I had become involved with mini schnauzers after meeting one named "Pretzel" who I met at a Veterinary Surgery where I did  the accounts. Then I was on a mission to track my first mini down and this led to a breeder named Helen Sims of Jaydon Minis who helped me so much in the early days. Helen did not have any puppies available but knew of a breeder who had an older bitch in whelp for sale and that bitch was Trasea Tesleigh who was bred by Freda O'Brien. Not wanting a litter so soon I was forwarded onto Miss Val Miller of Bruson Minis who had just had her first litter sired by Ch Trasea Tony from Ch Trasea Bambi and I was on my way, firstly with Bruson Becky Thatcher and then with Bruson Tom Sawyer.

I purchased a bitch, Ch Thornor Suchi and then a full sister from the next litter Ch Thornor Kakak Kechile (both of these bitches bred by Mr Norm Champion ) the latter being a top producing bitch and dam of    BIS/BISS Ch Schonhardt Copy Boy sired by Ch Fernlands King Midas  purchased from Mrs Audrey Ralph who  moved to Australia from her native UK, bringing  her handsome miniature schnauzer Eng/Aust Ch Eastwight Sea Lord called Guy,  from the very famous UK Kennel of Eastwight Mini Schnauzers.

I made enquiries in the UK with Arbey Kennels (Archer and Betty Fletcher) who bred a bitch for me and ran her on till she was old enough to import in whelp. This was Aust Ch Arbey Dyna-mite (Cookie) who had seven puppies in quarantine. Netti Hobbs and I proceeded to import a dog name Ch Rimmick Rikardo (imp UK) which was all american breeding...and this was the beginning our our breeding partnership. Netti passed away in November 2009 but the Koobalies/Schonhardt partnership is still going with Netts grandson Angus McIlrath.

Then I saw a photo of American Ch Playboy's Blockbuster and totally fell in love with this little yank. I imported four minis from Hi-Crest Kennels belonging to Arnold Hirahara, three of these being American Ch Skyline's Blue Spruce grand progeny and one great granddaughter.

Ch Hi-Crest Hi Schonhardt Hi Spring and her litter brother Ch Hi-Crest Natural Eclectic Hi were the first two American Imports to attain their Australian titles and these two were closely followed by Ch Hi-Crest Schonhardt Triumph Hi.  These three were mostly Hansenhaus breeding and then Netti Hobbs and I were offered "Simon" who was a great grandson of the dog I just loved American Ch Playboy's Blockbuster so I was well on the way to my favourite addiction.  Carole Hansen conditioned and groomed Simon for his title campaign and it was Maripi Woolridge took over the handling and exhibition of our beautiful  American/Australian  BIS/BISS Simon Says of Hansenhaus who left a legacy of 18 American/Australian/New Zealand champions to his credit. He was only the second "uncropped" American Champion since 1934. It was Maripi who handled him to Best of Winners at a Specialty Show under Lydia Hutchinson.

All the rest is history and still making more ........................

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