Welcome to Our Kennel!
Miniature Poodle Rochambeau was started in the mid-1960's by Sharon Isgro. Not your usual show breeder, the many championships,
ribbons and titles her dogs won were of little significance to her. Her goal was to produce healthy, happy Poodles with a
style and excellence of movement that only good structure and good temperament could bring. The awards naturally followed
but, as any who knew her well could attest, she valued her Poodles more as companions than as show dogs.
I started showing dogs in the early
80's. My breed of choice was Pharaoh Hounds. After many years and many successes, I required some pretty extreme back surgery
and, quite suddenly, my breed of choice, my wonderful hounds, became too much for me to handle. I knew I didn't want to give
up on dogs so I went looking for another breed.
The criteria were simple. I wanted
a breed that was intelligent, trainable, more high style than the Pharaohs, and, of course, smaller in size and lighter in
weight. But they had to have the athletic ability that I was used to... and that proved to be the problem!
It was at the World Dog Show in Milan
that I fell in love. Taking a break from watching the Conformation Show, I happened upon the Obedience ring. There, performing
some of the most intricate obedience work I had ever seen, was a black Miniature Poodle. She was flawless and her routine,
incredible. It was in that moment that I made my decision. I wanted Miniature Poodles! Upon returning to the States, I made
it my mission to find the brightest and the best. All roads led to Sharon and Rochambeau.
To say that Sharon greeted
me with open arms would be a lie. She was skeptical that a hound person could learn the skills necessary to keep coat and
grow hair. She told me that I had to prove myself and that she wouldn't sell me a dog unless I did. I took this almost as
a dare and was lucky enough to find a pup that, while not bred by Sharon, was out of her lines.
I DID grow coat on that pup -
and took her to handling classes and matches and shows and she is now CH. South Paws' No Cream No Sugar. All the while, I
kept Sharon updated on her progress. I wanted a Rochambeau Poodle and would do what it took to get one.
One of the happiest (and scariest) days
of my life was when Sharon Isgro invited me up to her house. I didn't know what to expect! But, did you ever meet someone
and you just know that you were supposed to be best friends? That was how it was with Sharon and me. She was my best friend
until her death in July of 2004.
In the ultimate act of love and
kindness, Sharon Isgro left to me her dogs and her kennel name - perhaps the greatest gift one dog person could
bestow on another. Thank you Sharon, I miss you every day but I know you are never far. All I have to do is look out my back
door and watch the Poodles play.
