| ABOUT ME |
| My name is Robyn Raven and as you may have guessed from this site, I am an all breeds dog handler. I have been showing dogs as long as I can remember. My first memory of handling a dog was when I was 5 years old in the ring with mum and dad's first German Shepherd, Isis. Dog showing is in my blood. My great-grandmother won Opposite Puppy in Group at the Adelaide Royal Show with an English Springer Spaniel. My grandparents were the first to import a Welsh Springer Spaniel from New Zealand into Australia and also campaigned the wonderful Ch Cranloch Dalpedder, a very famous English Springer Spaniel. My aunts and mother all showed dogs as children. My mother even breeding Shetland Sheepdogs under my grandparents prefix of Lurgan. They were all regulars in Junior Handlers classes and my aunt Joan was featured in the KCC Gazette with Border Collie Ch Checkmate Gay Lady. My parents now have Lakamari Kennels breeding and exhibiting German Shepherds, Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) and Shetland Sheepdogs My own sisters, Kate, Anna and Kim are all actively involved in dogs as well. Kate owns a Dobermann that she shows at Members Competitions, Anna has a Smooth Fox Terrier and is handler to Bernese Mountain Dogs. She won the junior section of the Pedigree Pal final with a Shetland Sheepdog in her first year! Kimberly is still in junior handlers, excelling and handles many breeds of dogs, namely Siberian Huskies, Dalmatians and a Whippet. She has also placed in the Pedigree Pal handling final. My first dog handled in the Conformation ring was a Poodle (Standard) for Anne Sim of Andar Kennels. I also got the last points on this dog. A very special memory. As a junior handler, I had varied success. I was the first junior (in the world) to win a class with an Irish Red and White Setter. I was also in the final 9 out of 32 in the junior handling class at the Melbourne Royal Show with an English Setter. In my last Pedigree Pal Final I was Very Highly Commended under judge Mrs L Pietese (NSW) "Statuesque". I handled Ch Grauhund Copper Flame, a then 19mth old Irish Setter and was swapped to a Cairn Terrier. I was junior handling writer for Top Dog Journal for about 3 years, before the dog magazine market was flooded with publications. I have handled almost every breed, including the rare; Italian Spinone, Ibizan Hound, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Pumi, Irish Red and White Setter, Tibetan Mastiff, Norweigan Elkhound, Finnish Sptiz and many many more, as well as many popular breeds with much success in both. I am always willing to help out new exhibitors, and even more willing to coach junior handlers. I have judged almost 40 junior handling events in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. I am exclusive handler for the following kennels; Canawindra GSP's, Britfeld Weimaraners and Ibiza Whippets. I would describe myself as friendly and approachable, so if you would like to email me or talk to me at a show, please do, I love meeting new people. I also have yahoo messenger (raves_au@yahoo.com.au and msn messenger robyn1981@hotmail.com) Add me if you like Robyn Raven |