• Name: Sue Van Dinter & Julia Soltoggio
  • Email: sunlandshelties@iinet.net.au
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  • Town/Suburb: Southern River
  • State/Province: Western Australia
  • Country: Australia

Breeders/Owners of 22 Champions and 1 Grand Champion. All stock hip scored and eye tested for CEA and PRA. Puppies occasionally available. Located in Southern River, Western Australia.

As a young girl in the U.K. I grew up with dogs, mainly cross breds. My mother purchased a Collie (Rough) in the 1950's and by the time I left for Australia in 1963 she had her first sheltie. A visit back to the U.K. in 1970, with my young son, I fell in love with the sheltie, determined one day to get one. Eventually I imported from Mum (Esme Drury) Inchgower Delicious "Jenny", who is behind everything in my kennel today. Jenny became an Australian Champion quite quickly. Jenny only produced 2 litters in Australia, the first born in quarantine to Midnitesun Taking A Chance - producing my first Champion, Sunland Inchgower Boy CD "Monty". The second litter produced Ch Sunland Snugglepot CD AD - Best in Show at the 1990 Australian Sheltie National who has since produced 10 champions, giving him the title of ROMA (Register Of Merit Australia). Also from that litter - Ch Sunland Yogi Bear, who features strongly behind my current lines.

Back in 2000 our pride & joy was born; ‘Arnie' Gr Ch Sunland Millenium Man who went on to make his mark firmly in the world of Shetland Sheepdogs. He quickly became an Australian Champion and then finished his career by being crowned a Grand Champion. He won many awards under sheltie and working dog specialists, both internationally and in Australia, but our proudest moment was taking Best In Show at the Shetland Sheepdog Club of WA 2004 championship show under Malcolm Hart of Hartmere Shelties UK.

A new era is now beginning at Sunland with the first blue merle girl born in March 2008. "Crystal" is Sunland Sapphire Blue and high hopes are held for her in the show ring. Along with Crystal will be kennel mates making their debut into the show ring, a lovely tri colour girl "Mirra" Sunland Secret Admirer and a sable boy "Cody" Sunland Secret Liason. This gives Sunland Kennels the title of being able to breed all three colours, not just brown, but black and blue too.

Julia, my daughter, commenced her involvement by taking our first sheltie Ch Tiakina Tri My Style CD 'Pandy' to obedience and gained her CD (Companion Dog). From there Julia went into Junior Handlers and is handling all our shelties and works very closely with me over matings and future breeding plans. Julia is now a fully licensed judge for Working Dogs (Herding/Pastoral group) and Gundogs.