Robin is considered by many as San Diego's "Premier Master Groomer." She has been working as a professional breeder and show handler for over 37 years. She loves her profession and takes pride in everything she does.
Robin tells how she got started:
I really didn't like school and wasn't doing well there. I needed a job and thought I wanted to work as veterinarian's assistant. I applied with several veterinarians, but I was too young and untrained.
One day, I was looking through a phone book, trying to find
something of interest.
I found an advertisement for a dog grooming school, but it cost $100.00.
I sold my horse for the money, paid the fee and was on my way!
Within a few weeks, I was excelling in the class.
About that time, I bought my Afghan Hound, My Suni Shine (Suni).
How I loved that dog!
By the time I was 16, I knew 150 breeds and had started working for a kennel. I found out I was allergic to dogs, but I was happy and wasn't about to let a little thing like that slow me down. I started showing Suni and got hooked on dog handling!
Suni is on the right, with Scorpius and me.
Wow! Here are three of my mentors in one picture.
Marjory Hanson has been breeding Bedlingtons for over sixty years. She has shown over 100 champions and judged shows all over the world.
Joe Waterman is a famous AKC handler of bedlingtons and other breeds.
The bedlington is Ch. Sudor's Adrienne of Blacksheep, owned by Linda Scalise and Michael Berry.
How I Discovered another interest:
I opened my first shop, Robin’s Menagerie, at age 20 and kept it for 10 yrs. Two of my customers asked me to show their dogs, so I did. The dogs were both terriers: a Cairn and a Bedlington and I finished them both. My second career was well on its way.
I started hanging around the Bedlingtons and their
owners.
These dogs have such style, and beautiful curves.
Before long, I found my first Bedlington – Sir Humphrey of Cromwell
(Humphrey).
Of course he wasn't champion until I started showing and
finished him.
Other dogs I finished for customers were a Wire Fox terrier (I was co-owner),and a Gordon setter and English setter.
Some of my other activities
I have watched every Westminster Dog Show since it first came on TV (around 1975 or 6)! I even participated in the 2000 Alaska Iditarod. That was really exciting.
I've spent my adult life working with dogs and other pets, and still love going to work every single day.
In recent years I have returned to my love of horses, and enjoy riding Joe,
my quarter horse. I participate in Vaquero Days, and am helping to plan next year's meet!
I am learning to work with my herding dog, Charlotte. We are practicing for herding events and participated in one held in Campo in January, 2010. My goal is to be able to train other herding dogs.
Charlotte herding sheep ( Click on the photo to see more of Charlotte. )
My daughters, Lacy and Desiree,
love dogs as much as I do.
They trained to be junior handlers.
The family who shows Bedlingtons together...
( Click on the photo to see more about my daughters. )
Robin Belongs to the following organizations:
Bedlington Terrier Club of the West
Bedlington Terrier Club of America
Great Western Terrier Association