My introduction to Shelties began in the early 70’s when I started attending dog shows with my sister, Margaret Long (Peerielee) after she purchased her 1^st Sheltie, the small tricolour Sanedmar Trendy Girl.

 Although my first Sheltie was no Best in Show winner, Sanedmar Black Prince ‘Sam’ helped me learn a lot about grooming, handling etc as did his breeder Harold Crapp, his guidance being invaluable in setting my goals and ideals. Many Sheltie identities in those days told me I would never win with a tricolour as sable was the only colour that ever won. I was determined to prove my peers wrong and did this with my 2^nd Sheltie Ch Sanedmar Black Pete. Although I did not reach dizzy heights with ‘Pete’, we did achieve many good awards but it was his influence at stud, particularly with blue merles, that his potential shone through. He sired the first champion blue merles for both Tiakina and Peerielee, these lines still productive today.

 My next Sheltie was Ch Sheltreena Aquarian ‘ROMA’, initially also owned in partnership with my sister and Jan Boyce ‘Nantiki’. ‘Heather’ was the 1^st champion blue merle bitch in NSW and in her 1^st litter produced the history making tricolour multi BIS BISS Ch Deerod Witchery. ‘Trixie’ was an incredibly successful show dog that loved everyone; her greatest achievement was winning Best Opposite Sex in Show Melbourne Royal 1984 in an entry of almost 7,000 dogs. She easily amassed over 1,000 CC points and finished her show career with an average of 21 points each CC, this was in the days before the Grand Champion Title was introduced and when no extra points were granted to Best of Breed winners.

 ‘Trixie’ was bred to Australia’s leading sable stud dog of the time, Ch Jentam Sonsuki Tequila but unfortunately this introduction to sables did not give me what I was looking for so Trixie’s next litter was to the glamorous mahogany sable Jentam Kerry Beausong. I raised the very sound and glamorous Ch Deerod Star Attraction from this union.

 My next Best in Show winner was the tricolour multi BIS BISS Aust Grand Ch Peerielee Tri It My Way. I purchased a half share of ‘Keira’ at 8 weeks of age and convinced my sister to sign the other half to my niece Danielle to give her an opportunity to taste success in the showring and to have her 1^st Sheltie. This partnership was successful for many years with ‘Keira’ still winning as a veteran.

 My very good friends Bev and Syd Hedley of the very famous and successful Jentam Kennels had a lovely sable bitch that I admired very much so I offered to purchase Jentam Miss Conduct. She was 3 years old and had not been shown for a couple of years and had never been bred from but I knew what I was taking on what an asset she has proved to be. Superbly bred and with a sound body and mind she has given me more than I could have hoped for but undoubtedly the pick being the history making tricolour son from her last litter, multi BIS BISS Aust Grand Ch Deerod Give Me The Night ‘ROMA’. The sire of 18 champions with more to come he gained ‘ROMA’ status at just 4 years of age and is the only tail male 5^th generation ‘ROMA’.  ‘George’ has produced many outstanding bitches for me notably Ch Deerod The Bitch Is Blak ‘Keisha’ who is the dam of my latest star the mahogany sable multi BIS BISSS Aust Supreme Ch Deerod Rich Reward 'ROMA'. ‘Rhett’ has been extremely successful in his 1^st year of showing becoming the WDC of NSW Working Dog Puppy of the Year 2005-2006. At just 5 years old ‘Rhett’ is a multi Best in Show winner and has achieved "ROMA' status siring BIS and multi 'in show' winning Supreme Champions.

 ‘Keisha’ is also the dam of my superbly coloured blue merle Aust Ch Deerod Hand Painted ‘Chloe’ and like all my merles she traces back to Aust Ch Sheltreena Aquarian ‘ROMA’.

 A visit to ‘Past Stars’ will give a pictorial overview of more successful Shelties at Deerod and some of my influential dogs behind my ‘Present Shelties’.

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 In 1982 I commenced attending lectures in the judges training scheme and 1^st issued CC’s in 1984. I have since gone on to gain my ANKC All Breeds Judges licence judging thousands of dogs over the years throughout Australia and overseas. The highlight in my judging career was judging the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Victoria Championship Show in 1996 in an entry of almost 200 dogs. During this time I have also become an ANKC approved Terrier, Gundog, Hound and Working Dog Group Assessor and Mentor for Trainee Judges examinations. I am also an approved Junior Showmanship judge.

 Judging has taken me to Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Republic of Korea, Philippines and China and in all these countries I have been fortunate to judge many excellent dogs and experience wonderful sportsmanship.