CKC Judge, 3 1/2 Groups, AKC Judge
My first Sam came to me in 1976, as a gift from a friend. I acquired my first registered Samoyed in 1978, from Don and Jorie Reed (Samodey) and with their encouragement, I attended my first dog show that same year. That first bit of satin ribbon hooked me! Later on, through my first litter, I also met my husband Paul, when he contacted me to replace his previous dog.
Since then, we have bred some 75 Champion Samoyeds to date, mostly owner-handled, and had two Champion Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Along the way, I finished a CDX on my first Sam, and CD titles on a number of others. I have worked my Sams from time to time in harness, and in herding. In the past, I have also handled a number of other breeds, including the Siberian Husky, Rough Collie, Bearded Collie, Belgian Sheepdog, Cardigan Corgi, and Norwegian Elkhound.
I judged my first Sanction match in 1986, and first all-breed Sweepstakes in 1988. While working towards my judging licence, I judged at many matches, and other all-breed sweepstakes, and did Specialty sweepstakes for Samoyeds, Boxers, Bullmastiffs, Mastiffs, Akitas, Siberian Huskies, Shiba Inu, Standard Schnauzer and Toy specialties.
In May 2007, I was granted my initial conformation permit for ½ the working group, and am now licensed for all of Group 3 (Working breeds), Group 7 (Herding breeds), and Group1 (Sporting breeds), and I am now on permit for half of Group 5 – the Toy breeds.
I retired from the Provincial Government in 2006, after working there for 30 years.
My other hobbies include gardening and growing orchids.