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Celebrating our 42nd anniversary of
IRISH CANINE PRESS
2017 SHOW GALLERY
St. Patrick's Day International
The Irish Kennel Club hosted two International Ch Shows over the St Patrick’s festival in Dublin, both generously sponsored by GAIN Petfoods; the first event was on March 17th and titled the IKC Int St Patrick’s Day Ch Show. Irish judge, Bernie Ladd, gave the BIS rosette to the the Papillon, Multi BISS Ch Expana’s Sea Dragon Conqueror, owned by Sean Carroll and James Newman and handled on the day by Sean. He was bred in Thailand by Mrs B Myra and Mr Y Ponkrit. Reserve BIS was the Alaskan Malamute, Ch, Int & Lux Ch Libertia Reggae Master, owned by Mark Burnside and daughter, Scarlett who handled ‘Marley’.
Champion of Champions Final 2016
Dublin Dog Show Society hosted its 2016 final of the Fosse Data Ireland Champion of Champions at the Green Isle Hotel in Dublin. This is an annual event held with a dinner dance, generously sponsored by Fosse Data Ireland and Happy Dog, the dogs qualifying by winning the champion stakes at each of the 31 all-breed championship shows throughout the season. The judge is never known until the night and this year it was Ricky Lochs-Romans from the Netherlands.Ricky lost no time at all before declaring her winner, the Toy Poodle Ch Grayco Poetic Image, prepared, handled and owned by Sally Burns in partnership with Mary Coghlan and Lesley Howard, who bred her. ‘Madge’, 22 months old, is by Grayco Poetry In Motion. Runner-up was last year’s winner, the BIS-winning Afghan Hound Ch Davashey To Tell the Truth, owned by Lyn Appleby, John Minchin, Jayne Edwards and Mary Mulvaney, who handles him.
Celtic Winners International
The IKC Celtic Winners International Ch Show was on Saturday, 18th March, offering the Celtic Winner titles and was also a Crufts qualifier. Best In Show judge was Chris Hancock whose choice for top honours fell to the German Shorthaired Pointer, Sh Ch Tomanipoint Celtic Knight, bred and owned by Tom and Annie Mervyn. Reserve BIS under Chris was the Rottweiler bitch, Ch Joshabelle I’m Gorgeous And I Know It At Zarimus; ‘Zara’ is owned by Pat & David Foley and Gyte Morkute, and handled by Pat.
Banbridge
Judge elect for Best in Show at Banbridge Canine Club was Evelyn Hurley, Vice President of the Irish Kennel Club. Coming out on top from the ten group winners was Philip and Ed O’Brien and Jarka Poulova’s Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch & Cz Ch Edbrios Exotica. Reserve BIS under Evelyn was Gerry McFaul’s Long Haired Dachshund, Ch Shardaroba’s Fashion Flow. The show was sponsored by Dr Clauder’s with Stewart Carson representing in the photographs.
All Breeds judge Colette Muldoon took centre stage to award Best in Show at Portadown’s 12th Championship show, her winner’s rosette going to Tom and Annie Mervyn’s homebred German Shorthaired Pointer, Sh Ch Tomanipoint Celtic Knight, taking his second such award within a fortnight. Reserve Best in Show under Colette was another of the year’s early pacesetters, Sean Carroll and James Newman’s Papillon, Multi Ch Expana's Sea Dragon Conqueror.  The show was sponsored by Dr Clauder’s with Stewart Carson representing in the photographs.
Portadown
CCC Royal Canin POTY
Recognised widely as the highlight of the canine year in Ireland, the Combined Canine Club/Royal Canin Pup of the Year final and formal dinner dance was held on Easter Monday at Moran’s Red Cow Hotel in Dublin. A selection of the International visiting judges officiated, with the finale overseen by American, Dottie Collier, who gave the accolade to the young Finnish bred Leonberger owned and handled by Mandy Moore, Lempileijonan Aito Suomileijona at Hillhaven, who at just 19 months old is awaiting confirmation of his Irish crown, is a multi RCC winner and was the group 2 winner at Portadown.
Combined CC National
The second day of the Combined Easter weekend Best in Show judge Margaret O’Sullivan selected the Bernese Mountain Dog, Ch Mapleridge The Dark Knight at Bernervalley, owned by David and Jackie Benson, and handled by David, as Best In Show. RBIS was the previous day’s Best in Show winner, Sean Carroll and James Newman’s Papillon, Multi Ch Expana’s Sea Dragon Conqueror, handled by Sean and Caiomhe Lyons again represented the weekend’s sponsor, Royal Canin.
Combined CC International
Best In Show under Jerry Dalyat the Combined Easter Classic International, was the Papillon, Sean Carroll and James Newman’s Multi Ch Expana’s Sea Dragon Conqueror. ‘Howard’ had come through both the breed and Group 9 under Russian judge, Ekaterina Senashenko, pictured here with the winner, BIS judge Jerry Daly, Caiomhe Lyons, representing the weekend’s generous sponsors, Royal Canin, and Tom Mervyn, with his and wife, Annie’s GSP, Ch Tomanipoint Celtic Knight, who was Reserve BIS.
Mid West
This the inaugural championship show for the Mid West Canine Club and took place at the Breaffy House Resort in Breaffy, Castlebar. The show was sponsored by GAIN Pet Food, with Sean Martin and Jim Treacy representing in the photographs, the show had an all Irish judging panel which attracted an entry of just under 850 dogs. Mick Gavin took centre stage in the Best in Show ring, awarding BIS to the Kerry Blue Terrier, Philip & Ed O’Brien and Jarka Poulova's Ch & Cz Ch Edbrios Exotica, Reserve BIS was Sean Carroll and James Newman's Papillon, Multi Ch Expansa's Sea Dragon Conqueror.
Photos: Berney Allan and Patrick Fortune
South Tipperary
South Tipperary Canine Club’s annual championship show was held at the Holycross GAA Grounds and was sponsored by Dr Clauders’s with Stewart Carson representing the group photographs. Making his championship debut to judge Best in Show at South Tipperary was Bryan Hegarty and from the ten group winners, his choice for BIS was the American Akita, Ch Cannonbar Assassins Creed, owned by Craig Bannon and Niamh Carroll, RBIS was awarded to Tom and Annie Mervyn’s GSHP, Sh Ch Tomanipoint Celtic Knight.
Fermoy International
The fourth international dog show of the year was held at the Ferryhouse Sports Complex in Clonmel, hosted by Fermoy Canine Club, the show was generously sponsored by ROYAL CANIN with Breeder Manager Mary Davidson and her team representing the sponsors in the photographs. An excellent entry of 1,426 dogs from home and further afield awaited the international panel of judges. Val Coghlan was Best in Show judge elect and his winner was Jimmy Duggan’s Siberian Husky, Ch Leorient Flying Solo, handled to victory by wife Anita Foley-Duggan. Reserve Best in Show was the Bullmastiff, Claire and Paul Hanna and Shannon McBride’s Fullhouse Bulls Icotchin Or Wot At Ardhub.
Hibernian
The National Show Centre was the venue for Hibernian Dog Club’s 41st Championship show. Generously sponsored by Royal Canin, with Breeder Manager, Mary Davidson, on hand to advise her many customers and hand out the prizes, the show had an entry of 1,166 under a panel of international and Irish judges. It was a triumphant return to Ireland for the English Springer Spaniel, Ed Casey & Cam Cavallo’s GB Sh Ch & Aust Supreme Ch Sandicam The Look of Love, winning Best In Show under John O’Hanlon. John’s RBIS was the homebred Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Ivor & Michelle Keelan’s Tejas Heartbreaker.
Munster Canine
Cork
Munster Canine championship show was held at the Cork Marts in Fermoy. An all Irish panel of judges, headed up by All Breeds judge Anthony Kelly from Limerick, had the task of choosing Best in Show from the 10 group winning dogs, his choice falling to the American Cocker Spaniel, Colm Beattie, Bea Van Zanten and Joep Reuvers’ Nl, Sk, Lu & Int Ch Colorfulls Pride And Predjudice. Reserve Best in Show under Anthony was Sean Carroll & James Newman’s Papillon, Multi Ch Expana's Sea Dragon Conqueror.
Photos: Aidan Bourke and Patrick Fortune
Cork Championship show was hosted at the Mallow GAA grounds, a huge sprawling complex that provides lots of room for the show and all the accompanying tents and cars that is so vital for a venue, as well as housing a large clubhouse that caters for the food and drink so necessary for the exhibitors. The show was sponsored by ROYAL CANIN. Taking centre stage in the Best in Show ring was Finnish All Breeds judge, Tanja Ahlman-Stockmari, whose choice for Best in Show was Jalena Semjonova's Giant Schnauzer, Ch Robmarralee Back In Black. Reserve BIS was Chris and Hilary Laverty's Cocker Spaniel, Laveris Instyle.
Photos: Aidan Bourke
Swords International
Swords and District Canine Society International Championship show attracted an excellent entry of just over 1,500 dogs, supplemented by more entries from the Agility and Obedience disciplines. The show was sponsored by ROYAL CANIN, with Breeder Manager Mary Davidson and her team in evidence all day at the sponsors tent area. The honour of judging Best in Show at Swords & District Canine Society’s 40th Anniversary International championship show was bestowed on Tom Hehir and from the ten group finalists sent through from the international panel of judges, Tom’s choice for Best in Show was the Siberian Husky, Roma Giedraitiene's Kristari's Master Of Victory, with Reserve Best in Show awarded to the Papillon, Sean Carroll and James Newman's Multi Ch Expana's Sea Dragon Conqueror.
Kilkenny
Kilkenny Championship Show was held at St Patricks Hurling Club at Ballyragget, a venue that provides plenty of space for breed and group rings. The show was sponsored by HAPPY DOG, with Janice Allen representing the sponsor in the photographs. Taking her place centre stage to judge Best in Show was Madelene Rainey, finding her winner in Karen Weir's Smooth Haired Kaninchen Dachshund, Ch & Neths Ch Magik Rainbow Gloria. Reserve Best in Show was the Siberian Husky, Roma Giedraitiene's Kristari's Master Of Victory.
Photos: Berney Allen
Deise
Deise Championship show was held at the Tramore racecourse. The show, sponsored by HAPPY DOG, with Janice Allen representing in the photographs, had a panel of mainly home-grown Irish judges, spearheaded by Marie Claire Walsh, making her debut in the Best in Show ring.  Marie Claire Walsh's choice for Best in Show saw victory for the German Shepherd Dog, Alan Niblock, daughter Janice and son-in-law Lester Allen's Ch Knockwood Macey. Reserve Best in Show was Michael Clancy's Swedish import Tibetan Spaniel, Fladerlyckans Agren.
Photos: Patrick Fortune
Bray
Bray & District's championship show, held at the National Show Centre in Cloghran, with Secretary, Rose White, and her team well in evidence as the Society celebrated its 70th anniversary. Sponsored by Dr Clauder's with Stewart Carson representing in the photographs, the show, with a mainly Irish judging panel, and with quite a number of club shows holding their championship show in conjunction with Bray, attracted an entry of 1,050 dogs. Making her debut in the Best in Show ring was Diane O'Hara, whose choice for Best in Show was the American Akita, Melodor Sirius Black, owned by Adrian Parke and his breeder Chris McLean. Reserve Best in Show under Diane was Sean Carroll and James Newman’s Papillon, Multi Ch Expana's Sea Dragon Conqueror.
ILKA
The 22nd Irish Ladies Kennel Association championship show was held at Cloghran, the show sponsored by PETMASTER, represented by Mervyn Webb in the photgraphs, was laid out indoors in the association’s distinctive lilac livery, attracted an entry of 1,076 dogs. It was a first time lady judge making her debut ring centre at the Irish Ladies Kennel Association, this year the honour bestowed upon Cathy Loughlin and from the ten group winners, made it a day to remember for John and Ann Canty when their Irish Terrier, Nezhnoye Plamya Udachny Vybor, was declared Best in Show. Reserve Best in Show under Cathy was the American Cocker Spaniel, Lisa Nelson, Leanne Bryant and Bev Morris' Am Ch Silhouette Troubling Nasailleen With Mycalleys.
Sligo
Sligo & District Canine Club celebrated their 20th anniversary championship show at the Allen Sports Complex in Newtownforbes, County Longford. Sponsored by Dr Clauder's, represented in the photographic coverage by Stewart Carson, the show had attracted an entry of just over 1,000 dogs for the judging panel. Philip O’Brien made his Best in Show judging debut at Sligo, selecting from the ten group finalists Brendan Nolan's Whippet, Collooney Candy Floss. Reserve Best in Show under Philip was  the French imported Weimaraner owned by Morag and David Connolly, Jack In The Box Du Val Gehel'n At Huntly.
Photos by Berney Allen
Munster Agricultural
Munster Agricultural Society hosted its Championship show at the society's show grounds at Curraheen. Sponsored by Dr Clauder’s with Stewart Carson in the pics, the society had assembled an experienced panel of judges from home and abroad, running the rule over an increased entry of just under 950 dogs. Tom Mather from England took to the big ring at Munster Ag to award Best in Show, the award going to Stewart and his mother Heather Cummings’ Pointer, Sh Ch Kanix Kroner At Sevenhills. Reserve BIS was the American Cocker Spaniel, Lisa Nelson, Leanne Bryant and Beverley Morris' Am Ch & GB Sh Ch Silhouette Troubling Nasailleen With Mycalleys.
Photos by Aiden Bourke and Patrick Fortune
Newtownards
Newtownards & District Canine Club championship show held at the Ards Rugby Club and sponsored by Dr Clauder’s, with Stewart Carson representing in the photographs. From an entry of almost 1,000 dogs the victor was the Pointer, Stewart and Heather Cummings, Sh Ch Kanix Kroner At Sevenhills, awarded Best in Show by John Minchin. Reserve BIS under John Minchin who was making his debut in the big ring, wasJalena Semjonova's Giant Schnauzer, Velournoir Callisto Tammy.
Monkstown
Dun Laoghaire Canine Society, known also as Monkstown, held their their 83rd Championship show at the National Show Centre in Cloghran. The show was sponsored by HAPPY DOG, with Jackie & Andrea Stubbs representing in the photographs, the totally Irish judging panel attracted an entry of of 1,021 dogs with a further 115 dogs for the ever popular Obedience and Agility disciplines. Lynda Matthews, took her first Best in Show appointment and from the ten group winners, she picked group 9 winning Papillon, Sean Carroll and James Newman's Multi Ch Expana's Sea Dragon Conqueror for Best in Show, with RBIS awarded to the Rhodesian Ridgeback, Jane and Geordie Anthony's Rottzridge Nemesis.
Photos: Berney Allen
Coleraine
Coleraine & District’s Championship show was held at the NSC Cloghran, sponsored by Dr Clauder’s with Stewart Carson representing in the photos, and had drawn a good entry for the home based panel of Irish judges. Taking his place in the big ring to judge Best in Show was Gerry McFaul, from the ten group finalists, he awarded Best in Show to the Chow, Olive Taylor’s Ch & GB Ch Chivas Royal Djalo At Taylorian. Reserve Best in Show under Gerry McFaul was the recently titled Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch & Am Ch Melbees Great Expectations For Irisblu, owned by Mark McGonagle and Harold Quigg.
Photos: Berney Allen & Patrick Fortune
Dublin
IKC International Day 2
The final International All Breed championship show of the year took place over the first weekend in October attracted an entry of 1,536 dogs. GAIN Pet Nutrition sponsored the show. Judging Best In Show was Kalle Johansson, selecting as his winner the Border Collie, David and Morag Connolly's Ch Nahrof Blurred Lines At Huntly, who had progressed through both the breed and group under Panos Demetriou from Cyprus. Reserve Best in Show was Harry O'Donoghue's Wire Fox Terrier, Ch Blackdale Park Royal, expertly handled by granddaughter Kellie.
Bull Breeds
Irish All Breeds judge, John J Walsh, took centre ring to judge Best in Show, finding his winner in the American bred Old English Sheepdog, Ch Lambluvs Irish Brew, owned by Colm and Rose Hastings, in partnership with American breeder Jere Marder and Keith Richardson. Reserve Best in Show was American import, Harold Quigg and Mark McGonagle's Kerry Blue Terrier, Am Ch Melbees Great Expectations For Irisblu. The show attracted an entry a very respectible entry of 1,286 dogs, sponsored by Dr Clauder's, with Stewart and Beverley Carson representing in the photographs.
Cloghran
Emilio Castillo and Patrick Fortune's Shetland Sheepdog, Ch & GB Ch Edglonian Blue Fortune, 3 year old 'Ricky' was the Best In Show under Josie Foley at Cloghran All Breeds Championship Show held at the National Show Centre on the last Saturday in November. Sponsored by Dr Clauder's, with Stewart and Beverly Carson representing in the group photographs, the show had drawn an entry of 1,190 dogs.
Best in Show under Marie Hogarty at the final show of the year, Dublin Dog Show Society's Christmas event on December 27th, was Gerry McFaul's Long Haired Dachshund, Ch Shardaroba's Fashion Flow at Dachville. Reserve BIS was the young Rhodesian Rodgeback, Jane and Geordie Anthony's homebred, Rottzridge Nemesis. The show was generously sponsored by HAPPY DOG, represented on the day by Jackie & Andrea Stubbs.
Two weeks after the Circuit, the hardy exhibitors travelled to the opposite end of the country to attend the 14th Annual All Breed Championship show, hosted by Bangor & North Down Canine Club and held at the Eikon Exhibition Centre on the outskirts of Lisburn. The Best in Show judge was the enigmatic German All Breed judge, Dr Wilfried Peper, and from the ten finalists, his winner was the Pointer, Stewart and Heather Cummings' Sh Ch Kanix Kroner At Sevenhills. Reserve Best in Show was Stuart Pearson and Caroline Dodds' Dalmatian, Ch & GB Ch Kelevra Classic Cliché. The show was generously sponsored by ROYAL CANIN, with Breeder Manager Mary Davidson in attendance.
Bangor
IKC International Day 1
The penultimate International All Breed championship shows of the year took place over the first weekend in October attracted an entry of 1,584 dogs. GAIN Pet Nutrition sponsored the show. Judging Best In Show was Philip Behan, from the ten group winners sent through from the international judging panel, Philip's winner was Jim and Karen Gibson's Weimaraner, Ch Zilverein Strikes A Pose In Vogue. Reserve BIS was Gerry McFaul's Standard Long Haired Dachshund, Ch Shardaroba's Fashion Flow At Dachville.
Carlow
The last fully outdoor show of the year takes place at the Hurling Ground in Carlow, hosted by Carlow and District Canine Club. Sponsored by HAPPY DOG, the show had an entry of 1,064 dogs. Making her debut in the Best in Show ring was Gail Patterson and from the ten group winners her choice for the top spot fell to Gerry McFaul's Standard Long Haired Dachshund, Ch Shardaroba's Fashion Flow At Dachville. Reserve Best in Show was awarded to Austin and Ann Long Doyle's Pumi, Ch Pumidoro Splinter At Longsdyle.
Killarney
Judging Best in Show at Killarney was Irish All Breeds judge, Andrew Beare, who selected for his winner the 3 year old Irish Wolfhound, Ivan Gargan's Ch Ferseithean Of Skerryhill. Reserve Best in Show under Andrew was the English Springer Spaniel, 2 year old Bethryn Devil Moon, owned and bred by Kath and Beth Holt. The show, sponsored by HAPPY DOG, with Jackie and Andrea Stubbs on duty all day at the trade stand and also representing the company in the photographs, had attracted an entry of 1,359 dogs for a judging panel drawn from both Ireland and further afield.
Limerick
Jimmy Byrnes, who took centre stage to judge Best in Show at the 88th Limerick & District Canine Club championship show and from the ten finalists sent through from the international judging panel, found his winner in the English Springer Spaniel, Lesley and Keith McCourt's Sh Ch Woodspa Royal Ascot. Reserve BIS was the Toy Poodle, Alice O’Reilly’s Ch Tirkane Limited Edition. The show attracted an entry of 1,585 dogs and was sponsored by HAPPY DOG, with Jackie and Andrea Stubbs in attendance at the trade stand and in the photographs.
Tralee
Canadian judge Dr Michael Woods judged Best in Show at the club's 45th championship show, selecting as his winner, Alice O'Reilly’s Toy Poodle, Ch Tirkane Limited Edition. Reserve Best in Show today under Michael was Colm & Rose Hastings, Kay Richardson and Jere Marder's Old English Sheepdog, Ch Lambluvs Irish Brew.  The show attracted an entry of 1,414 dogs and a new sponsor in the form of PETMANIA, with Linda Cavanagh and Emily Miller representing the company.
Clonmel
Taking centre stage at Clonmel & District Championship show, to judge her first Best in Show, was Fiona Hurley, whose winner was the Giant Schnauzer, Jalena Semjonova's Ch Robmarralee Back In Black, 'Gaffer' today winning his second BIS award of the year. Reserve BIS under Fiona was Brendan Nolan's Whippet, Collooney Candy Floss. The show, held at the Ferryhouse Sports Complex, attracted an excellent entry of just over 1,700 dogs for the judging panel. The was sponsored by GAIN PETFOODS with Sean Martin and the GAIN team in attendance.
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