Articles Index, In Memoriam, People
Posted 08/20/01
Marjorie Bunting who bred Norwich and Norfolk Terriers for nearly 60 years has died in her native England. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Hugh, and is survived by her daughter, Leslie Crawley.
Mrs. Bunting's famed Ragus prefix figures prominently in the pedigrees of most modern-day Norwich and Norfolk and also had considerable influence on the Elve dogs bred by the late Michael Crawley, Mrs. Bunting's son-in-law.
Founded in the 1940's, Ragus produced at least 80 UK champions among them such famous Norfolks as Ch. Ragus Whipcord (the first black and tan Norfolk Champion), Ch. Ragus Blacksmith, Ch. Ragus Brown Sugar, and Ch. Ragus Blue Boy who won a remarkable 10 CC's while still a puppy. Mrs. Bunting also bred the Norfolk Ragus Sir Bear who was the first black and tan CC winner in England; great Norwich stud dog, Ch. Ragus Golden Chip, and the first English Norwich BIS winner, Ch. Ragus Gypsy Love.
In America, Ragus Jimmy Joe finished his championship and produced champion sons, Ch. Bethway's Pound and Ch. Bethway's Pence for Bobby Fournier. Jimmy Joe was followed by other Ragus representatives that had great influence on Bethway, Wendover and other American Norfolk (then Norwich DE) bloodlines.
Mrs. Bunting also bred Champion Border Terriers, she was a judge of considerable note, for many years wrote breed columns in the English publication Dog World, and was author of Norwich Terrier which was published in 1983.
Together with her daughter, Leslie Crawley, Marjorie Bunting had lasting influence on both Norwich and Norfolk Terriers. She was remembered in Dog World by many people who knew her well and who respected her forthright, no-nonsense attitude. Among them was Martin Phillips whose Jaeva Norfolk and Norwich are familiar to many, "Marjorie stood up for the ordinary exhibitor and people would know and remember her for not being afraid to speak her mind. She had a great sense of humor, but you had to know Marjorie to appreciate this; she came across as a very stern woman. Anybody who knew her well would understand that this was a front; Marjorie was a kind person and generous with her wealth of knowledge to anyone who was sincere about the breeds."
Elisabeth Matell (Cracknor Norfolks) added, " 'What you see is what you get' was very much Marjorie. No airs and graces, just straightforward and upfront. If you asked her opinion she gave it to you honestly, without frills. If it was a bitter pill it was not followed by a polite spoonful of sugar ... Goodbye Marjorie – the Norfolk scene will be more boring without you."
(Credit to The Norfolk Terrier by Joan R. Read and Dog World, March 30, 2001)
ANTIC, June, 2001
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