Oh, You Great Big Beautiful Doll
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By Carina Elgin
ne recent day, Doll romped in a tufted, grassy field, then plunged dramatically into the cool, dark water of a nearby pond. With a roll and several vigorous shakes, she returned to her owner, Diane Casey, showing the enthusiasm for life so characteristic of Golden Retrievers. Just a week earlier, Casey had watched nervously from the top of the metal stands at New York’s Pier 94, as “GCHB CH Casey’s All Dolled Up” competed with 47 of the country’s best Goldens as part of the iconic Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo courtesy of Diane Casey Many will recall “Daniel,” the No. 1 Golden Doll prepping at who won the Sporting Group in February Westminster 2020 to qualify with six others for Best in Show at Madison Square Garden. And, “Doll” was named “Select Bitch,” an enormous honor for a farm dog from Marshall, Virginia. And, she has the honor of being presented in the top twenty at the Golden Retrievers National Show this fall. Casey began breeding Goldens in 1990. She and her husband, Maurice, a wellregarded large animal veterinarian in Northern Fauquier County, owned a small animal veterinary clinic in Tallahassee, Florida. “Having dealt with a great variety of dog breeds through the clinic, the Goldens impressed me with their great dispositions,” Casey said. “Goldens are safe around children and other pets, easy to train, great companions and smart.” In 1995, the Caseys moved to their farm outside Marshall, operating Casey Veterinary Services together. While her husband breeds Thoroughbred race horses, Diane likes to ride, fox hunt and breed show dogs. Now that their three children are grown, Casey particularly enjoys the company of her dogs at home. While she didn’t originally have the goal of showing at the top levels when she started breeding, she said, “it sort of evolved as the girls were successful in the ring. “I really want to breed the best dog I can: health, disposition and structure. Breeders present what they have bred at the shows, and by attending, we can evaluate and plan future breedings. The goal is always to meet breed standards and breed the best dog we can, but it’s also a lot of fun.” Judging from the dogs Casey has bred, she has an impressive record with multiple champions and grand champions. Casey usually keeps the “pick of the litter” puppy, then shows that dog, gets all health clearances and eventually breeds her. Having raised several generations of her own dogs, she has confidence in their dispositions and health. Casey’s Barbee and her daughter, Doll (Casey’s All Dolled Up), are the best known. Both qualified and showed at Westminster. When Doll is competing, she stays with her handler, Kristin Lyons, in a motor home, travelling to shows every weekend. Casey goes to the bigger shows to watch, trying not to distract Doll by staying out of her dog’s sight/sound/smell range until the classes are over. Doll is home in Marshall most of the time, including right before Westminster. Quite the professional, she got a little time off to perfect her beautiful golden coat, after all that running, swimming and rolling on the farm. Will-o-Bee Mine seems to be Casey’s next rising star, following a win in a fivepoint major in Tennessee. Casey flew to Louisville to watch her compete, and “to check out potential breeding boys.” Though more Casey puppies are being planned, the waiting list is long for those interested in acquiring one. Not all the puppies end up in the show ring. Some have become therapy or service dogs, others have excelled at agility or hunting trials. One thing is certain—all her Goldens are beloved family members. Just ask Doll as she rockets across the field after a well-chewed tennis ball.
Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2020
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