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The Greatest Canadian
By: Henry Zelasko
By: Henry Zelasko
The Canadian Show Roller has defied all odds and is the undisputed Greatest Canadian (next to Don Cherry). Being born in this country and raising a truly native variety leaves me with a great feeling of patriotism. The Canadian Show Rollers’ early beginning and success was due to the fact that the pioneers of this world-recognized breed had the good fortune of having devoted hobbyists and well-respected people like the Late Ron Haddleton and Bob Wilson devote many years of combined knowledge to perfect the bird. The Late Ron Haddleton and Bob Wilson are undisputed heavy weight champions in the pigeon circles. The Canadian Show Roller is a breed of bird that is not often associated with the trend of breed that is in fashion today. Matter of fact, it is the only Canadian Breed to be published in the new National Pigeon Association book on the Breeds of North America – Pigeons of North America in the 21st Century. The fact that the Show Roller has had a Standard of Perfection since 1963 speaks for itself. Yes, the Canadian Show Roller has had many up and downs in its past but has survived unscathed and remained unmistakably Canadian.
This brings me to the controversy of the introduction of American Show Rollers. The Canadian Show Roller has taken some unnecessary criticism over its development. The people that have viewed their opinions on this matter, never kept GOOD Canadian Show Rollers. They made their comments on culls that were discarded by the serious breeders. When The American Show Roller was introduced to the Canadian Strain it was done so to strengthen the gene pool. Our birds were becoming so close that dominant faults were hard to eliminate and birds became physically weak; so out crosses were needed. The top Canadian Show Roller men, at the time, selectively took American birds that were culls in the U.S. and fit our bird’s criteria and introduced them. Any birds resembling the U.S. birds were not used, but as everyone knows that’s where the problem developed. Most of the offsprings helped dilute the gene pool and made our birds physically stronger and attractive but a small percentage had U.S. type bird throwbacks. These throwbacks were discarded and people not in the know were misled. This misunderstanding could happen to any breed so this is why I personally recommend that anyone keeping a specialty breed join the appropriate specialty club to get the Real Goods on the Breed. The Canadian Show Roller Club is a only pigeon Club that specializes ONLY in Canadian Show Rollers. The Canadian Show Roller has never been crossed with anything other than a PURE Bred Roller. It’s the only Canadian Breed, which has been developed from pure, and is not a hybrid of two types non-related breeds.
The Amazing thing about the Canadian Show Roller is the fact that it is so well loved across this beautiful country. I recently judged an all breed show in Nova Scotia and found that the enthusiasm for the bird rivals Central Canada. The entries took up almost half the show with some excellent quality. Experience and knowledge of people like Aubry Simm are able to guide the Show Roller community in the region. In the West Coast the bird has caught on too. Many birds have also gone west, to Vancouver and Kamloops, over the years. There is a constant demand for birds all over the country. As well, I know of many breeders in the U.S.A. There are plans to introduce the Canadian Show Roller to Europe and the Middle East, if they are not already there without my knowledge. I have received inquiries from all over the world. This is a testament to its popularity, resilience and good fortune.
I was recently looking over some 25-year-old copies of The Feather Fancier and I see little change in the bird’s station and shape. Yes, the bird appears larger, but the Standard goes unaltered.
So next time you decide to try another breed give the Canadian Show Roller a chance, these hardy and alert birds are prolific breeders and are available in all colours and patterns. You will not be disappointed.
Canadian Show Roller Club
To preserve the look and the type of the Canadian Show Roller pigeon. CHAMPION CANADIAN SHOW ROLLER WOODSTOCK
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Email:hzee2789@gmail.com