Why and how I got into Kerries??

That's always a good question.  I often think it was just meant to be.

  My family never ever owned a purebred dog therefore were never involved in any kind of dog competition.  I've had two really not so purebred dogs as a kid, Gamine and eventually, after crying and whining enough, my parents finally broke down and allowed me to keep one of her puppies, Nitro.

It always felt good being close to the nature...

Picture taken by my dad, in 1971, at my favorite mountain, Mount Orford, Magog, Québec

I will always remember, I was about 10 or 12 years old, walking my sister's Golden Retriever and then  started kind of running with it and I so clearly remember thinking to myself "This is what I'm going to do this some day"...   that was without even knowing dogs shows actually existed... but for some reason, I pictured myself showing a dog.

I was without a dog for a few years, while in college.  It's only once I got married that my husband at the time mentioned to me about this ad he had seen in the newpaper about "some" dog show in Montreal.  We thought it would be pretty cool to go so we did.  I basically only looked at terriers......  well, and also PBGV's and Standard Schnauzers and Bouviers and Giant Schnauzers.  I think there might have been one or two Kerries at that show.  Thought they were really neat looking dogs but the breeders lived too far away (was a good 3 hours drive....  okay, I was about 20 and didn't know any better!  lol) and we had a local Wheaten show breeder who was very reputable and successful so we ended up getting a Wheaten puppy, Tiffany.  We finished her in Canada and also did obedience with her and got her CD title.

Although Tiffany was a true joy to have around, it was still in the back of my head that I wanted a Kerry.  The breeders that were 3 hours away from where we lived didn't have puppies at the time or weren't breeding anymore.  However, France Bergeron of Efbe's Sealyhams who was my first mentor, told us about this show about 7 hours away where there was 3 or 4 Kerries entered so we decided to go along with her to the show and met with who became the breeder of our first Kerry which was actually shown that weekend.  We picked her up a few weeks later and Prélude became Can. Ch. Argyle Grand Duchess, Can. CD.

I eventually aquired another female and between those two, I just didn't seem to have any luck with breeding until I got a bitch from Vito and Maria Bavaro, Kitehawk Symphonie Hocus Pocus, a littersister to the well known Kitehawk's Black Tie Affair.  Pepper produced some lovely puppies, one of which I kept Can./Am. Ch. Symphonie's Sparkling Star.

By then, I was very much into showing mine and other people's dogs.  Campaigned two different Kerries in Canada, one of which I got three Best In Shows on, Can. Ch. Bluflames Celtic Pitter Patter, Lofty, and fifteen on the other one, Can./Am. Ch. Sherwood's Justice For All " Marshall ".

And then at a show in Ontario I met Hugo Quevedo, a handler from Peru.  We became good friends and one day I was telling him I didn't have a special to show for the following year, was desperately looking for one to no avail.  It was Hugo that suggested to me that I should consider leasing one for a year.  Luckily this was shortly after I had gotten a computer and had access to the internet.  What a great invention that is!!  I researched the web for a few days, looking at different kennels and dogs from all over the world and finally found what I was looking for... Charlotta Mellin and the Rollick Kerries.

I just felt in love with Charlotta's dog and so I emailed her and everything just snowballed from there.  I got Pint, Rollick's Flying Colours for over a year and then eventually arrange to get a puppy from Charlotta.  This puppy is River, Multi BIS/BISS Can./Am. Ch. Rollick's Riverdance.

I will be forever thankful to Charlotta's trust in giving such a fine Kerry such as River.  River is just way more than a successful show dog, she right away became my heart and soul just about the minute this 3 months old puppy walked into my life.  My little sunshine I remember I was calling her.  River truly is the dog of my life, she's never let me down and has always been right here by my side no matter what.

Over those 20 some years I met a lot of nice and knowledgeable breeders, exhibitors and handlers with whom I became good friend with, something I will always cherish tremendously.  And so to all of you that have been helpful in any and every ways, whether teaching me how to groom, discussing breeding program, taking a dog back in the ring for me or even just holding one ringside, THANK YOU!  And of course a HUGE Thank You to all of you that have been so supportive during this great journey. 

This is hopefully only the beginning...