Kincardine Shelties began in October 1981 with the birth of our first breeding quality dog, Ch. Rowanglen's Gentitily CD, ROMC "Bonnie" who produced 11 champions for us. Our first litter was born in 1983 and gave us our first champion, Ch. Kincardine Coin of the Realm CDX "Penny". We had a few more litters and bred a few more champions, but nothing that we kept for ourselves. Then, on March 26, 1987 a very special litter was born that produced our foundation bitch, Ch. Kincardine Cast of Thousands ROMC "Caitlin". All three puppies finished their championships but it was "Caitlin" we kept, and it is "Caitlin" upon whom our kennel is founded.

Pictured are four generations of Kincardine Girls (mother/daughter left to right)

Our foundation bitch: Ch. Kincardine Cast of Thousands ROMC "Caitlin - 12 yrs; Multi BISS Am/Can. Ch. Kincardine Clearly a Song ROMC "Chantal" - 4 yrs; Ch. Kincardine Can't Bi Me Love "Paula" - 3 yrs; Bronzworth Can't Hardly Wait "Jennifer" (pts. BB winner) - 4 months

We are a small, friendly breeding establishment with one or two litters a year, some in co-ownerships. We enjoy 'lending a helping hand' and have been happy to offer whatever help we can to dozens and dozens of people over the phone, the internet and in their homes. We have removed a lot of dewclaws, glued a lot of ears, assisted wth lots of breedings and trained a lot of puppies for grateful people who were eager to learn. Afterall, through the patient generosity of established breeders 25 years ago, we were taught. Now it is our turn to teach, and soon it may be your turn too! A wonderful link is formed from one generation of breeder to the next. We are so lucky to be involved in this artistic sport that transcends age and place and time!

Currently, we have bred close to 50 champions and one American champion. We are honoured to have given breeders in both Canada and the United States foundation stock to continue their own breeding programs, often in collaboration with us. We breed for excellent health, good temperaments, true Sheltie type, and our dogs are known for superior movement. We love a great front, and are so fortunate to have had mentors who taught us to appreciate exceptional structure: Betty McHugh, Daphne Allen, and Jean Simmonds. Kincardine Shelties are truly "Shelties on the Move" !

Our Foundation Bitch: Ch. Kincardine Cast of Thousands ROMC "Caitlin"

Over the years, people have asked me how I chose my kennel name. My parents are decidedly non-doggy people and were quite bewildered by my love of animals. They quietly tolerated the endless time I spent working at a stable during summer vacation as a teenager; they seemed perplexed as I stared out the window as a little girl looking for the "little Lassie" that walked past our house on her walk at the same time every day - that was the first Sheltie I ever saw and I think that is when I fell in love. My husband had always had farm dogs and he was happy to add a dog to the household during our first year of marriage. It took two short months before I found an obedience club and a whole new circle of friends who loved their dogs the way I did. I was "home" at last! During the time I was training this first dog, my dear "Taffy", I found myself with a gifted dog. "Taffy", who didn't really need me in the ring, got her C.D. and C.D.X. with a bumbling but enthusiastic first-time dog owner. Our first obedience trial was the last benched conformation/obedience show at the Sportsman Show in Toronto. We had a lot of time on our hands so I wandered around and visited with the conformation people grooming their beautiful dogs. I watched, listened and decided that I wanted a dog of similar quality to those I was so enchanted with. When I saw Ch. Shiel's Sunstreak, "Scotty", (Janet Cmeron breeder, owner and handler) and recognized that magical bond between him and his owner, and his outstanding beauty, I was resolved to find a dog with a pedigree close to his.

Six months later, after lots of reading and researching, lots of visits to breeders and lots of shows asking endless questions, I bought a bitch with a 3/4 pedigree to "Scotty". Now I had to choose a kennel name. Well, since my parents had always said my love of animals sprang from my grandfathers who always had a myriad of animals as pets, I decided to honour the only grandparent I knew - my paternal grandfather - by choosing a name close to his birthplace in Scotland.

Thus, "Kincardine Shelties" was born and is dedicated to my grandfather who bestowed his special love of animals on a grand-daughter he left behind when I was just 7 years old. But I remember . . . and his precious gift is celebrated in my kennel name, and through my doggy loving daughters, Erin and Megan. Thank you Grandpa from your "wee little lassie"!

"Caitlin's" sire is the exquisite BIS Am/Can. Ch. Tantera Dayspring Crescendo "Chis". "Caitlin" was a huge leap forward for me as I greatly improved upon type and temperament. As well, I got better shoulder layback and a longer upperarm, better coat texture and finally, a correctly sloping croup. A gorgeous head shot of "Chris" is featured on the cover of Maxwell Riddle's book, The Complete Shetland Sheepdog. I bred "Caitlin" to the best structured dog I could find who excelled in lovely breed type and excellent health (hips, eyes and blood). Also, when my family and I travelled to Australia for one year in 1991, Kathy Belville (Romyldale) continued breeding "Caitlin". Kathy Belville leased "Caitlin" for two litters. "Caitlin" is a register of Merit in Canada and she awarded this honour the day she won a large and competitive CSSA Brood Bitch class in 1998. She was 11 years old at the time and was represented by her son, Am/Can. Ch. Romyldale Rory MacRorie ROMC "Rory" (1st in Veteran Dog) and BISS Am/Can. Ch. Kincardine Clearly a Song ROMC "Chantal". "Rory" and "Chantal" are both Canadian and American champions, American and Canadian Specialty winners and both have earned their ROMC! Here are "Caitlin's" champions:

1. Ch/OT. Ch. Kincardine Clearly Outrageous TDX, HC "Tiffany"

(dam of two champions and a HIT winner)

sire: Am/Can. Ch. Carmylie Foremost All's Fair CD

2. Am/Can. Ch. Romyldale Rory MacRorie ROMC "Rory"

(sire of 10 champions)

sire: Am/Can. Ch. Dayspring Romyldale Rowan

3. Ch. Romyldale Velvet Touch "Velvet"

(American major pts and dam of one champion)

sire: BIS Am/Can. Ch. Tantera Dayspring Crescendo

4. BISS Am/Can. Ch. Kincardine Clearly a Song ROMC "Chantal"

(dam of 7 champions)

sire: Am. Ch. Barwoods Entrepreneur ROMC

5. Ch. Kincardine Okedokie Kinsman "Chevy"

sire: Am. Ch. Barwoods Entrepreneur

6. Ch. Kincardine Sunbriar Cadence "Zoe"

(dam of 3 pointed daughters)

sire: Am. Ch. Barwoods Entrepreneur

"Caitlin", who is one of an all champion litter of three herself, in turn, produced a three champion litter. We are so proud of our beautiful, beautiful "Caitlin". And her daughter BISS Am/Can. Ch. Kincardine Clearly a Song ROMC "Chantal" did one better and produced an all champion litter of four!

"Caitlin" 11 years old in 1998 with handler Megan Pickard