About 
Snowey River

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My Shepherds

My Shepherds
on Show

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Program

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Snowey River

‘The people who 
constantly rise to the top, 
are those who possess a vision 
before the prize is won.
They see the triumph 
before anyone else’
– John Maxwell –

To introduce & unite the Breed in South Africa
accomplished 1997 – 2001
(KUSA Recognition 2001)

To unite WSSD admirers of the Breed in our country
accomplished 1997-2001
           (establishment of the first ever White Shepherd Dog Club in SA 1997)

To improve the health, conformation, quality & temperament of the breed in South Africa 
by our knowledge of genetics and respect for our breed. 
           Knowing that time, patience and care is the essence of success in breeding 
the ultimate family companion and sporting dog
accomplished

To improve on our bloodlines and give back to Europe that which we have improved on
accomplished 2006
 (export to Holland, Snowey River Schumba Star)

Accomplished 2009/2010
(export frozen semen to France, Holland, Finland Ch.Snowey River Luck Dragon).


TO BE THE BEST 
           TO UPHOLD THE GOOD SPIRIT & PASSION THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR DOGS & DOG SPORTS
           AND TO KEEP THE SHOWRING OUR STAGE

Snowey River .... where it all began.

During my travels to Europe as far back as 1993, and on my second trip to Austria, a friend decided I needed a 
four legged companion.  We set out to find the ‘ideal’ little dog and contacted a local pet shop. 
We arranged to have a look at a puppy that the pet shop owner had in mind.  This short coated little ‘mongrel’ 
was to change my life for years to come.  

I had the honour of meeting ‘Sally’ who was the only puppy playing around outside of her cage! She had attitude and 
was a real ‘Madame’,  after much encouragement from my friend, I took the little thing home -
she was anyway ‘quite cute’ I decided. 

I soon entered a dog school simply because Sally was spoilt,  had no manners and was in desparate need of discipline. 
The ever mischievous Sally ended up to be ahead of her class at dog school with obedience and we successfully completed 
our first Begleithundeprufung (BH) Exam with the OHU in Himberg, Vienna. The ‘bug’ had bitten 
and I was ready to take on the BH2 later in 1994, but this was sadly not to be – 
after a long trip full of adventures and laughs with my Swedish friend, we returned to Vienna. 
Shortly afterwhich my precious Sally passed away in a freak accident. 

She was buried proudly on a farm in the village of Pollau, and a cross erected on her grave in the Schloss gardens.

IT STARTED WITH A KISS..........

Still upset over the loss of Sally, I went back to visit
 my local dog school – well, they all had ideas for me 
to get another companion! 
And enter the most wonderful lifetime friend, Diva – 
my first White Swiss Shepherd dog. 
Diva-Lady of White Valley was bred by 
Kurt and Heike Angerer in Niedernsill, Austria in 1994. 

Diva completed successfully her BH exam with the 
Himberg Abricht Verein, Vienna. 
During our travels we managed to continue our training 
and she went on to qualify for her first tracking exam, 
FH1 in Salzburg under trainer Andy Grogl through 
tough terrain of earth, grass, huge ant hills and snow! 
Later that day our obedience exam was done 
during a snow storm ! 


                                          Meet Diva-Lady of White Valley

SNOWEY RIVER IS BORN..........

Diva was a quality dog and it was because of her sound qualities that I decided to try my hand at breeding. 
So how did we get our kennel name ? 

Jogging along the Salzachtal River which flows through the historic town of Salzburg, Austria shortly before the 
White Shepherd Dog World Championships in 1996, Germany, Diva suddenly stopped and stood on a patch of snow. 
The icey waters of the river gave a mirror image of the wintery trees on its surface and the wild ducks skimmed its waters 
– as she stood silhouetted against the river, the name SNOWEY RIVER was born !

My first litter of WSSD’s were born in 1997 on a mountain high in the little village of Horbranz , Austria 
(the sire was carefully chosen Bhajar Condor von Bieselsberg, Germany).
During this time, I received the news that I would have to return home to South Africa – I guess Africa was calling. 
The sound of the drums of the Zulu people, the sweet smell of the Indian Ocean, 
the scenic rolling green hills of my province, Kwa-Zulu Natal and my dear human family 
were a pleasant reminder of my home in Africa.

Before returning home, I decided to keep
a puppy from my first litter, the ever 
beautiful and flashy Arizona - 
First Lady of Snowey River. 

Both Diva and her daughter Arizona
 arrived in Durban in 1997 as 
South Africa’s first purebred and 
registered White Shepherd dogs. 
(in fact both were registered abroad 
as American-Canadian White Shepherds 
at the time).

KUSA RECOGNITION in SA – Paving the Way

I established the first White Shepherd Dog Club in South Africa at the end of 1997 
(1.SPA WSDC SA) for the development of our breed and all its members wore 
the logo with overwhelming pride. Yes, finally we had  ‘a club of of our own’ ! 
In 1998, I imported a male puppy, Lord Canto vom Sutumer-Grund bred by 
Ingo and Manuela Bortel /Germany. Canto was later to become a Grand Sire! 

Zac of Villa Bianca

In the meantime, I discovered a young SA bred male who proved to be a 
tremendous asset to my breeding program, Zac of Villa Bianca bred by 
small time breeder Loretta Dalias, Cape Town.

The doors of the 1.SPA WSDCC SA finally closed after I sent in a proposal 
to the Kennel Union of SA (KUSA) for recognition of our breed in 2000. 
The breed was accepted and recognized by KUSA in 2001 – 
my work was largely done – I had achieved a milestone for our breed 
and had opened many doors for all of us! 
With this, my biggest goal achieved in the history of our breed here, 
I could finally dedicate my time into growing my kennel and 
spending more time with my personal dogs. 

I would like to take this opportunity to show special ‘THANKS’ to Brigitte Toll who believed in me and my vision to have
our breed recognized in South Africa – for all her advice over the years and for being a special and trusting friend.

I give special thanks to all White Shepherd members of the former 1.SPA WSDC SA and admirers of the Breed 
who supported my dream to establish and unite the breed in South Africa and who gave so selflessly of their time 
to this our wonderful breed.  Today no show ring in South Africa is complete without our lovely white dogs which are 
admired and supported by many show-goers.

BREEDING FOR QUALITY, HEALTH AND IMPROVEMENT
 OF THE BREED

BEST OF BREED
Ch Brittney Blue Star of  Snowey River (short coat bitch)
Our first Judge: Ursula Ralfe (Gauteng)
Pietermaritzburg Kennel Club Open Show 2001
(Our Debut Show for the Breed )

.......... proudly South African!

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