My first introduction to Pyrenean Mountain Dogs was in 1993 when I was researching breeds and looking for a dog to call my own. It was then that I saw a picture of a magnificent white dog in a magazine. In 1994, after talking to a number of breeders and learning what owning this wonderful breed involved, 'Halley' came into my life and began my lifelong love affair with the breed.

Over the years I have participated in a wide range of activities with my dogs.  These include things like conformation showing, obedience and agility (with my Dalmatian 'Cookie').  I was an obedience and agility instructor at the ACT Companion Dog Club in Canberra for many years and currently teach dog obedience for the Yass Veterinary Hospital. I have also spent time in the US studying and working with wolves and learning about wolf behaviour and worked for a number of years as a professional groomer.  Natural rearing and nutrition in also a passion of mine and as a result I have spent many years researching, learning  and teaching about these aspects of feeding and raising dogs.

I have been involved with a range of clubs in an official capacity, serving on the Committee of the ACT Companion Dog Club and as Secretary of the Dalmatian Club of the ACT. In 2000 I was honoured to be a speaker at the Pyrenean World Conference in Melbourne, Australia.  I am a member of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club of Victoria.

Over the years I have also assisted with rescue for a range of breeds and cross breeds, taking a number of foster dogs into my home. One of those dogs, a Pyrenean we called 'Liza Jane', stayed with us for the rest of her life.

The motto for our kennel is “putting the Breed before breeding”. By this we mean that there is no ‘second best’ when it comes to supporting the breed we love, respecting its history, and ensuring its continuance into the future as a true ‘dog of the mountains’, sound in both body and mind. This has meant that we have occasionally needed to make the hard decision not to breed as we have put the needs of the breed before our own ambitions. We stand by our determination to promote quality rather than quantity in our breeding goals. I am a registered breeder with Dogs NSW and a breeder member of the Master Dog Breeders and Associates who promote the highest ethics for responsible dog breeders and owners.

In 2009 I visited France to attend the R.A.C.P. Exposition Nationale d' Elevage in Argeles-Gazost. It was a wonderful experience to see these dogs at home the Pyrenees mountains and to meet so many people from around the world who love the breed as much as I do. It was truly a learning experience and one I will not quickly forget.

Our dogs enjoy living with us on our property Burrow Downs located between Yass and Gunning in New South Wales in Australia, along with myself and my partner Bruce, German ShepherdX ‘Kodie’, cats ‘Teagah’ & ‘Twistie’, our Faverolles chickens, Wiltipoll sheep and numerous Kangaroos and other wildlife.

 Tracy