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About Me.......
I started my love of dogs (thanks to my mum) from a very early age spending every school holiday at a show kennel in Gloucestershire owned by the Late Mr and Mrs Stan and Lena Elliott (affix Gruline). Photo above taken in 1978 with Buttons and Bubbles both who I showed. I think that being dragged around every open and championship show from 1974 helped kick start my passion for showing (thanks again Mum) ......Also I assisted Jeff and the Late Jane Luscott at their Boarding / Show Kennels just outside of Cheltenham, I guess it was a dog's life for me.....
Gruline was the first UK home of the American type Tervuerens. The love of handling for me began here.
I went on as a junior handler to successfully handle the following breeds.
- Belgium Shepherd Dog - Tervuerens
- Saint Bernards
- Pyrenean Mountain Dogs
- Irish Setters
- Cocker Spaniels
- Greyhounds
- German Shepherd Dogs
- Great Danes
Apart from the cocker spaniels, my love was mainly of large breeds, predomiently pastoral, I adore their guarding, shepherding instints, along with their love of companionship and loyalty.
I qualified dozens of times for the JHA finals in Richmond getting shortlisted on two occasions. Back then, I remember I wanted to own an old english sheepdog with a tail, but at the time (1990!) this was unheard of and I was thrust in the direction of ....'the Briard'..... this remarkable breed seemed to be everything I was seeking, so I went to watch them, when ever I could at shows, in 1996 I put my name down for a pup, but at the time it was not meant to be, so I shared my home with Midi my first Great Dane (Pennerdane Plain Jane) and a loving sole mate... rehomed from Pat Patch in Bristol, she was inspirational, a truely gentle giant, a steadfast companion and friend to my first son, Luke. Midi was joined by Max, (Liebaross Mighty Zeus) our GSD, they were inseperable. Sadly Midi passed away in 2004, and is still sorely missed. Max sadly passed away in September 2009
My first briard joined us later in 2004. We knew that following in Midi's footsteps was going to be difficult for any dog, but for Madison, well what can I say, she is Midi 'with a long coat', the most loving, sincere, wonderful friend, I could ever of hoped for, with the most amasing eyes. She is the best dog in the world for her loyalty and love, she is second to none. She became the foundation bitch for my future, as I have come to love this breed so much I can never divert from it. This is the only breed I could ever imagine living with and I do not say that lightly. We have Madison's daughter Ruby (Crakebrie Country Rebel) living with us too, along with a number of others that come and go, especially Archie (Arundall HRH Mr Tumnus) and Daisy (Crakebrie Dancing Daisy) both who live along the lane from us. Must not forget Hekta and Sukie (Basset Hounds) and Maisie (Golden retriever) who race around with the briards most days.
As an adult I train, rehabilitate and handle a number of breeds preferring pastoral, but successfully assisting with all breeds, small and large. I run socialisation, rehabilitation, ringcraft and obedience classes every week, along with the grooming of a select few chosen clients. I am also the Secretary for the Exeter & County Canine Society (est 1925) and host three events every year in Exeter including Top Dog of Devon. Also from August 2008, myself and a few friends host a Charity Dog Show in my home town in aid of CLIC, raising just under £1000 in 2009.
All this and being married to my lovely, tollerating husband Matt and having two Children, Luke and Fredrik.
What can I say - Life is Full.
And I would have it no other way, it's great!
Michelle
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