About
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Located in Southern River, a rural outer suburb of Perth, Western Australia, TASWEST BOXERS was founded in 1983 by Michelle Roberts.
With the purchase of a beautiful red and white bitch Phoenix Fancy Free (Fancy) from Maxine and Terry Carter (Phoenix Boxers) in South Australia, Michelle was totally hooked on the breed.
Considering that she was only going to acquire one to show and accompany her two Beagles to the shows and never to breed a litter- (not interested!!!) things have really come a long way.
Competitiveness and the will to achieve had been bred into Michelle from a very early age. Firstly in Athletics winning a bronze medal at the Australian Championships and then showing Thoroughbred horses, in Dressage, Showjumping and Eventing. With her very talented and extremely versatile horse, DIMITRI, they reached State level in Dressage and were also Runner up Horse and Rider of the Year in eventing before retiring owing to “being the poor man in a rich mans sport”.
Therefore, being such a competitive person and a perfectionist by nature, the progression to showing dogs and setting high goals was an easy transition.
And so the story continues, with Fancy producing three Australian Champions.
The first being CH TASWEST TIFANY IKENWIN (Tifany) who was sired by Ch Keldaren Kid Intrepid (Pokey). Both Fancy and Pokey were sired by Ch Phoenix Jason Argonaut- one of Australia’s biggest winning Boxers of his time. Tifany won a Best in Show- all breeds at the tender age of 10 months and titled with 2 Best Exhibits in-groups in two days at 14 months.The following litter by Vimar’s Magic Goes On (Imp USA) produced a lovely male called CH TASWEST TOM SAWYER who also won a Best Exhibit In Show -all breeds- at the age of 10 months. Tom has a special story of survival against the odds. As an ailing puppy from birth, Tom was reared on an eyedropper for the first three weeks of his life after vets advised there was no more that could be done for him. The suggestion was made “to let him go”. Well Michelle thought this puppy will have to fight hard to die. After much blood, sweat and tears, Tom finally walked unaided at 5 weeks, was awarded Baby in Show at his first outing at 4 months, won Best Exhibit in Show – all breeds- at 10 months, titled at 14 months and retired at 6 years of age winning Best Australian Bred in Show at the 3rd Boxer National in Queensland under renowned Boxer specialist Mr Walter Pinsker (USA). A story to warm the heart and bring a tear to the eye.
With the purchase of the bitch Phoenix The Dame (Jacquie) from Maxine and Terry, the next chapter in the history of Taswest was about to commence. Jacquie was by the wonderful American import Am Ch Salgrays Minute Man. She was mated to Jacquets Bayside of the Wind (Imp USA) and this produced one of the biggest winners ever bred at Taswest. Her name was CH TASWEST TUPPANY SUE. Becky went on to become a multiple Best Exhibit in Show- all breeds and specialty- winner. With her classic Boxer head and breathtaking movement, Becky finished #7 Top Dog of the Year- all breeds- in 1990 and retired at the age of 7 after winning Best Exhibit in Show at the BC of WA specialty show under Mr Roosenboom (Belgium).
In 1988, Michelle purchased a 3/4 brother to Becky as an 8-week-old puppy again from Maxine and Terry. His name was Ch Phoenix Paragon (Henry). Puppies at Taswest are shown sparingly under 12 months, but once Henry made his appearance in the Junior class at around 13 months of age, he made quite a name for himself. To his credit he achieved a “hat trick” of Best Exhibit in Show wins – winning the top award at 3 Boxer Club of WA Championship shows under 3 world renowned specialists. He also won a Best in Show – all breeds- and an amazing seven Runner Up Best in Shows – all breeds. Both Becky and Henry were invitees to the prestigious Contest of Winners- Becky (1) and Henry ( 3 times). Together Becky and Henry were a formidable team for many years.
In 1988, Western Australia staged the inaugural agility trial to celebrate Australia’s bicentennial year. Teams of six were organised and at that time in WA there was only one Boxer doing agility. Her name was Ch Phoenix Ginger Rogers owned by Michelle. As luck would have it, the Dobermann team were one short of the required number and so invited Michelle and Ginger (not necessarily in that order) to join. Naturally, with this class act added to their already talented team, they won the competition.
JUDGING
Michelle is ANKC FCI International All Breeds judge.
She had the honour of judging the first Boxer Specialty show and the 9th Dobermann Specialty show in Kuala Lumpar in 1997.
Michelle was delighted to judge the Boxer Specialty show for the Munster Boxer Club in Ireland in 2009. She thoroughly enjoyed assessing their beautiful Boxers, meeting the wonderful Boxer enthusiasts and of course seeing their delightful country.
Michelle has also judged in most states of Australia.
Michelle is restricted from showing in the Eastern States of Australia on a more regular basis due to the geographical isolation of Perth, so trips to Nationals , Royals and other shows in the East are limited.
She is dedicated to breeding (to the standard) sound quality puppies each and every time. All breeding stock is heart murmur tested clear before being bred. With only a couple of litters on the average each year, the aim has always been excellence in quality, NEVER QUANTITY.
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