Mr John & Mrs Joyce Sullivan
Kennoway Border Collies
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We first became involved in Border Collies in 1977 when we purchased our first show dog from local breeders. He was soon to be known as 'Ch Cheryla Mac Spade', and eventually went on to be the first Border Collie to win a Best In Group at the Adelaide Royal.
We soon established our kennel prefix 'Kennoway' being Joyce's birthplace in Scotland, hence the wearing of tartan in the show ring. Coming from a sporting environment into the dog world was a whole new lifestyle for John, but a good decision. After learning the ropes (sort of), we purchased a female Border Collie from Victoria and later decided to breed our first litter. We were hooked. We have been very fortunate to have had many wins along the way, and would say the most memorable was being awarded Runner Up Best In Show and Puppy In Show at the 1990 Melbourne Royal. Taking out two of the three major awards was certainly history in the making. The total entry for the show was 6,781 dogs with a massive entry of Borders, Open Bitch Class alone had 42 entries and our bitch eventually took out RUBIS. In 1991 we decided to venture to the Perth Royal and returned home with the Best In Show trophy. This was the first time a Border Collie had ever won Best In Show at a Royal Show in Australia. |
Mr John & Mrs Joyce Sullivan - Kennoway Border Collies
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Although the All Breeds Show wins were great, the Specialty Show wins were the most satisfying to us, especially with our home bred dogs. We have been fortunate enough to win numerous Best In Show awards at shows in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, and we believed it was important to travel interstate to compete against the country's top dogs.
We have also worked on committees in South Australia and Victoria, and John has held the position of President. He also helped establish the Border Collie National Breed Council and was elected as the Inaugural President of the Council.
Travelling overseas to visit shows and meet breeders was very important and also enjoyable, as was visiting Crufts, Westminster Shown at Madison Square Garden, and the USA Nationals. Westminster was particularly exciting as one of our dogs was shown there and Joyce later showed him at the USA National.
We have also owned and shown Miniature Schnauzers, English Springer Spaniels and over the past ten years the 'Toy' version of Border Collies - Papillons - although Border Collies will always be our heart dogs.
The inaugural Border Collie Club of South Australia Championship Show on 14th May 2022 was a special day for both of us, with John judging and Joyce being given the honour of being a Patron of the club along with Lynn Harrison. John was also invited to serve as a Patron in 2024.
We have also worked on committees in South Australia and Victoria, and John has held the position of President. He also helped establish the Border Collie National Breed Council and was elected as the Inaugural President of the Council.
Travelling overseas to visit shows and meet breeders was very important and also enjoyable, as was visiting Crufts, Westminster Shown at Madison Square Garden, and the USA Nationals. Westminster was particularly exciting as one of our dogs was shown there and Joyce later showed him at the USA National.
We have also owned and shown Miniature Schnauzers, English Springer Spaniels and over the past ten years the 'Toy' version of Border Collies - Papillons - although Border Collies will always be our heart dogs.
The inaugural Border Collie Club of South Australia Championship Show on 14th May 2022 was a special day for both of us, with John judging and Joyce being given the honour of being a Patron of the club along with Lynn Harrison. John was also invited to serve as a Patron in 2024.