Wow Osagedogman good stuff
Wow Osagedogman good stuff
I'm a big fan of Bert Sorrells and the dogs that carry the Sorrells name. I've seen many great dogs with their influence and they are some of my favorites. I've spoken to some good men that knew and were around Bert. They spoke very highly of Bert and told me things that I only wish I had recorded.
I wish that I could have met Bert.
RIP
Got my first Sorrels dogs back in '78. Some of the best dogs of all times carried that blood (Zeke x corvino type breedings). Ch Noah, Tug Boat Willie, Rommel, Invader, Gigi, Onionhead, Bad Company,. I was there hands on the day Bert's Shoshone proved deep, deep game in the heat. His son Dan Tanna (brother to hard eyes) was a complete package. How many of you all have ever heard of Bert's Stag, a true honest dog. Damn, just the tip of the iceburg, I've had dogs directly off Bullyson, Snooty, Buster, Butcherboy, Jeep, Cowboy, Tombstone, Red boy, etc. but if I could go back in time, I would have old Rommel or Dan Tanna to base a yard on, true complete wonderful dogs. My all time favorite was my little Danny (Dan Tanna), a full brother to Sorrel's Hard Eyes.
The dogs Howard Peterson, Merritt, and Koehler had were some of the best to ever look through a collar. Many of those dogs were owned by them together, or back and forth. The key was Peterson's Josie bred to the Zeke blooded dogs. Peterson's Red MF was a for real MF! Howard's Puppy bred to CH Bad Company was a great breeding. True bulldogs. Koehler owned Bull before Sorrells bought him. Merritt owned Hedge's Cie Bie and Big Liz, as well as Bad Company, Noah, and Annie(she was Bullyson to Bolio's sister). This Peterson, Merritt, Koehlers collaberation blended the best Zeke x Bullyson family that is still strong in many of the best working strains today.
MAD is right about Bert getting credit for the breedings on some dogs. I was there when Bert got Shorty and knew the boys he bought him from. Why do you think Shorty turned into STP(Shorty The Preacher). He wasn't 40 country miles of being a RED JERRY dog and that is the truth, no bull shit. STP was a great dog but got Sorrels papers slapped on him.
Just like Roadblock was out of Shoshone, not Bull, I helped get the breeding done an saw first hand. Just Check your own dogs and don't depend on all those old peds being right, at least Bert used good dogs. Some other "great" breeders slapped peds on trash.
I watched the original Preacher dog Quit AND later the first Preacher replacement quit. Shorty was the second replacement and was a great dog and this dog was the sire to the Ladybug litter that produced Joe Testiment. That is how preacher disappeared and Shorty became STP-Shorty The Preacher.
Randy Chavez was an important reason bert was successful in Arizona, to be accurate, Jean (not referring to Joan) was a big influence on the Sorrel's dogs.
Mad & Skip were the backbone of the performance Sorrel's dogs when Bert went to Florida.
And in my opinion the Bellon Club Lara members did the most forward work in tuning these dogs into some of the finest in the world.
Written by B. Merritt
Dec 1980:
Ten match convention in Tijuana, taken down coming back into San Diego. South county animal shelter confiscated 11 Pitbulls. Long story short, I was an active duty SEAL. I had a pipehitter friend of mine help me go into the SC animal shelter and I got Sorrells' Johnny Walker Red liberated. Gave him back to Bert. He was a 2x winner at this point. From that point on, Bert and I were fast friends. I soon left the SEAL'S and went back home to Fl.
Fast forward to 1988. Mad&Skip were steady doing what dogmen love to do. Breed, handle condition, and, prove the blood that we had. Bert at this time was feeling the heat from the west, and decided to move to Mad&Skips and join forces. Keep in mind Mad&Skip were feeding better than 70 bulldogs, all down from proven stock.
If you look at the Joe Testament dog, Bert actually gifted him to Mad and Skip and he is the father of Uncle Bud . Bert was a great breeder but yes like many others, he did claim some dogs that he shouldn't have. None the Less the man is a Legend . Joe Testiment was a Ch. Uncle Bud was a 1xw, his brother Crazy Horse was a 1xwinner, Johnny Walker Red, now a 4xw. (Got him from back from Bert some year or so after leaving SanDiego) did him 1 more time and now Gr Ch Johnny Walker Red, never got the credit.
Bert and Joanie moved into a yard full of proven dogs. We were no doubt in the fast lane BEFORE Bert ever showed up in Fl. The biggest mistake Mad&Skip made is we trusted Bert too much. I hold no animosity toward Bert, in fact I still talk too him reglarly. I have a high regard for Bert, no doubt a dogman that did his homework. Great respect for him. However, I guess the thing that bothers me the most is from everything behind Joe Testiment, Uncle Bud, Johnny Walker Red, Raisin, Franny, Tex, (Carvers Tex) Little Tex, Little Tee, Crazy Cameo, Crazy Blondie 2, Matty The Mouth, should be showing owned and bred by Mad&Skip. Bert was close to The Greenwoods, and when we had our parting, He changed our name on the peds, and put Sorrells on our dogs. Hey Mad&Skip were too busy doing what dogmen love too do.
You know what? As all things go I'm good with all of it. As I said before I still talk to Bert and call him a friend. He only did what Maurice taught him to do.
Yours in sport,
Mad
Mods,
If you could please delete post # 13, I would appreciate it. It didn't copy over properly.
Bert Sorrells
Bert Sorrells was inducted by the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) into the Dogman Hall of Fame in 1992. He was influential in the formation of the American Dog Breeders Association Conformation and Pedigree Program as it is known today, aiding his close, long-time friend, Ralph Greenwood, in the preservation and protection of the American Pitbull Terrier Dog breed. Bert Sorrells was one of the 1st American Dog Breeders Association judges, and has been judging American Pitbull Terriers around the world ever since. His extensive research and study, along with his hard work, sacrifices, perseverance and dedication to the breed have made him one of the most highly respected authorities of the American Pitbull Terrier of all time. Bert Sorrells hard earned, dug out of the dirt experience and in-depth knowledge have resulted in a family of champion American Pitbull Terriers that have helped to shape the breed throughout the world.
Bert Sorrells came from a family of pioneers. His grandfather moved west in a covered wagon with four pitbulls attached to the corners. His interest and love for the American Pitbull Terrier began at an early age. As Bert Sorrells grew, so did his interest in these noble pitbull dogs. Bert Sorrells has gained much of his knowledge from the pitbull dogs he acquired, from both his and others' successes, and from the "Old Timers". He learned the most from digging it out of the dirt of 45 years of experience in breeding and raising the American Pitbull Terrier.
Of the “Old Timers,” Bert deeply respected and befriended Earl Tudor, whose dog “Tudor*s Goldie,” a proven Champion pitbull producer of old, is the foundation of Sorrells Champion Pitbull Terriers. The Sorrells family of Pitbull Terriers achieved respect and Championships amongst Bert's peers. Among those peers are well respected great dogmen such as Earl Tudor, Ralph Greenwood, whom he also considered a close and respected friend, Bert Clouse, Floyd Boudreaux, Howard Heinzl, Colby, Clyde Mason, Joe Corvino, Al Brown and Maurice Carver to name a few. Throughout his life, Bert Sorrells never met a man that he didn't learn something from, good or bad.
Originally Posted by Osagedogman2015
I am sorry to hear another old timer has left us... Not many left. RIP Bert. Thank you for all you did in these dogs.
Common sense isn't so common these days.
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