Some of the pups that died of parvo. in the National Open. All lines went back to the great Stinger. Further inbreeding into the Slattery, Sophie, and Silla line never seemed to produce the trial prospects of the Scud, Scout calibre, although there were a number of excellent workers. Parvovirus had become a problem, but one year (1984) it completely devastated the kennels. Seventeen out of twenty puppies died. It was heart breaking to see virtually an entire years breeding program wiped out. The following year live Parvovirus vaccine became available and the disease was never as great a threat; however the Saighton line never recovered to its former glory. John DeMott was brought from America, in 1975, to Talbot Radcliff's famed Saighton Kennel of Wales to train English Springer Spaniels for US and Canadian field trials. Previously, John had trained, handled, and titled springers in the US - as well as judged some field trials. Over the years, he bred and trained some of the most influential spaniels to reach American shores. Many of the American field champions and great hunting dogs are descended from the Saighton bloodline. Although retired from training spaniels, John still resides in Wales. Page 5 | Spaniel Journal | Previous Page |