I have been involved in the sport of dogs since 1969 when I got my first Samoyed.  She was a lovely dog and was to become the first Samoyed bitch to achieve an Obedience Trial Championship in Canada.  I had a number of Samoyeds, some very good American imports and they were all shown to conformation and obedience titles.  One was the top winning obedience Samoyed in Canada.  My Labradors were also exhibited in conformation and obedience and I had several fine Champions as well as one Obedience Trial Champion.

In 1990 , when we were living in the British Virgin Islands, I met and  fell in love with the Portuguese Water Dog.  Since then, I have been very active in the breed  serving on the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of British Columbia and the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada.  This year I am Past President of the PWDCBC and Secretary of the PWDCC.  I have been a member of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America since 1992 and a member of the Canadian Kennel Club for more years than I can remember.  I am a member of the Lowchen Club of Canada and have been the B.C. director.  In 2002 I co-chaired the LCC National Specialty Show.  I am a member of the Tyee Kennel Club,  the Cowichan Dog Obedience Training Club,  the Vancouver Island Dog Judges Study Group and was a founding member of Discover Dogs Vancouver Island.

In 2000 I had the privilege of chairing the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada’s First National Specialty Show which drew an entry of over 80 dogs from Canada and the USA.  I have shown 7 of my PWDs to their Championships and have bred 9 litters of Portuguese Water Dogs and 3 litters of Lowchens.  Four of my home bred PWD were shown and all finished their Championships with wins at large shows. My stud dog “Am Can Ch Echobay’s Samador Makin’ Music” (Mozart) was the top male PWD in Canada in 2001 and is well in the lead for top PWD in 2003.  He has over 25 Group placements.

In 1999 I acquired my first two Lowchen and showed both to their  championships.  I was fortunate to acquire my third, an American Champion, and have bred three litter of pups from him.  Two of these pups are being shown in the USA and another has finished his Canadian Championship.

I only breed a litter or two a year and  don’t advertise except for my web site.  My pups are raised in the house under foot and generally sold on non-breeding contracts.  Not many of my pups are seen in the show ring as I do not look for show homes for them.  If their families wish to show or compete in other events I am delighted, but that is not my primary goal.

I am actively pursuing my credentials to judge and each year I have been invited to judge numerous sweepstakes and sanction matches.  Becoming  a judge is a very long process and I am looking forward to eventually achieving this goal.

I believe each little puppy is a precious treasure to be carefully nurtured and cherished.  I try to follow my pups for their entire lives to make sure they are always safe, secure and loved.