A Tribute to Virginia Newton

   

  For over half a century Virginia Newton, one of the truly great U.S. breeders of

  Papillons, has shared her wit, wisdom, and passion for Paps with an adoring

  audience.  Her "Papillons of Mariposa" have left an indelible mark on the breed’s

  history, and nearly all of today’s American-bred Papillon’s pedigrees trace to at 

  least one Mariposa dog.

  

  Virginia’s long association and love for Papillons began 52 years ago in 1949 

  when Virginia decided to get a smaller dog that would better fit in her New York

  apartment.  The Papillon seemed perfect, as she was involved in obedience

  training.  That dog, Lancelot of Dulceda, became the first Papillon champion to 

  earn an obedience title, the second to achieve a Companion Dog, ( CD ) title, 

  and the first to capture the Companion Dog Excellent ( CDX ) title.  

  

  Another milestone in Papillon obedience history was made when Admiral of

  Mariposa, bred by Virginia and handled by a young Richard Bauer, became the 

Virginia Newton holding Denzel The Comedy Act - 1998 - Click to enlarge ...

Click on the photo to enlarge

  first Papillon to earn a Utility Dog ( UD ) title and a perfect 200 score ! ( ed. note  "Shad" as he was called was a Phalene ! )

 

  Virginia began her breeding program after moving to California in the early 1950’s.  Eventually, Mariposa would be able to claim

  over 80 American champions and five PCA National Specialty Best of Breed winners.  Certainly the most famous of these is

  American/Canadian Ch. Gowdy of Mariposa, who was the first Papillon to make the list of Top Ten Toys in 1970.  Owned by

  Paul and Lorraine Weick and handled by Tom Glassford, in 1972 Gowdy also became the first American-bred Papillon Best in

  Show winner ( and the first BIS winner since Ch. Offley Black Diamond in 1936 ).  Gowdy heads the PCA’s Hall of Fame 

  having sired 86 champions including two all-breed Best in Show winners.  As proof of the lasting quality of the Mariposa dogs,

  there is an unbroken line of seven generations of male Best in Show Papillons descending from Gowdy.

          

  Even with all of her successes as a breeder, exhibitor, and years as PCA secretary and senior vice president, Virginia will

  probably be best remembered for her vast literary contribution that will leave a lasting impression on Papillon lovers world-wide

  for generations to come.  One of her most widely valued contributions is the PCA’s initial publication of early AKC Papillon

  champions covering the years 1915-1988.  Possibly her most important work was authoring the PCA’s introductory breed book,

  The Papillon Primer, published in 1989.  This is the first and only North American book that has been published on the breed.

         

  This 48th Annual Papillon Club of America National Specialty show is dedicated to this true pioneer of our breed.  We have

  indeed been privileged to have received the gift of Virginia’s life-long devotion to the Papillon through the friendship she has

  shared, the words she has written, and the legacy she has given through her guardianship of this very special breed.  

  It is indeed an honor to once again have Virginia in our midst as we gather together to celebrate the "Butterfly Dog",  

  -- Virginia's beloved Papillons.

    

By Susi Gleffe and Tracy Burdick 

( PCA catalog - 2001 )
          

  

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