Vivienne began showing dogs in 1967 with Toy Poodles.

We acquired our first Schipperke (Dinky of Weymouth) in 1970.

Bernard introduced Rhodesian Ridgebacks to New Zealand in 1970.

We bought our first imported Schipperke from England (Seagarden Sir Lancelot) in 1972. He came to New Zealand by merchant ship.

Also in 1972 we both became members of The Schipperke Club (UK).

Imported our first English Champion Schipperkes in 1974.

Eng Ch Cracker of Schippland & Eng Ch Night Dive of Schippland, top winning Schipperkes - both had group wins in England, were among the first dogs to be airfreighted from UK to New Zealand.

We have travelled extensively overseas visiting Schipperke breeders and

observing the breed in Europe, Scandinavia,South Africa, North America and Australia.

We have subsequently imported numerous Schipperkes over the intervening years from England, Australia, Sweden and more recently Canada.

Both Bernard and Vivienne have served on dog club committees in various capacities.

Vivienne has served as Secretary/Treasurer, and Bernard as President, of the Schipperke Society (NZ).

He was instrumental in establishing Schipperke News in 1976 and has edited the Newsletter for many years.

For six years Bernard served as an Executive Council member of NZKC until he retired from office in 2013.

Bernard was an NZKC All Breed judge and has judged widely around the world.

Apart from the dog world Bernard is active in Freemasonry.

They live on a rural lifestyle block near Woodend in North Canterbury just 25km north of Christchurch.