Rest In Peace to another legendary oldtimer and dogman
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Rest In Peace to another legendary oldtimer and dogman
RIP TO A LEGEND :(.
Rest in Peace Bert.
Rest In Peace.
R.I.P
RIP
R.I.P.
IN MEMORIAM BERT "BUCKSHOT" SORRELLS
There are many breeders of the Pit Bull Terrier in the world today. Many of them are part-time breeders who are in the dogs more or less as a hobby. Then there are the serious breeders who have been very successful, over a period of years, crossing the different bloodlines within the breed, to produce some first class dogs. Some few modern breeders could possibly be credited with creating their own bloodline. This takes years and years of selective breeding, line breeding, and family breeding, and in the bargain, constantly producing superior dogs. Of course, coming from a pure bloodline does not always make a dog any better than any other dog. But the more established bloodlines do tend to produce more consistently both as performers and in the physical conformation.
Bert Sorrells was one of the few breeders that have over the years established his own strain.
Bert "Buckshot" Sorrells was born on May 25, 1937. The story goes that Bert's grandfather moved west in a covered wagon with four pit bulls attached to the corners, no wonder Bert's interest for the American Pit Bull Terrier began at an early age, but as he grew, so did his interest in these dogs.
Bert says that most of the major lessons he learned were from the mistakes he committed. During this process he continually learned new ways to overcome these mistakes and, at the end of the day, his extensive research and study, along with his hard work, sacrifices, perseverance, and dedication to the breed have made him one of the most highly respected authorities of the American Pit Bull Terrier of all time. It's all about digging it out of the dirt!
The Sorrells line of American Pit Bull Terrier, as it currently exists, is the result of over forty-five years of selective breeding. Bert's definition of a game dog and how a game dog is supposed to be is simple but very strict and might be the secret behind Bert's success as a breeder and competitor:
A game dog is bred from a game yard.
A game dog is bred from the pit for the pit.
A game dog must be game when exhausted.
A game dog must be game when badly hurt.
A game dog must be game on top.
A game dog must be game when on the bottom and discouraged as hell.
Three of the main foundation dogs were Corvino's Crazy Mary, Sorrells' Bull and Sorrells' Red Jerry ROM.
When Corvino's Crazy Mary was bred to Sorrells' Red Jack, they produced Sorrells' Crazy Mary II, from which came many exceptional dogs such as Crazy Dugan, Blue Monday or California Jack, to name only a few. Red Jack's sire, Indian Little Man, was a brother to Corvino's Crazy Mary. Bert said that of all the dogs first owned, he learned the most with Red Jack.
Sorrells' Bull, double bred on the great Klaus' Zeke, brother to Greenwood's Camino. A great producer of game, winning dogs.
Red Jerry was bred by Buckshot out of Crenshaw's Stu Fowler and Corvino's Goldie, a straight cross between the two bloodlines of two very successful breeders, Ed Crenshaw, and Joe Corvino. Jerry produced three registered SDJ Champions from three different bitches, all while in the hands of Buckshot.
Sorrells' CH Raja, out of Red Jerry R.O.M. and Red Glory. One of Bert's first champion, a red dog that weighted in between 35-38 lbs, a great performer that won three during 1973 and 1974 over Lewis' Bandit in 15, Lewis' Devil in 1:16 and Hook's Ramrod in 1:22.
Sorrells' CH Crazy Goober, out of Red Jerry R.O.M. and Choya, was matched three times between 1976 to 1978 at a weight ranging from 36 to 42 lbs. Goober won his first in 1976 over Bob McKay's Kojack in 1:29 and was voted Best In Show. He won his championship in an epic contest when he bested Lewis' Carver in 2:27. Carver was bred by Maurice Carver and was sired by Gr Ch Zebo R.O.M. and out of Carver's Big Mama. Even Bert Clouse said it was the best championship match he ever saw. The photo of Buckshot and Goober graced the cover of the March-April, 1978 issue of the Sporting Dog Journal.
Sorrells' CH Crazy Jackson, a great dog out of Red Jerry R.O.M. and Crazy Mary II that won three in 1976 on the West Coast at 41 to 42 lbs. He was sold to Mr.Waters in Florida where he won over Devine & Coleman's Grip in 2:20 in 1978.
Bert's more then forty-five years of selective breeding program has resulted in numerous winner, more than I can list here, however, I'll try to list some of the more important ones...
Sorrell's CH Sailor, a 49,5-50 lbs dog out of Sorrells' Hard Eyes and Sorrell's Bandit. He was campaigned between 1990 and 1992 and won over Wadkins' Trapper in 1:15, Mack's Romper in 36 and Pecan's Freddy in 1:10.
Sorrells' CH Raisin, 40-32 lbs, bred, raisin and campaigned by Buckshot out of his CH Bubba Boe dog and Two Shoes. Sorrell's CH Bubba Boe was another Champion from Bert, a good dog out of Sorrells' Shoeshone and Sorrells' Crazy Blondie. Raisin was the end product of the Sorrells bloodline that traces back to the old Corvino dogs and by all accounts a first class dog. He won over Don B's Yankee Raider in 38, Haas' Billy Ray in 1:47 and Bob's Cajun in 32. Raisin was featured on the cover of the March-April, 1991 issue of the Sporting Dog Journal.
Sorrells' CH Joe Testiment, a 37-38 lbs, red dog, line bred on Sorrell's Red Jerry R.O.M. He won three in the tough south between 1982 and 1984 over Denny's Cottonmouth in 1:05, Traxler's Hackshaw in 25 and T.H.'s Pete in 35.
Sorrells' CH Uncle Bud, out of CH Joe Testiment and Crazy Blondie II, won three at a weight ranging from 42 to 46 lbs. between 1984 and 1987 over T&H's Pete in 43, Huggins' brindle dog in 42 and McCollum's black dog in 1:10. He was the class of the kennel in his day and a perfect house dog too.
Sorrells' CH Blue Monday, a 41-43 lbs, red dog out of Boots The Blacksmith and Crazy Mary II, that won three in the South West between 1978-1979 over Lars' Barney in 57, Dale's Sullivan in 23 and B&S's Pretty Boy in 1:15.
Sorrells' Red Lady Bug, one of Bert's all-time favorite, a tiny bitch out of Red Jerry R.O.M and Sorrells' Saphire that won three, weighting only 25 lbs in her first against the one time winner Ames' Peanuts. Lady Bug wins in 31, making a hard running scratch and had to be broken off the beaten Peanuts. A first-class performer and a good producer.
Sorrells' Crazy Dugan, another Sorrells dog that made the cover of the March-April, 1976 issue of the Sporting Dog Journal. Dugan was out of Sorrells' Hard Rock (Talking Boy) and Sorrells' Crazy Mary II and won over Stinson & Glover's Cannonball, a dog that was once thought to be invincible, in one of the big upsets of the year. Dugan was handled and conditioned by Ralph Greenwood. Cannonball was top dog most of the way but took the count at 1:06. Dugan won a Best In Show and a Gamest in Show trophy. One of the best Buckshot ever owned.
Sorrells' Preacher a.k.a. S.T.P. a.k.a. Shorty The Preacher, a tough and rough winner of two matches, one over the great Joey dog in 2:37. Preacher was a great asset to the Sorrells line without a doubt.
I feel I should mention Sorrells' CH Red Eagle, a red dog, 46-48 lbs, won his first two for the Uptown Boys' and the next for S.T.P., 1978-1981
And of course, no list about Bert's dogs would be complete without mentioning Sorrells' Shoshone, one of the most important dogs in the Sorrells bloodline. A solid winner and producer of some of the finest.
Bert continued breeding, campaigning and judging American Pit Bull Terriers well into the late '90s when his failing health finally forced him out of the sport. He celebrated his 81st birthday on May the 25th, 2018. Rest In Peace Buckshot!
Originally published in the July 2014 issue of the Sporting Dog Journal.
Sorrels' Raisen
The Sporting Dog Journal
March&April 1990
Page 34, Piney Woods show.
Males 42: Referee SoSo Boys
Buckshots Raisin vs. Hass Billy Ray.
Raisin by Sorrells Bubba out of a Hardeyes bitch. BillyRay from Keys a ZEBO dog from King elvis down from Vindacator,( a litter brother to Zebo.) Handled by Sleede (owner) Nate Newton. Raisin handled by MAD: Raisin overcomes, an early lead and stays ahead until Billy Ray stops at 1:47.... winner: Buckshots Raisin....
The truth of this match was hidden in the report. Raisin overcame a come from behind lead that lasted for 1:30 hours. The Elvis dogs owner, ( Nate Newton) was one bad ass bulldog. Raisin fought from behind the entire time, The scratching contest started just before the hour mark, and there were better that 20 scratches each when Billy Ray finally had to stand. On behalf of Billy Ray. I would have fed that dogs through his entire old age. A very good dog that just didn't quite have what it took to stop Raisin. This was Raisin Last fight. He finished as a Two time winner. His first win was over a dog bred by James Crenshaw. The match was held in Montgomery Ala.
Raisin was a great bulldog, and he was a very good producer. I will repeat he was a Two X winner. His second match was so tough he did all he needed to do to stay on our yard and live out a healthy and comfortable life style, not needing to go out for a third time....
I also wanted to say that in His day Bert Sorrells handled, conditioned, and bred some of the best dogs that ever looked through a collar. He had a natural talent too breed good match dogs, that were winners in the pit, and purple ribbon in the show ring.
Written by MAD
Sorrells' Sailor
Sporting Dog Journal: March&April 1990
Piney Woods Show: Page 34:
Buckshots Sailor vs. Watkins Trapper males 49
So So boys ref:
Skip handles Sailor sired by Shoeshone out of Bandit, Sailor is a litter brother to Jack a 1Xwinner. also litter brother to Old Boiler. Sailors first time out. Trapper is a 2x winner double bred Ironhead breeding with Laubs Jessy mix, Sailor stays ahead until 1:16 until trapper is picked up 1:16
winner Buckshots Sailor handled and conditioned by Mad&Skip
The double bred Ironhead dog was a great dog and game all the way, we did not stop that dog, but, Sailor was just getting warmed up and they knew it. Our opponents were the most professional and picked up a good dog. Sailor was truly one of the baddest dogs Mad&Skip ever had the pleasure to match. He was super talented, and when he shook a dog it was what I like to call "Full Arch Shakes. Bert owned the Dog, and never matched him again after that match. He was a true 1X winner
Footnote: Me and my brother wanted to go out with him again, but Bert wouldn't do it. we just moved on to the next dog.
The DuShon team was very professional and were always tough opponents. We matched into them again one more time and they brought another very game dog and we almost had to die to win.
Sorrells admired the Trapper dog .I even heard Joanie say if trapper would have been in their hands they could have won with him against their own.Trapper was a very good dog from what I heard.
Mad&Skip
Does anyone have any of the other reports for Sailor? I have seen the SDJ Championship certificate, but MAD says that he was only shown once....
Wow Osagedogman good stuff
I'm a big fan of Bert Sorrells and the dogs that carry the Sorrells name. I've seen many great dogs with their influence and they are some of my favorites. I've spoken to some good men that knew and were around Bert. They spoke very highly of Bert and told me things that I only wish I had recorded.
I wish that I could have met Bert.
RIP
Got my first Sorrels dogs back in '78. Some of the best dogs of all times carried that blood (Zeke x corvino type breedings). Ch Noah, Tug Boat Willie, Rommel, Invader, Gigi, Onionhead, Bad Company,. I was there hands on the day Bert's Shoshone proved deep, deep game in the heat. His son Dan Tanna (brother to hard eyes) was a complete package. How many of you all have ever heard of Bert's Stag, a true honest dog. Damn, just the tip of the iceburg, I've had dogs directly off Bullyson, Snooty, Buster, Butcherboy, Jeep, Cowboy, Tombstone, Red boy, etc. but if I could go back in time, I would have old Rommel or Dan Tanna to base a yard on, true complete wonderful dogs. My all time favorite was my little Danny (Dan Tanna), a full brother to Sorrel's Hard Eyes.
The dogs Howard Peterson, Merritt, and Koehler had were some of the best to ever look through a collar. Many of those dogs were owned by them together, or back and forth. The key was Peterson's Josie bred to the Zeke blooded dogs. Peterson's Red MF was a for real MF! Howard's Puppy bred to CH Bad Company was a great breeding. True bulldogs. Koehler owned Bull before Sorrells bought him. Merritt owned Hedge's Cie Bie and Big Liz, as well as Bad Company, Noah, and Annie(she was Bullyson to Bolio's sister). This Peterson, Merritt, Koehlers collaberation blended the best Zeke x Bullyson family that is still strong in many of the best working strains today.
MAD is right about Bert getting credit for the breedings on some dogs. I was there when Bert got Shorty and knew the boys he bought him from. Why do you think Shorty turned into STP(Shorty The Preacher). He wasn't 40 country miles of being a RED JERRY dog and that is the truth, no bull shit. STP was a great dog but got Sorrels papers slapped on him.
Just like Roadblock was out of Shoshone, not Bull, I helped get the breeding done an saw first hand. Just Check your own dogs and don't depend on all those old peds being right, at least Bert used good dogs. Some other "great" breeders slapped peds on trash.
I watched the original Preacher dog Quit AND later the first Preacher replacement quit. Shorty was the second replacement and was a great dog and this dog was the sire to the Ladybug litter that produced Joe Testiment. That is how preacher disappeared and Shorty became STP-Shorty The Preacher.
Randy Chavez was an important reason bert was successful in Arizona, to be accurate, Jean (not referring to Joan) was a big influence on the Sorrel's dogs.
Mad & Skip were the backbone of the performance Sorrel's dogs when Bert went to Florida.
And in my opinion the Bellon Club Lara members did the most forward work in tuning these dogs into some of the finest in the world.
Written by B. Merritt
Dec 1980:
Ten match convention in Tijuana, taken down coming back into San Diego. South county animal shelter confiscated 11 Pitbulls. Long story short, I was an active duty SEAL. I had a pipehitter friend of mine help me go into the SC animal shelter and I got Sorrells' Johnny Walker Red liberated. Gave him back to Bert. He was a 2x winner at this point. From that point on, Bert and I were fast friends. I soon left the SEAL'S and went back home to Fl.
Fast forward to 1988. Mad&Skip were steady doing what dogmen love to do. Breed, handle condition, and, prove the blood that we had. Bert at this time was feeling the heat from the west, and decided to move to Mad&Skips and join forces. Keep in mind Mad&Skip were feeding better than 70 bulldogs, all down from proven stock.
If you look at the Joe Testament dog, Bert actually gifted him to Mad and Skip and he is the father of Uncle Bud . Bert was a great breeder but yes like many others, he did claim some dogs that he shouldn't have. None the Less the man is a Legend . Joe Testiment was a Ch. Uncle Bud was a 1xw, his brother Crazy Horse was a 1xwinner, Johnny Walker Red, now a 4xw. (Got him from back from Bert some year or so after leaving SanDiego) did him 1 more time and now Gr Ch Johnny Walker Red, never got the credit.
Bert and Joanie moved into a yard full of proven dogs. We were no doubt in the fast lane BEFORE Bert ever showed up in Fl. The biggest mistake Mad&Skip made is we trusted Bert too much. I hold no animosity toward Bert, in fact I still talk too him reglarly. I have a high regard for Bert, no doubt a dogman that did his homework. Great respect for him. However, I guess the thing that bothers me the most is from everything behind Joe Testiment, Uncle Bud, Johnny Walker Red, Raisin, Franny, Tex, (Carvers Tex) Little Tex, Little Tee, Crazy Cameo, Crazy Blondie 2, Matty The Mouth, should be showing owned and bred by Mad&Skip. Bert was close to The Greenwoods, and when we had our parting, He changed our name on the peds, and put Sorrells on our dogs. Hey Mad&Skip were too busy doing what dogmen love too do.
You know what? As all things go I'm good with all of it. As I said before I still talk to Bert and call him a friend. He only did what Maurice taught him to do.
Yours in sport,
Mad
Mods,
If you could please delete post # 13, I would appreciate it. It didn't copy over properly.
Bert Sorrells
Bert Sorrells was inducted by the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) into the Dogman Hall of Fame in 1992. He was influential in the formation of the American Dog Breeders Association Conformation and Pedigree Program as it is known today, aiding his close, long-time friend, Ralph Greenwood, in the preservation and protection of the American Pitbull Terrier Dog breed. Bert Sorrells was one of the 1st American Dog Breeders Association judges, and has been judging American Pitbull Terriers around the world ever since. His extensive research and study, along with his hard work, sacrifices, perseverance and dedication to the breed have made him one of the most highly respected authorities of the American Pitbull Terrier of all time. Bert Sorrells hard earned, dug out of the dirt experience and in-depth knowledge have resulted in a family of champion American Pitbull Terriers that have helped to shape the breed throughout the world.
Bert Sorrells came from a family of pioneers. His grandfather moved west in a covered wagon with four pitbulls attached to the corners. His interest and love for the American Pitbull Terrier began at an early age. As Bert Sorrells grew, so did his interest in these noble pitbull dogs. Bert Sorrells has gained much of his knowledge from the pitbull dogs he acquired, from both his and others' successes, and from the "Old Timers". He learned the most from digging it out of the dirt of 45 years of experience in breeding and raising the American Pitbull Terrier.
Of the “Old Timers,” Bert deeply respected and befriended Earl Tudor, whose dog “Tudor*s Goldie,” a proven Champion pitbull producer of old, is the foundation of Sorrells Champion Pitbull Terriers. The Sorrells family of Pitbull Terriers achieved respect and Championships amongst Bert's peers. Among those peers are well respected great dogmen such as Earl Tudor, Ralph Greenwood, whom he also considered a close and respected friend, Bert Clouse, Floyd Boudreaux, Howard Heinzl, Colby, Clyde Mason, Joe Corvino, Al Brown and Maurice Carver to name a few. Throughout his life, Bert Sorrells never met a man that he didn't learn something from, good or bad.
:-bdQuote:
Originally Posted by Osagedogman2015
I am sorry to hear another old timer has left us... Not many left. RIP Bert. Thank you for all you did in these dogs.