When I moved to Melbourne after I married I ended up with a few different cross breeds until one day I aquired a Rough Collie as her owner was moving back to England.
Her name was Lassie. Then in 1973 I had to move back to Sydney and had to part with my beloved friends and placed them in loving homes. I miss them very much, but it was not until July 1980 that my Mum said I could get a dog, as long as it was like Lassie, seeing that she had just watched "Lassie Come Home" on TV.
So my search began for a Show quality Collie bitch. I finally came across an 11 month old sable and white girl called Cassie. I purchased her from a reputable breeder. Her show name was Clanbrown Spun Gold.
I entered in 3 show's but we did no good. I felt this was not for me so I set my sights to the world of obedience. When I thought she was ready for trialling, I gave it a go. It took us 44 trials in Novice Level to gain her title of Companion Dog. I trained her for the next level of CDX but we didnt do very well at that.
I then went into Shelties as they are affectionately known. I got my first one in May 1985.
I called her Amber. She attained her title of Australian Champion and CDX in the ring. She also had a go at agility but had to retire after and ingury to her rear leg.
At a Penrith Show back in 1986, I stopped and asked a couple what type of dog they had, they told me it was a Bearded Collie. The more I asked them about the breed the more I thought that would be the next breed I would get.
I waited for a litter from these people and in October 1987, I was informed the litter had arrived. Of course I couldnt wait the 8 weeks to go before my Skye, came home. There we started and 14 years down the track we are still showing and breeding Beardies, and hope we will be able to keep doing this for some time to come yet.
I have bred 3 Champions from my first litter, 2 Grand Champions from my 2nd litter and
1 Champion from my 3rd litter to date.
Filial Kennels have been showing and breeding since 1980.
pictured here at 6 years old
