for both of us. We stood transfixed at ringside at the thought of Ed Hirschman judging 109 Smooths and Grace Hirschman judging 34 Longhairs and 27 Wires. Before this day, we had not seen or met a single breeder-exhibitor-judge, or spectator, that was present at ringside. We cautiously observed, marked our catalog and smiled forced pleasantries when spoken to by someone. Our feeling of being “alone in a strange and different land” was short-lived – it was high noon – time to eat!! We meekly took our place in line and proceeded to be served the exhibitors’ lunch offered up by members of the specialty club. The passage of years has erased from memory exactly what dish a stately, well-known, and famous lady was serving. We simply blurted out, “You’re Mrs. Rose Heying.” The lady served, returned a warm smile and said, “Yes, how nice of you to say that.” Introducing ourselves, we inquired if we could visit at ringside later and relay a message from an admirer who lived in Hawaii. Mrs. Heying smiled and replied, “Yes, I’d be delighted.” We enjoyed the hearty lunch with more ease than we had the morning hours. We had met one breeder-exhibitor. Later on we visited briefly with Mrs. Heying, and Mr. Fred Heying, conveyed our personal message and began to relax. Late in the day we admired Mrs. Heying as she exhibited Lancine of Cheery Lynn to top Brood Bitch, along with her children, Falcon Jr. and Flamingo of Heying-Teckel, sired by Ch Falcon. We stood in wide-eyed awe as Gene Shultis presented the enormous silver Lisa of Gera Memorial Trophy offered by Mrs. Victor Koltun, now Janet K. Wayock of Timbar fame. Mrs. Heying’s delight with her win has never diminished in our eyes. It had been a memorable Saturday, September 24!
During the Sixties, our appreciation of Rose Heying grew stronger – I felt our friendship deepened, though I did not visit famed Heying-Teckel to talk breeding, to obtain a stud service, or acquire a promising puppy. Instead, when occasion permitted, Rose and Fred visited for an after-the-show cocktail or to freshen up from a long day of exhibiting and spectating. With liquid “energizers” in hand we headed for the vegetable garden to pick fresh corn, snap beans, to enjoy the thrill of pulling tender fresh carrots from the earth or to pull the tiniest of dark red beets from the rows. Rose, in joyous laughter, would exclaim, “Only Parisians enjoy beets like these!” Fred loves plants and these were freely given. It was never a one-way street. When we met at shows Fred and Rose had brought something along for us to enjoy. We had no time for small talk-the joy derived in having the water boiling when harvesting succulent vegetables from the garden and the supreme enjoyment in eating fine meals prepared from favorite recipes was our talk. We never “toted out” the latest litter for their critical appraisal. I knew, if there was a good one, and Mrs. Heying would soon be judging nearby, that the young Longhair would be subjected to her discerning eyes. It mattered not in those days of a less energy-conscious lifestyle – we drove distances to have the pleasure of showing our latest in competition for Rose, or Fred, to appraise when wearing the judge’s badge. If we lost, we remained friends. If we won, we remained friends. Fred brought a new plant, a basket of fresh figs, mouth-watering grapes, or containers of fresh orange juice to be enjoyed during a respite from exhibiting, “ringside judging” and catalog marking.
About 10-15 years ago this writer began fielding this question to knowledgeable Dachshundists, breeder-exhibitors, and judges: “Whom do you consider the five best judges of Dachshunds in America?” I can’t recall an answer that did not begin with Rose Heying at the top of names, and first, and best. I never told the late Mrs. Heying the result of my inquiries. It ranged across the United States and was not a concentration of local opinions.
In the days when written critiques were vogue and Mrs. Heying wrote about her judging she used few words in assessing a dog in print: “…was Best.”
Rose Heying – the great lady of Dachshunds – silently proud that she was invited, along with her beloved husband, Fred, to judge Dachshunds a one of the last dog-show classics – Morris & Essex, on May 23, 1953, or the great Midwest specialty of former years, Reserve Dachshund Club of Cleveland, and she was pleased with the fine entries that exhibitors accorded her presence. It seemed most fitting that DC of the Great Lakes honored Mr. & Mrs. Heying by inviting them to judge the Silver Anniversary Specialty of the club on June 15, 1968. Mrs. Heying was honored the year before by judging Smooths and Intervariety at the host club, Reserve DC of Cleveland, in May 1967, prior to DCA’s annual specialty. Club officers, members and exhibitors were unanimous in support of this fine lady and their belief that Mrs. Heying’s pictorial mind held what a good Dachshund should look like.
As half of the Heying-Teckel name, Rose Heying was an honored lady in Dachshunds. If an issue can be found, the 10th Anniversary Issue 1939-September-1949, a heavy bound silver cover of 112 pages, of this magazine, readers will see it is barely the beginning of “The Rose Heying Story.” That was soon followed by an entire supplement, The Favorite Issue, April 1953, essentially about one dog, his siring ability, his early recognition as a mutant, and of his prepotency as a leader with in the breed. Famed breeders wrote for publication and supported advertising in praise of Favorite, of Mr. & Mrs. Heying, and the breeders of Favorite, Josef & Maria Mehrer. This is probably the most dog-eared copy of a magazine ever published. It did not stop there. On July 8, 1953, the most famous of Favorite’s children was born – Falcon of Heying-Teckel. He soon became a top winner, a top sire, and over the years, became a part of the Heying-Teckel Legend. In 1959, the 20th Anniversary Issue continued the chronicle of Favorites’ and Falcon’s fame. Both so worthy of their place in history of the breed, as well as their owners, Fred and Rose.
Honors and awards are few in the world of Dachshunds, other than show wins. Rose Heying received most of them. A Gaines Dog Research Center “Fido” and Dog Breeders of the Year 1955. A special bronze plaque presented to Fred and Rose by the Dachshund Club of America. Top Western Show Dog Award-Outstanding Breeders Award 1965 presented by Kennel Review. Beaters’ Club Hall of Fame Award in 1970.
In 1970, perhaps the most memorable of honors was accorded Fred and Rose. Mrs. Heying judged Smooths & Intervariety and Mr. Heying judged Longs and Wires at the Diamond Jubilee Year of the Dachshund Club of American in New York City in February. A spectator at that event was so moved by the careful analysis and evaluation of Mrs. Heying’s awards at that show, we soon received a long letter regarding how good was Rose Heying’s judging. The letter was never published and we never mentioned its contents to Mrs. Heying. It was additional proof of what others had earlier stated.
In 1972, with the imminent sale approaching of the remaining five acres of land that comprised Heying-Teckel along Bracken Street in Pacoima, CA, we visited Fred and Rose Heying for the first time. To establish proof, though none was needed, we took along two points of reference. The first: We had established the first month we could find Heying-Teckel mentioned in dog magazines, books, and trade journals – September 1942. Second, we produced a photo of Mrs. Heying we had bought years before – the date of that photo-September 6, 1954. She gave a hearty laugh and wondered why anyone would buy a photograph of her. We told her that two of our hobbies before Dachshunds were collecting 78 rpm jazz records of the ‘30s and ‘40s and acquiring photos of dog people and books on dogs, particularly breed books. If more proof of our hobby was needed it was forthcoming – we produced an early photo of Bea Godsol we had purchased before we owned a Dachshund. She was amazed.
Judged from Bay Colony DC, DALI, across land to Hawaii
The result of a priceless day, in the company of Photographer Joan Ludwig, was 27 pages of Heying-Teckel history in December 1972 of The American Dachshund. Rose was highly pleased with the photographic report of “The Living Legend of Heying-Teckel.” She seemed surprised that someone would care that much. From September 1942 until December 1972 – 30-plus years were some of “their finest hours” for Dachshunds. We felt Heying-Teckel had played a major role during “these finest hours.”
Earlier that year, in what must have been a signal day, among many, for Mrs. Heying, Golden Gate DC’s 35th annual specialty staged “Run for the Rose.” Mrs. Heying judged and each exhibitor entered the ring wearing a fresh rose. Later, the Best of Breed was draped with a smaller version of the traditional Blanket of Roses. Club President Norah Randolph had inspired beauty and honor for Mrs. Heying.
In this 1972 photo, the late Mrs. Rose Heying is shown admiring a Sterling Silver Best in Show Challenge Trophy won by CH Falcon of Heying-Teckel on November 27, 1955 at last Los Angeles KC show. CH Falcon won over 1302 dogs and received the top honor from Judge Chris Shuttleworth. A contrast in a similar photo may be seen on pg. 77, December ’72, AD. In that color photo, Mrs. Heying was requested to clasp the trophy and give a big smile as if she had just been named “Homecoming Queen,” and won the cup over all competitors, whereas in the above photo she was requested to sit back and show reflection of the years. She did each equally as well –showing a flair for acting and modeling.
In 1977, Mrs. Heying judged Smooths at the Dachshund Club of America at Arlington, VA, and exhibitors honored her with an entry of 126. Mr. and Mrs. Heying resigned their approval to judge in 1979. They had judged from Bay Colony across the land to Hawaii. Each had enjoyed prestigious judging assignments during their many years as active breeder-judges. Earlier they had celebrated a Golden Anniversary of their marriage. Throughout the years they were devoted to each other. This was evidenced by the cream pitcher from the steamboat trip to Alaska on their honeymoon and this cherished pitcher was always in place on the dining table. Throughout the years they had participated, judged, or attended the first thirty-five Futurity Puppy Stakes sponsored by the Dachshund Club of California.
Mrs. Rose Heying passed away during the early morning hours of February 13, 1980.
How does anyone pay tribute to the late Rose Heying? We look with appreciation at the two apothecary jars given us years ago, prized possessions from the days of Mr. Heying’s drugstore. Rose knew we appreciated dog-show history and she gifted us with the first silver trophy her great Favorite won as a youngster at DC of California. We thanked her and stated it had an honored place in our collection – alongside the 15-inch bronze plaque awarded a dog of Marienlust breeding – Ch Gunther v Marienlust at DCA’s 50th Anniversary Show in 1945, presented to Jerry Cross by Laurence Alden Horswell when he judged that event.
Somehow the word Rose denotes beauty. Maybe a lovely rose! There are no roses abloom in the rain-ravaged garden. We walked outside and a sunny sky, the first in nine days, is a welcome sight after nine days of rain and floods. We pick up a potted plant from a sheltered spot. It is in full bloom. Veltheimia viridifolia, native to far away South Africa, has never been prettier. This unique and beautiful plant with a clump of broad, shining deep green leaves. Beautiful even without bloom. But is abloom with heavy clusters of pale rose, green tipped flowers on a 12-in. stout stem. We take the pot inside and sit it in a saucer on our desk. Sixteen years ago a nearly blind friend, who adored dogs, exhibiting and breeding, gave it to us. She has long since passed on, but the new bloom each year keeps the pleasant memories we have of her from fading.
Rose Heying – a good breeder, a good judge, a good cook, and a good friend of twenty years. She appreciated fine Dachshunds, good meals, a glass of fine wine and friends visiting Heying-Teckel and her home.
She was-is-always will be one of the finest and greatest ladies in Dachshunds. No one her equal will pass our way again. To Fred, we extend our, and the fancy’s, deepest sympathy.
Both photos by Joan Ludwig