22 Fitzgerald Street WINDSOR • 4577 2003 www. Orchid22. com. au
LOCAL LIFE
MY OTHER LIFE: Paul Hofman by Greg Martin
Yours truly nearly spilt his coffee when Paul Hofman told me his current champion show dog is named Nawtikees Keep Ya Knickers On.
Paul and his lovely wife, Tracy, have firmly established their Vineyard breeding operation, Nawtikees Keeshonden, as one of the most successful in the country.
Since entering the breeding and showing arena in 2001, the couple have bred and exhibited their beloved Keeshonds far and wide, earning numerous Australian Champion titles and four coveted Australian Supreme Champions not to mention multiple Best in Show awards across several states.
Doggone, they’ re good at what they do!
Back to Keep Ya Knickers On.“ Nawtikees” is the prefix granted to the Hofmans’ kennel in 2001 by Dogs NSW, the peak body supporting responsible dog ownership and breeding in the state. Every dog bred at their Vineyard property carries
Paul on the victory podium with yet another of his blue ribbon winning Keeshonden.
the Nawtikees prefix. And no, I decided not to“ go there” and ask how that particular name came about. Before continuing, I did what any curious journo would do— I looked up a photo of a Keeshond. I’ ve got to say, I’ ve rarely seen a more loveable example of man’ s best friend. One look and you’ re smitten.
Paul first encountered the breed as a teenager when his sister, Margaret, owned one of these striking dogs.
The Nawtikees journey officially began in 2001 when the Hofmans purchased a Keeshond puppy bitch and took her along as spectators to a dog show.
“ It was the first time in my life that I had owned a dog,” Paul said.
A breeder noticed their puppy and suggested they show her. So, they did registering her as Rymiska( breeder) Millennium Lady and entered her at a show at Castle Hill Showground. She rewarded them with their very first inshow ribbon.“ We were hooked,” Paul laughed. Twelve months later, they ventured into breeding. Millennium Lady went off to stud and returned home pregnant, later producing five puppies.
They sold four and kept one, kennel-named Cooper, officially registered as Nawtikees Just A Blow In.
Just A Blow In? Well, blow me down!
That“ Blow In” went on to blow away the competition, winning Best in Show All Breeds at the prestigious Sapphire Coast show.
From there, the Hofmans were up, up and away in the world of champion Keeshonden.
While they have begun winding down their breeding and showing commitments, dogs remain central to their lives. Tracy was recently elected to the Board of Directors at Dogs NSW and is well on her way to becoming an all-breeds judge.
Paul grew up in the St George area, completing his HSC at Kogarah Marist Brothers College. He began his working life as an apprentice horticulturalist with Sydney City Council, staying for 19 years and rising to Team Leader.
In 2002, he joined Liverpool Council as a Site Inspector overseeing park construction projects, eventually becoming Project Manager responsible for new parks and playgrounds before retiring in 2024.
Retirement has meant more time with Tracy, their 15-year-old son Jacob, and, of course, the dogs along with“ smacking
Puppy love ain’ t like no other love! Paul Hofman and a young canine friend.
a little white ball around” as a very social member of Hawkesbury Rovers Golf Club.
He may not have landed a hole-in-one just yet, but Paul and Tracy have certainly hit the target when it comes to breeding champions.
“ The best part has been seeing the smiles on new puppy owners’ faces and celebrating the wins of dogs we’ ve bred and others have shown,” Paul said.
That’ s a prize ribbon money simply can’ t buy.
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