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CRESTFORD
Being a farmer's daughter I grew up with all farm animals
and pets and spent most of my time outdoors, a real
''Tomboy''. There was no such thing as TV, Computers or
mobile phones. I had to walk to school and it was no
surprise to my parents to see me arriving home with a stray
dog. Of course I knew nothing then about pedrigree dogs but
got great pleasure & fun
training my ''Stray'' lotts of tricks. As years rolled on
and I got married to my husband James, a farmer whose
passion was livestock. This of course, required good working
dogs such as Border Collies which I trained from six months
old on farm
with young calves.
I was a member of International Sheepdog Society and bred a
2nd in National Trials. It was when a friend took me to a
Dog Show in RDS Dublin, on a St. Patrick's Day, that I got
the bug for showing, so I started in 1980 with my 1st
Rottweiler, which I had no problem with. Then I changed in
1984 to Welsh Springer Spaniels, successfully breeding,
showing and
obtained a qualifier for Pup Of The Year 1997. Going back to
1985, I decided it was time to slow down get a smaller which
did not require me in top gear around the Ring. I saw this
grey dog striding very elegantly at a show,
of course, it was a Silky. Not knowing the breed or
the handler I approached to get details, owner's were John &
Mary Neenan, Kildare. I booked and told them I wanted a
bitch like her father. This pup arrived to me in 1987 whose
sire & dam obtained their IR Ch titles in 1987 and 1988
respectivly. Sire winning TOY GROUP Ch Show. The 1st IR Ch
was bred by Miss Muriel Jennings, Dublin and owned by Mrs, M
.A. Anderson, Donegal. These three families were co-founders
of our A.S.T Club in 1985 when I got to know. Thankfully
John & Mary are still at the helm keeping our Club running
smoothly with help of a good Committee and dedicated
Members.
My husband & I attended Crufts in Earls
Court, London from 1984, as spectators and my 1st Silky
exhibit Princes Kate was in 1989. After that i was a regular
exhibitor with very stiff opposition ,but did not get too
disheartened & kept looking & breeding the type I liked We
travelled to the Breed's native country Australia many times
& attended Ch Dog Shows to learn more about type and
standard.
Crufts 1997, 1999 & 2000
It was in Birmingham N.E.C that I met and
got to know most of Silky breeders & exhibitors, Mrs J.
Sharp , Mr B. Faulkner & myself decided to import a Stud dog
from Mr & Mrs Baugh Texas U SA. He was Am Ch Amron's T J
Bear Extaordinaire, was kenneled & successfully Shown by
June to B.O.B many times at Crufts & Sire of my top winning
bitch known to all as ''Chase''. This was when Mrs, J. Kelly
from Isle of Man approached me to get her bitch mated to a
grandson of TJ's. This duly happened & she also booked a
male pup from '' Chase'' later to win BOB Crufts. This was
very rewarding to Jenny & especially to me, which I am still
enjoying and keeping the breed in top quality in the ring.
Jenny introduced me to her friends Mrs V.
Dowty & her daughter Tanya in I.O.M who decided on getting
the Silky breed & are now expert breeders & top award
winners It is now 2007 and we all work together very
satisfactory and help each other with many thanks to Mrs I
Leino.
My aim has always been to prmote this lovely
breed and improve with years of experience, I do not
advertise puppies & only breed when I need to keep the line
or special demand. ,but know beforehand exactly the persons
and whereabouts of their new homes. I keep in contact with
them continually and receive photos and letters about their
beloved Silky whether as pet or showdog. Puppies are kept by
me until 12 weeks old when all vaccinations microchipping
and registrations are
completed. In case of any problems I request that puppy or
adult be returned to me.
In memory of our faithful friend ''Sherry'' passed away
September '06 at fourteen& half years old. She was my
shadow, was with me everywhere. Sadly missed.
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Quote:
We learn wisdom from failure much more than
from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out
what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake
never made a discovery. -Samuel Smiles
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