I grew up in New Zealand and, as a child, was given my first dog, a Cocker Spaniel, at the age of 7.  He was followed by a lovable crossbreed and it wasn’t until I moved to Australia that I purchased my first registered dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. I bred my first litter under the “Ingwe” prefix in 1979, using a recent Import from the UK, and entered the Show ring with a bitch from that litter.  She obtained her Australian Champion title  (as did her litter sister) and I was hooked !

Since then I have bred many Champions, have sent dogs to NZ, Singapore, Hawaii & Dubai and have imported semen from Scotland (in conjunction with Graeme & Lesley Fairhall – Mzilakazi).

I consider it important to attend  the Rhodesian Ridgeback Specialty Shows and have entered Specialty Shows in my own State of Victoria, as well as New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia where my dogs have regularly won or been placed in their breed classes.  My dogs have also won Best Gaited, Best Headed, Best Ridge and Sire & Progeny at Specialties and Nationals.

I have had success at the Royal Melbourne Show winning Best of Breed and Runner Up Best of Breed on a number of occasions.

In 2010, after a lot of research, a Whippet joined the household and I look forward to expanding my knowledge about this delightful breed.

I joined the local All Breeds Kennel Club in 1979, holding the positions of either President, Treasurer or Show Secretary .  At present I am Secretary of both Sale/Maffra & Macalister Kennel Clubs.

In 2010 I entered the Trainee Program for Group 4 and during that year, judged the RR Club (Vic) Members competition. In early 2011, I judged Hounds at the Pet Expo Open Show. I obtained my licence to judge Hounds, at Championship level,  in October 2011 and in 2012 I became a trainee for Group 3.

In September 2012, I judged Hounds (less Deerhounds, Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Salukis & Whippets) at the ACT Hound Club Championship Show plus General Specials

My first judging appointment in Victoria  was at the prestigious “Classic Dog Show”, February 2013.  I received an entry of 104 Hounds and was thrilled to see my Best in Group winner go through to win Best in Show, followed by my Junior going through to Junior in Show.

I have also been contracted to judge the West Australian Rhodesian Ridgeback Championship Show in May, 2013.