Samantha came to us as an eight week old puppy and howled the house down for the first three nights. We’d never experienced sleep depravation until she arrived. She commenced obedience lessons at 16 weeks and went on to an advanced level, although we never trialed her.

She always has been – and still is – referred to as our Puppy Princess. She just seems to know that she’s a little cutie and that she’s special. Although her other nickname is “Rambo Sambo” because when she decides to do something, there’s no stopping her!

We were talked in to showing her by her breeder when she was seven months old. This led to a distinguished show career with her winning numerous Best of Breeds and Challenges under both national and international judges. She is our first Australian Champion.

She is the mother of our first litter and three of her babies from that litter are Australian Champions and Class in Group winners.

Her stunning son, Aust. Grand Ch. Bordogue Benjamin, is a multi Best in Group winner, multi Reserve in Group and multi Class in Group winner. He is one of the most awarded Dogues in Australia. He was the No. 1 DDB in Australia for 2006 and the No. 1 Australian Bred DDB in 2007 (DOL Pointscore). He is the first Australian bred multi Best in Group winning Grand Champion.

A son from her second litter, Bordogue Reginald (AI), was Puppy of Breed at the Royal Brisbane Show in 2006 and also won the Puppy Dog Class at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2006. He was Challenge Dog and Runner-up Best of Breed at the 2009 Royal Brisbane Show. He has amassed over 480 championship points in the showing to date and is a multi Class in Group winner with 15 classes in group.

Samantha has certainly turned out to one of Australia's most influential bitches. She is the only Australian bred bitch to produce a multi Best in Group winner, let alone a multi Best in Group winning Grand Champion.

We are currently campaigning Samantha's grandchildren in the showring with great success. Her grandson, Aust. Grand Ch. Bordogue Tobias is the first Australian bred Dogue to win Best in Show at All Breeds Championship level. He is also a multi Best in Group winner, multi Runner-up Best in Group winner and a multi Royal Best of Breed winner.

Her granddaughter, Aust. Grand Ch. Bordogue Joelle, is the first Australian bred Dogue de Bordeaux female to win Best Exhibit in Group.

Structurally, Samantha is a very sound girl and she has passed that on to both her children and grandchildren. We have consistently received comments from judges about the soundness of our dogs and we can thank Samantha for that.

Samantha is now retired from the show ring and as she suffered the equivalent of morning sickness with both litters, she has been spayed. She now spends her days doing what she enjoys most - watching the world go by (mainly the neighbours).

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19 May 2009 - Samantha died of bloat in the early hours of the morning. She was 8 years old and was fit and healthy. Our hearts and our home are just so empty without her.