SID & ROSE

(the founders of Aridela Kennels)

The one thing that stamps the Aridela prefix apart from most others is that Rose and I had never owned or been involved in the breeding or showing of pedigree dogs until after we reached the age of 50, the age when many others were slowing down, or getting out of the dog scene completely. Even then, we became involved almost by accident.

After war years of Navy service, marriage, raising a family and running a business saw the 40’s and 50’s slip by; it was only after our youngest daughter, seeing a mini smooth dachshund puppy in a pet shop window, and wanting it more than anything else for her birthday that we became hooked. Trying to dissuade her saying we were too involved, too busy and sundry other excuses, only seemed to bring on more “…please, please, pleases.” Finally relenting we went off to the pet shop only to find to her great disappointment, the little mini had died of distemper. We assured her we would look for another mini smooth to take its place, and not long after found a twelve-week-old red mini smooth bitch puppy through a newspaper ad. It was at that very moment it happened. I will never forget the look of pure joy on her face, and that beautiful dackie grin peering up from her cuddling arms. It was that moment of sheer joy on my daughter’s face that completely changed our lifestyle.

Within a week a second mini smooth bitch, the litter sister, was procured to keep that lonely first one company. We were assured of that young pairs champion qualities, (green as grass us) the greatness of their parents, and the great show future that lay before them. No, they did not rise to those dizzy heights, and no, it was not our inexperience in showing or handling them. Lovely little dackies they were, show quality specimens they were not.

What were we to do, quit the dog world disgruntled and disappointed, or get something of quality next time. A job worth doing is worth doing well. Our first step was to join the Miniature Dachshund Club of Great Britain and endeavour to obtain a quality foundation breeding pair.

We were fortunate and from the Montreux Kennel in 1966, Manrose and Sandrina were selected for us. After a long sea voyage out, and a lengthy quarantine period, they eventually became ours in 1967. The next few months saw us selling up the business and our comfortable suburban home, and moving to a near by country town, and the start of a new lifestyle, building and establishing the Aridela  Breeding and Boarding Kennel.

 Written by Sid Polson

Last updated

16/01/2007