{"id":466,"date":"2025-12-22T11:59:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T11:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vanitonia.co.uk\/wordpress\/?page_id=466"},"modified":"2026-01-11T15:03:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:03:49","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vanitonia.co.uk\/wordpress\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Where it all began: Shrimpy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kaston proudly stands as the home of the world\u2011renowned Vanitonia Show Kennel. Established in 1962 by Roger Stone and Graham Thompson, the kennel began with Miniature Poodles and quickly flourished. Over the decades, Vanitonia has earned the title of UK Top Breeders many times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their first Champion emerged in the 1970s\u2014a Standard Poodle\u2014and by the early 1980s, the foundation of what became known as the Vanitonia Toy Dynasty was firmly in place. Although Roger and Graham are no longer with us, their legacy endures. Their guidance, generosity, and trust shaped everything that followed, and their influence will always be deeply appreciated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Lee Cox<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lee became part of the kennel in 1992, having grown up in a family deeply involved with dogs and stepping into the ring for the first time at just four years old. By the age of ten, he had already bred his first CRUFTS Best of Breed winner, and at thirteen he began his judging career, eventually qualifying as a championship show judge at twenty\u2011four. Both of his parents are championship show judges as well, and his father also served as a member of the UK Kennel Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lee is an International Championship Show Judge. Please see the judging page for breeds licensed for. Lee is also a member of the UK Kennel Club and Breeder Manager for Nestle Purina Petcare UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ragdoll Cats joined us in 2016 and are owned, bred and exhibited in partnership with Lee\u2019s partner Adam Gardner.<\/strong><\/em> Ragdolls have become quite a passion for us both and we are super excited about the future . Please see the RAGDOLL Page<\/strong> for some our our kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Boarding Kennel at Kaston IS NOW CLOSED.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vanitonia is proud to have ALL BREED Championship Show BEST IN SHOW winners in Standard Poodles, Toy Poodles, Chinese Crested and Clumber Spaniels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vanitonia Kennel, to date, have made up 101 UK Champions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are made up from:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n