Michelle Luckey-Rowton has been involved with purebred dogs since 1968, and obtained her first Borzoi Am. Can. Ch. Troykov's Noble Thunderbird "Thunder" from Helen Dayton in 1977. In 1978 Michelle was Oregon State Grand Champion in handling, with her Great Dane.
Michelle showed Thunder to both his American and Canadian Title, his wins including group firsts. He was also Best of Breed at the Southern California Borzoi Specialty - Thunder was the beginning of Michelle's love affair with the Borzoi.
Limited breeding over the years has produced multiple champions, breeding selectively, to "create a blend of function, beauty and health". That breeding program has produced several champions including Best of Winners and best brood bitch at the Borzoi Club of America 1996 National Specialty.
In addition to grooming, and handling her own dogs, Michelle has shown a variety of breeds as a handler, including Smooth and Rough Collies, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, Pugs, Greyhounds, Whippets, Afghans, Salukis, Deerhounds, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, German Shorthaired Pointers, Kuvas, Boxers, Dobermans, Brittanys and Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and of course a variety of Borzoi for other owners.
Michelle has also presented judges education seminars about Borzoi.
In her world outside of dogs, Michelle is currently studying conservation and natural resources in college as well as working full time.
John Rowton grew up in Canada. His first show dog was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi in 1960. He bred a few Corgi litters, which included group winners. His last litter included Ruff who won the herding group from the open bitch class over specials. In the early 70's, John spent time working for an AKC licensed all breed handler in the United States. When he returned to Canada, he worked as a journalist, while continuing to show his own dogs and dogs for others.
He has owned or bred Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Whippets, Scottish Deerhounds, Dobermans, German Shorthaired Pointers, Bedlington Terriers, Dalmatians and of course Borzoi. In addition he handled a variety of breeds, including Skye Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Cairns, Silky Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Dobermans, Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers and Irish Wolfhounds.
In 1984 John applied to judge part of the Terrier Group in Canada. He is now licensed by the Canadian Kennel Club to judge all breeds except Sporting Dogs. He also served as the Canadian Kennel Club Director for South West BC John now judges internationally, having traveled to such places as New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand and Australia.
Michelle and John now live in Oregon in the Scenic Columbia River Gorge. Kenai Borzoi is located on five acres with room for the "kids" to play. In addition to the Borzoi, they share their time with two corgis, a rescued German Shepherd and two rescued house cats.
Michelle and John are members of the Borzoi Club of America and Dog Fanciers of Oregon. Michelle continues to show Borzoi, while John on occasion is recruited as the back up handler.
In addition to dogs, Michelle and John spend as much time as they can with their horses - trail riding.
