Davidson Chinchillas - Specialising in Charcoal Chinchillas

My name is Claire and I live in Hertfordshire. I have an avid interest in and enjoy researching wound management and healing as well as all aspects of chinchilla husbandry. I have quite an extensive collection of chinchilla books and magazines, both old and new, for my personal research - it is interesting that some of the oldest techniques in chinchilla husbandry are still in use (and are effective) today. I can often be found with my nose buried in an old ranchers' handbook or old magazine looking up articles of interest.

I began studying the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon-Do when I was 13 and had achieved Black Belt 1st Dan status by the age of 17. I attended several national competitions and won a few awards, both in the sparring and destruction categories. I belonged to the Tae Kwon-Do Association of Great Britain (TAGB) and also had the privilege of training with the Olympic Team. Unfortunately I had to give up this satisfying martial art when I left school and started my career - shift work and studying left little time for a hobby which took up almost every evening with training and exercising.

I started keeping chinchillas in 1997 and have increased my furry family significantly in the last 3-4 years. I have some wonderful characters that I love dearly and I would not swap them for the world – even the ones who rule me with a furry paw!

I have recently commenced a breeding programme specialising in pure recessive charcoal and charcoal derived mutation chinchillas. Charcoal and charcoal derived chinchillas have been in decline in the UK and my aim is to maintain and improve this beautiful mutation as a colour in its own right. I am a member of the National Chinchilla Society and began showing my own bred chinchillas in the 2005/2006 season. The awards won so far can be seen here.

Other Pets:

I have always had a fascination and love for animals. As a child I was usually to be found either walking the family dog or hunting for frogs, sticklebacks, birds etc to watch whilst I was out playing.

I have also kept a variety of frogs in the past (namely African dwarf frogs, Whites tree frogs, and various species of reed frog), tropical fish, hamsters, and budgies.

Angus

I grew up with German Shepherd Dogs and spent much of my teens attending both obedience and agility shows with my Father and the dogs he worked. I would love to have a German Shepherd of my own, however, I think that will be a longer-term dream - I would not have a dog whilst I am working. I content myself for the present by getting my "fix" when I visit my parents and their gorgeous, big, long haired GSD, Angus.

He is a soppy animal who thinks I am merely on this planet for the sole purpose of being played with! I am happy to indulge him in his notion and we have great fun romping on the beach and playing "tag". He does have an amusing habit of walking right behind you with his nose touching the back of your calves - even funnier when he has a ball on a rope in his mouth and he tries to trip you up with it!

I am happy to "chat chin" or discuss items on this website in further detail.

I can be contacted on the following email address: claire*@*davidson-chinchillas .co.uk (without the * asterisks)