At Home with Archaeus - Penny Roberts

Hazel has very kindly given me a page on the Smiliesam website – thank you.   I thought I would use this page to showcase the Samoyeds sharing my home.   The current 'show team' is Chase and Rushka – and it is great fun having a dog and bitch to show, especially since both have found favour with breed and all-rounder judges.  They are great mates at home and on their travels.

Hazel and I started our partnership with the purchase and import of Chase 2006 – and you can learn about Chase and his achievements from his own page and across the Smiliesam site, which is why I chose this rather informal picture - Chase on the grooming table in between shows during the camping trip Hazel and I took in the summer of 2006.  Chase is a great show dog – but just as importantly, he is a great dog to share your home with.  I took some teasing when I insisted that I handle him (not from Hazel who has been magnanimous in her generosity), as it was assumed that at 4ft 11in I would have trouble showing him off to his best – however, Chase is such a gent that we have managed just fine, thank you very much!

The beautiful Rushka is owned by me in partnership with Chris Hale and Trish Mallord.  She came to Archaeus a few months after Chase's arrival.  She was nearly 5 years old and had only been shown occasionally.  A natural show-off, we are having a lot of fun together in the show ring.  Since her arrival she has won 1 CC and 4RCCs and 3 BISs along the way – a good tally as she is up against strong competition in bitches.    This cheeky and mischievous girl shares our home with her aunt and her grandmother (Folly and Kara, both retired).  She will be a veteran in 2009 – but I am looking forward to campaigning her for some time yet!

I would like to remember my first champion – Yogi – who we sadly said goodbye to in 2008

'Yogi' – Champion Astutus Bootiful Gem for Archaeus.  9.7.1994 – 6.8.2008

Head of the household, beautiful biscuit shaded boy.  Rushka's dad.  Yogi was retired early as he didn't like showing.  I brought him out again as a veteran at the end of 2002 – just because I thought he and I could have some fun – and it would be nice to get his Stud Book number.  Well, he came out of retirement a changed boy – winning three CCs (two with BIS) and three RCCs – the last of which at the age of 12.5 years old.  He excelled in movement – and passed this wonderful sound construction to his daughter.  He was also our best mate – and he is much missed at Archaeus. 

Finally – what about me?   Well, although I have always had dogs I have only been involved with showdogs and showing since 1994 – when we purchased a Sammy puppy from the Astutus Kennels.  'Tasha' became a beauty and we started to show.  A succession of Astutus dogs have followed her.  Sadly Tasha and Twinkle are no longer with us, but Folly and Kara still run the house – and boss poor Chase and Rushka about.   I love the showing side of things – but although I took out the Archaeus affix in the late 1990s I have not bred a litter of my own.  The partnership with Hazel may change that of course, but whatever the future holds I support her 100% in her determination to concentrate on breeding for type and soundness and her efforts to bring to the UK the best of overseas Samoyed breeding to help that aim.

Feel free to contact me via archaeus.samoyeds@btinternet.com