Nikolas Kanales – “ARYAKAS”

I was born at “Aryakas”, on the Cycladic Island of Paros, in Greece, where since my early childhood I became involved with different types of livestock and breeding, but obviously dogs became my favourite animals, as well as horses.

My first OES came in my life at a rather young age, approximately 40 years ago, after having various working and sporting dogs, and the breed has ever since been a huge part of my life, in many ways helping me to become the person I am today. My love of the breed has brought me various long-lasting friendships and relationships, with special people worldwide.

Because I have always had a very demanding professional life I have only bred a rather limited number of litters myself. Even so, dogs in my ownership, co-ownership and mostly of my breeding have reached the highest levels of recognition around the international dog world and have won, amongst others, at Crufts, the WDS, EDS and Euro-OES, taking many BIS and BISS titles. I take great pleasure in seeing Aryakas in the pedigrees of Top Dogs in various countries, Top Stud dog, Top Brood bitch etc, from Greece to the UK, from the South to the North of America and from Portugal to Russia, all the way to Australia and New Zealand!

I have been both very lucky and rather persistent in choosing where to “take from” and where to “give to”! In reality the great success is largely down to having some great mentors, great breeders and fantastic dog owners, as well as many real friends. 

I highly value the “ideals” of pedigree dogs, especially Old English Sheepdogs and the importance of good and ethical breeding. Consequently I believe my judging is greatly influenced by the responsibility I feel as a breeder.

As a Professional Groomer, Certified Teacher of Groomers, Dog Trainer and Show Dog Handler, owning two rather busy grooming parlours in Cosenza in Italy with my husband Matteo Autolitano, I have always been captivated by various breeds, and I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced and made up Champions in breeds, especially  from the Pastoral, Working, Terrier, Utility and Toy  groups  including Schnauzers, Bedlington and Kerry Blue Terriers, Irish Setters, Miniature Poodles, Brussels Griffons, Pugs, German Short Haired Pointers and Golden Retrievers.

Personally, I find it very important judging at a breed level - even more than judging at Group or Best In Show level – to remember the words of the late British all-rounder judge and author Leo C. Wilson, “to their virtues ever kind, to their faults a little blind”.

I so much looking forward to seeing and having my hands on your beautiful dogs, as OES will always be the breed closest to my heart.