Mr. Robert Burns

We are honored to present the legacy of Mr. Robert Burns the founder of the Patterdale Terrier Club of America and a true pioneer in the world of terriers. With a lifelong dedication to the breed, Mr. Burns has played a crucial role in preserving the history and lineage of Patterdale Terriers in the United States. His unwavering commitment to the breed and meticulous record-keeping have established the PTCA as the leading authority on Patterdale Terriers. Join us as we explore Robert's incredible journey and the profound impact he has had on the terrier community. Robert Burns has been immersed in the world of terriers for as long as he can remember, with his journey beginning at the age of eight when his best friend was a Wire-Haired Fox Terrier named "Whiskers." Over the course of 27 years, Mr. Burns showed terriers in the AKC Show Ring before expanding his expertise into judging, training, and writing for various dog magazines. His discovery of Jack Russell Terriers ignited a passion for the hunting and working aspects of the breed, prompting him to dive in with full commitment. While working with Russells, Robert encountered Patterdales and became intrigued by the breed, despite having many unanswered questions about them.

In 1985, Robert traveled to England to witness traditional terrier work where it all began. It was there that he saw Patterdales in action and learned from a respected terrierman about the challenges facing the breed, particularly the lack of formal record-keeping, with most records being kept only by memory. This issue resonated with Robert, aligning perfectly with his meticulous nature. Upon returning to the U.S., Robert contacted 11 known Patterdale owners, receiving responses from five. This marked the beginning of his extensive efforts to document and preserve information about the breed, drawing inspiration from the writings of D. Brian Plummer on Fell/Patterdales.

Robert initially found a software program for tracking dog pedigrees, though he quickly realized it could only handle about 1,000 entries—a limitation he would soon surpass. Over the years, Robert had to purchase the same software three times due to technical challenges, including a catastrophic electrical storm in 2016 that destroyed his database, despite the use of a surge protector. Undeterred, Robert painstakingly re-entered every pedigree by hand using a software from England.

Through it all, Robert has remained dedicated to rebuilding pedigrees and faithfully recording the existence of Patterdales, even when dogs were not formally registered. His meticulous record-keeping ensured that these dogs' names continue to surface in future generations, preserving the legacy of the breed. Furthermore, his passion, commitment, and investments have given the American Patterdale Terrier community a club that they respect and love to call their own. Thank you Mr. Burns!