Peter Townsend & Karen Bell 

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In January of 74 our first Samoyed Tara was born. We wanted a male and only a female was available. The breeder said that we could breed from her later and then we could have the boy we wanted, yes and that’s how it all began. Tara wasn’t one for the shows. She loved going but only to check out her one and true love “Ben”. Ben she wanted and Ben she got…. That was our first litter, which was in 75. That litter produced 6 beautiful males. Shah remained at Bentara to keep his mum company. In 76 we decided to have another litter but this time it was with Ben’s litter brother Josh. Tara fancied him to!!! She had good taste. That litter produced 3 girls and 3 boys. Tina we kept from that litter. She was so tiny she could fit in a brandy glass as an 8 week old baby. Tina wasn’t shown a lot mainly attending club functions but did enjoy herself. She was the family baby and as others came after her she always remained the baby of the family. We never started showing extensively till Shah was approaching 3yrs old. Shah did well in the show ring winning specialty In Shows in various age classes and Group wins at All Breeds. Shah was shown as a Veteran at all Breed shows and represented the Breed well there also. Unfortunately Shah was known as the bridesmaid never the bride. He accumulated in his show career 50-reserve challenges.

Next to join our family was Czar, he was a lot of fun to show and had a fiery nature, am sure he only attended the shows to check out the girls and try and figure out how to eliminate the opposition…Czar was an All Breeds Best In Show winner and also accumulated several wins at Specialty and All Breed shows in his show career. Next to come along was Tiffany, Tiffany was the result of a holiday to Australia and whilst visiting close friends Helen & Stephen Gabb of Sever Samoyeds. Once seen never to be forgotten. Tiffany had class Tiffany was and will always remain the Jewel that came to Bentara. Tiffany was a dream to show and to live with. She accumulated over her years many All Breed In Show awards as well as Specialty awards. Even at the age of 12 she was still winning Best of Breed at Championship Shows. Tiffany was mated to Czar in 86 and produced 3 girls and 3 boys. Sharn and Pixie remained at Bentara whilst two were exported across the Pacific to Hawaii and the other two remained in NZ.

Prior to Tiffany’s litter arriving another import from Sever was to arrive at Bentara. This being Starr…. Unfortunately Starr at 3 1/2mths of age contracted Parvo. Starr after this was only to be shown in later life due to the affects of this dreadful disease. Sharn and Pixie along with Tiffany were to keep us busy showing over the next years. Sharn was awarded Specialty In Shows and All Breed wins along with his litter sister Pixie. Sharn later left our shores to go on a holiday to Sever Samoyeds. Sharn remained in Australia after that living the life of luxury with his adored owners Stephen & Helen. During that Period we were lucky to show one of Czar’s daughters Zara. Zara another specialty and All Breed winner was retired half way to her title for maternal duties. Zara produced two litters for Bentara and her offspring reside in Australia, NZ and Hawaii. Sharma remained at Bentara and followed in his illustrious Grandsires footsteps, not only in looks but also with the same luck Shah had and played the bridesmaid yet again.

Pixie produced two litters as well and also has offspring residing in Australia, NZ and Hawaii. Pixie was also half way to her title but like mother like daughter we never thought much of it and figured she would title later but due to contracting Pyometra this put any hope on her attaining her championship title. Pixies last litter resulted in 9 pups, which we kept Penny and Vicky, these girls were to be the next generation. Imported from Sever was Peri (Sharn’s grandson); this youngster was to introduce new bloodlines. As nature would have it this was never to be, later that year Penny was to be diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel disease and left a very big void in our lives. A day prior to this Vicky was to succumb to pyometra. The years have gone by with Peri leaving his mark around the country by siring some lovely litters. We were privilaged to be able to have pick dog from a very special mating. This produced our young and upcoming boy “PJ” Six months later again we were offered the opportunity of having yet another Peri offspring. This was to be our young little girl known as “Alika”. So here at Bentara we have a lovely trio and the future of Bentara is now looking forward to continuing to produce quality Samoyeds as first set out 31 years ago . Karen’s parnter Peter is now part of Bentara and between them exhibit the Bentara Samoyeds.

Looking back over the years Bentara have ever only had 7 litters. We breed to further our bloodlines and hopefully improve the Samoyed Breed. All our dogs where possible have been x-rayed for hip dysplaysia. These you will note under there names when you view their photos. Peri is passing on these excellent genes and hopefully not too far in the future Bentara will produce its 8^th litter.

“The legacy of those in the past will remain in the future”

Karen & Una Bell