MURRAY BRIDGE BOARDING KENNELS&CATTERY

MURRAY BRIDGE BOARDING KENNELS AND CATTERY is owned and operated by Rick and Wendy Baker.

Rick & Wendy purchased MURRAY BRIDGE BOARDING KENNELS & CATTERY in September 2003. Since that time much work has gone into upgrading and re-vamping the kennels.

Rick and Wendy - 2004

ABOUT RICK:
Rick has been involved with the canine world for over 30 years. His first dog was a Labrador Retriever, which he initially purchased as a pet for company for him and his family. This dog sparked his interest in the world of pedigree dogs and exhibition of the same. He started showing this dog, and then purchased another. When the house that they were living in became too small to house the growing animal population they purchased a house with kennels in the Adelaide Hills township of Verdun.

Over the ensuing years Rick bred and exhibited, under the GEMCOURT prefix, not only Labradors, but also many of the Gundog breeds, including American Cocker Spaniels, Pointers, Red & English Setters. His interest in the canine world expanded and he began his judging career – gaining his ALLBREEDS judging licence. Rick has judged in all states of Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines, Bangkok, Ireland, & England. Rick began showing, breeding and exhibiting DALMATANS in about 1992, slowly the Dalmatian population over took the gundog breeds. Over the past 12 years GEMCOURT DALMATIANS have excelled in the show ring. Rick is the Director of his own floor sanding company and although now in semi-retirement is still hands on with the business.

ABOUT WENDY:
Wendy has been involved with animals and dogs for most of her life. Raised on a Dairy farm, she learnt from an early age how to look after and care for most animals. Her mother who bred and exhibited Chihuahua’s, and Long Haired Dachshunds piqued her interest in exhibition dogs. Wendy found a Black and Tan Dachshund in a full litter of Reds that she instantly fell in love with and wanted for herself. The one condition was that she had to start exhibiting the dog. Hence ASYUT BLACK IRISH was the first dog that Wendy campaigned seriously.

Wendy bred Long Haired Dachshunds for a few years under the TULLAHPARK prefix, before being introduced to her next breed, which was GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS. This breed dominated most of Wendy’s life for the next 10 years or so, with many champions exhibited under the LANYON prefix. One of her greatest thrills was gaining the GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP title on her beloved Nathan, (Gd Ch Lanyon The Navigator), who still holds the record as the only Griffon Bruxellois to gain that title. Wendy and Rick started showing Dalmatians together in the late 1990’s and together have combined their knowledge to produce the top winning competition dogs that they show today.

Wendy managed a boarding kennels for over 10 years and has also worked as a supervisor for a major department store over the years

Rick (left) and Wendy (right) - showing Ch Gemcourt Hot Gossip at the Melbourne Royal Show