Bill, Gay and Wendy with Tan Man

BeGay, the prefix of the Ernsts, has contributed and worked with each Cocker variety and has made champions in Cockers of every recognized color. It is the only kennel to have done so in the history of the breed. The important thing to remember about the entire BeGay effort with Cockers is that they have always placed a premium on the overall Cocker. The BeGay Cockers have first and foremost been bred for disposition and most of them, from the very inception of the program, have gone into homes as beloved companions. This was not a story based only on a dream, but it was also based on the dream of a young couple who were willing to sacrifice and labor to make their dream come true. Gay and Bill met as teenagers at the Canine College in New York City, where they both trained their dogs. Gay had her first Cocker at the time and Bill had his first dog--a mixed black and tan coonhound. In time the young couple married and started BeGay Kennels in their New York apartment. Their first bitch Cocker bitch was Penrock's Pepper Pot by Ch.Shirwill-Joy Pat Still Shines II from the last litter bred by the Louis Hausemans of the famous Penrock Kennels. From "Pepper" have descended all of the BeGay solids including most of the browns. The Ernsts owned and operated a popular dog grooming shop on East 83rd Street in Manhattan called The Dapper Dog Den. Their apartment was across the street; it had a garden for the dogs exercise. In those days (early '60s) Gay and Bill had their first Cockers, including an English Cocker, plus a lovable Doberman named "Andy". When daughters Wendy and Jennifer came along--to put it mildly--the New York apartment was full of life. BeGay puppies had the ultimate in socialization. This was before the days that handling classes were prevalent but the BeGay puppies had little need of them as they socialized in the grooming shop and took their exercise across town in Central Park as did all the BeGay dogs. Bill would train his dogs on East 83rd Street.

Lloyd: "During the height of Tan Man's show days we were visiting Bill one summer evening at his shop. 'Our Father' (Bill's affectionate call name for Tan Man) was there as well. Without pausing for a breath during his usual nonstop conversation, Bill casually let Tan Man out of the shop. The dog immediately ran into the street dodging the moving vehicles and running in and around parked cars. Short of fainting dead away, I was somewhat relieved to see Bill call Tan Man to his side and then proceed to gait him up and down the busy street--without a lead! Bill never doubted Tan Man's response to his training and the dog never let him down.

Gay and Bill were soon overrun by puppies, kids, guinea pigs and assorted other four-legged impedimenta plus many requests from their grooming clients to board their dogs. The solution was a move to New Milford, Connecticut. There with proper kennel facilities, BeGay flourished and grew and Bill began his short but very successful career as a professional handler. Gay stayed at home much of the time overseeing the girls and later their son Tom, as well as all the BeGay dogs the clients' dogs and the dogs boarding in the kennel--plus a large and growing assortment of other pets including a goat and a donkey.

Tragically Bill died at age 37, and Gay had to continue with the dogs alone. The parti-colors always remained an integral part of the life of BeGay kennels, but in the latter part of the BeGay story they were utilized mainly in the brown and white and sable and white breedings. The good qualities that always marked the BeGay partis are still evident in the line and, if you look at pedigrees, the BeGay influence is very strong in most of the worthy partis being shown all over the world. Gay Ernst is to be greatly commended for having preserved with the BeGay dogs for so long. Among other kennels, BeGay is also credited for the dramatic improvement of Cockers in the lesser known hues.

Excerpts taken from The World Of The Cocker Spaniel by Bill Gorodner and Lloyd Alton