Steele
In 1996 I sent Siri back to Kontoki to be bred to one of their dogs, Ch. Kontoki's The Last Boy Scout "Ronald". Ronald was a very sound moving boy that Tom often used in judge's seminars. There were 6 pups in the Ronald x Siri breeding 2 boys and 4 girls. Steele was the only black/white pup. All the others were red/white.
Steele lived with Karen, her husband, Steve and son, Sean in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Armstrong family has owned usually two or three Siberians at a time for many years and has always participated in a variety of activities with their dogs. I first met Karen in 1991 when she and her family were living in Halifax. It was Karen who first introduced me
Steele lived with Karen, her husband, Steve and son, Sean in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Armstrong family has owned usually two or three Siberians at a time for many years and has always participated in a variety of activities with their dogs. I first met Karen in 1991 when she and her family were living in Halifax. It was Karen who first introduced me
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to dog sledding and certainly got me started on the right foot as far as this activity was concerned. It was also Karen's Armstrong's high recommendation of Karen Ramstead that assured me that I was moving in the right direction in getting a dog from Karen Ramstead. Even after Karen moved back out West we continued to stay in touch and on several occasions we have arranged to go to National Specialties together. Even though Karen no longer has Siberians our friendship has continued and she is still a valued member of my Chimini Puppy Owners Facebook group. She has great judgement and insight of people and situations and off course knowledge of the Siberian. She is always willing to share her advice and experience with the members of the group.
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On the Trail |
Karen skijored with Steele first just with him and later on with Steele and Yahoo (who Karen got from Karen Ramstead). Not all dogs will run by themselves so it was nice to see that Steele had the drive and the seriousness about his work in harness to be willing to do this.
In 1999/2000 Karen decided to take on the challenge of completing a Working Sled Dog title on Steele. This requires that the dog go a distance of 50 miles in harness in no more than 5 trips of 10 miles per trip. Karen and Steele completed the requirements for this title and Karen was notified by the Siberian Husky Club of Canada in Dec. 2000 that Steele is the first dog in Canada to obtain the title of WSjD (Working Skijoring Dog). I am extremely proud of their achievement. Karen and Steele also competed in skijoring races. |
In the Show Ring |
Steele was a Canadian Champion, multi Best Puppy in Group winner and a Best of Breed winner in Canada. He also won the 12-18 month class at the 1997 U.S. National Specialty, handled by Tommy O.
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Agility and Obedience |
Karen also worked with Steele in both agility and obedience.
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Karen's comments about Steele |
When I asked Karen to describe Steele's personality to me she replied "He's so different than our other Sibes that Steve accuses him of not really being a Sibe at all." I asked Karen to expand on this statement. She replied "Steele is a one person dog which I think is rare in Siberians. Wherever I go, he has to be somewhere close by. He has more desire to please so any kind of training (obed / agility / sledding) has been much easier. None of our other dogs ever wanted to sleep on the bed - Steele does. He gets up n the bed when I turn in and then he stays there until Steve come to bed and turns off the TV. then Steele gets down and sleeps beside the bed on my side. The other thing is that Steele plays ball - all the other dogs just looked at the ball and said, "you go get it". However, unlike the one-person trait in some other breeds, Steele will listen and behave for both Sean and Steve. Steele is also very friendly with other people."
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