Bonaforte's Amadeus owned by Anthony Walsh & Penny McGonagle - well done.
Judge: Mrs Anne Webb ( Foinaven)
Well the weather has taken us by surprise again this week and most of the country seems to have been affected by snow to some extent. Luckily the Wolfhounds seem to really enjoy it and especially the puppies who are experiencing it for the fist time. Unfortunately, the white stuff does cause havoc with other aspects of life, especially with dog showing and the 2 shows planned for Sunday 24th March have been cancelled due to the bad weather. The Houndshow Open was due to be judged by Carol Goodson (Moralach) and Carol was delighted with a high entry for the Wolfhound classes, a judging appointment that comes hot on the heels of Carol's show success at Crufts a few weeks ago. At Crufts 2013 Carol's dog, Cookie (CH Moralach the Gambling Man JW) took the reserve dog CC under breed specialist judge, Jean Malley (Ainsea), having also won the Special Yearling class to make it through to the dog challenge and seeing off some very stiff competition from both home and abroad from kennels including Torteval (Vaudin), Rainster (Redfern) and Driftcot (Goodall). Although the venue has changed this year from the Stafford Showground to the Sports Connexion at Ryton, Coventry, the format of running the 2 dog shows one after the other has stayed the same and the Irish Wolfhound Society Limit Show would have been judged directly after the IW classes had finished, by Christine Miller (Ladestar). Another connection between the 2 shows is the IWS Chairwoman, Elizabeth Murray (Sabata), who is also Assistant Show Secretary of the Hound Association. We are hoping that it may be possible to re-schedule the shows for a later date so we will keep checking for information on the 2 websites: www.irishwolfhoundsociety.co.uk and www.houndassociation.org.uk [and[ fingers crossed that the we][1]ather][2] improves too!
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, presents a sprig of shamrock to six-year-old Irish Wolfhound Conmeal.
Drummer Oliver Vaughey, 22, who has been a dog handler for two-and-a-half years, said: 'People saw him shake his collar, probably as a thank you.
'He has been our mascot for four years and always marches in front of the regiment.'
Although most people, when thinking of having an Irish Wolfhound, naturally think of introducing a puppy into their lives, there are other alternatives that may better suit some owner's circumstances and at the same time, could also benefit a dog in need of a new home. So after looking at breeder's websites, the Kennel Club Assured Breeders and the Irish Wolfhound Puppy website then please also have a look at the site of the Irish Wolfhound Rescue Trust. The Rescue website provides useful information about the breed and also contains an adoption form for anyone considering having a Wolfhound. The Trust is chaired by Jean Malley (Ainsea), but the main contact is the Trust Secretary which, for the last 5 years, has been Jan Pain (Ravensbeech). At the recent rather lively AGM of the Irish Wolfhound Club however, Jan has passed on the reigns to the new secretary, Jean Timmins (Cornovi). Jan Pain has worked tirelessly in her time as Rescue Co-ordinator and we would all like to thank her for her unceasing hard work and effort and we wish Jean Timmins all the best in her new role. As well as helping with the re-homing of Wolfhounds, the Rescue Trust also acts as another source of advice and support for Wolfhound owners and every year rescue hounds are welcomed at the Irish Wolfhound Rally, organised by the Irish Wolfhound Club. This year the rally is taking place on Saturday 13th July at 1.00pm at the Leigh & Bransford Memorial Hall, Sherridge Road,Leigh Sinton,Worcestershire, with the IWC Limit Show being held at the same venue in the morning and judged by Ros Cramphorn (Yelxba).
If you love dogs but can't quite decide which breed is for you, Discover Dogs at Crufts is an excellent place to start. Here you have the opportunity to talk to owners and breeders about their breed and also meet the dogs. This year thanks to Pat Box and her husband Noel the Irish Wolfhound Club Stand was awarded 1st Prize in the Breed Booth Competition for the Hound Group. A very prestigious win and they can always be found in Hall 3, working very hard to promote our wonderful breed.
Irish Wolfhound day at Crufts this year was extremely busy. Our kennel had two dogs entered; Heliodor Ranger of the Shire and Bonaforte Amadeus and both did very well and were placed by Judge and Irish Wolfhound specialist, Jean Malley. Jean is also the Irish Wolfhound Club Secretary, a busy role which keeps her on her toes, organising our IWC Seminars, shows and events.
It was lovely to catch up with friends and acquaintances from overseas, especially Jürgen Rosner from the Oelmühle Kennel and Viola and Wolfgang Müller from the Sillerquelle Kennel. There were a wide variety of quality dogs from the UK and the continent and the judging attracted visitors from all walks of life including breeders, show-dog owners, pet owners and prospective Wolfhound owners.
A huge congratulations to the winners of the challenge certificates: Sue and Chris Neal with their bitch, Mascotts Another Dreamer at Cahmega (bred by Maggie Holder and Dave Howe) and also to Conny Fernhout-Schildt with her boy, Pitlochry’s O’Bryan O rak (also bred by Conny).
Look no further :) We have beautiful Irish Wolfhound puppies . They are ready for their new homes early April 2013.
Harker aka BONAFORTE'S AMADEUS was at the Hinkley & District Canine Society Open Show today where the little lad managed
1st in junior
Best Puppy in Breed
Reserve Best of Breed and
Puppy Group 4
We are expecting Irish Wolfhound puppies at the end of this month.
Beautiful Oelmühle Puppies