Von Thurber, Robert and Jeri Leach



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In 1960 members of our Michigan Club. Dr. Robert and Gerry Leach of Birmingham Michigan were given a German Shorthaired pointer as a gift from a friend. A puppy named Cindy. Cindy reminded Robert and Gerry of drawings of James Thurber’s dogs. So Cindy’s registered name became Sieglinda Thurber. Eventually when Dr. Robert and Gerry started their breeding program Jeri added "Von" to give it a little German touch and Von Thurber Kennel was born.


Mrs. Gerry Leach was sure Cindy met the breed standard and in her opinion was a perfect German Shorthaired pointer. Gerry decided to enter her in the Progressive Dog Show at the fairgrounds in Wayne County, Michigan. Cindy won her class that day and was selected Reserve puppy. There was a large entry at the show and after cindy’s wins Robert and Gerry Leach were hooked.



Although Dr. Robert and Gerry Leach thought Cindy was a nice bitch they understood that she was not perfect and could be improved. Cindy’s sire was Field Champion ’ Ski-do owned by Russell (lefty) Dixon another Michigan Club Member. Cindy’s dam was Dual Champion Wendenheims Fritz. Robert and Gerry Leach decided to breed Cindy to Dual Champion Biff Bangabird and out of Cindy’s first litter came her first Champion. Ch. Abigail Von Thurber. Abigail was then bred to Ch. Adam Von Fuehrerheim and from that breeding came Lori Von Thurber who was line bred to Champion Ashbrook’s Pangango. This breeding produced Galileo Von Thurber.



Dr. Robert and Gerry Leach had great success with their German Shorthaired Pointers and produced great dogs. But one of the greatest dogs produced by Dr. Robert and Gerry Leach was American, Canadian Ch. Galileo Von Thurber. Galileo was the Leaches 4th generation home bred German Shorthaired Pointer. Galileo was number #2 in the US for 1979 and 1980 and Number #3 in 1981. Galileo won Best of Breed on more than 165 occasions including three Specialty wins, 65 Group placements including many 1sts. Galileo also had success in the Canadian show ring. It was unfortunate that Galileo’s life was short due to a tragic accident but after the death of Galileo, Dr. Robert and Gerry continued their breeding program and produced many more outstanding champion German Shorthaired Pointers





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