The Pointers of Arista

Forty pounds staked by the C.H.B. Gun Club in the mid sixties, and a successful day for Russell, clay bird shooting, indirectly leading to the genesis of Arista.

Deciding to invest the purse in a gundog, we bought from Gisborne, a black Pointer / Lab x bitch we named Nell. As she matured, impressed by her hunting prowess, but needing to bring a young dog through, we began to search for a pedigree Pointer – eventually contacting Sid Geary of Masterton, specifically because of his stock’s “water issues”.

It was from him we bought our first pedigree Pointer – a liver & white bitch; Stanford Senorita (21.8.68), fondly known as Jan. Jan was never shown. Predominantly used for hunting, she was especially keen in the water. Back then Pointers were dual purpose – land and water dogs. By 1975, aged seven, Jan was the only English Pointer in Hawkes Bay. Again, needing to train a younger dog, but wanting to retain Jan’s lineage, we made the decision to breed our own stock. The N.Z.K.C had only two dogs registered. We chose CH.Lord Ashley Bank L/W, bred by Wally Greive, owned by Mark and Ann Verran of Levin. From the first litter, Mark and Ann retained CH.Gallipoli Gunner L/W, for Gameflush Kennels – Gunner went onto win for them Best of Breed, at the 1976 Nationals. Mrs Mona Fulton retained CH.Maadi Finesse L/W – the foundation bitch for Tivoli Kennels, Hasting. To enhance our lines we retained CH.Flanders Beauty L/W, (14.5.75), showing “Zoe” to her title, winning Class in Group and Class in Show. As a hunting bitch, Zoe’s upland game skills were awesome – particularly her scenting ability and staunchness to the point. Russell and our sons constantly hunted her – if you wanted game – you took Zoe. Amongst the Lake Hatuma (H.B) duck shooters Zoe’s retrieving prowness verged on legendary. You didn’t need a torch to pull anything out of the lake with Zoe at your side.

A comment made by Roy Burnell (Pointer Specialist) encouraged us to import stock to upgrade our N.Z breeding lines. CH.Cookrise Gunner (Imp UK) came to us aged 8 months, in 1976 and was shown to his title. From his first litter to Stanford Senorita in 1977, we registered our prefix “Arista”

CH.Crookrise Gunner (ImpUK) Shown 1976-79.

Winner of: BIS 5, RIS 6, CIS 9, BOG 16, ROG 8, and COG 20
Highlights: ‘Gunner’ B.I.S while his son Arista Grenadier Grado won P.I.S at Poverty Bay CH. Show. ‘Gunner’ sire of 12 Champions from 10 litters – NZ and Australia Group and In Show winners, and lived until 13 years.
Sons and daughters were also trialed. Daughter CH.Arista Gay Garbo retained by us, whelped two litters to produce the foundation bitch CH.Arista Gay Ganancia for Ms.J.Hamilton, “Pinerock Kennels” sired by Australia and New Zealand CH.Cookise Firebrand (Imp UK).
Gunners daughter CH.Margartia of Arista became a foundation bitch for Mr & Mrs A & L Dunscombe “Porthcurno” Kennels and CH Arista Delicia foundation bitch for J & C Craig “Tukeglen Kennels”. The trialing Kennels of Mrs J Mortenson bought Sweep of Arista as a foundation bitch. Four sons and daughters were also exported to Australia.
After carefully researching UK breeding lines, we embarked on a programme of Importation, subsequently bringing to NZ, stock, purposely chosen to introduce desirable traits for breed improvement, whilst enhancing existing attributes.
Australia and New Zealand CH Cookrise Firebrand (Imp UK) came to us, aged six years, after an illustrious show career over the ditch, and promptly proceeded to attain his NZ title In the ring, “Brand” was a gentlemen but with attitude! During the breed classes, he nonchalantly strutted, exerting no more energy/charm than he deemed necessary, with his unique interpretation of showmanship. When it came to Group, Firebrand really began to stamp his mark in the ring – an attitude of his charismatic style.

Firebrand was used extensively at stud.
Australia and New Zealand CH.Cookrise Firebrand (Imp UK)
Brands long list of achievements.
Winner of: 9 BIS in Australia. Shown 1980 – 82 In NZ. BIS 30, RIS 9, OIS 3, BOG 44, ROG 44, ROG 8, OOG 5.
Highlights
1980 N.Z.K.A “Dog of the Year”
1981 N.Z.K.A “Dog of the Year”
Tux National 1982 BEST IN SHOW. Mr. H Brunotte (Canada)
1981 “Brand” BIS H.B.H.A while his son Arista Brandon won BPOG, BIS Hairaki Plains, his son Arista Brandon won BPIS, RBIS Huntly & District, son Arista Brandon won B.P.I.S.
“Brand” sired 28 champions NZ & Aust form 21 litters – Group and In Show Winners and lived until 14 years.
Foundation bitch for Mr & Mrs D & L Parekowhai “Hei Tiki Kennels” was CH Arista Gay Genero while “Brands” son CH. Arista Kerry Shaun was the first champion of a number of Arista dogs and bitches for Mr & Mrs K & G Thomson’s “Keneally Red Kennels”. Winners of many in show awards Mr & Mrs I & A Bishop “Astridan Kennels” foundation bitch Ch Arista Razina was a BIS winner for them.
Mr T Blythem then purchased a number of Arista Pointers for his “Almaden Kennels”, including “Brands” daughter CH.Arista Sondra who was his most influential producer.
Mrs S Evans also purchased a number of Arista Pointers for her “ Pinnacle Kennels” “Brands” daughter and grand daughter CH. Arista Kirsten, CH. Arista Duchess Darlene were her foundation breeding dams.
“Brands” grandson CH.AristaFinca and CH.Arista GidgetBelle went to Mrs.D.O’Neill to establish her “Chesterhope Kennels”.
For us, “Brand’s” daughter CH.Arista Fineza won many Groups and IN Show awards and produced her top winning son CH.Arista Finca BIS winner and at the Tux national 1986 won IOG, ROG and INTERMEDITED IN SHOW.
1981 Heralded the arrival of Brand’s most notable offspring-dual purpose-top both in the field and the show ring. Brand’s most famous son GR. CH.Arista Brandon. “Don” started following in his sires pawprints as a baby puppy by winning in 1981, the Tux National Dog Show Baby Puppy Sweepstakes – 200 entries. He was shown between 1981 – 1990 for:

G.R.CH Arista Brandon
BIS 17, RIS 7, CIS 25, BOG 28, ROG 28, ROG 5, COG 38
Highlights
1981 Tux National Baby Puppy Sweepstakes
Winner of the National Classic Stakes – 1984 & 1986
Winner of the CH. Of CH. Stakes 1984
1986 NZKC Auckland Centennial Show –Res. of Group
1986 NZKC Christchurch Centennial Show: BEST IN SHOW. Mr. T Brown (USA)
Tux National 1984 Res. of Group
Tux National 1989 Group
“Don” sired 8 champions NZ & Australia from 12 litters – Group and In Show Winners, and lived until 11 years.

“Dons” daughter Arista Patrida was Mr. R Young’s foundation bitch for “Top Shot” Kennels and for Mrs. L Murdoch “Daluce Kennels” CH.Arista Brandon’s Charm, her foundation breeding dam. Mrs Colleen Dewson owned CH.Arista Joliet and retained from her and “Don” CH.Arista Brandon’s Janzara. “Dons” daughter CH.Arista Idelle Intriga retained by us whelped three litters. Two daughters Aust.CH.Arista Hester and Arista Helena became foundation Pointers for Mr. D Luyten, “Rama Kennels” Australia.
“Idelle” produced a top stud dog CH.Arista Henri for Mr & Mrs J & P Hedges, “Parima Kennels”. He sired a litter to Arista Aileen (the first Pointer to win the Field Trial Puppy of the Year NZ Pointer and Setter Club) to produce CH.Arista Jade, BIS winner and CH.Arista Joliet Group Winner. CH Arista Henri is the sire of BIOS winner CH Arista Arco, who is the sire of Simone Simpson’s foundation bitch CH.Arista Mabelle Minnetta QC and BIS winner.
“Henri” sired CH.Arista Farani BIS winner, owned by Colleen Dewson, and CH.Arista Falaise RBIS winner retained by us. “Farani” sired Arista Janz Janeita owned by David Leech, “Kate,” brilliantly air scenting at work, and so rigid, intense when locked up on point.

“ Henri” sired CH. Arista Ripa Dante RBIS winner for his owner Mrs G Bird and sister CH Arista Raina Dacia. CH.Arista Raina Dacia “Dash” went on to produce In Show and Group winner CH.Arista Rania Roldane “Douglas”, whilst his brother now resides in Australia and has become an influential sire in Australia. CH.Arista Rania Royce.

Henri’s” sister CH Arista Hillary won for us Intermediate of Group Tux National Dog Show 1987. She whelped two litters to produce Arista Darla, foundation bitch for the late Mrs A Morrow and Ms L Morrow “Rowenglen” Kennels along with CH.Arista Kumbaland Karim, In Show Winner and Group Winner and Grandson of G.R CH.Arista Brandon, and also CH. Arista Sea Sabre In Show Winner and Group winner, Grandson of CH Arista Hillary. “ Hillary’s” son CH Arista Deuce was the first RBIS winning Pointer for Mr & Mrs G & J Bennett “Konev Kennels” with CH Arista Sea Cherkoni a Group and In Show Winner.
“Deuce” sired NZ and Aust. CH Arista Tiran True, Junior of Group 1996 National Dog Show before going to Australia to Mr. J Caruso.
“Deuce” also sired CH. Arista Tiro True a Group and In Show Winner for his owner Colleen Dewson is the sire of Group and In Show winner CH. Arista Forzudo owned by Simone Simpson. “Tiro” sired Colleen’s latest litter, Group and In Show Winner NZ.CH Arista True Deegan, Group and In Show Winner NZ.CH Arista True Devana.

Colleen Dewson now resides in Perth Australia and has taken on the kennel name Arista in Australia.
NZ.CH Arista True Deegan and Arista Kate's Jema were mated and have produced a lovely litter, 3 of which are in Perth, Arista Jema's True Chamonix and Group winning Arista Jema's True Caramia and the third, Arista Jema's True Casanova.

“Don” sired Arista Brandon’s Irel, for David Leech “Valley Gamebirds” “Irel” had speed, finesse and vast experience to locate pheasant and bob white quail.

One of “ Dons” good hunting sons, Arista Tattoo is the sire of CH.Arista Trudy – Group and In Show winner. Tattoo’s son, CH.Arista Bouncer another of our BIS Winners was Runner-up at the N.Z.K.C. Premier Blue Ribbon Awards. “Bouncer” sired our current Best In Show Winner, and Group Winner, CH. Arista Lara’s Larn, while his brother CH.Arista Lara’s Lawton now resides in Canada where he is successfully shown and has sired a number of litters.

Aust.CH Arista Lara’s Lenka and Aust. CH. Arista Dowd’s Dante are the foundation Pointers for Mrs. Barbara Scholes “Fugelere Kennels” Australia.

“Dante” is a daughter of Arista Silkwood Glendys owned by Mr. & Mrs. C & T Dowd and “Dante’s” son Fugelere Arista Figaro is owned by Simone Simpson, hunting and trialing with Ross, and winning for Simone in the show ring.

Aust.CH Arista Dowd’s Dulari is owned and shown by Mrs. Falck who has had wonderful pointers over many years.

David Leech owns CH.Arista Dowd’s Darece In Show Winner.

“Bea” points her Quail with consistency panache.

“Larn” has sired three litters to date, producing young champions in

CH.Arista Raina Lindeza, CH.Arista Severo, CH.Arista Shania.

CH.Arista Falaise has produced a promising young Pointer we are currently showing,

Arista Fanello Frodo Fleet.

We proudly acknowledge the achievements of both “Brand” and “Don.”

Whilst dominating the gundog groups in N.Z. show rings for nigh on a decade, these dogs also helped refine our Arista stock; their traits continuing on, in our breeding programme today.