My name is Leigh Shanahan. I welcome you
to our web site, and trust you will enjoy your visit and come back regularly for
updates.
My involvement with my chosen breed, the magnificent Rough Collie, began when I was a small child. My father bought us home a 4 months old shaded sable bitch called Kandy. A few years later, our neighbour, an Australian Silky (in those days known as Sydney Silky) breeder, invited me to help her with her dogs and accompany her to shows. This was my introduction to the pure bred dog world and I was definitely 'hooked'.
When I lost Kandy 17 years later, I purchased a tri coloured bitch, Exallon Sensation
(Nikki), with registered papers and my passion for showing and breeding this wonderful breed commenced.
Click here to view larger photo!
As a breeder, I only bred approximately every 2 years. Most of my bitches had only one or 2 litters in their lifetime. My most successful Collies in the show ring were all bitches. They were
Ch Sunnyvale Summer Love (Summer), her daughter, Ch Sunnyvale Summer Magic (Meg) and
Ch Sunnyvale Serene Image (Debbie - owned by John & Rita Dunn).
In recent years, due to other commitments, I have not bred a litter. Showing has also been very limited. However I have maintained my interest through judging and club and committee involvement. I was a member of the RNSWCC (Royal NSW Canine Council) Show Committee (2001 - 2003) and am currently the Show & Contest of Champions Secretary for Sutherland Shire All Breeds Kennel Club Inc. I have also assisted with the RNSWCC Judges Training Scheme for Group 5 both as an examiner and assessor of aspirant judges.
Click here to view larger photo!
Our home would not be complete unless we were owned by at least one Collie. Sunnyvale is currently home to
Craeburn Chance For Glory (AB) and Lamerton Isabella (Emma).
In February 2004 I was fortunate to acquire the lovely Lowchen - “Phoenix” – aka
Aust. CH. Chinaroad Globetrotter from Lorraine Chippindale in Western Australia. Phoenix is an absolute joy to own, exhibit and live with and together we’ve had a lot of fun! He is a multiple class in group and in show winner and has a huge fan club amongst both the Group 1 and Group 5 exhibitors! Tony and I will be forever grateful to Lorraine for allowing this little lion to own us and introduce us to this “happy, lively” little breed.
I was first approved to judge Collies (both varieties) in 1982 and approved for the Group in 1989. Currently I am ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council)
licensed to judge Working Dogs, Hounds, Gundogs, & Toys. I have judged extensively in NSW,
many times in Victoria, a few times in Queensland and South Australia, and more recently in Western
Australia and New Zealand.
In 2005 I
was invited to join the RNSWCC Fund Raising & Amenities Committee as the Events Coordinator. This committee organise two (2) championship shows and the RNSWCC Dog of the Year competition.
Leigh Shanahan
May, 2006
