The ``Dolle``
The “Dolle” is the most famous Jan Aarden pigeon of all times. Thanks to its outstanding performance and particular stock value the “Dolle” had become the best long-distance pigeon in the world. It may no doubt be looked upon as the bird that stood at the basis of the Jan Aarden strain of the 1970’s and 1980’s. The number of proven aces with “Dolle” blood running through their veins is tremendous by now.
The “Dolle” died in 1985 – eighteen years of age – at the Van Geel loft. It was a typical Jan Aarden pigeon with beautiful chestnut-brown eyes and silksoft feathers; characteristics which were passed on by the bird to its offspring.
In 1975 the “Dolle” was transferred to the stock loft and destined to stay there. Meanwhile it had won a car for its owner and built up an impressive roll of honour. During its career the “Dolle” was basketed 17 times and consequently won 17 prizes in long-distance races.
The most important results of the “Dolle” are:
| 1st Provincial St. Vincent | 1.684 pigeons | 980 km |
| 3rd National St. Vincent | 6.844 pigeons | 980 km |
| 1st Provincial Dax | 1.032 pigeons | 970 km |
| 3rd National Dax | 3.649 pigeons | 970 km |
| 9th Provincial Limoges | 1.610 pigeons | 650 km |
| 12th National St. Vincent | 6.917 pigeons | 980 km |
| 20th Provincial Chateauroux | 2.176 pigeons | 580 km |
| 22nd Provincial Chateauroux | 2.425 pigeons | 580 km |
| 39th Provincial Moulins | 5.146 pigeons | 590 km |
| 59th Provincial Moulins | 4.612 pigeons | 590 km |
| 66th National Dax | 3.561 pigeons | 970 km |
The “Dolle” was bred out of two pure Jan Aarden pigeons via Ligtenberg and Van Agtmaal, both from Steenbergen.
The father of the “Dollle” was H61-145676, named the “Ligtenberg”.
The pedigree of the “Ligtenberg” has never been completely traced. It is certain however, that this superior cock was bred out of two pure Jan Aarden pigeons of Toon Ligtenberg, the man who was a friend of Jan Aarden’s and who could get what he wanted out of the latter’s best pigeons. The “Ligtenberg” was a bird of the same superior class as the “Dolle”.
The mother of the “Dolle” was H63-306428, named “Moeder Dolle”.
She was a rare nice hen with dark violet-coloured eyes. She was bred out of the best of Van Agtmaal and is closely related to the worldfamous “500”.
A better long-distance pigeon as the “Dolle” never existed. On many champion lofts this magic bird was at the basis and still guarantees major performances in international pigeon sport.
