National and the Ontario Regional Specialties 2019 published in Irish Wolfhound World Magazine

National and the Ontario Regional Specialties

For the last few years I have had the pleasure of attending some specialties in both the USA and Canada.  This year I was fortunate enough to again attend specialties in Canada.

This September I decided to undertake the adventure with friends, despite several family problems.  This past year was a very hard year for me as I suffered some important losses.  However, sometimes we need to take a breath, so I decided to go to the Ontario Regional and National Specialty in September,  In the end, I enjoyed being present as it allowed me to take a break and recharge my battery to face life and the losses I suffered.   I was able to meet many wonderful Irish Wolfhounds and wonderful people.

Friday September 20^th, 2019 was the first exhibition, the Ontario Regional Irish Wolfhound Specialty. It began with Sweepstakes, a competition reserved only for young dogs, 6 months to 18 months of age.

The judge is chosen from a group of experienced breeders, and on that day the judge  was Mr. Gary Janssens  (Kilmara kennel)   from  Belgium. To me not only a breeder and judge, but he is a good friend of mine and  on this occasion my travel companion, along with Claire and Francesca.

For  Gary Janssens  the winners in Sweepstakes were: 

JUNIOR PUPPY DOG: HOPS-N-HOLNDS MURCHADH O' DRAIOCHT MAC TIRE

I2-I5 MONTH DOG:  LAISLINN'S VALERIO PAX MAXIMUS

JUNIOR PUPPY BITCH: STARKEEPER CALORIEN BEAUSOLEIL

SENIOR PUPPY BITCH: ANTRIM KELLAMORE STAR KILRAE

12-15 MONTH BITCH; LAISLINN'S LUCREZIA

15-18 MONTH BITCH: SIONNA FROM STARSTONE

Best In Sweeps was  LAISLINN'S LUCREZIA, a bitch  bred by Lani Hopf; Audrey Wright; Jocelyn Gagne, by Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe, owned by Lani Hopf.

Best Of Opposite In Sweeps was the brother, LAISLINN'S VALERIO PAX MAXIMUS, bred by  Lani Hopf; Audrey Wright; Jocelyn Gagne, by Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe, owned by Lani Hopf and Candice Rogerson.

Gary then went on to judge the Unofficial Classes, with his winners as the following:

Best head: GLENN EYRIE SYLVERWOLF SANTANA ONYX; Best gait: LAISLINN'S LUCREZIA; Best hindquarters: GCH THREE LITTLE BIRDS' FOLLOW MY HEART

On the same day, immediately following Sweepstakes, the first of the two main competitions started.

It was the Ontario Regional Specialty. At this event, there were a good number of dogs from Canada and the United States, judged by the  Dr. Reeve-Newson from Canada.

The  winners of the respective classes of the Regional Specialty on Friday, September 20th were:

JUNIOR PUPPY DOG:  HOPS-N-HOUNDS THE ONCOMING STORM LUGH  by Brendan Of Tir Na N'og ex GCH Hops-n-hound's Impossible Girl Rionach

12-15 MONTH DOG: STARKEEPER TORINO DEI LAISLINN, by Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe

BRED BY EXHIBITOR DOG:TARTAN TERROR OF FITZWICK, by Ch Karontara Starkeeper Dylan ex Starkeeper Fitzwick C's Legacy

OPEN DOG: STARKEEPER SILVERTHORNE NETTLE, by Ard Rhi's Aegg of Aran (USA) ex Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Clodagh

VETERAN DOG: CH TALIESIN'S REALTA GHEAL I BODACH, PCD RI by Taliesin's Suailce ex Taliesin's Wylde Rum Runner

JUNIOR PUPPY BITCH: STARKEEEPER CALORIEN BERYL,   by Ch.Starkeeper Caloren Ambr Declan ex GCH Starkeeper Nuala O'Ard RH1

SENIOR PUPPY BITCH: BARRASSY'S RIGHTS RESERVED, by Latino Roan Inish ex Ketty Perry Roan Inish

12-15 MONTH BITCH: LAISLINN'S LUCREZIA, by Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe

15-18 MONTH BITCH: GLENN EYRIE SYLVERWOLF SANTANA ONYX, by Mascott's My Santana ex Glenn Eyrie's Mother Maeve

CANADIAN BRED BITCH: STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS, by Lismore Stoneybrook Forbidden Broadway ex GCH Starkeeper Rena's Rogue

BRED BY EXHIBITOR BITCH: ARD RHI'S SUMMER SKIPPER by Lismore Puck ex Starkeeper Ard Rhi's Super Nova

OPEN BITCH: LAISLINN STARKEEPER MISTLETOEby Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Connery ex Ch Laislinn Perfect Pour O Stella

VETERAN BITCH: GCH CASTLEKEEPSAKE FOR CUGEIN CYRA by Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep ex Ch Castlekeep Earth's Quiet Meadow

FIELD BITCH CLASS: CH STARKEEPER ANTRIM'S ELVIRA OF ECHOHOUNDS, NC by Pitlochry's Edric ex Starkeeper Cuhaven Maida

At the end of the long day the Irish Wolfhound that Dr. Reeve-Newson  awarded  as best of  breed  was the dog STARKEEPER SILVERTHORNE NETTLE  bred by  Jocelyne  Gagne (Ard Rhi's Aegg of Aran (USA) ex Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Clodagh).  The dog is owned by  Carole Silverthorne & Jocelyne M. Gagne. He was also awarded  winners dog and best of winners.

Best of opposite was awarded to GCH PEARLLA PELLIGRINA OF FIRST AVENUE   bred by  Regine Vandamme  (Nononsense Nelson ex Miracle Made In Heaven) , owned by  Judith Ryan, Agent: Monica Park.

 Best of Winners was awarded to STARKEEPER SILVERTHORNE NETTLE, the BOB winner.

 Best puppy in breed was STARKEEEPER CALORIEN BERYL bred by Jocleyne Gagne & Serena Ivanovskis  out of Ch Starkeeper Calorien Ambr Declan ex GCH Starkeeper Nuala O'Ard RH1, owned by  Judith G. Callender & Jocelyne M. Gagné, Agent: Judith Callender.

Select Dog was  GCH CASTLEKEEP'S ENDEAVOUR bred by  Donna Tomson, out of Winston Della Basa Pavese ex GCH Castlekeepsake For Cugein Cyra  owned by  Donna Tomson. 

Select Bitch was CH CASTLEKEEP'S PATIENCE bred by Donna Tomson,  out of  Winston Della Basa Pavese ex Castlekeepsake For Cugein Cyra, owned by Donna Tomson,

Award of Merit was GCH KALDAUN'S AENGUS NA TIRNANOG  bred by  Kyreen Shorey, out of  Pitlochry's Talented Mr Ripley ex Ch Pitlochry's Olivia,  owned by  Catherine Charles.

 Reserve winner dog was STARKEEPER TORINO DEI LAISLINN bred by Lani Hopf; Audrey Wright, Jocelyne Gagne,  out of Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe, owned by Jocelyne Gagne and Lani Hopf. 

Winners bitch was ARD RHI'S SUMMER SKIPPER bred by Linda King & Margaret LaRosa, out of  Lismore Puck ex Starkeeper Ard Rhi's Super Nova.

Reserve Winners bitch was STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS bred by  Serena Ivanovskis & Jocelyne Gagne out of  Lismore Stoneybrook Forbidden Broadway ex GCH Starkeeper Rena's Rogue

The others main  winners were:

Best of Breed Altered: ODENWOLF'S CLEESE (GILLIGAN)

Brace: CH KALDAUN’S AENGUS NA TIRNANOG with CH TIRNANOG HERE COMES THE JUDGE; Stud dog: CH STARKEEPER CALOREN AMBR DECLAN; Brood Bitch: CH STARKEEPER ANTRIM'S ELVIRA OF ECHOHOUNDS, NC; Team: CH STARKEEPER NUALA O'ARD RHI, CH STARKEEPER GRANUAILLE'S GALLEON, STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS, STARKEEEPER CALORIEN BERYL

The following day, September 21^st, the National Specialty began, again starting with Sweepstakes. This time the judge was Mr.  Lloyd Simmons (Lonnkyle kennel) from Canada, with the winners as follows:

 JUNIOR PUPPY DOG:   HOPS-N-HOUNDS THE ONCOMING STORM LUGH

I2-I5 MONTH DOG:    LAISLINN'S VALERIO PAX MAXIMUS

JUNIOR PUPPY BITCH:  STARKEEEPER CALORIEN BERYL

SENIOR PUPPY BITCH:   ANTRIM STARKEEPER PORTRUSH

12-15 MONTH BITCH; HUNTERSRTIN STARKEEPERS BELLINA

15-18 MONTH BITCH:  FURLONGS SASKIA

Best in Sweeps was ANTRIM STARKEEPER PORTRUSH, bred by Lynnie Totton & Jocelyne Gagne, by Ch Starkeepers Drummond Duncan ex Ch Starkeeper Antrims Elvira Of Echohounds

 Best Of Opposite In Sweeps was LAISLINN'S VALERIO PAX MAXIMUS  bred by  Lani Hopf; Audrey Wright; Jocelyn Gagne, by Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe.

Lloyd then went on to judge the unofficial classes, with the winners as follows:

Best Head: GCH GLENAMADDA PASHUN O'WINDKEEPER

Best Gait: ROCKHART RAPTUR

Best Hindquarters: ROCKHART RAPTUR

In the afternoon, immediately after the Sweepstakes Show, the first part of the National Specialty began. The judge was Mrs. Pat Pask (Baronglen kennel UK).

I met her in Europe on a couple of occasions. I knew the quality of her dogs, but I had never had the pleasure of speaking with her. I spent a beautiful time with Pat and Peter, the husband, an experienced judge too, following the judging. They are a very nice couple and we spent time talking about dogs. It’s always an honor for me to meet and know experienced breeders all around the world, always trying to learn something new.  I’m a lucky man in the Irish Wolfhound world. I met a lot of good people like Peter and Pat.

For Pat Pask the winners of the respective classes of the National Specialty of Saturday 21  and Sunday 22 September were:  

JUNIOR PUPPY DOG: HOPS-N-HOUNDS THE ONCOMING STORM LUGH,  by Brendan Of Tir Na N'og ex GCH Hops-n-hound's Impossible Girl Rionach

SENIOR PUPPY DOG: GLENAMADDA RIGHT PLACE N'TIME, by Ch Wolfholm Glenamadda Grand Prix ex GCH Glenamadda Liberty Belle

12-15 MONTH DOG: STARKEEPER TORINO DEI LAISLINN by Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe

BRED BY EXHIBITOR DOG: LISMORE COSMO TOPPER  by Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep ex Ch Lismore Lovey Wentworth Howell

OPEN DOG: LEGACY STARKEEPER SILVERADO SPIRIT by Pinehurst Kline ex Starkeeper Legacy The Seeker

VETERAN DOG: CH TALIESIN'S REALTA GHEAL I BODACH by Taliesin's Suailce ex Taliesin's Wylde Rum Runner

JUNIOR PUPPY BITCH: STARKEEEPER CALORIEN BERYL  by Ch.Starkeeper Caloren Ambr Declan ex GCH Starkeeper Nuala O'Ard RH1

SENIOR PUPPY BITCH: ANTRIM STARKEEPER PORTRUSH by Ch Starkeepers Drummond Duncan ex Ch Starkeeper Antrims Elvira Of Echohounds Nc

12-15 MONTH BITCH: LAISLINN'S LUCREZIA by Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe

15-18 MONTH BITCH: FURLONGS SASKIA by Ascending's Byron ex Furlongs Roxanne

CANADIAN BRED BITCH: STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS by Lismore Stoneybrook Forbidden Broadway ex GCH Starkeeper Rena's Rogue

BRED BY EXHIBITOR BITCH: ROCKHART RAPTUR by Rockhart Xavier ex Rockhart Uschara

OPEN BITCH: CARRICKANEENA BRONNTANAS by Carrickaneena Antaine Dubh ex Nutstown Bridie Of Carrickaneena

VETERAN BITCH: GCH CASTLEKEEPSAKE FOR CUGEIN CYRA by Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep ex Ch Castlekeep Earth's Quiet Meadow

FIELD BITCH CLASS: CH STARKEEPER ANTRIM'S ELVIRA OF ECHOHOUNDS by Pitlochry's Edric ex Starkeeper Cuhaven Maida

The award of Winners Dog, Best Bred By and Best of Breed went to  LISMORE COSMO TOPPER bred and owned by  Stephen Levan & Karen Levan, out of  Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep ex Ch Lismore Lovey Wentworth Howell.  He was also awarded Best Of Winners, while the Best Of Opposite award was given to CH CASTLEKEEP'S SCARLET MAGNOLIA, bred and owned by Donna Tomson, out of Will Scarlet Dei Mangialupi ex Ch Castlekeep's Steel Magnolia.  She was also awarded Best Canadian Bred.   Best Puppy In Breed was STARKEEEPER CALORIEN BERYL bred by Jocleyne Gagne & Serena Ivanovskis,  out of  Ch.Starkeeper Caloren Ambr Declan ex GCH Starkeeper Nuala O'Ard RH1  owned by  Judith G. Callender & Jocelyne M. Gagne.  Select Dog was CH TIRNANOG HERE COMES THE JUDGE (Pitlochry’s Talented Mr Ripley X Gch Pitlochry’s Prada) bred and owned by Catherine Charles.  Select Bitch was GCH PEARLLA PELLIGRINA OF FIRST AVENUE bred by Regine Vandamme, out of Nononsense Nelson ex Miracle Made In Heaven owned by Judith Ryan, agent: Monica Park.

The Awards of Merit went to LAISLINN'S LUCREZIA, bred by Lani Hopf; Audrey Wright; Jocelyne Gagne, out of Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe owned by Lani Hopf , and to CH CASTLEKEEP'S PATIENCE bred and owned by  Donna Tomson, out of  Winston Della Basa Pavese ex Castlekeepsake For Cugein Cyra,.  Best Veteran was GCH CASTLEKEEPSAKE FOR CUGEIN CYRA, bred and owned by Donna L Tomson, out of Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep ex Ch Castlekeep Earth's Quiet Meadow.

Winners Bitch was LAISLINN'S LUCREZIA, bred by Lani Hopf; Audrey Wright; Jocelyne Gagne, out of Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe owned byLani Hopf and her sister HUNTERSRUN STARKEEPERS BELLINA owned by Audrey Wright was awarded Reserve Winners Bitch.   Reserve Winners Dog went to LEGACY STARKEEPER SILVERADO SPIRIT, bred by Sue McClure & Jocelyne Gagne, out of Pinehurst Kline ex Starkeeper Legacy The Seeker

The others main winners are as follows:

Best Of Breed Altered: Blarney Stone’s Ailis

Brace: CH KALDAUN’S AENGUS NA TIRNANOG with CH TIRNANOG HERE COMES THE JUDGE; Stud dog: CH STARKEEPER CALOREN AMBR DECLAN

Brood bitch: CH STARKEEPER NUALA O'ARD RHI

Team:  CH STARKEEPER NUALA O'ARD RHI CH STARKEEPER GRANUAILLE'S GALLEON STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS STARKEEEPER CALORIEN BERYL ;

I had an intense week full of emotions that will forever remain in my heart.  So many funny moments spent with friends.   

Congratulations to the IWCC for a wonderful show.  Big congratulations to the breeders and owners who obtained the title of Best of Breed at the Specialties and their beautiful dogs.    

I had the opportunity to present several dog, for different breeders.  I handled THREE LITTLE BIRDS' GROOVING TOTHE MUSIC bred by Mario Essl, out of my Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Three Little Bird's Culch Candela owned by Tina Ing;  CH CASTLEKEEP'S STEEL WILL bred and owned by Donna Tomson, out of my  Will Scarlet Dei Mangialupi ex Ch Castlekeep's Steel Magnolia.  In Brace, I handled   LAISLINN'S bred and owned by Lani Hopf, along with the brother, LUCREZIA and her brother LAISLINN’S VALERIO PAX MAXIMUS, both out of  Tommy Dei Mangialupi ex Laislinn Starkeeper Mistletoe, STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS and  LEGACY’S STARKEEPER SILVERADO SPIRIT  bred and owned by Jocelyne Gagné.

Regarding the competition, I would like to say some words about the dogs I loved.  However, I will not  talk about the progeny of my dogs, as I do not want to risk sounding biased.  Of course, I can write that I’m very proud of all of them, and judging by competition results they are not so bad. They received important wins in different classes.

First of all, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the dogs. In reality, I knew the quality of Dog Shows in Canada. This past June I spent time in Quebec, at the Quebec Regional Specialty Show.  At that show, I found the same high quality wolfhounds. Beautiful dogs from both the USA and Canada. Writing what were the best dogs is a very individual thing, I know that there is the standard, so there's only one correct type for me.   However, we know that the perfect dog not exist.  However, in my opinion the important thing is the type and a good mix of quality, I don't think it's useful to dwell much on the details…

During the show there were several dogs that caught my attention. In general I agreed with Pat Pask’s choices, much more than  Dr. Reeve winners. One of my favourties was  a dog  that I had the opportunity to meet a few times over the last 2 years,  LISMORE COSMO TOPPER bred by  Stephen & Karen Levan, out of  Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep  and  Ch Lismore Lovey Wentworth Howell.  I have loved this dog since the first time I met him.  He is a young and elegant male who is growing beautifully.  I also loved a big and powerful  male  bred by Lynn Simon & Beth Renstrom , ROCKHART RAPHAEL; he’s so impressive!  I loved two other boys, very powerful GCH CASTLEKEEP'S ENDEAVOUR bred by  Donna Tomson,  out of  Winston Della Bassa Pavese and  GCH Castlekeepsake For Cugein Cyra, and  GCH KALDAUN'S AENGUS NA TIRNANOG bred by Kyreen Shorey, out of  Pitlochry's Talented Mr Ripley and  Ch Pitlochry's Olivia owned by  Catherine Charles.

The quality of the bitches was very high and not easy to choose between. I already wrote that I don’t want talk about the progeny of my dogs so the other bitches I loved were ROCKHART RAPTUR, bred by Lynn Simon, out of Rockhart Xavier ex Rockhart Uschar.  This bitch moves beautifully. I also loved CH CASTLEKEEP'S PATIENCE bred and owned by  Donna Tomson, out of  Winston Della Bassa Pavese and  Castlekeepsake For Cugein Cyra;  the beautiful  best veteran  GCH CASTLEKEEPSAKE FOR CUGEIN CYRA,  bred and owned by  Donna L Tomson, out of  Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep ex Ch Castlekeep Earth's Quiet Meadow.  Even at 7 years of age, she looks like a young female, wow! Last but not least, a bitch with a very beautiful head imported by Tina L.Ing and bred by Mario Essl, GCH THREE LITTLE BIRDS' FOLLOW MY HEART out of  Three Little Birds' Bob Marley and  Dahmrks Nova.

During my stay I met several progeny of my dogs  Tommy and  Will Scarlet, along with their human family. They have grown beautifully.  Thank you to the breeders and owners involved and all the people present at the shows, whose kindness made this trip unforgettable. A special thanks to Tina for the wonderful birthday cake made for me, it was a wonderful surprise.

Canada I will be back soon!