One of the Great Retrievers has joined the ranks of those we never forget. The record of "Sweep" speaks for itself-he is another who justly deserves membership in the "Retriever Hall of Fame" should there ever be one established. He was only 2 1/2 years when acquired back in 1945 by Daniel E. Pomeroy's Black point Kennels. Prior to his acquisition "Sweep" had earned his Canadian Field Championship. From then on his outstanding performances made history in Retreverdom: American Field Championship in 1946; Dual Champion in 1947; National Champion in 1947 and when retired in the fall of 1952 one of the six retrievers (up to August 1959) ever to accumulate in excess of 100 Championship points (111.5).
Bred by Bert Blair of Burnsby, B.C. the dog was a tractable animal-he enjoyed his work whether under the handling of professional trainer, T.W. ("Cotton") Pershall or his owner. He won the "Opens" with Cotton and the "Amateurs" for "Dan" Pomeroy. Sweep was an excellent sire, among some of his direct offspring were: FC Black Point Dark Destroyer, FC Black Point's Sweeps Chance, FC-AFC Nilo Senator, FC Woodcroft's Inga's Bonus, and the 1950 Derby Champion, Black Point Dark Tiger. In addition to being the grandsire of 1955 NFC Cork of Oakwood Lane, many others with the blood lines of Sweep, whose names are being to the ever-expanding list of top flight Labradors.
When Daniel E. Pomeroy("Uncle Dan" as he was affectionately known)retired on August 1, 1955 at age 27 from active competition and disposed of the remaining to John Olin's Nilo Kennels, Field Trialer's lost one of their devoted and loyal supporters. When Bracken's Sweep died at age of 16 years, 3 months, he had far outlived the average of a hard going top Labrador. Sweep brought pride and joy to his owner; his departure leaves with us fond and vivid memories of a grand animal. |