SunFire History
David Clayton and Laura Cheves met through Australian Shepherds, but that was only one step in two lives brought together and shared with dogs.
These are the dogs that highlight many years leading up to today’s SunFire Kennel and the four legged Clayton family. Some are still with us, and some live in our hearts with love.
Meet the dogs who helped shape our lives…
“Bear”
Baron Alistair CD
DOB 01/06/1981
Bearwood’s Cannon CD x Rizla Mc Fizla
After retirement, he had a second career as companion and guardian to my parents.
“Ruff”
CH Misty Morn’s Rustlin Wind CD STDds
DOB 11/28//1985
CH Windjammer of Gefion CD x CH Sparkling Sherry of L7
He was one of those special companions and a dog with a very big will to please.
“Wizard”
Abracadabra’s Whimsical Wizard CD STDsd
DOB 01/08/1986
CH Lo-Co’s General Lee CD x Abracadabra’s Magical Megan
Wizard was Laura’s first Aussie and first attempt at herding. His obedience and herding careers were cut short by cataracts, but he lived a long, happy life with Esprit and SunFire Aussies.
David and Laura met for the first time at a conformation class attended with Ruff and Wizard.
“Sally”
Striderite’s Connect the Dots CDX STDs OTDd
DOB 08/17/1987
CH Brigadoon’s California Dude CD STDs x CH Propwash Worth the Wait CD
Sally was Laura’s first versatility dog, major pointed in conformation and winning high scoring herding dog for FASA and 1st in versatility at a FASA show/trial.
Her other distinction is as the first dog Laura got from David.
“Peaches”
CH Striderite’s Still Worth It CD ROMX I
DOB 03/24/1989
CH Starstuff’s Still Crazy CD STDds x CH Propwash Worth the Wait CD
While a couch potato and great companion in her own right, Peaches produced many nice puppies including several at SunFire:
CH SunFire Energize CD
A-CH SunFire On Impulse CDX NA NAJ RS-O JS-O GS-O
SunFire in Command (major pointed)
“Riker”
CH Propwash Bayshore Navigator CDX STDs
DOB 03/24/1989
CH Ellenglaze Propwash Test Pilot CD x CH Bayshore Propwash Mint Julep
Riker was another very special dog, Laura’s first CH and the foundation behind Esprit Kennel.
He was lost at age 8 in an accident, but his presence is still felt in the generations since at SunFire.
He has multiple champion and obedience titled get including our
CH Esprit’s Aerial Maneuvers
CH Esprit’s Test Flight CD
“Mattie”
HOF CH Brookridge Midnight Madness CD HS STDcds ROM-C I ROMX I
02/13/1990 - 12/08/2004
CH Brookridge Quncy’s Invasion CD x CH Briarbrook’s Sheer Emotion CD
Mattie was behind much of the success of SunFire.
She was son of Iris (HOF WTCH CH SunFire Brookridge Habanero CD ROMX II) where the start of much of our versatility.
At 10 years of age, she came out of semi-retirement to finish her started cattle title. She has many offspring, grand puppies, and great grand puppies that compete successfully in conformation, herding, obedience, and agility.
To top it all off, she produced the 2000 ASCA National Best of Breed: HOF BISS CH SunFire Brookridge Up N Away STDdsc.
“Spice”
CH Ottercreek’s Cinnamon N Spice STDs
DOB 02/18/1991
CH Fairview’s Fudge Royal STDs x Dogone’s Patrick O’Tara
Spice provided some early herding experience for David and produced some notable puppies including our WTCH CH SunFire Red Hot Chili Pepper
“Alex”
CH Esprit’s Test Flight
DOB 07/31/1984
CH Propwash Bayshore Navigator CDX STDs x Penn Y Caerau’s Aree Elle CD
Always a gentle and loving dog. Alex produced 2 champions out of
HOF CH Soundtrack’s Custom Made
VCH CH SunFire’s Rock It Soundtrack CDX ATDd OTDsc
CH SunFire’s Made To Fly STDdsc
“Ellie”
CH Esprit’s Aerial Maneuvers
DOB 07/31/1984
CH Propwash Bayshore Navigator CDX STDs x Penn Y Caerau’s Aree Elle CD
Ellie followed in her father’s paw prints as Laura’s second AKC/ASCA Conformation Champion.
As a broodbitch her offspring include: CH SunFire Aim High STDdsc
ASCA 2000 National Specialty Best of Breed Puppy: SunFire’s Cloud Kicker
National Specialty Puppy Class Winner: SunFire’s SGT Pepper
“Irie”
HOF WTCH CH SunFire Brookridge Habanero CD ROMX II
11/08/1995 - 09/19/2005
CH Moonlight’s Jay of Rafter J x CH Brookridge Midnight Madness CD STDcds
David’s first WTCH and homebred. Iris got me hooked on herding. With the help of Roger Stevens, we earned Irie’s WTCH. Iris was the foundation sire for our kennel and typified the versatile Aussie we want to produce. He produced a Versatility Champion, multiple Conformation Champions, Working Trial Champions, and many performance titled get.
HOF Sire #143
“Ketty”
CH Caval’s Heels Over Head
03/24/1996-09/24/2003
CH Vasgota Rudolf Valentino x CH Vasgota Juliet
As SunFire’s first Swedish Vallhund, Ketty was a great foundation: first as a show dog, then broodbitch, and herding dog, and as always the perfect companion. Her sons and daughters represent the breed well in the United States, Canada, and England.
“Hannah” CH SunFire’s Head of the Class CDX RN STDd RS-N JS-N RXN RA
“Addie”
HOF CH Soundtrack’s Custom Made
DOB 02/02/1997
CH Soundtrack’s Johnny Five x CH Muzak’s Original Soundtrack
2 BOB in ASCA from the classes. Multiple BOB as a special. Co-owned with Lori Faust, Soundtrack Kennel. Produced multiple conformation champions, performance titled dogs, and sone VCH:
VCH CH SunFire’s Rock It Soundtrack CDX ATDd STDsc
one HOF dam: HOF SunFire’s Made To Order
“Cleo”
WTCH CH SunFire Red Hot Chilli Pepper
DOB 02/03/1997
HOF WTCH CH SunFire Brookridge Habanero CD x CH Ottercreed’s Cinnamon N’ Spice STDs
Most Promising Started Dog. High Scoring Started Dog. ASCA Stockdog Merit Program Started Cattle and Started Ducks
Cleo’s WTCH finished Irie’s & SunFire’s HOF.
“K’Ehleyer”
A-CH SunFire On Impulse CDX NA NAJ RA GS-O JS-O RS-O
DOB 06/24/1997
HOF WTCH CH SunFire Brookridge Habanero CD ROMX II x CH Striderite’s Still Worth It CD ROMX I
K’Ehleyer competed in Elite Agility until a back injury
2003 FASA High Point Altered
2nd 2000 Nationals Novice Agility
Multiple A-BOB Winner over majors and specials
“Worf”
CH SunFire Energize CD
DOB 06/24/1997
HOF WTCH CH SunFire Brookridge Habanero CD ROMX II x CH Striderite’s Still Worth It CD ROMX I
BOB, CH and UD producer
“Amy”
CH SunFire Aim High STDdsc
DOB 09/25/1998
HOF OTCH CH Willowbrook Sankano Bulls-Eye x CH Esprit’s Aerial Maneuvers
Amy was Laura’s first dog to title in all three classes of stock
Bred to HOF WTCH CH SunFire’s And Away We Go CD RS-N, Amy produced a lovely Special Bitch, Nation Circuit BOS, CH SunFire’s Up Past Midnight
“Jet”
HOF WTCH CH SunFire’s And Away We Go CD RS-N
DOB 02/12/2001
CH McMatt’s EZ Victor x HOF BISS CH SunFire’s Up N Away STDdsc
ASCA and AKC Conformation Champion
FASA 2002 High Point Dog
FASA 2004, 2006, SFASC 2005 High Point Special Dog
ASCA 2005 Crystal Jubilee Invitational Finalist
FASA 2005 Most Versatile and High Point Novice Agility
ASCA 2006 Conformation Invitational Qualifier
“Rocket”
VCH CH SunFire’s Rock It Soundtrack ATDd OTDcs CDX
DOB 02/26/2001
CH Esprit’s Test Flight CD x HOF CH Soundtrack’s Custom Made
“Angel”
CH SunFire’s Made to Fly STDdsc
DOB 02/26/2001
CH Esprit’s Test Flight CD x HOF CH Soundtrack’s Custom Made
Finished Championship in 4 straight shows
Altered Premier at 2005 Nationals Circuit. Spayed due to a fertility problem.
“Chip”
HOF VCH PCH WTCH CH Poinsett SunFire Chipotle CDX RS-O JS-O GS-O
DOB 01/06/2002
WTCH CH SunFire Brookridge Habanero CD x CH Topgun Poinsett Petal Pusher CD AX AXJ
Chip was a great versatility dog, earning high scores in obedience and herding, with stylish conformation. Chip finished his WTCH on 4/18/04 at only 2 years of age. Scores included a 122! He finished his VCH as a 3 year old.
“Hannah”
CH SunFire’s Head of the Class CDX STDd RA RAX JS-N-OP RS-N
DOB 08/23/2002
BIS CH Valshep’s Hattis Svante NJC NAC x CH Caval’s Heels Over Head
Hannah was truly a versatile vallhund, competing and winning in conformation, herding, obedience, and agility. Hannah is winner of the SVCA Vallhund of Merit Award for excellence in versatility and suitability for breeding.
“Piper”
WTCH Fairoaks Piper of Saltfleet RTDs RA CD JS-O RS-N
DOB 02/05/2003
Fairoaks Tamarack x Fairoaks Allure
2009 FASA High Point
Advanced Stock, Novice Agility
“Coal”
A-CH SunFire’s Solid Rock ATDc OTDds CD
DOB 12/25/2003
VCH CH SunFire’s Rock It Soundtrack CDX ATDd OTDsc x BISS HOF CH SunFire Brookridge Up N Away STDdsc
Coal had a great Altered Conformation career from 2005 - 2010 as well as successfully competing in herding and obedience.
“Mandy”
SVCH ATCH WTCH CH SunFire’s Maid of Mandolyn
DOB 03/23/2004
HOF WTCH CH SunFire’s And Away We Go CD RS-N x HOF SunFire’s Made to Order
BOB over specials from the BBE Class, Herding High in Trials, Most Versatile Aussie FLPHASC 2006 Fall Circuit
“Jamie”
HOF CH SunFire’s Up Past Midnight STDds JS-N
DOB 01/02/2005
HOF WTCH CH SunFire’s And Away We Go CD RS-N x CH SunFire Aim High STDcds
37 ASCA BOB, 34 BOS, and ASCA Intact Conformation - 2007 #14, 2008 #8, 2009 #12
Dam of 6 Champions
“Argus”
HOF CH SunFire’s Get Up N Go OTDs STDc
DOB 03/22/2005
HOF WTCH CH SunFire’s And Away We Go CD RS-N x SunFire’s Made to Order
FASA 2007 High Point Intact Class Dog
Repeat of cross that produced SVCH WTCH CH SunFire’s Maid of Mandolyn RS-E GS-E JS-E and CH Mandolyn’s Fast Break
Littermate to CH Mandolyn’s Jetsetter Co-Bred with Cindy Alison
“Feather”
VCH WTCH A-CH Sunfire’s Tar and Feathers RTDs AFTDds CDX RS-N JS-N GS-N
DOB 05/01/2005
VCH CH SunFire’s Rock It Soundtrack ATDd OTDcs CDX x WTCH True Grit’s Painted Toes
FASA 2008, 2009 Most Versatile Australian Shepherd
FASA 2007 High Point Started Dog
“Billy”
CH SunFire’s Dr Pepper CD RNX RA
VCH PCH WTCH CH Poinsett SunFire Chipotle CDX RS-O GS-O JS-O x HOF SunFire’s Made to Order
One HIT 200 RNX
retired to DeFuniak Springs, FL
“Red”
CH SunFire’s Roasted Red Pepper STDs
DOB 02/04/2007
VCH PCH WTCH CH Poinsett SunFire Chipotle CDX RS-O GS-O JS-O x CH SunFire Spica of Sierra-Echo STDs
4 wins to CH included 4 BOW, 2 BOB, 1 BOS
2009 FASA High Point Intact Conformation Dog
“Amber”
SVCH SPCH WTCH RTCH2 CH SunFire’s Red Savina OFTDds CD REMX RTX RV-E JV-E GS-E RAE
DOB 01/20/2008
HOF VCH PCH WTCH CH Poinsett SunFire Chipotle CDX RS-O JS-O GS-O x HOF CH SunFire Spica of Sierra-Echo STDs
SunFire’s most Titled dog
“Penny”
WTCH GRCH SunFire’s Heads I Win
DOB 09/08/2009
CH Starvon in the Limelight x CH SunFire’s Head of the Class STDd JS-N RNX CDX
At the 2014 National Specialty in December, she was the first Select Bitch. We are so proud of this homegrown special girl. Penny is a big dog in a small package!
“Gromit”
SVCA Versatility Champion MACH3 RATCH SunFire’s Class Act RN RS-O JS-E GS-O
DOB 02/08/2009
CH Starvon in the Limelight x CH SunFire’s Head of the Class STDd JS-N RNX CDX
Rally Novice AKC 98, 96, 94, 10 pt Elite Gambler's, In a new agility home
“Cinder”
CH SunFire’s After Midnight
DOB 01/09/2010
CH After All’s Good For the Gander x CH SunFire’s Up Past Midnight STDds
Retired to Tallahasseee, FL
“Max”
CH SunFire’s Take a Gander
DOB 01/09/2010
CH After All’s Good For the Gander x CH SunFire’s Up Past Midnight STDds
2x Finals Qualifying ASCA Altered Special
“Tempo”
SunFire’s Dance All Night
DOB 08/17/2012
GCH CH OTCH Blue Isle Dance The Night Away UDX4 OM6 x CH SunFire’s Up Past Midnight STDds
“Sunny”
CH SunFire’s The Morning After STDsc JS-N-OP RS-N GS-N
DOB 08/17/2012
GCH CH OTCH Blue Isle Dance The Night Away UDX4 OM6 x CH SunFire’s Up Past Midnight STDds
“Zell”
CH SunFire Western Hill Bet The Farm
DOB 02/25/2013
HOF ASCA CH UKC GRCH Western Hills GotMyMindSetOn U OTDs STDcd OFTDs RS-N JS-O GS-N RN PT x HOF SVCH WTCH CH Spring Fever Bet on Black OFTDsd RN JV-E GS-E HSAcs HIAs HXAd
Zell had a prestigious career in the conformation ring.
Littermate to our “Dhani” VCH WTCH CH Western Hills Something SunFire JS-O GS-O RS-O
“Jade”
CH SunFire’s Midnight Dreams
DOB 04/14/2013
AKC CH / ASCA CH / UKC BIS CH / WTCH Coolmoor Poinset ShardsofNarsil RN STDcsd x CH SunFire’s Up Past Midnight STDds JS-N