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Robert's involvement with Pembroke Welsh corgis began in 1968 when he went to work for professional handlers Doug and Gladys Bundock at their kennel in northern California.  Learning about grooming, conditioning, training, and handling from Doug , and about pedigrees, whelping and caring for puppies from Gladys.  The Vangard Farm breeding program was founded on two daughters of the UK import Am. Can. Ch. Leonine Leprechaun, ROMX ~ Ch. Schaferhaus Danielle, ROM and Ch. Far Away Honey Candy, ROM.  All of the current Pembrokes at Vangard Farm trace back to these individuals.

After finishing his first champion by handling it to an all-breed Best-in-Show from the classes, Robert was pretty well hooked.  Although never housing or breeding many dogs, Vangard Farm has bred or finished more than 60 champions.  Of these, Robert has had the honor of handling 9 individuals (4 of which were home breds) to a total of 31 all-breed BIS.  Am. Can. Mex. Ber. FCI Ch. Vangard Jenelle, piloted by her handler Ray McGinnis, went on to win an additional 20 BIS after leaving Vangard and was the Top Herding Dog in the US in 1983. The other BIS winners were the Norwegian Elkhounds, Ch. Branstocks Gard, Ch. Rikkana's Free Wheeler, and GCHB Vin-Melca's Vangard, RATN; and the Pembrokes, Ch. Schaferhaus Danielle, ROM,  Ch. Vangard Mister Ski Bum, ROMX,  Ch. Vangard Jondalar,  and Ch. Vangard Ingenue, TD CDX.  There have also been numerous specialty winners that have carried the Vangard banner.