Strathaven Collie Kennels

A Blast From The Past

Below are  photo's of some of the Collies I had back in the seventies.  

I have very fond memories of this photo taken at the                                Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.

 It was the Australia Day International Dog Show.

 

 The judge was Mr Rainer Vuorinen (Finland) one of the world's most renowned and respected breed specialist judges.

 

'Tess'  Ch Weemagic Sweet Tess won the Bitch Challenge, Best Of Breed and Opposite Sex In Group - Reserve Challange was won by Ch. Braeden Show Dancer.

 

'Tess' not only a Champion herself but also produced many Champions.

 

 

                 Ch.  Weemagic Sweet Tess

 

At the Caulfield 50th. Anniversary Champ Show 'Tess' at 11 months old won BEST PUPPY in SHOW.

 

 Greg, Debbie and Alinda were very proud of their playmate. Alinda felt so proud that at 'show and tell' at school she told the class that 'Her bitch had won best puppy in show' and the teacher told her off for swearing in class. I did make sure that her teacher apologized to her the next day.  Alinda is the little one at the right of the photo.

 

Tess's pedigree is strongly influenced by Aust. Ch. Shaun of Sandiacre (Imp U.K.)

                 Aust. Ch. Benmore Classic Beau

 

A son of Tess.  

We all just loved Rennie so much, he was such a gentleman in the show ring (and did quite a lot of winning)  The photo below and on the left of page he had just won Best Exhibit In Group.  

At home a wonderful playmate for my children (as seen in the photo below with his best pal Greg).

 I still miss him so much to know him was to love him.

Aust Ch. Benmore Coralee

'Cory'daughter of Tess after winning BEST EXHIBIT  at Geelong A&P Parade.  Collie specialist judge Heather Kuyper & all breeds judge Mr Burnell.

 

 

 

Aust Ch. Benmore Wild Honey

Trixie daughter of 'Tess' had a very illustrious career winning many Best of Breeds and In Group Awards.  She always knew when she won as she carried on like a jumping  jack (Much to the delight of everyone watching.)

She retired to produce many winning off spring.

 

       Benmore Wild Effigy

 

 

Della daughter of Trixie,  grand daughter of Tess. 

Della at just 3 months of age won 2nd place in Baby Puppy Class at the  COLLIE CLUB OF VICTORIA GOLDEN JUBILEE champ Show.

 

 Judge collie specialist Mrs. K. JEFFRIES (U.K.)

 

 

 

                BENMORE VERONICA LAD

 

Son of Tess.  'Pete' was sold as a pet to a wonderful family. I got him back for a couple of shows before they moved. He looked so much like Ch Shaun of Sandiacre (Imp UK).  One of the shows I took him to at the  Melbourne Showgrounds he won Best Opposite Sex in Group and he was badly out of coat at the time.

 

 

 

Aust Ch. Brackenlea Bea Star

'Star' daughter of Tess.  

Photo taken after winning OPPOSITE SEX IN SHOW at Berwich Champ. Show

She also won many IN GROUP and IN SHOW awards.

A very sweet girl and always so willing to please.

Always a 'STAR' even as a puppy.

 

 

'Rennie's son Benjamin winning the SUPREME DOG STAR in VICTORIA. Rennie was greatly sort after to sire puppies for obedience

 

                                     STRATHAVEN had a STRANGE

                                                       beginning

 

     In the 70's I started showing my collies under my BENMORE kennels and after a few years Heather Kuyper from the famous Brackenlea Kennels told me she was leaving the world of show dogs behind and that I was breeding down a similar line to her.  Heather said that if I would continue my breeding under the Brackenlea name she would turn it over to me...if not...she would have the name disbanded.

     This was not an easy decision as I had already bred champions under my Benmore name.  It was such a compliment that someone that knew collies so well was offering me their kennel name...I accepted.  So I ended up breeding collies under Benmore  and then under  Brackenlea.

     I remarried and my wonderful hushand Ian and myself opened up a business and there just wasn't time for showing my beloved collies.

     Years later and now retired I couldn't wait to start showing again, I searched around for quite some time for a collie kennels in Australia that was breeding the type of collies I liked and at the Melbourne show I saw some Mauville collies ( Maureen and I used to show against each other many years earlier) so I purchased a puppy Maurville My Shareen from her.    Shareen has since gained her Aust Ch. title.

      I have now included the wonderful line of STEADWYN COLLIES (Sweden).  I have Aust Ch. Cozim Beauty Walks In - who's father is Aust Ch. Steadwyn Fire Caster (Imp Swe).  As I am typing this I have on order a puppy 'Steadwyn None More Majestic' from Sweden.  

                   I tried to get my Benmore Kennel name to no avail... and also Brackenlea to no avail.

 

                               So Now  STRATHAVEN Has Begun