"47th Annual National and the Ontario Regional Specialties " published in Irish Wolfhound World Magazine

47th Annual National and the Ontario Regional Specialties

Published in IW WORLD (The Official Publication of the Federation of Irish Wolfhound Clubs)

I’ve always considered passions as great emotions that can change and impact our lives, feelings that can truly take possession of our existence, pushing us towards wonderful places.  I can say that my passion for the Irish wolfhound has literally changed my life, often in a positive way, always leaving an indelible mark in my heart!

Speaking about fantastic places, I want to tell you about the wonderful experience that I recently had in  Canada.  For the second consecutive year I had the opportunity to attend a Specialty overseas, and for that I have to thank the generous hospitality of my dear friend Jocelyne Gagné.

The first year I travelled with Marcello Poli and Larisa Blaghevicha, and together we had the privilege to attend the 88th IWCA Specialty in Geneva, USA. This year, unfortunately my dear friends could not leave  Europe, so I decided to undertake this new adventure alone.

It was a fantastic trip to Canada and I enjoyed being present at the 47th National-Regional Ontario Specialty.

Even in Canada, like in the USA the year before, the Specialty took place over several days, not just during the weekend as in European Dog Shows.

I was already alerted by my friend Jocelyne about the forecasted high temperatures, but I could never imagine it would be so hot!  So, we spent the days of the Specialty under a blue sky and a ferocious sun, they were really “dog days”.  

The first activity was scheduled on Thursday afternoon, September 13. This was the racing of the Irish Wolfhounds in a straight line (LGRA). The race was held at the home of  Celeste Atkinsonin Wellandport with a truly friendly atmosphere.  The winner was the male  Ch. KALKINNY DREAM OF STARKEEPER, CGN. This dog who got the highest score is owned by Louise Bouchat Laird and Dominique Lalonde and he was bred by Louise Bouchat Laird.

The following day, Friday 14 September, the first exhibitions related to the Regional Specialty began, starting with the Sweepstakes, a competition reserved only for young dogs.

The judge is chosen from a group of experienced breeders, and on that day the judge  was Mrs Tina Berry (Berrybriar USA) .

For Tina Berry the winners were:  3-6 months females: SIONNA FROM STARSTONE

6-9 months  males: CASTLEKEEP’S STEEL WILL, females: STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS

9-12 months males: LISMORE COSMO TOPPER  females:  LISMORE MARION KERBY

12-15 months males: CASTLEKEEP’S ENDEAVOUR, females: CASTLEKEEP’S PATIENCE

15-18 months malesi: LONNKYLE MIDNIGHT PROWLER , females: HOWLIN’S MB TIPITINA ROSE

Best In Sweeps was CASTLEKEEP’S ENDEAVOUR, a male bred by Donna Tomson, Best Of Opposite In Sweeps was CASTLEKEEP’S PATIENCE  bred by  Donna Tomson.

On the same day, immediately after the Sweepstakes Show, 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  Hon James G Phinizy (USA). He is an expert judge of the breed who had previously judged wolfhounds  in prestigious events like Westminster, Albany, Louisville, he also judged several Specialties, IWANE in New England, The Irish Wolfhound Association of the Delaware Valley, Rocky Mountain Irish Wolfhound Association, The Western Washington Hound Association and  Locust Grove.

The  winners of the respective classes of the Regional Specialty on Friday, September 14th were:

6-9 months JUNIOR PUPPY - Dog: CASTLEKEEP’S STEEL WILL (Will Scarlet Dei Mangialupi X ChCastlekeep’s Steel Magnolia) Bitch: CASTLEKEEP’S SCARLET MAGNOLIA (Will Scarlet Dei Mangialupi X ChCastlekeep’s Steel Magnolia); 9-12 months SENIOR PUPPY - Dog: LISMORE COSMO TOPPER (Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep X Ch Lismore Lovey Wentworth Howell) Bitch: LISMORE MARION KERBY (Ch Cugein Ortega of Castlekeep X Lismor Lovey Wentworth Howell); 12-15 months - Dog:  LISMORE BRIGADOON (Lismore Puck X Lismore Anything Goes) Bitch: DASH SHANCARRIK AT AERIE (Gladstone Thunder Road X Shancarrick Damara the Radiant Hooligan); 15-18 months - Dog: LONNKYLE MIDNIGHT PROWLER (ChWindseekerBroker X Lonnkyle Phly) Bitch: HOWLIN’S MB TIPITINA ROSE (Eirian Padraic BrieQuick Draw Marco X Howlin’s Praline); CANADIAN BRED - Dog: STARKEEPERS DRUMMOND DUNCAN (ChCarrickaneena  Tyrconnell X Gch Glenamadda Starkeeper Chevonne) Bitch: CUGEIN NOVA ZAVIJAH OF CHENIFF (Shellane Braniff X Gch Cugein Chenin Blanc O’Tairisem); BRED BY EXHIBITOR -Dog: HOUND HILL VANDERBILT OF AERIE (Hound Hill Sebastian X Hound Hill Valley Of Aerie) Bitch: GILDA OF AERIE (O’Lugh’s SingleMalt Scotch X Kellykerry Keynote Of Aerie); OPEN - Dog: STARKEEPERS GUARDIAN OF GOTHAM (ChStarkeeper Glenamadda Fyrenze Of Gryffindor x Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Clodagh)  Bitch: CUGEIN CRESCENT HERA O’CHENIFF (Shellane Braniff X Gch Cugein Chenin Blanc O’Tarisem);VETERAN - Dog: TALIESIN’S REALTA GHEAL I BODACH RI PCD RN (Taliesin’s Suailce X Taliesin’s Wylde Rum Runner) Bitch: WINDSEEKER PANANCHE AT LONNKYLE (FoinavenStonbrook Sonoma X Lonnkyle Paige; FIELD Dog: CH STARKEEPER’S RYN (Carnasserie Coal X Ch Starkeeper Glenamadda USA Flag)

At the end of the long day the wolfhound that Mr.  Phinizy awarded  as best of  breed  was the bitch  CH STARKEEPER CALORIEN A DIAMOND (Houndhill Vanderbilt Of Aerie X Gch Glenamadda Starkeeper Chevonne) bred by Jocelyne Gagné and owned by the same Gagné and  by Judith Callender;  Best of opposite was awarded to CH KALDAUN'S AENGUS NA TIRNANOG (Pitlochry's Talented Mr. Ripley X Ch Pitlochry's Olivia) bred by Kyreen Shorey, owned by Catherine Charles;  Best of Winners was awarded to  STARKEEPERS GUARDIAN OF GOTHAM, the dog is owned by Karin Eder and Jocelyne Gagné, bred by the same Gagné;  Best puppy in breed was LISMORE MARION KERBY (Ch Cugein Ortega of Castlekeep X Lismore Lovey Wentworth Howell) bred by Steve and Karen LeVan, owned by Doug Marx, Amy Benjamin, Steve and Karen LeVan;  Select Dog was CH CUGEIN TRACE OF CHENIFF (ChShellane Braniff X Gch Cugein Chenin Blanc O'Tairisem) bred and owned by Dwayne and Katherine Yorke; Select Bitch was CH STARKEEPER NUALA O'ARD RHI (Ard Rhi'sAegg Of Aran X Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Clodagh)  bred by Jocelyne Gagné and owned by Gagné and Serena Ivanovskis; Award of Merit was, from the veteran class,  TALIESIN'S REAL GHEAL I BODACH (Taliesin's Suailce X Taliesin's Wylde Rum Runner) bred by David and Donna Smith and owned by the same Smiths and Celeste Atkinson.

The others main  winners are shown below: 3-6  month bitch: SIONNA FROM STARSTONE; sexually altered male: ODENWOLF’S CLEESE (GILLIGAN); brace: CH KALDAUN’S AENGUS NA TIRNANOG with CH TIRNANOG HERE COMES THE JUDGE; stud dog: HOUND HILL VANDERBILT OF AERIE; brood bitch: CH GLENAMADDA STARKEEPER CLODAGH; team: CH STARKEEPER NUALA O’ARD RHI, CH GLENAMADDA STARKEEPER CLODAGH, STARKEEPER GRANUAILE’S GALLEON, STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS; best head: CH STARKEEPER NUALA O’ARD RHI; best gait: LISMORE BRIGADOON; best hindquarters: GCH KALKINNY MAGIC OF STARKEEPER

The following day the National Specialty began, again starting with the Sweepstakes. This time the judge was Mrs Kathie Upton (Blackwing Canada) and the winners were:

For Tina Berry the winners were:  3-6 months females: SIONNA FROM STARSTONE

6-9 months  males: CASTLEKEEP’S STEEL WILL, females: STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS

9-12 months males: LISMORE COSMO TOPPER  females:  LISMORE MARION KERBY

12-15 months males: LISMORE BRIGADON, females: CASTLEKEEP’S PATIENCE

15-18 months malesi: LONNKYLE MIDNIGHT PROWLER , females: HOWLIN’S MB TIPITINA ROSE

Best in Sweeps  was LONNKYLE MIDNIGHT PROWLER,  bred by  Lloyd J Simmons, Best Of Opposite Sweeps was CASTLEKEEP’S PATIENCE  bred by  Donna Tomson.

In the afternoon, immediately after the Sweepstakes Show, the first part of the National Specialty began. The judge was Mrs. Ursula (Timmy) Ralfe, from South Africa who is an expert judge of wolfhounds. She has  judged several specialties in USA, Germany, Russia, Ireland and South Africa.

The  winners of the respective classes of the National Specialty of Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September were:  6-9 months JUNIOR PUPPY - Dog: CASTLEKEEP’S STEEL WILL (Will Scarlet Dei Mangialupi X ChCastlekeep’s Steel Magnolia) Bitch: STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS (Lismore Stoneybrook Forbidden Broadway X Ch Starkeeper Rena’s Rogue); 9-12 months SENIOR PUPPY - Dog: LISMORE COSMO TOPPER (Ch Cugein Ortega Of Castlekeep X Ch Lismore Lovey Wentworth Howell) Bitch: LISMORE MARION KERBY (Ch Cugein Ortega of Castlekeep X Lismor Lovey Wentworth Howell); 12-15 MONTH- Dog: CASTLEKEEP’S ENDEAVOUR (Winston Della Bassa Pavese X Castlekeepsake For Cugein Cyra) Bitch: GLENAMADDA PEI MAY OF WOLFHOLM (Kill Bill Roan Inish X Ch Glenamadda LibertyBelle); 15-18 MONTH - Dog: LONNKYLE MIDNIGHT PROWLER (ChWindseekerBroker X Lonnkyle Phly) Bitch: HOWLIN’S MB TIPITINA ROSE (Eirian Padraic BrieQuick Draw Marco X Howlin’s Praline); CANADIAN BRED -Dog: STARKEEPERS DRUMMOND DUNCAN (ChCarrickaneena  Tyrconnell X Gch Glenamadda Starkeeper Chevonne) Bitch: CUGEIN NOVA ZAVIJAH OF CHENIFF (Shellane Braniff X Gch Cugein Chenin Blanc O’Tairisem); BRED BY EXHIBITOR - Dog: CARRICKANEENA DEARTHAIR (Carrickaneena Antaine Dubh X Nutstown Bridie of Carrickaneena) Bitch: GILDA OF AERIE (O’Lugh’s SingleMalt Scotch X Kellykerry Keynote Of Aerie); OPEN - Dog: BERRYBRIAR CARAGLEN IEISE AR CARROWMORAGH (Shellane Braniff X Caraglen Berwyck Lucciola) Bitch: LISMORE GRACIE ALLEN (Lismore Stoneybrook Macheath X Lismore Stoneybrook Nora); VETERAN - Dog: CH BLACKWING’S STARKEEPER TEGANN (Ch StarkeeperMcEnroe Of Limerick X Ch Blackwing’s Hazel) Bitch: CH_KELLYSCOT GLENAMADDA FREYA (Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Banner X Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Wallis; FIELD - Dog: GLENAMADDA MEILO MADEIRA (Ch Kerry’s Glenamadda Incantation X Ch Glenamadda Independence Day) Bitch: CH GLENAMADDA INDEPENDENCE DAY (Glenamadda Starkeeper Dublin x Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Bellamie)

The award of  the Winners Bitch and Best of Breed went to  LISMORE GRACIE ALLEN (Lismore Stoneybrook Macheath X Lismore Stoneybrook Nora) owned and bred by  Stephen and Karen Le Van, LISMORE GRACIE ALLEN  has also won the title of  best of winners , while the  best of opposite title was won by  CARRICKANEENA DEARTHAIR bred and owned by Eileen M. and Eileen B. Flanagan; best puppy in breed  was  STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS bred and owned by  Jocelyne Gagné and Serena Ivanovskis;  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 OMARA AT WOLFHOLM O’TYRCONNELL (Gch Pitlochry’s Joshua X Tyrconnell’s Magenta Millifiori)  owned by  Ewa K Boldok  and Holly Cook, bred by the same Holly Cook, that bitch obtained also the title of  best canadian bred.

The Awards of Merit  went  to  CH STARKEEPER CALORIEN A DIAMOND (Houndhill Vanderbilt Of Aerie X Gch Glenamadda Starkeeper Chevonne)  bred by Jocelyne Gagné, owned by Gagné and  Judith Callender, and to CH STARKEEPER NUALA O’ARD RHI (Ard Rhi’sAegg Of Aran X Ch Glenamadda Starkeeper Clodagh)  bred by  Jocelyne Gagné, owned by Gagné and  Serena Ivanovskis, best veteran  was   CH BLACKWING’S STARKEEPER TEGANN   owned by  Jocelyne Gagné , bred by   Kathie Upton;    best of bred by exhibitor   was CARRICKANEENA DEARTHAIR, BEST IN FIELD CLASS was CH GLENAMADDA INDEPENDENCE DAY, owned and bred by Susan M.L. Prokopenko.

The others main  winnings are shown below: 3-6  month bitch: SIONNA FROM STARSTONE; sexually altered male: ODENWOLF’S CLEESE (GILLIGAN); brace: CH KALDAUN’S AENGUS NA TIRNANOG with CH TIRNANOG HERE COMES THE JUDGE; brood bitch: CH GLENAMADDA STARKEEPER CLODAGH; team: CH STARKEEPER NUALA O’ARD RHI, CH GLENAMADDA STARKEEPER CLODAGH, STARKEEPER GRANUAILE’S GALLEON, STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS; best head: CH THREE LITTLE BIRDS’ FOLLOW MY HEART; best gait: CH KALKINNY MOONLIT OF STARKEEPER ; best hindquarters: CH STARKEEPER NUALA O’ARD RHI

To be present at this Specialty was a unique experience for several reasons. I had four intense days full of emotions that will remain forever in my heart.

I can confirm that the atmosphere in these shows is totally different from what we experience in Europe.

For the second consecutive year my impression is that breeders and owners do not seek only confirmation about the qualities of their dogs or compete to bring home a title, but  they go there to  discuss and  to exchange views, sometimes they participate just for fun and to share their passion for this breed with colleagues and friends.

Congratulations to the IWCC for the perfect organization.  Once again, well done to all the participants, but above all to the breeders and owners who  obtained the title of  best of breed  during the Specialties thanks to their beautiful bitches: CH STARKEEPER CALORIEN A DIAMOND winner of the Regional Specialty and LISMORE GRACIE ALLEN winner of the National Specialty.

During the last day of the Show I had the opportunity to attend the very interesting presentation by Dr. Allison Jones  called “Giant Breed Reproduction and Health “. She kindly answered to my questions and she gave me valuable tips for the future. It was great.

This year I also had the opportunity to present  several dogs, mainly for the Starkeeper team, including the best of winners on the first day, STARKEEPERS GUARDIAN OF GOTHAM,  a young  gorgeous black male who on this occasion completed his Canadian championship, the lovely youngster STARKEEPER AOIBHEANN AILIS winner of the BEST PUPPY IN BREED title at the National Specialty, the sweet veteran CH BLACKWING'S STARKEEPER TEGANN, winner of the best veteran title at the National Specialty, LEGACY’S STARKEEPER SILVERADO SPIRIT aka Texas, (what a wonderful temperament he has! He is adorable!)... and many others...

I also met the progeny born from the union of my WILL SCARLET DEI MANGIALUPI and CASTLEKEEP'S STEEL MAGNOLIA, thanks to Donna Tomson, the  breeder. I'm very proud of  CASTLEKEEP'S SCARLET MAGNOLIA  and CASTLEKEEP'S STEEL WILL, they have grown beautifully. Well done Donna! Thanks to her, I also had the chance to show Will during the Specialty. What a thrill!

In the end I would like to thank my dear Jocelyne for the wonderful opportunity she gave me and I should not forget to thank all the people present at the shows, whose kindness made this trip unforgettable.