Marcia Dovey and husband at the time – Arthur, were the founders of the STURTMOOR Kennels. Having worked in Kennels from the age of 10 years with Kerry Blue Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers and Standard Poodles. After attending her first Dog Show (Windsor) in 1964 with Miss Ashworth, the bug bit – that was the life for Marcia! So she gained her first show dog – a Shetland Sheepdog! Times were difficult then – only being able to do shows she could get to on a bus! The first proper show dog was a Pyrenean – having wanted one of these ‘big white dogs’ since the age of four!
Duke aged 14 Years
Having been sucked into the show world in a big way, and by now doing quite well in the show ring. In 1974 an advert was placed in the Dog Press regarding the Portuguese Mountain Dog (a cousin of the Pyrenean). Marcia felt an article for the Pyrenean Newsletter coming on…..
Off she went to see this new breed in quarantine, ‘a pretty colour’ she thought as she looked at the rear end of the bitch….then….’Baby’ turned round and flashed those melting eyes at her – I think hook, line and sinker’d springs to mind! Two of the puppies were soon to come home to the New Forest and Sturtmoor Estrela’s were born. For 22 years from then Marcia’s allegiances stayed with her Mountain Dogs, until worsening health problems forced her to look for a smaller breed or give up. The Beardie’s were as small as she would go and so a new era started!
Marcia on Discover Dog's at Crufts (she is on the right)
Millie Pentland – the daughter (real name – Camille). Millie went to her first Dog Show at 11 days old, this was Bath Championship Show. Her love for dogs was evident at a very early age, at 3 years old she would take one of the Estrela’s into Junior Handling causing great amusement when crawling underneath the dog (who just stood there…!), trying to get the legs in the right place! Millie continued to attend the shows at every opportunity, helping mum to show the dogs whenever she could get her hands on one! She handled her first dog at Crufts at eight years old, and then gained 3rd in the Junior Handling Semi’s - Richmond at 10 years old which was the turning point in Millie’s career……
Millie with ‘PJ’ and
Judge Mr. Bryn Cadogan.
Marcia decided that Millie had worked hard enough, and had learnt enough to be able to cope with her own show dogs. This was to be a Norwegian Buhund, and continued with the Buhunds for 18 years gaining considerable success, eventually Millie joined Marcia in Sharing the affix of Sturtmoor for her own dogs too. Now, still showing in the new millennium, there have been major changes of scenery – a move to the USA! So, half of Sturtmoor is now overseas!
