(A Kennel Club Registered Name)
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS
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About Us ARMATAN was started in the 1980's by Geoff & Pat Gatenby, our first involvement with dogs was when we bought our first Boxer Misty, she initially started out as a pet and then we decided to get another to keep her company……… this time it was a 'show dog' by which time we were bitten by the bug. As things escalated and the children got involved also at that time as you can appreciate it was Junior Handling I sometimes wonder who was doing the handling dog or child. We then moved on and for a time stopped showing but Geoff continued on various committees to follow his passion in dogs. By this time we only had pet Boxers and it wasn't untill there was a conscious decision taken by the family that we were going back into showing the main decision was taken as our youngest daughter was then taken into the ARMATAN affix and we then became the threesome that we are today. We bought in a 2 year old bitch and a puppy dog from the Newlaithe kennel unfortunately neither of them had a real enthusiasm for showing so we decided it was time for a change. The next decision was what breed were we going to get involved in after much deliberation and votes for different breeds we decided that it would be an Aussie and we would not change a thing once bitten the rest is history. Our first two aussie's were litter sisters from the ACCRA kennel in the UK and came to us in June 1998. Then in April 1999 we went over to the U.S.A attending the USASA Nationals in Marshall Texas and that had us totally hooked the dogs over there were outstanding. We wanted then to improve our kennel and have thus imported various lines from the U.S.A. and have also made many good friends, the outstanding help that we have had from Tri Ivory & Heatherhill Kennels. We will be eternally grateful for they have helped us to build for our future. Our dogs are loved and raised in our homes they live between 2 properties and have to be versatile enough to move between town and Country, also an adult environment and a chaotic child environment as Sarah has 2 young sons who really put the dogs through their paces so temperament is an absolute priority with our dogs. We feel it is important to limit the number of dogs living with us, so that they receive the attention they need and deserve. That is why our breeding program is limited, however with limited breedings we are proud to have produced some top winning dog's. Our main interest is Conformation, We have also bred dogs who are competing in YKC, obedience, agility and fly ball. All our dogs are Kennel Club Registered (certificated clear of Hip and elbow dysplasia) by the British Veterinary Association Eye tested yearly (certificated clear of eye defects) by an approved veterinarian. |