We have always loved dogs and had a mixed bunch of
lurchers and rescue dogs when we met in 1990. Kim had always wanted a
Deerhound and I remember our first trip to Crufts to see them and hopefully
find out more about the breed.
We contacted the Deerhound Club and in those days waited for a litter
to be born! We were put in touch with Sue & Hector who introduced
us to our first Deerhound Hindsight Lana(Willow) a quiet, gentle girl
that taught us so much about the breed.(see right )
Not a show girl, but a great Dam, she with Chapel Tower Zog produced our first litter of 10 pups, the easiest mating we have had, helped by “our shy girl” willing to co-operate and Jennifer Coopers hospitality. We did well with Wolfscastle Ebony, and Garnock.(image below)
By this time we were hooked, and some time later in 2002 we were lucky enouh to have a puppy from Tom & Jean Rhodes, Gentom Legacy(Lana). What a great girl, out going, adores everyone and has to be the centre of attention. She got us back on track as we were out of the Deerhound show ring for a while.
After loosing Elma and our old Lurcher Pip(18)2 years ago, we were thinking
about another dog. Terichline Windrush came to us from Joyce Bond, we
had always admired his breeder Caroline Dowsett’s hounds and blood
lines. The rest is history, he fitted into our family as he is so laid
back and charmed us all. Lana and Rush are so in love and have produced
two litters that have put us back on the map, with “Wolfsacstle
“-Wood Melick, Wild Orchid, Finlay, Fern and Fidela all doing well
in the show ring. Rush has a great show record and has also had success
with our daughter Ebony in J/H. He gained his Stud Book No. and is now
retired from the show ring, but he has found that retirement suits him
as long as he has a lady comes to visit every now and then.
Ebony started showing our Lurcher Pip when she was 3years old, and they
one Pembrokeshire dog of the Millenium and we travelled to Manchester
for the final, they ended up in the Daily Telegraph!
Ebony is now 10yrs old, and has been brought up to respect
and care for animals. She too is hooked on showing and loves her dogs
and now owns 2 of her own. Honey and Dolly. She had put so much work into
Missy(whippet) and was totally devastated to loose her at such a young
age, they had done so well as a team, and her confidence as a handler
had improved so much through their partnership. They were placed fourth
at Crufts 2006 in the YKC handling, and did well in the breed classes.
She was also placed 2nd Junior of the Year at Crufts 2005.
We went to YKC camp this summer and had a fabulous time. We took 3 dogs
And they too loved every minute. So much to do the kids, dogs and mums
were shattered by 9pm. It was well organised and we can’t wait to
go next year. A great experience for any dog lover.
We also show whippets and have 3 living at home with us, Oakbark Man of Gold of Wolsfcastle, from Mr& Mrs Meakin, who have bred outstanding whippets for many years and has too many Champions to mention, they too are a lovely family and have been so encouraging to us. Willingwisp Violet of Wolfscastle, bred by Leslie Smeath who has also had great success over the years showing whippets, we have known her since we started showing.
Wolfscastle Honey Bunny, home bred and our latest addition about to make
her debut. Her litter brother Wolfscastle Fools Gold lives with our great
friends Gaynor and Alan Carr – “Marandike” who also
own Deerhounds. Gaynor has bred whippets for 20 years, and made them up
to champions. We are joint Welsh news correspondence for the Deerhound
Club news letter. Gaynor has her first litter of Deerhounds sired by Terichline
Windrush.
Wolfscastle - Boyce and Jasmin also live with Deerhounds, Wolfscastle
Fidela.and Mr & Mrs Gamble.
We have made some great friends through our Deerhound & Whippets especially
the above mentioned, and the Welsh exhibitors. We are all so busy these
days, but manage to keep up with the latest news etc.
A special thanks to all our friends who contacted us on our recent loss
of Missy, Wolfscastle Sweet Pea who was tragically killed in a road accident,
while we were away at this years Deerhound Club show in April.
We all now how sad it is to loose a pet. They give us so much pleasure,
and every day show us their unconditional love. What more could we ask
for!