Page 134 - K9News_Issue13_October2020_download_Neat

Aaron, Karen & Skye Takarangi
To show bulldogs in the UK, at Crufts and to
especially qualify for the esteemed Bulldog of
the Year would be beyond any New Zealanders
dream. Then to meet and learn from the world
renown giants in the breed would be a bonus.
What an honour it has been for us to have the
opportunity to achieve this.
Ruakuri is our affix. We are from NZ having
moved here over 20 years ago when Aaron
came to play Professional Rugby in Scotland.
It was a brave move travelling across the other
side of the world leaving family and our 3
bulldogs at home.
Aarons rugby and 7s rugby career blossomed
so in 2000 we returned to NZ to prepare to stay
here in the UK for a further 2 years. Our dogs
were with family and our breeder friends, so we
knew they were been loved and well cared for.
But it was heart wrenching leaving them. There
was no facetime or cameras on phones then, so
when they sent ribbons and photos, we were so
happy.
During the rugby years in Wales we were able
to see and touch our first Bulldogs, thanks to Di
Phillips (Glyndee) who understood how much
we missed our 3 bulldogs back home and with
Aarons commitment and fixtures nationally and
in Europe it would be impossible to own and
care for a puppy, so we knew we would have to
wait till he became a semi professional when he
would have more time .
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We were living in Solihull when Skye was
a baby, it was time now to have a puppy as
we were not raising a child without a dog.
So, in 2005 we purchased our first bulldog, a
McDonald daughter (Jacobella Gemstone)
from Norman and Kevin Davis. The joys of a
new baby and a new puppy made our family
complete. Over the years that followed Norman
was our tower of strength with support and
knowledge, we will always be grateful for his
help with litters or any bulldog related issues.
It was not until 2012 when Aaron hung up his
rugby boots that we bought our first puppy from
Margaret Morris (Ragmarte Vanilla Ice) our Lily,
with intentions to show. We had more time now
to dedicate to training for the shows. Showing
became a family affair, a learning curve for all
of us. Skye showed other people’s dog during
Lunchtime when they held junior handling
or Puppy walks. I learnt more about show
preparation grooming and Aaron studied the
Masters in the ring.
The highlight of the beginning of Lily’s show
career was at the London Bulldog Open Society
Show she won PB. BPB, BPIB, BB and BOB
under breed specialist judge Jo Belsham.
The ‘Show Bug’ had set in. We entered every
possible show and travelled the length and
breadth of the UK chasing points to gain her
Junior Warrant. She won BOB in Breed Club
Open Shows but retired from showing when
she had her first litter. Lily, our ‘Matriarch’ and