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Joan Watson's Clan of Corgis seem to feature so consistently in the winner's circle that Judy Chapman set off to the Apple Isle to find out the secret to her success ..........

Come and get it.

One of the three week old pups

Plenty of regular exercise.

The puppies get set to tuck in.

A royal response

It’s not quite Sleepy Hollow, but it might just as well be, Molesworth certainly feels far from the madding crowd, even though it’s only about half an hour out of Hobart. It is here, on the peaceful six-hectare property where they have lived for the past 20 years, that Joan and David Watson breed their much loved Anbenly Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

Being staunch monarchists, the Watson's original interest in the breed was kindled by the Queen’s involvement with Corgis. The fact that Joan and David’s five children were so taken with the young princesses and their little red dogs was the ultimate deciding factor. Joan firmly believes that dogs and kids are meant for one another, so in 1976 they purchased their first Corgi a desexed bitch  and they were instantly hooked. Their love affair with the breed had begun!

We bred our first litter in 1981 and have produced over 20 Champions to date, says Joan.

And of course it’s not just the home breds who have kept the Watson's in winning mode. Major show ring triumphs with dogs bearing other people’s breeding prefixes have included Best Exhibit at the 1996 Melbourne Royal with Ch.Vlandyn Countryman (who had already accounted for Runner-Up Best In Show at the 1991 Hobart Royal, followed by Best In Show in 1993). Best Exhibit at the 1986 Launceston Royal with Ch.Wendlake Sweet Glow and Best In Show at the 1999 Hobart Royal with Ch. Kelinden Hot Summer Nite.

One of the sweetest wins of the lot, however, was undoubtedly taking out the title of PEDIGREE® PAL OzDog Australasian Show dog of the Year for 1996 with Mannie (Ch.Vlandyn Countryman), because with it went a return trip for two to Crufts, courtesy of Uncle Ben's of Australia. (This is an Australian first).

"One of the highlights of this memorable trip was visiting the Waltham Centre," says Joan. "We were extremely impressed by the work they do. We could understand why Uncle Ben's dog and cat food is so good after visiting this research centre. It would be reassuring to know that as much care went into producing food for humans as obviously goes into food for our pets!"

Although the big all-breeds wins are wonderful, and very much appreciated by Joan and David, it is at breed level that they would most like to make a difference. "Our aim is to keep the breed in front and with quality stock", explains Joan. And having been awarded Tasmanian Welsh Corgi of the Year on on no less than 14 occasions between 1983 and 1999, they certainly must be doing something right! "Our success can be attributed to the careful selection of breeding stock, a good nutritional diet, plenty of regular exercise, and training not forced on the dogs at an early age", Joan explains. It’s a regime that is paying handsome dividends for Anbenly Kennels, particularly now that David and Joan are both retired and can devote themselves fully to their four-legged family.

Their advice to people just starting out in the dog world is to "go to a top breeder and get yourself a really nice bitch". They strongly recommend line breeding to achieve the best results when setting up your breeding program and remind me that it’s not always the top-winning show dogs that produce the best offspring. Some of their best pups have come from brood bitches and stud dogs that wouldn’t necessarily have taken out top honours in the show ring.

The day I visit Anbenly Kennels things are quietly humming along. The 12 dogs are pottering around contentedly in their pens. The cat is lazily sunning itself. David’s birds (he is involved with the care and breeding of both small and large exotic parrots) are taking it easy in their aviaries. Somebody calls by to drop off their dog for boarding. The kettle is on. The sun is shining. All is well with the world. A trio of three-week-old Corgis are about to have their first taste of anything other than what’s on offer at mum’s milk-bar. They take to the PEDIGREE Puppy Porridge with gusto, slurping it down with obvious relish. They will gradually be introduced to PEDIGREE Pal Puppy Food. As these may well prove to be her champions of the future, Joan is anxious to see that they get the absolute best possible start in life. And its not just the Watson's pups that thrive on PEDIGREE pet foods their adults also reap the benefits, with show-dogs being fed PEDIGREE Life-stage and the remainder PEDIGREE Meaty Bites.

The daily doggy chores at Anbenly Kennels are shared between David and Joan. As far as running the kennel goes, Joan says it depends on committed team-work and understanding. All the breeding programs are a joint decision, based on what is best for the "betterment of the breed". She says much credit for their breeding successes must go to "a wonderful stud dog" which we were fortunate to own. The bloodlines of Harry (Ch. Dearways Herdsman) are behind many of the current winning dogs in our kennel and we will strive to always keep them there.

Joan also gratefully acknowledges the assistance she and David have received from Max and Betty Schmarr, (Wendlake Kennels) and especially the input of Dianne Heslop, (Vlandyn Kennels) over the past 10 years, along with help from many other breeders. A special thank you is reserved for two wonderful handlers, Steffan Sloan and Justine Blyth who have unselfishly given their time and effort in handling our much-loved Corgis.

Even the Queen is accorded grateful thanks for without her association with the breed. Joan and David would never have become involved with Corgis. Their kitchen cabinet is chock-a-block with photos of the Royals, especially the Queen with pride of place on the wall going to a prized letter from Buckingham Palace congratulating them on winning the PEDIGREE PAL OzDog Australasian Showdog of the Year final.

During the Queen’s last visit to Australia, Joan even organised a little roadside Corgi guard of honour to welcome Her Majesty to Tasmania!

So what is it about Corgis that sets them apart from other breeds, and inspires such dogged devotion from their many fans be they royalty or just ordinary folk? “They’re such incredibly good company", says Joan. "They always manage to give back twice as much love as you give them".

Joan and David are certainly the quiet achievers of the dog world. They don’t take out ads in the canine press to trumpet their wins. They don’t make a song and dance about any of their achievements.

In a dog-eat-dog world they are refreshingly unassuming and totally genuine. And therein lies one of their greatest strengths. "You should always be humble enough to ask for help and to take advice", says Joan. "You’ve got to be prepared to ask questions of people who have been successful in the dog world particularly the older more experienced breeders and then be prepared to take notice of what they say. You should never become smug and assume that you know it all, no matter how long you’ve been breeding and showing dogs. We also believe that people should remember dog showing is a sport. Like all types of sport you have your wins and losses, and it never hurts to say well done to the winner. With dog showing we are all lucky enough to know that at the end of the day each of us is bringing home the best beloved four legged friends and companions".

You could certainly never accuse the Watson's of being biased or taking anything for granted. Joan and David still get as big a thrill from every success as they did when they first became involved with the dog world. They have never quite lost the wide-eyed wonderment of it all nor do I think that they ever will. It is indeed one of their most endearing attributes.

After a day of life’s simple pleasures this jaded journo certainly came away feeling that everything’s apples in Tassie!

ACK Judy Chapman and Pedigree Breeder Magazine.