ABOUT QUESTADORE
Early Beginings
Questadore Kennels was established in 2005 - as co-family owned. We have bred a number of healthy litters of Westies of which I still continue to have contact with a great number of the 'pups' and families. Regrettably, due to health issues, mum is no longer able to be an active ovner/breeder of our dogs and has now gone on to the Chihuahuas
I am for-ever greatful for the help and support that both mum and dad have given to enable me to achieve my dream and have the opportunity to be able to breed the best of what I am capable of.
The name 'Questadore' didn't occur due to any significant event or meaning - as we, mum and I, appliedd for a suitable kennel name we had to submit our names twice - eight names each time - Questadore happened to have been the last name we put on our list.
So now I have made it my 'Quest' to ensure that I breed the best of what I can possibly do and along the way meet a lot of wonderful people and seeing lives change for the better.
My 'Quest is also to be able to do as well in the conformation show ring as I possibly can!
My Love Of Dogs
My family has had dogs as long as I can remember - my journey had bought me many great experiences and life-long lessons. With my family we have had a variety of breeds of which I had the pleasure in helping to train and look after.
From an early age I had been involved in obedience training with our German Shepherds then latter on ventured on to our Rottweilers of which I continued with the obedience training and began conformation Showing.
Along with my parents we bred some very healthy litters of Rottwielers - through this breed I had learnt a lot about genetic foults and tenetic temperament/behavioural issues - many of these dogs were placed in pet homes as they were not suitable for breeding nor would I endevour to breed from them
I had also began trainng as an obedience instructor of which I taught classes from puppies/begginers through to grade 5 - this was an exciting time as I learnt so much ad had the privilege of seeing some very naughty pups/dogs progress through the classes to where they were able to start trailing in obedience trails.
My next breed was my beloved Golden Retrievers of which I continued with showing and obedience where I ventured into trialing. I was able to continue working with my dogs and joinged the team of Pal Super Dogs working with demonstrations in the shopping centres. I successfully bred three very healthy litters under the Teyacia prefix - sone of these dogs I still keep in touch with. One of my males was donated to the Guide Dogs and he became the first Golden retriever in S.A. to have passed and went on to work as a Guide dog.
Chelsea
Why Westies
Due to health reasons I had to down-size my dogs as I could no-longer exersise or train the larger dogs as I would have liked to
Combining my own knowledge with research of available breeds bought me to a very independent yet stylish breed - Thus started my very long search for my potential show dog. Mum had decided to join me with the breed and we had been on various waiting lists across Australia for about two years - we finally venured to a breeder in N.Z.
Renoir Stand Aside For Me - A.K.A. Sheenuh arrived at the airport ending of June - She was about 16 weeks old - I didn't know what I had gotten myself into as her independence was extremely apparent from the first time i let her out the back yard and couldn't catch her. She had continued to go through life with the same independence and air of arrogance that can only come from a westie! I always said that we don't own her, she owns us!
Sheenuh has gone on and become an Australian Champion - which was no easy task when she didn't like the sho ring or anything else to do with it. She is happily retired now and enjoys life in her for-ever home with her wonderful family.
To have owned, bred and shown the westie has certainly been an ongoing challenge - I am learning daily of ways that I can improve on how I groom my show dogs and this in turn has also helped me to learn about grooming the 'pet dogs'. I now have a number of dogs that I groom - the majority of dogs are of what I have bred over the years and the odd one coming in by word of mouth that was bred by some-one else. I am now also grooming the occassional cross breed!
Westies from the past and beyond
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