Mollie and
Jack Harmsworth brought Tarquin with them from England. He was many
times Best of Breed, Best of Group, Second and Best in Shows in all
breeds shows, and incountable times Best in Show at breed shows. In 1978
in the Ranking of the Federación Cinológica Argentina he got the first
place in the Terrier Group, and was third Best Dog of the Year of all
breeds. He retired from show rings in 1979, winning Best in Show at a
breed show.
He was an excellent stud dog, he produced outstanding offspring for
three countries: Argentina, England and the United States. His son
Bengal Turith Comet, in turn, proved his qualities as a stud, as his
descendants are even today the best Airedales in the United States.
After his death, I wrote an article that was published in the Year Book
1993 of the National Airedale Terrier Association, which reads as
follows:
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GOODBYE MY FRIEND
A tribute to
Ch.Bengal Tarquin
Everything happened when
my companion died. He was a poodle who arrived at our home one Christmas
eve and stayed until he died. It was then when I made up my mind to
replace love by honour, yes all the love I felt for my dead companion
had to be replaced by the honour of having a show dog. That is when I
spoke to the Airedale Terrier breeder I trusted most and that had the
best quality dogs. When I bought my first Airedale Terrier from her I
gained a friend who was going to introduce me in the difficult art of
dog breeding, Mrs Gabastou. From then on my desire to improve my litters
increased, also my wish of importing a top stud dog. In England I
contacted Mrs. Holland of Tanworth and Mr. and Mrs. Harmswoth of Bengal.
After receiving their letters I knew that my dream would come true when
my choice fell on Eng.Ch.Bengal Tarquin (his pet name was Tack). After
all the paperwork, the great day arrived. Tarquin was flying to
Argentina, all the Airedale Terrier fanciers were waiting for him
together with his breeders Jack and Mollie Harmsworth. Can I describe
all my feeling when I first saw him? No, it is impossible. There at that
very moment the most lovely friendship between man and dog began to grow.
Night and days, many moments and trips shared, a succession of wins the
show ring, until he was 3rd dog in the ranking of the Federation
Cinologica Argentina of all breeds. At home how many litters of
beautiful puppies he gave me, how much gratitude was in his eyes for all
the love I gave him! How happy he was every time I showed him my
friendship. Years went by, not many, but very closely shared. Then a new
stud dog was acquired, Pickle, but Tack went on being a sultan in his
small realm, my great friend in the dog world. One morning without a
sign that would suggest what was going to happen, Tack was sleeping his
dream from which one never returns. In my deepest sorrow I still have
the consolation that if there is a heaven for dogs, there will be Tack
with his sparkling eyes and his wagging tail, saying, "thank you my
friend for your friendship" and I will be here answering "thank you my
friend for your tenderness, for all the satisfaction, for all the sons
and grandsons that you gave me. Goodbye my friend.
Julio Maria De Cristofaro |