John first became interested in Weimaraners in 1973 when living nearby to Pamela Nelson and her mother, who bred Weimaraners under the then well known 'Tanzingen' prefix. Through Pam, he was introduced to the newly formed Weimaraner Club of Victoria and purchased his first dog, sired by Ch. Greymar Noble Monarch from Tooronga Kennels. Unfortunately, whilst at work with John on a building site, this lovely boy was badly hurt and had to be put to sleep. Devastated at the loss of this dog, John was anxious to get another Weimaraner. Through Frances Weatherley (Greymar Kennels) he was able to purchase a bitch that had also been sired by the famous 'Ch. Greymar Noble Monarch'. "Cindy" (Belgrigio Claudia - s. Ch. Greymar Noble Monarch & d. Nebelgrau Ariel) became the foundation bitch of Silvahunter.
John spent most of the next 12 months shooting over Cindy, taking her to shows and doing basic obedience at the "Moorabbin Obedience Dog Club". The dog challenge winner at the Royal Melbourne Show in 1975 was 'Ch. Aquila Cheyenne' owned by Judy Smith & her brother John Russell. John approached Judy and purchased a puppy sired by 'Cheyenne' a few months later. "Zac" (Jujondy Cherokee - s. Ch. Aquila Cheyenne & d. Jadas Sugar 'N' Spice) gained his show title and was to become one of Victoria's top retrieving trial dogs. Both Zac & Cindy are featured 'In The past' 1970's on..
In 1975 Liz purchased her first dog - a mini silver beige poodle, and along with sister Sue, went to Moorabbin Obedience Dog Club. Naturally, 2 sisters can't train the one dog and the ever friendly John offered 'Cindy' to one of them so they could both do some obedience training. The friendship between Liz and John grew - the rest, as they say, is history. 'Cindy' went on to become Liz's best friend, show dog, retrieving dog, tracking dog and obedience dog. John spent a lot of time with Zac shooting and trialling in both field & retrieving trials, but still managed to find time to gain his show title.
Zac & Cindy produced several champions, obedience & field progeny.
John & Zac taken at Wonthaggi in 1978.
Please feel free to view the dogs we have kept over the years in our 'In The Past' section of this web site.
John became a 'Retrieving Trial judge in the early 1980's, judging at all levels of competition including State Championship both in Victoria and Interstate. In 2001 John co judged the National Retrieving Trial Championship with Labrador Retriever specialist - Wayne Poholke. See John's page for photos of interest from his many judging appointments. John retired from judging in 2003 - time spent with our son Nic forced dog judging to the back burner for several years. These days, now that Nic is driving himself around, John has again been able to pursue his own hobbies, especially fishing and shooting.
Liz continued to be the family 'show' person over the years - John just really didn't have enough time to devote to the show scene. In the late 1990's Liz enrolled in the Victorian Canine Associations judges training scheme. She has been qualified to judge and issue Challenge Certificates for all the breeds in the Gundog group (Sporting Group in USA) since 2002. She is also able to judge Groups 4, 5 & 7 (hounds, working dogs and non-sporting dogs) at Open Show level. She has judged Specialty & Gundog Specialty shows as well as at all Breeds Shows with judging taking her to ACT, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.
Liz is a life member of the Weimaraner Club of Victoria Inc., a member of the Classic Show Committee (an amenities club of the Victorian Canine Association Inc).
Prior to the 2005 Weimaraner National Specialty held in Victoria, Liz with Deb Ryan researched the first fifty years of the Weimaraner in Australia. The history was incorporated into a book with a breeder's directory and released as a fund raiser for the Weimaraner Club of Victoria Inc. to help with the costs of hosting the 2005 National. This work was published through 'Ghostdog Productions' and a link to the book can be accessed via the Ghostdog link on our links page.
Liz spends a lot of her free time during winter out tracking with the Weimaraners and Shayne's Dobermanns especially when John is off in the outback. Summer time is allocated to their boating activities.
Liz with Best Exhibit in Show - Weimaraner Club of South Australia Specialty 2006
Ch.Waldwiese Miss Chief handled by Suzanne Mayhew.
Liz and her Best Exhibit in Group Winner at Berwick & District A. & H. Society Inc. 28-2-09
Mrs. J. Cattell's GSP bitch Ch. Kobidan Endeavour
26-7-09
Liz judges Non Sporting Dog Club of Victoria Inc. Open Show (Group 7) - a fabulous entry of 59 with 50 exhibits on the day. Giving Liz enough numbers to go for Group 7 licence in the future.
Photo of BIS winner to follow.
This page is still under construction, please feel free to revisit at a later date.
This site is sponsored by J.W. & E.R. Harding Plumbing - Victoria, Australia. Tel. 03 9789 3711 - 0407 789 373
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