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GOLDEN PAWS AWARDS - Junior Handler of the Year 2023
The Irish Kennel Club/Awardboard Junior Handler of the Year 2023 was Molly Mullan from Cookstown in Co Tyrone, who won the Irish Junior Handling Finals for 2023 and is a regular in the showring with her Cocker Spaniel. Molly has a big day coming up this weekend as she will represent Ireland in the International Junior Handling Finals at Crufts, and will then go to represent her country at the World Show in Croatia. Unfortunately, Molly missed the evening as she was away on holidays, hopefully enjoying herself, but Emer Wright, Secretary of the Junior Handlers Association if Ireland, collected her Golden Paw award from sponsor Wendy Fleming of Awardboard, who was also responsible for all the beautiful rosettes for the Showdog Finals. -
GOLDEN PAWS AWARDS - Breed Club of the Year 2023
The Irish Kennel Club/Agria Petinsure Breed Club of the Year 2023 was the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ireland, a very active club with over 100 members. They organise a Breed Ch Show and four walks a year for their members and friends throughout Ireland and have also run heath Seminars for their breed and succeeded in securing reduced package prices for all breeds with leading Veterinary Clinics. Probably their biggest achievement and the one they are most proud of is successfully rehoming no fewer than 12 dogs of their breed that needed rescued or new homes, a sad, but satisfying achievement. Bernard O’Sullivan of Agria Pet Insure was there to present the award. -
GOLDEN PAWS AWARDS - Top Native Breed for 2023
Topping the Irish Kennel Club/ Onlinedogshows Top Native Breed for 2023 was Anthony and Geraldine Dolan’s Irish Red & White Setter, Sh Ch Cilleigne Finn Ma Cumhaille at Grovelands, who topped the score of points accumulated from the special Native Breeds group, competing against all the other native breeds Best of Breed winners at All Breed Ch Shows. Presenting the award on behalf of the sponsors is Pat O’Boyle, President of The Irish Kennel Club. (You can see the points for all the breeds last year on this website). -
GOLDEN PAWS AWARDS - Breeder of the Year 2023
The Irish Kennel Club/Dr Clauders Breeder of the Year 2023 winner was Viara Gentchev of the Greyfort Greyhounds, who amassed over 100 points in 23 in this year’s Dr Clauders’ Competition. Presenting the award is Stewart Carson, Managing Director of Ransconi Pet Products, distributers of Dr Clauders in Ireland. -
GOLDEN PAWS AWARDS - Unsung Hero of the Year 2023
The Irish Kennel Club Unsung Hero of the Year 2023, sponsored by ODI/ODs and this award was presented to a lady many of us remember from the show ring in the late 80s with her Labrador Retrievers, making her dog up to a Champion in a breed that secured a great many entries back then. Nowadays Phil, with her dogs, channels her energy to help raise money for Guide Dogs For The Blind and also Children With Autism, and to date has raised the huge amount of over 1,5 million Euros. Congratulations in abundance and a huge round of applause for Phil whose dedication has been translated into so much financial help for these two most worthy of causes. -
GOLDEN PAWS AWARDS - Steward of the Year for 2023
The Irish Kennel Club Royal Canin Steward of the Year for 2023 went to the ever smiling and popular Irene Walsh, from Co Offaly, and if you have ever been fortunate enough to have her steward for her, you will know that she really is one in a million, keeping the ring running efficiently and keeping her judges up to speed with the classes and awards. All this with a cheerful smile, rain or shine. Mary Davidson of Sponsors Royal Can, presented her with her Pawscar. -
GOLDEN PAWS AWARDS - Stephanie Walsh Award
Finally, to a very special award, instituted in memory of someone many of us knew and loved, and who left this scene far too early. Stephanie was a hard worker at the grassroots of our sport, secretary of Sligo, serving on the Green Star & Judges’ committee and last year, as a member of the Board, despite having to travel from way out west to Dublin for numerous meetings. As most of you know we said a sad untimely farewell to Stephanie last summer, so this new award in Stephanie’s memory fittingly goes to the Club who best helped to support new and young exhibitors or Judges, and that club is Wexford Canine Club, whose lively and enthusiastic members were presented with their Pawscar by Dermot Alford, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Irish Kennel Club.
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Irish Canine Press/Gain Top Winners’ Leaderboard 2023 Presentations
The Group 1 winner on the Leaderboard, giving yet another accolade on the night for the intrepid ‘Katy’, Ch,GB & Int Ch Longrange Caílin Dubh, with owner/breeder Cathrina Dunne accepting the engraved crystal trophy from Jim Tracey of Gain Pet Nutrition, and Joyce Crawford-Manton of Irish Canine Press. -
Irish Canine Press/Gain Top Winners’ Leaderboard 2023 Presentations
Jim Tracey presented the crystal to the winner of Group 2 on the leaderboard to Billy Henderson for his Dobermann Pinscher, Ch & GB Ch Tuwos Mr Bombastic, ‘Jensen’ having had a great run both at home and across the water, winning his crowning CC with BOB at Manchester where he finished topping the Working Group, and he is just two years of age. Jurgen’s littermates have also won a collection of CCS between them and are out of Billy’s imported bitch Ch Irresistible Tuwos Dobgrace, who won the crystal for this group back in 2018, and who I believe is Top Brood in the Breed in GB for 2023 and also overall Runner up in the Working Group. -
Irish Canine Press/Gain Top Winners’ Leaderboard 2023 Presentations
The winner of Group 6 on the ICP/Gain Leaderboard was the Bassett Hound, Ch & GB Ch Blevwil Kenny Dewitt, bred by Lesley and Roy Blevins and owned by their niece Katie and Lesley who handles him. Kenny was Top Basset in the UK for 2023 with two All Breed Ch Hound Group wins, and 5th Top UK Hound. He also took the title of Top Dog 2023 in the Arden Grange competition in GB, and now Top Group 6 and runner up Top Irish Showdog, not a bad year’s work!! Jim Tracey of sponsors Gain Pet Nutrition and Joyce Crawford-Manton of Irish Canine Press, which has been running the Top Winners Leaderboard for over 35 years, presented the crystal. -
Irish Canine Press/Gain Top Winners’ Leaderboard 2023 Presentations
Stewart Cummings took the crystal for Group 7 with his Pointer, Sh Ch Highpoint Foreign Affair, taking the crystal from Jim Tracey of Gain Pet Nutrition and Joyce Crawford-Manton of Irish Canine Press. ‘Sydney’ was born, as perhaps his name might suggest, in Sydney, Australia, and having come to Ireland, now has accumulated some 50 Green Stars, 10 Groups, and was BIS at the Irish Gundog Field & Show Society Ch Show. He also has 1 CC and a Reserve CC and is the son of Stewart’s Sh Ch & GB Sh Ch Kanix Kroner at Sevenhills, who won the crystal for top Dog in 2019, having been runner-up the year before. -
Irish Canine Press/Gain Top Winners’ Leaderboard 2023 Presentations
Emma Archibald, Mum, Bette and Dad, Frank’s Golden Retriever bitch, homebred Sh Ch & GB Sh Ch Abinvale Arrieta, topped Group 8 and Emma accepted the crystal from Jim Tracey of Gain Pet Nutrition and Joyce Crawford-Manton of Irish Canine Press. ‘Brogan’ claimed her GB title at the Golden Retriever Club in England, and now has 5 CCs and also a UK Group 3 placing together with 5 Reserve CCs. She is Top Group 8 in Ireland, with now 8 Group wins and 2 RBISs, 2 BIS 3 and 1 BIS 4, and also Annual Champion in ’22 and ’23. ‘Brogan’ has earlier finished in the final eight under Frank Kane earlier in the evening. -
Irish Canine Press/Gain Top Winners’ Leaderboard 2023 Presentations
The crystal for top in Group 10 on the Leaderboard was taken home by Lyn Appleby for her Afghan Hound Ch & Int Ch Valkor Vritra, co-owned with John Minchin, Jane Edwards and Mary Mulvaney. ‘Kelvin’ was a ‘Covid’ youngster so was catching up after two plus years out of the ring. He is a multiple group winner and has taken Best in Show at The Hound Association on two consecutive years; he won his Irish title and also his International crown on the same day. He is following in the footsteps of his cousin, Lyn’s beloved ‘Kayto’ Multi BIS and Group winning Ch GB & Int Ch Davashey To Tell The Truth, who topped the ICP Veteran Leaderboard in 2022 and before that headed the ICP/Gain Leaderboard in 2016, 2018, 2019, runner-up in 2015. Jim Tracey of Gain Pet Nutrition and Joyce Crawford-Manton of Irish Canine Press, made the presentation. -
Irish Canine Press Veteran of the Year 2023
The 2023 winner was the Standard Smooth Dachshund, Ch, Int, Dutch & Malaysian Ch Hacienda Better Tell Dad, owned and handled by Caroline Reynolds. ‘Memphis’ at ten years of age had several BOBs and also topped Group 4 in 2023, so he is still going strong in the breed. Caroline received the engraved crystal trophy from Jim Tracey of Gain Pet Nutrition and Joyce Crawford-Manton of Irish Canine Press.
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Newtownards 2024
Best In Show under Dick McCoy was the Standard Poodle Ch Exalon Apache Moon at Tussars owned by Lorraine Crawford and her husband, Ross. -
Newtownards 2024
Best In Show under Dick McCoy was the Standard Poodle Ch Exalon Apache Moon at Tussars owned by Lorraine Crawford and her husband, Ross,
pictured with the judges at this years show. -
Newtownards 2024
Reserve Best In Show was the Siberian Husky Ch Winter Melody OMG Another Drama owned by Anita and Jimmy Duggan. -
Newtownards 2024
Best In Show 3 was the Shetland Sheepdog Ch, GB Ch Longrange Cailin Dubh owned by Cathrina Dunne. -
Newtownards 2024
Best In Show 4 was the Leonberger Ch Sulandi Electric Storm owned by Lauren and Diane Whan.
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Celtic Winners 2022
SHOW REPORT -
St Patricks Day Show 2022
SHOW REPORT -
SHLOYAN
Australian Shepherds -
MID WEST 2022
SHOW REPORT -
Combined International 2022
SHOW REPORT -
Combined National 2022
SHOW REPORT -
Fermoy International 2022
SHOW REPORT
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Mid West Champ Show 2022
BEST IN SHOW
Best in Show judged by Brian Moran was Philip Behan’s Chow Chow, Ch Finn Mc Cool De Los Perros De Bigo at Mingfield. -
Mid West Champ Show 2022
RESERVE BEST IN SHOW
RBIS judged by Brian Moran was Cathy Collins Neill and Oliver and Erin Robertson’s Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, GB Ch Soletrader Pat On The Back.
2024 IKC CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS
GAIN PET NUTRITION'S
Elite Range
New Look
The Same Great Taste
Elite Range
New Look
The Same Great Taste
2024 was eighty years since the formation of Newtownards & District Canine Club, and Saturday, 3rd saw them host their latest IKC all breed championship Show at their super venue of Ards Rugby Club, nestled under the shelter of the ancient Scrabo Hill, which houses the well-known landmark, of Scrabo Tower, built back in 1857 as a memorial to Charles William Stewart, 3rd Marquis of Londonderry.
Main Photo: Alex Douglas
Other Photos & Report: Joyce Crawford-Manton
Other Photos & Report: Joyce Crawford-Manton
The 3rd Marquis was a local landowner and nobleman with a distinguished military and diplomatic career. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the light Dragoons and fought in 25 major battles, earning the nickname the 'Fighting Marquis'. He was also Adjutant General to the Duke of Wellington, during the Napoleonic Wars, before becoming a diplomat as Envoy Extraordinary in Prussia and Ambassador in Austria. He inherited the title and family seat of Mount Stewart after his brother, the 2nd Marquis, better known as Viscount Castlereagh who served a term as Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, tragically committed suicide.
Besides earning fame and fortune overseas, the Marquis was held in high regard in Ireland for his attempts to alleviate suffering during the potato famine in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. His generosity and kindness to his tenants gained him a level of respect, which was not commonly given to the landed gentry and led to a communal desire to erect a monument in his memory.
Besides earning fame and fortune overseas, the Marquis was held in high regard in Ireland for his attempts to alleviate suffering during the potato famine in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. His generosity and kindness to his tenants gained him a level of respect, which was not commonly given to the landed gentry and led to a communal desire to erect a monument in his memory.
The ’Golden Boy’ on Saturday however was Arro, the majestic, beautifully, coiffeured white Standard Poodle, owned by Lorraine Crawford and her husband, Ross, who handles him, and bred by Lesley Davies in North Yorkshire; Ch Exalon Apache Moon at Tussars is by Swedish import, Downpix The Piper of Pitfor, out of GB Ch Pitfor Fly Me To The Moon, and today was given the golden handshake by BIS Judge, Dick McCoy, long time popular All Breeds judge, visiting from his adopted home in Spain, and having a good day reconnecting with old friends he hasn’t seen for a while. Dick was of course well known for his top winning ‘Cu-Ulagh’ Irish Wolfhounds back in the day, and is a well experienced, All Breeds judge throughout Europe and the rest of the world, also awarding CCs under KC rules.
Dick’s prefix , from ‘The Annals of Ulster states that Cu-Uladh (The hound of Ulster) McGhirr-McCawell (MacCathmhaoil), 'chieftain of his own tribe', was an illustrious professor of science in England in 1368.’
‘Arro’ is another who lost his formative years in the ring due to the plague of covid, only making his ring debut at 19 months of age. Now four and a half, he hasn’t let the grass grow under his four elegant feet and has qualified for the Poodle of the Year in GB in both 2022 and ’23 having won sufficient points at GB Championship Shows to put him in the top 16 each year. In 2022 he also achieved the points needed for his Show Cert of Excellence (RKC), went on to win Limit Dog at Crufts last year and has also 3 Reserve CCs under his belt.
Dick’s prefix , from ‘The Annals of Ulster states that Cu-Uladh (The hound of Ulster) McGhirr-McCawell (MacCathmhaoil), 'chieftain of his own tribe', was an illustrious professor of science in England in 1368.’
‘Arro’ is another who lost his formative years in the ring due to the plague of covid, only making his ring debut at 19 months of age. Now four and a half, he hasn’t let the grass grow under his four elegant feet and has qualified for the Poodle of the Year in GB in both 2022 and ’23 having won sufficient points at GB Championship Shows to put him in the top 16 each year. In 2022 he also achieved the points needed for his Show Cert of Excellence (RKC), went on to win Limit Dog at Crufts last year and has also 3 Reserve CCs under his belt.
Another special day at Ards, this time for Anita and Jimmy Duggan, when their 22 months old Siberian Husky, Ch Winter Melody OMG Another Drama, aka ‘Brian’, having won BOB under Marion Finney, and Group 5 under her husband, Tim, went on to clinch Reserve BIS under Dick. It was a very ‘special’ day for Anita & Jimmy, as it was also their Wedding Anniversary, so a double reason for celebrations. ‘Brian’ has also been having a really good run recently, and is now sitting in 3rd position on the Group 5 Royal Canin/Irish Canine Press Top Winners’ Leaderboard, with three group wins now, as well as two BIS 4 spots.
Third in Dick’s lineup was the well-known, top winning, Shetland Sheepdog, Cathrina Dunne’s Ch, GB Ch Longrange Cailin Dubh, sent in from the breed and Group 1 by breed specialist, Thomas Rohlin, from Denmark. IKC Top Show Dog 2023; ‘Katie’ has really put Shelties on the map here, with her multitude of wins, Groups and BISs, and of course CCs, on her occasional trips across the water. Eight Groups so far this year sees her annex the top spot on the Royal Canin/Irish Canine Press Group 1 Top Winners’ Leaderboard, a position she also held last year when she finished top overall; BIS at both Mid West and Munster Ag National Show 2, she was also RBIS at IKC St Patricks and Sligo and third BIS at ILKA as well as today.
Dick’s final choice of the ten dogs in front of him from one of surely the best line-ups so far this year, was Lauren and mum, Diane Whan’s homebred multi group winning Leonberger, Ch Sulandi Electric Storm. With BIS at the IKC Celtic Winners, the Group the next day at IKC St Patrick’s, Group and BIS 3 at Fermoy International, and now today, ‘Storm’ is second on the Group 2 Leaderboard and he was to go on to take yet another win the next day at Dun Laoghaire. Today ‘Storm’ came through the breed under local County Antrim judge, Barbara Evans, known for her Mountslemish Schnauzers, and clinched Group 2, under well known exhibitor and judge, Brian Lyons, who also hails from this scenic county; he and wife, Joan, known for their Beechview Newfies and Akitas and also for their long term business Beechview Kennels, Catteries & and car Cages. His string of titles includes Jun CH, CIB-J, LG Jugendsieger 23, DCLH Jugendsieger 23, CJW 24, CW 24, so a much travelled boy as well. Over the ‘pond’, Storm has 2 CCs and 2 Reserve CCs, and is not two years old until the end of September. Oh, and yes, he was fourth in the 2023 Pup of the Year finals earlier this year at the CCC Easter weekend.
In March this year, Lorraine and Ross moved from their native Scotland to Northern Ireland, making their home amidst the rolling drumlins of County Down. In the short time since their arrival ‘Arro’ and Ross have had a very successful run at the shows, ‘Arro’ winning his 7th Green Star and his Irish crown in early May. En Route to today’s triumph, ‘Arro’ had won his first Green Star and CACIB at his first show here on 30th March at the CCC International, and second GS & BOB from Mid-West, another CACIB coming from Fermoy Int., together with the Green Star, yet another GS the next day at South Tipp.
His first foray onto the Royal Canin/Irish Canine Press Leaderboard was from Group 9 second at Portadown, and then at Banbridge when he went BOB, won Group 9 under Breed specialist Lauren Coulter, and finished Reserve Best in Show under Mariano De Chico from Italy. Newtownards, with the breed and Group from Heather Lamont of the Moorfields CKCS, and his Best in Show has sent him straight into fourth on the Royal Canin/Irish Canine Press Leaderboard, so currently one of four qualified for Group 9 at the IKC Top Showdog finals for 2024, though we still have a plethora of shows to go.
So, a success story for ‘Arro’ since he took up residence in Ireland and he is on the top of the world after Newtownards and his first All Breeds Best in Show.
His first foray onto the Royal Canin/Irish Canine Press Leaderboard was from Group 9 second at Portadown, and then at Banbridge when he went BOB, won Group 9 under Breed specialist Lauren Coulter, and finished Reserve Best in Show under Mariano De Chico from Italy. Newtownards, with the breed and Group from Heather Lamont of the Moorfields CKCS, and his Best in Show has sent him straight into fourth on the Royal Canin/Irish Canine Press Leaderboard, so currently one of four qualified for Group 9 at the IKC Top Showdog finals for 2024, though we still have a plethora of shows to go.
So, a success story for ‘Arro’ since he took up residence in Ireland and he is on the top of the world after Newtownards and his first All Breeds Best in Show.
Newtownards committee, headed by President, Eddie and Club Sec Gail Patterson, working as Show Manager & Show Secretary respectively, are a well regimented team of mostly local enthusiasts, with everyone knowing their duties, enabling them to run an efficient and well-timed event, made the more enjoyable by the weather, which actually behaved itself, (with the exception of a small blip) altogether making for a pleasant day out for exhibitors, dogs and spectators alike. The new body warmers in the Club colours made each committee member easily identified for any queries, and the Secretary’s Office was ideally situated in the large covered pergola area in front of the clubhouse, the other end of which was conveniently just in front of the Clubhouse bar, so handy for refreshments and also to keep a quick check on the Olympic results, especially on the day, the Gold Medal performance of Rhys McClenaghan on the Pummel Horse, as attested to by the cheers coming from that direction!
So, a Gold Medal performance for Newtownards, both Olympian, and Show wise – congrats to the Ards committee for a job well done……
So, a Gold Medal performance for Newtownards, both Olympian, and Show wise – congrats to the Ards committee for a job well done……
Congratulations to the Irish Canine Press Leaderboard 2024 Halfway winners…
For the top 10 placings in each group stated on the link below, we are offering eligible exhibitors* a free bag from our selected Royal Canin PRO range.
Come find us on the Royal Canin Stand at the Irish Kennel Club Championship show on October 5th to arrange your free bag with a member of the team!
If you can’t make it to the show then please contact Mary Davidson, your dedicated business manager using the information here
https://pro.royalcanin.co.uk/map/
If you can’t make it to the show then please contact Mary Davidson, your dedicated business manager using the information here
https://pro.royalcanin.co.uk/map/
*Terms and conditions apply: Claimant must be named within the Irish Canine Press Halfway Leaders Top Showdog Finals 2024 list linked above and is a resident within Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain. Prize is non-transferable. No cash-alternative. Subject to availability. Maximum of one claimant per household. Offer valid until 30th November 2024. Royal Canin reserves the right to end this promotion at any point without providing prior notice. Product redeemable to be from the Royal Canin Professional ranges approved by a Royal Canin associate.