Famous CH. Green Starr's Colonel Joe
photo by Booth

June 1983 Kennel Review article by Anna Katherine Nicholas

“Colonel Joe’s Family” 

It was while Dr David G. Doane was stationed at the U.S. Navel Academy that the interest in Dalmatians was sparked, which eventually led to the formation of Green Starr Kennels, breeding and ownership of some of the most famous members of this breed, and two very excellent and popular judges in the form of David and his wife Margie Doane who are now devoting their energies and principle dog show interest to the later phase of our sport-with the same type of success that their breeding program and exhibiting activities previously enjoyed. 

David Doane, while in the Naval Academy used to see a Dalmatian being walked each evening on the base and he vowed that someday he would breed and exhibit these lovely animals.   In 1947 he purchased two Dals from a “backyard breeder” in Rhode Island for the sum of $300.00, which at that time was almost a full month’s pay for a young Navy Lieutenant.  The seller had lots of ribbons hanging on his walls, and the purchase was made.  After two years of exhibiting and learning about the breed, the Doanes (Dr. Doane and his former wife, now Mrs. John J. Elliott, Jr.), realized that what they had were actually very ordinary dogs, and so good homes were found to which they were given.

At this period, Dr. Doane had come to know Mrs. Evelyn Walls, a successful breeder from Massachusetts.  From her he acquired Beloved Scotch of the Walls, who was the beginning of Green Starr.  David Doane has always felt that his two years of showing just ordinary dogs in competition was probably one of the greatest assets in helping his development as a breeder and judge.  The proud owners of an instant winner are at an immediate disadvantage.

Beloved Scotch proved to be a great sire.  Used only a few times, in impact on the breed was, and continues to be profound.  Bred to a granddaughter of the magnificent Ch. Reigate Bold Venture (Scotcher being a grandson of this same dog) six champions were produced in the litter, including Ch. Green Starr’s Darling Dotter, who is considered by the Doanes to be the finest Dalmatian ever bred at Green Starr.  Also from this breeding came Champion Green Starr’s Dazzler, a multiple Group winner who placed in the Westminster Group during the early 1950’s; Ch. Green Starr’s Kingpin, a strong stud dog, part of the stud force at William Hibbler’s prominent Williamsview Kennels; Ch. Green Starr’s Dynamite, the grandsire of Ch. Green Starr’s Undergraduate, Westminster winner and top Group contender owned and shown by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Higgins of the Pennydale Kennels; Ch Green Starr’s Masterpiece, the first liver spotted dog bred in this country to get a Best in Show and the first to win this honor more than once.

The Doanes also were active in Irish Terriers, and bred numerous champions including the first Best in Show Irish Terrier Bitch, Ch. Green Starr’s Gold Strike, owned by the late Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Sholes.  It was the late Mrs. Martha Hall who was instrumental in getting the Terrier breeding program underway as part of Green Starr.

During the early 1960’s activities subsided somewhat as Dr. Doane was busy with a full time obstetrical practice as well as trying to raise five children.  He and Margie met at a dog show in 1962 and were soon married.  Plans were made to have just a simple ceremony, but the children took over, changing that by inviting all their teachers, friends, etc., and Leslie, then age 6, announced that she was going to be the flower girl and Steve, then 11, was playing the wedding march, Geoff and Michael were ushers and Eric, then age 8, had the grand title of  “Co-ordinator of the Signals” as everyone had a part in the wedding.  Life at this point centered on 4-H, Scouts, horse shows, goat shows, cow shows, and most of all high school wrestling.  As the children matured, time again became possible for the dogs, with Dr. Doane becoming active in judging and the breeding program continuing with Ch. Green Starr’s Corporal, a grandson of noted Ch. Green Starr’s Masterpiece, producing Ch. Green Starr’s Brass Tacks and outstanding shire who had many Group winning progeny, among them the greatest winning Dalmatian of all time Ch. Green Starr’s Colonel Joe.  It is interesting to note the Colonel Joe, or “Cass” as he is known, is carrying on a family tradition with more than 20 champions to his credit despite having been used only lightly at stud during his show career these including Group Winners, Specialty Winners and s Best in Sow winner.  During Colonel Joe’s career, he was campaigned under the banner of Mrs. Alan Robson and handled by Bobby Barlow. 

At the beginning, Green Starr dogs were shown by Bob Kendrick and later by the late Parker Harris.  Then Steve Shaw took over handling the account until his retirement.  Colonel Joe started his fabulous career handled by Mrs. Jean Lade.

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All the Doane children have been deeply involved showing animals all their lives.  The late Stephen Doane, Medal of Honor recipient, actively showed Dalmatians up until his departure for Viet Nam.  When his personal effects were returned to the family, included in the package were ribbons from his favorite dog shows.  Stephen received the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” following his death at 22 years of age, at Cu Che Vietnam.  Margie Doane says of him “he was a tremendous boy with a great sense of humor, 6’3” and a very powerful young man.  Had he lived he would have enjoyed his children.  All the kids looked up to him.”  Clearly the Doanes have never stopped missing this young man. 

Eric Doane, the youngest son, following his graduation from West Point has matriculated to medical school and is presently active in showing in the mid-west.  Leslie, the youngest child and only Doane daughter has finished one champion, Ch. Green Starr’s Gentle Anne.  She and Eric plan to continue the Green Starr breeding program. 

When the Doane family went to the White house to receive Steve’s Medal of Honor posthumously, Dr. Doane, who had been sworn into the Army Reserve by Steve, requested an appointment to active duty from the Surgeon General of the Army, which was approved.  He served at the Ft. Monmouth Hospital by as Chief of Professional Services for one year then was appointed Consultant to the Surgeon General in the new field of Family Practice in the Army as well as obstetrician who delivered it”.  Following a tour of four years at the Surgeon General’s office in Washington, Col. Doane was Commander of Dewitt Army Hospital at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.  Upon his retirement from the Army this past summer he was awarded the highest peacetime military award, Distinguished Service Medal.  At the present time he is pursuing a new endeavor as Professor and Chairman, Department of Family Medicine, East Tennessee College of Medicine. 

Now that David has more free time than formerly, he and Margie are enabled to continue their judging, breeding and some limited showing.  Margie judges the Non Sporting Group; David judges Terriers, Toys, and Non Sporting.  Both have judged extensively in the United States as well as in Mexico, Canada, and Brazil.  Both Doanes agree basically on their value system and look for the same attributes in their puppies- although according to Leslie and Eric, there are times when “Mom and Dad don’t agree on that dog.”  They place heavy emphasis on temperament, breed type, and soundness- in that order.  They especially recognize that type is the single discrimination separating one breed of dog from another and should be highly rewarded. 

Margie Doane’s special favorite among the Dals was Ch. Green Starr’s Emira whom she helped develop and campaigned prior to her being finished by the late Parker Harris.  While youngsters were growing, Margie helped towards their education by working as a legal secretary.  She is also interested in and has a special flair for interior decoration. She is well known as a friendly, vivacious and willing leader in community affairs.  She has been active as a 4-H leader for many years teaching equitation, and when no one could be found to continue her daughter’s Little Homemakers Cooking Club, assumed that task. 

The Doane’s were Sunday School Teachers while the children were growing up and Dr. Doane was Chairman of the Prudential Board of the First Congregational Church in Walton, New Your, when the Church was without a minister for a year.  During this time the Doanes managed all facets of running a large and active church. 

The entire Doane Family is very interested in skiing and in music.  Leslie, Eric, and Dr. Doane were violinists with the Oneonta Symphony for the years the children were in high school, and Dr Doane was a member of the New Jersey State Symphony while on active duty at Ft. Monmouth. 

Dr. Doane is also and avid jogger, having finished seven marathons, one with his son Eric.  Margie’s duties at the marathons consist of being head cheerleader and supplier of the orange juice. 

Now that the Doanes have embarked on a new career in Tennessee, there hopefully will be time for all the books in the library, as well as for the joy of playing with grandchildren and, of course, the ever-continuing interest in dog shows.  

Since his retirement from the ring, Colonel Joe is at home with the Doanes and enjoying life, to quote Margie, as “a farm dog”. The latter seems to agree with him, for in July he came out of retirement to attend the National specialty in the Veteran’s Class, from where he won, with ease, Best In Show, setting a new record as the only dog to ever to have won the Dalmatian National on four occasions.

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