Stratford's OBERON

Now unitl the break of day

Through this house each fairy stay

To the best bride bed will we

Which by us shall blessed be

And the issue there create

Ever shall be fortunate.

But room fairy - here comes Oberon.

- A Midsummer Night's Dream Act V.ii

5 weeks old

Oberon's Stats:

OFA Certification: Will be done when he is TWO

Weight ( Vet Scale ):

Height ( At Shoulder ):

Neck Size :

Length ( from top of breast bone / under front leg / to base of tail on back) :

Birthdate: May 17, 2007

Oberon at 9 months.

Stratford is a relatively young kennel, as I have said before. We now have seven dogs ( five of which are AKC registered Alaskan Malamutes), and we have started to develop a reputation for solid, wonderful puppies. In the life of every kennel, there has to come a time when you start to build up a new generation - the first of this rebuilding is STRATFORD'S OBERON. With our first stud male (TIMBER) as his sire and our first Malamute ever (OPHELIA) as his dam - he is the first puppy that we have bred, raised, and kept. He is the finest example of what we have to offer, and he is the shining example of where we are headed in the future. With both of his parents at five years old - Oberon will be coming into his own when they are both preparing to advance into retirement. We have high hopes for this wonderfully promising dog named after the fabled Fairy King from one of Shakespeare's most inviting comedies. As his quote shows above - Oberon was the fertility God of Fairy myth, and his quote above is a blessing on all of the products of a given house. We can't wait to see what fine puppies he will sire into the world. "And the issue there create ever shall be fortunate" - indeed.

10 weeks old

OBERON was born on May 17th, 2007. His sire (TIMBER) is an accomplished wheel dog on my sled and an even more accomplished weight pull dog - his record pull to date being 1,750 pounds. His dam (OPHELIA) has also not only raced, but won the White Mountain Winter Games weight pull in the winter of 2007. She only pulled 900 pounds, but with an uphill pulling surface, and no carpet to cover the naked asphalt, this was quite an accomplishment. Ophelia's sire was LAMBRO ELLAS who besides being stunningly beautiful, is also well over 160 pounds. Ophelia also boasts heritage from the weight pull powerhouse kennel of CASCADE, out of Washington State. With Timber's goregous mahogony red background, and Ophelia's size and distinction in hers, OBERON does indeed hold much promise.

4 weeks old

Oberon is the largest of our Summer 2007 litter of ten. He was the largest from the get-go. He also sports an amazingly thick coat, which looks to be just as long and thick as Timber's (maybe more so) - time will tell. Ophelia and Timber have thrown 95% black and white pups, but Oberon does indeed look like he will hold his charcoal - gray / seal coat. He has enormous paws and a very stout and sturdy head. His facial markings are distinctive, and his gaze intense - but friendly. We think he will be well on his way to 130 pounds at a year. We are very excited to see Oberon's puppies both from Desdemona and Juliet. The color combinations and temperment combinations promise to create incredibly wonderful dogs. We will have to wait and see, but the expectations are high - which will make the patience required for the next two years be difficult to exercise.

For more information on Oberon's development - see THE PUPPY DIARIES !