After many years of wanting a Dalmatian, the opportunity finally arose in 1995 when an advertisement in a newspaper led me to visit a litter of puppies. At that stage, I knew nothing about standards or conformation so I chose the pup that I thought had the most 'Spunk'.
The very next day, Clare "Broburn My Fair Lady ET" became the starting point of a fascination with the breed that has lasted more than a decade.
Clare grew into a beautiful bitch and although she was definately show quality, she had other ideas and so my search for a suitable 'show' companion began.
By this stage I had attended a number of shows and started to get some idea of what made a succesful show dog. My search for a 'show quality' bitch proved fruitless as many breeders either wanted to keep the best for themselves or weren't willing to risk a show quality pup on a complete novice exhibitor.
A telephone call from John McCarthy was to change my life for ever. He had a four month old show quality male, which had been returned by the previous owner. Although, I never wanted a male, I decided to meet with them to at least see the dog. On meeting the puppy, most prospective buyers would have fled from his poor manners alone.
But there was something about him that appealed to me and he came home on a trial.
This dog was to be become BIS/BISS Australian Grand Champion Dalmeadow Brave Dancer ET or 'Rubin' as he was known to most.
My first Dalhaven litter was the result of a combination of Rubin and Clare. This mating resulted in two Australian Champions, three Endurance Titles and one Companion Dog CD.
Since then we have always strived to combine the very best of the bloodlines that are available to continously produce a dog which is correct by the standard and still capable of completing its original task as a Coachdog. Our bloodlines include a combination of Washakie, Swiftgait and Gemcourt amongst others.
In 2001 the joint prefix of Daldesha was created between myself and Mrs Dee Milthorpe and the first litter resulted in the highly successful liver dog Australian Champion Daldesha Andi Bichel. When Julieanne Lawrence joined our team in 2003, she took over campaigning Andi Bichel and also the Daldesha prefix.
The assistance of both Dee Milthorpe, Julieanne Lawrence and Catherine Ryan amongst others has been instrumental in the continued success of Dalhaven Dalmatians.
As they say, the Rest Is History. I hope you enjoy looking through the pages of the different dogs that have been part of our life.
Laying far left is Australian Champion Dalhaven High Society ET. A multiple Best In Group winner and the dam of three Australian Champions in her only litter.
Seated at top of photo is Australian Champion Dalhaven Strike A Pose ET. A multiple Best In Group winner and In Show winner at both Specialty and All Breeds shows. She was also the first Dalhaven Australian Champion.
Seated far right. Broburn My Fair Lady ET. Although never shown, she is the dam of both Strike A Pose and High Society. Also in this litter she produced Three Endurance Champions and One Obedience CD title.