THOMLA KENNELS- PROFILE

Thomla Kennels is Ian & Dale Luke. “Thomla” comes from a combination of the names of our children, Thomas and Laura. We are located in the small township of Pyalong, in Central Victoria, Australia.

      When Dale was growing up, her mother bred Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s under the Niltaran prefix, a prefix now used by Dale’s sister Nicole and mother Lorraine, breeding Alaskan Malamutes. Dale’s earliest memories of dog showing include competing in Junior Handlers at Melbourne Royal with a recalcitrant corgi. Our introduction to Malamutes came through Ch Talkeetna Atikan Khiahna, who came to us at approximately 13 weeks old as a wedding present from a friend who had bred her. It wasn’t long before we were bitten, hard, by the showing bug and even harder by the Malamute “bug”! After we had been confused a number of times with another breeder of the same surname who had also bred Malamutes, who we did not wish to be associated with (and are not related to), Khiahna’s registration was transferred to Niltaran Kennels. We decided then not to register any dogs in our name for some time, and all our dogs were registered to Niltaran Kennels for some time. Thomla Kennels was registered in 2001.

        We learnt a lot about how to show from Khiahna and titled her from the Intermediate class. We decided we wanted to go further with this conformation show caper, and this wonderful breed, so started doing our research. Dale’s formal qualifications (an Associate Diploma in Applied Science in Animal Technology) and her years of experience working as a Laboratory Technician, firstly in research laboratories and later in High Schools, has proven helpful in pedigree research.

    Both of us have served the Alaskan Malamute Club, Victoria Inc: Dale as Treasurer and Publicity Officer and currently Show Secretary, and Ian as Secretary and Public Officer,  and currently as President. We have served various all breeds clubs, including: the Seymour & District Kennel Club Inc, (both as Committee members, Ian as Vice President and President, Dale as Show Secretary and Committee Member); the Yea Canine Association Inc, (Dale as Committee Member and Ian as Vice President); the Central Victorian Kennel Club Inc (Dale as Committee member, Ian as Vice President), and the Heathcote Kennel Club Inc (both as Committee members).

       We have also both served the multi breed/semi specialty club, The Victorian Spitz Breeds Club Inc. (Dale as Treasurer and Committee member and Ian as Committee member and Vice President). Dale has also served on  the French Bulldog Club of Victoria Inc as a Committee member and fundraiser co-ordinator. Ian has previously served on various sub committee’s of the State governing canine body, the Victorian Canine Association Inc. including the Investigations Committee (as Deputy Convenor and Presenter of Evidence); the Mediation Committee (as inaugural Convenor); the Disciplinary Committee (as Chairperson) and;  various working parties reviewing the rules and Regulations relevant to these committee’s.

    Dale was employed as a qualified swimming teacher and as a Pet Educator, visiting government schools with temperament tested dogs, teaching responsible pet ownership but is now back working as Laboratory Technician at the local High School

     Ian was employed in law office practice management but is now self employed, regularly stewards at dog shows, and is an ANKC licensed GROUP 6 judge (the Utility Group, which roughly translates to the AKC’s Working Group). He is also now licensed for Group 7 Non Sporting at Open Show Level. (AKC'S Group 6) He has in the past, handled for other exhibitors. He regularly participates in Working Dog Activities conducted by the AMCV.