About Us

Striving For Nothing Short of Excellence!

Havana Silk Dogs of Sheltonrae

Eric and Robin Voak

Welcome! We’re The Voak Family currently living in Magnolia, Delaware...just 10 minutes from Dover AFB, Dover, DE.. My husband Eric is in the Air Force, just a little over 19 years in. My name is Robin, and I’m a Special Education Teacher Assistant. I went back to work 5 years ago once my youngest started Kindergarten. I’m originally from Tacoma, WA. (Those of you who have never been to the Pacific Northwest are missing out on some beautiful country!) I also served in the Air Force for 4 years, but got out after my first enlistment was over to be home with our 3 children, Rachel, Shelby and Carlton, pictured on the left as well as Eric & I.

You’re probably wondering the meaning behind Havana Silk Dogs of Sheltonrae. Well, I wanted something different, yet meaningful to me, so I took parts from each of my children’s names and Viola! Havana Silk Dogs of Sheltonrae was born.

Jenna and Monet are my Silk Dogs. I decided to go ahead and make this website so I can not only show them off, but so that you can get to know a little more about us and the Havana Silk Dog (HSD) as a breed. It’s very important to take your time when finding your Silk Dog. Educate yourself and learn what you can. Talk to more than one breeder and really get to know them and their breeding program. The most important thing is to not rush in your decision. I know how excited you are to get your puppy. I was in your shoes not too long ago, and there were so many times I wanted to say, “Forget it... forget the waiting lists! I want a puppy now!” That would have been the worst thing I could have done. I would have probably picked the wrong breeder who didn’t do any health screening on their dogs. Yes, I would have paid a cheaper price by maybe $500-$1,000, but knowing what I know now, it would NOT have been a “savings!” I would have paid that over and over again in vet bills correcting what they should have been screening for! Like the ol’ saying goes…’You get what you pay for’. In this case, it’s true. It’s not cheap to do all the should-be-required health screening that reputable breeders do. If a breeder says that they don’t screen for something because it doesn’t run in their lines, my question to them would be, “Well how do you know? You don’t test for it.” Most of these tests are only done once in the dogs life (BAER, Patella's, Elbows & Hips, bloodwork). Why not check? Cerf testing (eyes), however, needs to be done once a year and it only averages to be about $35. Ask to see the proof of these tests. Most breeders register the results with OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals). To check their results, go to www.offa.org, type in the dogs AKC registered name or their AKC registered number and the results will come up.

I decided to name Jenna after my still living 94 year old grandmother Jennetta. She has always had and loved dogs. She can’t have them anymore, so I thought it was appropriate. I’d like to thank Kay and Jim Rodgers of Jimka Silk Dogs for entrusting her to me and for being such fabulous mentors and friends.

I’m currently showing Jenna & Monet on a limited basis in between dance competitions, soccer, fast-pitch and baseball games. <grin>! I show as a hobby. It’s bonding time for my dogs and I and I enjoy seeing my friends and their Silk Dogs. I am a certified member in good standing with the Havana Silk Dog Association of America, Havanese Club of America, The Blue Ridge Havanese Club, and the Langley Kennel Club, which is an all breed club, and I’ve also worked as Vice-Chair of HCA Placement and Rescue Services for over two years. I firmly believe that being a part of your breeds club is very important to keep up on with what’s going on with in your breed. To get the latest health information, to go to specialties, clinics, seminars etc.

Jenna and Monet come from health-tested Champion blood lines as all parents have their AKC Championships. Jenna’s dam, Ch.Bonneterre J’Taime at Jimka CD NA NAJ HCA Versatility TDinc (Jimka Silk Dogs), has many agility and obedience titles and is a wonderful therapy dog and she was the second Havanese ever to earn the HCA Versatility Title! Her sire Ch. Salemi Charly (Bydand Kennels) exemplifies what a Havana Silk Dog should be. He has sired over 50 champions to date more than any other in Havana Silk Dog/Havanese history….quite a feat! With all that said, future champion put aside, they’re our beloved pet first, joined with our 3 year old lab mix, Daytona.