About Us

I was in my early twenites when I saw my first Chow in a pet shop in Mildura, Victoria. He belonged to the owner and having grown up with working dogs I was fascinated by the colour and the inscrutable expression of the dog he called a Chow Chow.

From then on I collected all the information I could find on this unique and beautiful breed but it was not until some 12 years later when my husband was to take up his last posting in the Australian Armed Forces in Brisbane, Queensland that with his encouragement, we decided we could bring a Chow into the family.

I chose a puppy from the late Mrs Veronica Ward's Paitou Kennels in Sydney, Aust Ch.Paitou Szu Leong (Lonnie) who was bred from that wonderful Chow, Aust. Ch. Kichako Cheng Mandarin and Zebedee Impish Beauty in 1981. Lonnie was my pride and joy, my first show dog and also my first Aust. Champion. He taught me so much about the breed and we learnt what it is to be owned by a Chow. Soon there were 2, then 3, then 4 Chows and I also became involved with rescue work for the breed.

At this time Tsulin Abacus (Sebastian, bred by Mrs E Simpson, Victoria) came to me from an unhappy home at 18 months of age. A lovely boy, a true gentleman in every way but his early life left its mark on this sensative boy and he did not enjoy the show ring. With Paitou Francesca he sired Taukai Grand Finale, who went to Mrs Wendy Sherriff and who was campaigned extensively, being the first Chow to win a Best In Show at an All Breeds Championship Show in Queensland in 20 or more years. The highlight of his show career was being awarded Best In Show over 101 entries by Mrs Shiela Jakeman, a well known and respected judge from the United Kingdom at the Chow Chow Club of New South Wales Specialty Show in 1991.

Several years after moving from suburbia to a rural area, specifically to accomodate the Chows and a number of foster children, my husband died in a motor vehicle accident. The Chows were my strength but my return to work meant any exhibiting and breeding had to be curtailed for a number of years.

I have since remarried and we now own and run a small allbreeds boarding kennel in south east Queensland and currently have 14 chows. Some are quite elderly now, others are pets for various reasons, several are rescue chows who came here to be relocated and stayed, then there are the youngsters who are currently being exhibited and will hopefully improve the breed at a later stage. I still have a son from Grand Finale but have mostly Betabear lines from Western Australia. All the chows are much loved family pets first, show dogs second. All exhibiting is done during the cooler months and win or lose, the best chow comes home with me.

Any breeding done is primarily for myself, always striving for that perfect chow in type, temperament and soundness. Occasionally there are puppies available to selected chow homes. I still take in rescue chows and am always interested in hearing from those who feel they could offer a suitable permanent and loving home to the occasional chow, through no
fault of his own, needs a new family.

I am registered with the state controlling body, the Canine Controlling Council, and am a member of the Chow Chow Clubs in both New South Wales and Victoria, and of the local breeds Burnett Kennel Club and the Asian Breeds Club of Queensland.

We hope you enjoy your stay and come back soon, photos and events will be updated
regularly.

Lesley Stewart

Taukai Kennels


Aust Ch.Paitou Szu Leong "Lonnie"	Aust. Ch KichakoCheng Mandarin


Tsulin Abacus "Sebastian"	Aust Ch. Taukai Grand Finale "Seba Junior"