Historical Breeders
OPEN A NEW WINDOW, OPEN A NEW DOOR
Katherine Warren Thayer was the mistress of Maplehurst Farm in neighboring Worcester County, Massachusetts, where she
thrived on a love for life and nature. Most certainly, she was no stranger to the world of canine competition. Her brother
Bayard Warren was a well-known breeder of Sealyham Terriers and holds a place in dog history by breeding and owning the
Westminster Best In Show winner of 1924, CH. Barberryhill Bootlegger. With the arrival of Pippet, Katherine Thayer quickly
took on the challenges that can face a numerically small breed. She had observed several good breeds fall into disrepute
through the exploits of a few and, along with her sister, was a champion of the “do-it-yourself-show-it-yourself”
school. Together with her friend Josephine Spencer, the unofficial Breed Club was reorganized and gained AKC recognition in
1947, opening doors at home and abroad. With Mrs. Spencer as the first official President and Katherine Thayer as its
Secretary the breed prospered. Judges sent a copy of the Standard, emphasizing its working origins; detailed records and
statistics were kept; prospective members were personally sought; a monthly AKC Gazette was provided; specialties, match
shows and trophies were established; and perhaps of most importance a warm relationship was formed with British
breeders which allowed for easier importation of desirable bloodlines. One such import was Katherine Thayer’s Hunston
High Flier. This black-eyed son of CH. Waveney Valley Alder, considered by many to be a forefather of today’s Norfolk, proved
his own worth on these shores by siring many a good dog, the best known among them being the dominant CH. Bethway’s
Tony, and River Bend Tory, the first of its breed to earn the coveted title of UD. While preferring to leave the breeding of dogs
to others, Katherine Thayer’s eye for form and function was unmatched and she freely communicated her ideas and
convictions to fellow breeders with extraordinary results, laying the foundations which have preserved the breed as a
sporting companion. Past president Alden Blodget spoke of Katherine Thayer, “Due to her untiring efforts, our breed’s future
is secure-in the home, in the field, and in the show ring. Let Mrs. Thayer’s ideals continue as an inspiration to all those who
safeguard the best interests of our breed.”
Katherine Warren Thayer died in 1958, a profound loss to friends and breeders both here and in England. In just twelve short
years of breed involvement she managed to accomplish what many could not do in a lifetime. Her sister Sylvia carried on,
breeding and working on behalf of their beloved breed. In the waning years, River Bend’s drop-ear breeding relied heavily on
the talents of Mt. Paul Heidi (CH. Mt. Paul Anderson x Castle Point Styx) who produced a litter of six from Bethway’s Pence, a
litter of five from Gotoground Fox Hunter, and another litter of five from CH. Bethway’s Pensium. In 1968, after years of
persuasion, Sylvia Warren finally accepted the position of Club President, remaining thereafter as its Honorary Vice-President
until her death in April of 1972.
Two weeks later at the Club’s Annual Meeting, longtime friend and then Club President Mary Baird read to the membership
“Be it resolved that the Norwich Terrier Club recognizes the enormous contributions of Sylvia Warrant and her late sister
Katherine to this club and the breed. Together, from our breed’s smallest beginnings, they held us together with the highest
standards of integrity and sportsmanship. Each in their own way had a clear understanding of the best interests of the breed,
determined that its working qualities be recognized and preserved by an enduring foundation. Be it resolved that this
Resolution be spread upon these Minutes, April 28, 1972.”
The Resolution carried by unanimous vote.
Published with permission from the Norfolk Terrier Annual 2010
Contributed by Frank Rogers:
The person who will long be remembered with great affection and who worked hard for many years for the breed was Mrs.
Warren Thayer, or Katherine as she was known by all her many friends on both sides of the Atlantic. She was Secretary of the
American Norwich terrier Club for a number of years and remained so until her death in 1958. She and her sister Miss Sylvia
Warren loved Norwich and bred the drop-eared variety for many years. It was Katherine’s “Rivets” whose picture has been
used as the ideal type of head for a drop-ear.