Pictured above is Aust Grand Ch Robwyn Let's Get Serious (AI NZ) 'Ryker' featuring in one of the Rodd and Gunn photo shoots

Tukeglen Pointers was establish in 1973 by my sister and brother in law Carol and John Craig. I was signed in as a partner in Tukeglen kennels in 1981.

In 1980 saw myself introduced to the dog show world by the purchase of a wonderful Dalmatian called Ch Dartangan of Dalwynne.

My first big show was the Dalmatian Speciality show under Mr G. Payton from Canada. Dartangan was only 10 months old and no-one knew who I was. Anyway this newcomer to the breed and show ring was soon in for the biggest surprise. I won BEST EXHIBIT IN SHOW. Now the bug had bitten.

Our foundation pointer bitch was a lovely liver and white bitch called Ch Delicia of Arista. Her sire was the world famous NZ Ch Crookrise Gunner (UK) and her dam was Stamford Senorita. Del was purchased from Rose and Russell Leech of Arista Pointers. Del was bred to NZ Ch Crookrise Firebird (UK) and this progeny became the foundation stock of Tukeglen.

One of my biggest highlight once into the pointer world was the Tux National dog show in 1984. This saw myself exhibiting two dogs. One Dalmatian (Dartangan) and my new show dog the Pointer Darwyn (Ch Don Rossa of Tuke Glen). This was my National. I won Best of Breed with the Dalmatian and was also short listed for the group.

I then went onto win Best of Breed with 'Darwyn' under breed specialist the Late Mr Bobby James from UK. Darwyn then surprise everyone by taking BEST EXHIBIT IN GROUP and then going on to BEST EXHIBIT IN SHOW. Darwyn was then retired from the show ring and enjoyed the rest of his life hunting.

We then began to look to the future at Tukeglen, and imported some more new blood into NZ with the importation of two litter brothers.  NZ Ch Crookrise Rascal and Crookrise Andrew from Mr David Wong (Crookrise Australia). Andrew showed his success in hunting and Rascal went onto become very successful in the showring.

This saw the mating of Donna Mendes of Tuke Glen to Crookrise Sirius resulting in a very successful one. This breeding saw the birth of Tuke Glen Jackaroo aka 'Floyd'. 'Floyd' was not shown until he was 10 months old. This was due to a serious accident in the home that he was placed in. He was badly hit by a car. At ten months old he came out and won two Puppy in Shows. Floyd quickly became known around the show ring and gained his NZ championship title very quickly. He also won Best Puppy in Group at the Tux National in 1988. Rain, Hail or Shine - this dog never placed a foot wrong, and ended up winning 45 Best in Show All Breeds and from memory, at least 10 Gundog Best in Shows in both Australia and New Zealand. 'Floyd' was campagined along with several top winning bitches and our kennel was placed in great stead, the day 'Sirius' came to live at Tukeglen.

'Floyd' achieved his first Best in Show at the Southen Classic at the age of 2 years old and never looked back. He gained his NZ Grand Championship quickly. 'Floyd' was brought over to Australia to gain his Australian Championship which he did in a very short time with 3 Best in Shows and two Reserve Best in Show, including one under Hilda Parkinson of Davim Pointer from the UK.

A big change came for Tukeglen Kennels as we moved into the 1990's. The untimely death of my sister Carol in 1991 left myself and my beloved mother, Pam to carry on the Tukeglen tradition. Our family immigrated to Australia in 1993 and we have continued breeding and exhibiting some of the countries top winning pointers. Since arriving in Australia, we have produced many Best in Group and Best in Show winning pointers, for not only our kennel, but for several other exhibitors as well - achievements which we are extremely proud of.

If you are ever in the position of visiting Australia, and I am here, please look me up. We have just moved to live in a lovely small country town of Landsborough (where Australia Zoo is) on 1 acre, where the Tukeglen pointers run free.

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