Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice
For we are young and free
We've golden soil and wealth for toil
Our home is girt by sea
Our land abounds in natures gifts of beauty rich and rare
In History's page let every stage Advance Australia Fair
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair

Clear Day"Beneath our radiant Southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share:
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair."
In celebration of Australia's Centenary of Federation. 2001
Almost Hippo like creatures with the roots of it progenitors deeply buried in the sands of time. referred to as “Tomb Dogs” by archaeologist and revered in statuary as some of the worlds best Asian Art Museums, undoubtedly on first introduction most are surprised and delighted with the strange appearance and extraordinary disposition of this once endangered species. Recognized in canine circles as on of Australia’s foremost breeders and importers of the Chinese Shar-Pei's Ross and Sue Kyle of Nanchu kennels have devoted their lifestyle to the betterment of the breed. This is the story of how this special couple became involved with their lovable litters.

Nanchu Kennels was established in 1988. The name Nanchu derived from the names of our first two shar-pei Liswal Chung Ho Tien an Huang Bars Nancykwan. So became NANCHU. At that time it was almost impossible to buy a Shar-Pei in this country. Sue and I later imported a female from Kentucky in the USA. It took nine months as she had to be quarantined in Honolulu. Lady Ambassador arrived as home for a cost of $9000.00. Nanchu Kennels is situated on Skye Farm Millbank, our dogs have a wonderful life of much freedom and much love. The farm is on the Billybeyang Creek road that leads to Kempsey on the mid-western coast of New South Wales. Nestled in the tall timbers and blue hills with the running creeks and banks spattered with weeping willows; it’s a lovely quiet area. Sky Farms is also a Grey Brahman stud that is both managed and run by Sue and I. From our humble beginning, the first pup ever born to us at Skye Farm was Nanchu Dr. Chang. Later to become the lovable Rolly on the Purex toilet roll ad. To this day all the Shar-Pei lovers should thank Purex for the attention that was drawn to that breed of dog by their toilet roll commercial. So became the Australian naturalisation of the “Rolly dog”.

In true terms of history, the Shar-Pei has been traced back to the Han Dynasty, 202 BC - 220 AD. They existed for centuries in the southern province of China, originating from Dah Let in the Kwung Tung Province. The Communist regime brought about the near extinction of the breed. Taxes on dogs were increased and breeding was banned. They were also culled for food and their coats used for outer garments. The breed was saved from extinction by Matgo Law in 1971, the same year it featured in the Guinness book of records as the worlds rarest dog. This unique and wonderful animal is today safe from extinction, and loved by thousands. Extremely intelligent, loyal and devoted to their owners, I have always said.... “if you have not owned a Shar-Pei. You have not owned a dog” I could talk and write about them forever as they are truly different.      Ross Kyle


Ross Kyle & one of his Brahman Cattle

Hello to all Shar Pei lovers! This is the story of how I discovered an animal that I fell passionately in love with. I will start with myself. My name is Erin Kore; I’m 20 and live in Adelaide with my partner Peter and my 20-month old daughter Isabella. I have always liked dogs but have never been really taken by a particular breed. My father has a Rottweiler cross that has no personality and is quite dumb. I had always thought the ‘Rolly’ dog on TV was adorable but it wasn’t until I went to the 1998 Adelaide Royal Show that I was really introduced to the Shar Pei. In 1999 after having my daughter I moved into a house alone, while my partner attended the Olympics to work. I wanted a guard dog and a companion, so I started thinking about a Shar Pei. Not knowing a thing about them, I hopped onto the Internet. Well! I found everything I could want on the breed. This heralded a yearlong search for my perfect puppy. As I read the articles on Shar Pei’s I realised what a fragile breed they were especially in Australia and I wanted to keep up the high standards already set here. My only problem was I was in Adelaide and most of the breeders were in other states. I contacted every Canine Association in every state and I kept Telstra in business for the next few months. My next hurdle was finding a breeder that had puppies. I wanted the breeder to be in VIC or NSW as I was going to Sydney for Christmas 2000. So I finally narrowed the breeders down to two. By this time I had bought many books, read everything on the Internet and talked to countless breeders all over Australia. I must say I did get some conflicting opinions from different breeders that confused me sometimes but in the end it all worked out. I was only able to visit one litter in Sydney as the other bitch hadn’t given birth yet and we were due home the next weekend. Armed with a list of questions to ask the breeder I went in with confidence and that paid off. I was able to view both parents and they were fantastic dogs. I wanted to take all of the puppies then and there but they were only 3 weeks old. After an hour or so of viewing all of the breeders 30 something dogs I was very happy with her. She was passionate about the dogs and keeping up the good standard of breeding. She was open and answered all my questions. Isabella loved the puppies and Peter and I settled with one dog. At three weeks we couldn’t really tell much but the breeder promised that if the puppy we picked didn’t turn out well we could have another female puppy. On my return to Adelaide I prepared for the puppy. I contacted local vets to see if they dealt with Shar Pei’s and I eventually found one. As February drew closer my excitement grew. I was in constant contact with the breeder but unfortunately the puppy we had picked out was small and not maturing fast so we were sent a different puppy. When she arrived on February the 9th she was perfect and I was glad that the breeder had been fair and sent me my moneys worth. We named her ‘Shelby’. Shelby is a red fawn brush coat and she has a wonderful temperament. At 9 weeks she was already protecting the house and Isabella. At night she loves nothing more than to curl up on my lap for a cuddle. She is now 16 weeks old and growing fast. She has graduated from puppy class with flying colors and loves other dogs. We have seen the vet a bit because a gland in her third eye lid popped out. The vet called it ‘cherry eye’ and said it was common for Shar Pei’s. I was informed that pet insurance is a must with Shar Pei’s and I’m glad I took that advice! I would desperately love to breed Shelby and to show her as she is of Hong Kong stock and of champion blood lines, but I am aware of the great time and expense both activities involve. Right now I want to meet any other Shar Pei owners in Adelaide. We don’t have a Shar Pei club here although I think we have a Chinese Breed club. So if anyone knows of breeders in SA could you e-mail me? In conclusion I would like to thank all the people that gave me advice during my quest to find Shelby. It has all been worth it. She brings my family so much happiness and joy and is turning out to be my second baby! I wasn’t planning on having any other children for a while. Anyway I would also like advice and information on breeding and what is involved. Anyway thank you all! I will send a photo soon.      Erin Kore

 

Shelby Kore