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A Little About Us
Firstly, let us introduce ourselves....Mick (who shows the Afghans) and Brian (who shows the BRT)
Brian was involved with St.Bernards , both breeding and showing some 25 odd years ago!! and has been back in the show ring since November 2003.
Mick has been involved for a short time with obedience and agility with our Rottweiler, Bandit and Voodoo is his first show dog, entering the show ring for the very first time in August 2004!! We are based in Tamworth, NSW which forms the hub of our dog showing ventures. We are not only involved in Conformation showing, but also in obedience and agility training and trialling. At this stage we are not involved in breeding, but there are plans in the pipeline!
Our 4 current dogs are "Bandit", our 'pet shop' Rottie who trains in obedience and agility and is the cheer squad for the other 3 at shows!..."Hagrid", our Black Russian Terrier, who is a Grand Champion in the show ring and also now trialling in the obedience ring and training in agility, "Voodoo"...AKA "Doooood"...who is also a Grand Champion in the show ring and is training in obedience and agility and our newest addition Carla (co-owned with her breeders Ros & Peter Bacich-Aviva) who has hit the showring with a bang and recently obtained her Australian Champion title!! Our rescue malamute, "Yogi" is now happily retrained and re-homed with his new family after being found in Kurri-Kurri pound after a start in life in an obviously stressful situation!. He spent nearly 4 years with us and has now got over most of his phobias and shares his new life with an aged Staffie bitch...now the love of his life!!
Bandit was purchased on a whim by Mick who saw him in a pet shop on the Gold Coast. He is neutered. of course, and is the sweetest dog ever....well ...until he assumes the role of 'playground bully' with Voodoo...he doesn't tackle Hagrid too often....wisely! Bandit has 2 out of 3 passes towards his Companion Dog Title from limited trialling in Obedience. (Some people know him as the "Rap Dancing Rottie" after some back spins during down stays at a recent trial LOL
Hagrid was bought from his breeder in Qld after we saw a Blackie in the snow at Whistler in Canada whilst on a skiing holiday!! The sight of a mature BRT male with snow as a backdrop was awesome and we just had to have one!! We had no idea what he was but tracked the breed down upon our return to OZ and as fate had it, the mating was just taking place so we were able to jump in line and given 'Pick of the Litter"....being Harry Potter fans, we insisted on his name being registered after the character"Rubeus Hagrid" a teacher at Hogwarts School of Magic....the resemblance with the big beard etc is remarkable!!! LOL...Hagrid is already both a Grand Champion and Multi All Breeds Championship show BEST IN SHOW winner....his show career results to date can be viewed on his profile page. Hagrid was #1 Black Russian Terrier in Australia in 2004 , 2005, 2006 and AGAIN in 2007 from limited showing.* (Dogz Online Point Score) Hagrid was the FIRST and is still the YOUNGEST Grand Champion of his breed. Hagrid qualified for NSW Dog Of The Year in 2005, 2006 and again in 2007. Dogs that qualify for this prestigious must have won All Breeds or Specialty BEST IN SHOW. Quite a remarkable achievement for a dog that is not yet 5 years old.
Voodoo was bought from Ros Bacich of Aust. Gr & Am Can CH Aviva T'All Black (KIWI) fame, the Australian show dog of the year 2004/2005....amongst her many other top winning dogs, including both Voodoo, Carla and Kiwi's dad, Packer (Aust.Gr.Ch. Siestan's Heart T'Beat. imp USA)... after many failed negotiations to purchase an Afghan puppy, we were finally contacted again by Ros with the news that she did have a puppy available , albeit an unusual, rare colour!!!...It was love at first sight and he is now wrested in our care...Voodoo is also both an Australian Grand Champion, a Multi All Breeds BEST IN SHOW winner and Multi Runner Up Best In Show winner.....his show career results can also be viewed on his profile page... Voodoo finished 2005 as the #3 Afghan in Australia (Dogz Online Pointscore) the same year he took Puppy In Group at the prestigious Sydney Royal Easter Show. Voodoo was forced to take a break from the show ring in 2006 and 2007 and spent his time out cheering on his new Afghan Pal "Carla"
NEWS FLASH: Voodoo made an earlier than expected come back to the show ring and won BEST IN GROUP his first show back. Within 12 months of his return to the ring Voodoo recently gained his Australian Grand Champion Title. Finishing with an All Breeds Runner Up Best In Show. Voodoo is the 4th Grand Champion for his sire "Packer"
Go Dood!! We are so proud of you.
Aviva Zampatti ("Carla") is the newest arrival here at Azkaban. A cream bitch also sired by "Packer" the same sire as Voodoo. Carla started her show career picking up a Baby In Group at her second show. Carla has just finished her Australian Championship title at a little under 14 months with many classes in Group and Class in Show to go along with her many CC and BOB points she has gained. She has settled in extremely well here and gets on great with all the boys!! We thank Carla's breeders and co-owners Ros & Peter Bacich , for entrusting us with this beautiful little "Delinquent"
All 4 dogs are the best of friends, except for Bandit on a 'bad' day!! lol...and to date we haven't told Voodoo or Carla that they are Afghans...hence their tiny bit of sanity!! LOL....well sometimes....
They live with us in our house which is attached to our Florist shop, and happily greet customers with the greatest of enthusiasm, and sometimes with the idea that just maybe there is a treat in store!... We show most weekends of the year and do enjoy catching up regularly with our show friends and family from all over the country. Please come up and say "HI" when you see us....
We would also like to thank our many friends who have helped us with grooming, showing, training and presentation....so we could achieve and maintain and improve the standard of our dogs....
*Ros Bacich of Aviva Afghan Kennels (Voodoo's Breeder and Carla's co owner)...
*Lee-Ann & Rob Corbett of Deferlee English Springers (Tamworth)....
*Ian Rasmussen of Ahmadi Salukis...
*Kerry & John MacLean of Top Knot & Tails...
*Lou Hickie of Gengala Afghan Kennels...
*Fiona Dunn of DIGGIT Jack Russell Terriers and Border Collies
*Odette Sweeney of Maranz Black Russian Kennels...(Hagrid's Breeder)
*Brenda Turnbull (Mini Schnauzers)for her invaluable grooming advice...
*Penny & Murray Brooks Lyntree Collies ~ Rough & Bearded
*Simon Briggs...for his handling advice..
*Wayne & John HodariRafiki Ridgebacks who are always supportive of us ...(regardless of us draining their 'MOJO' at shows!! ....LOL (Pvt Joke)
Brian Stevens and Mick Sweeney Tamworth, NSW, Australia Phone : 0428 661 899 Email : azkaban_kennels@yahoo.com.au |
