Newsletter Date

Denny and Darcy steal the show! The Ulster Kerry Blue Ter- rier Club held it’s 2015 show in conjunction with Portadown and Banbridge Canine clubs. Greenstar and BIS was Ch Halls- blu Fibber Magee with Ch Clanciarrai Claddagh Ring winning greenstar bitch. Our congratulations go to John Weatherhead as he and Fibber also went on to win both greenstars at Ban- bridge and Portadown Inside this issue: shows. The club also want to thank Ann Ingram for judging our Pictured judge Ann Ingram with GSD and BIS Ch Hallsblu Fibber Magee show and hope that she en- and GSB and RBIS Ch Clanciarrai Claddagh Ring. Officers and Com- 2 joyed her day and also a mittee special thanks to Royal Canin and their generous President’s ad- 3 sponsorship. dress

Clanciarrai - 4 Breeder Profile The Ulster Kerry Blue Club is delighted to have J Poulova (Edbrios) preside over our Top Breeder 2015 5 11th Breed Club Championship Show under IKC Rules.

Saturday16th April 2016 Irisblu Breeder 6 Profile In Conjunction with Portadown and Banbridge Shows.

Judging at our show will take place at 1pm. Chairperson’s 8 Message We are grateful to Royal Canin for the continued and generous sponsorship

The Breed Judges at Portadown and Banbridge Shows are

Ms Melanie Corcoran and Mr J Decuyper

Page 2

Officers and Committee—2014 - 2015

President: Mr T Malone

Chairperson: Mr K Connor

Vice Chairperson: Mr M Cushnahan

Secretary: Ms F Malone

Treasurer: Ms C Neill

Auditor: Mr N McKeon

Committee: Mr P Martin, Mr J Haskins, Page 3 President’s Address

Hi All Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to thank all contributors to our second Newslet- ter and specifically Mark Cushnahan (Cushlagorm) for his work. Today we celebrate our 11th Breed Championship Show under IKC rules. I would like to thank our Judge, Jarka Pou- lova (Edbrios) and our sponsor Royal Canin. We are also fortunate to have a good commit- tee who work well together and are involved in the Club for the correct reason, our passion for Kerry Blue .

Sincere congratulations to Cathy Neill (Kensbridge) on the safe arrival of her beautiful daughter, Grace. I believe she is already a registered owner of a Kerry Blue. Our thoughts are also with those in the Club who lost loved ones during the year ! Congratulations to Paul Martin (Clanciarrai) for the title of Breeder of the Year 2015.

Our wonderful breed continues to hold its own in the Show ring, however numbers are not strong and support is poor at Club Shows which is particularly sad ! Congratulations to all those who won during 2015 and I look forward to seeing the breed compete at the highest levels once again in 2016.

Kerry Blues are not for everyone and unfortunately far too many end up in Rescue! It is incumbent on us, as breeders, to look after this great breed and indeed our Club and en- sure their safety, success and development for future generations.

For news and information of the Club’s activities please visit our web- site www.ulsterkbt.com and the Facebook page “Ulster Kerry Blue Terrier Club”.

Finally, I would like to close by sincerely thanking the members of the Ulster Kerry Blue Ter- rier Club for once again ratifying me as President of this great Club, it is both an honour and a privilege. I wish you all good health, happiness and every success in the year ahead.

Best wishes Tom Malone Glenfitor Kerry Blues Page 4

Clanciarrai Kerry Blue Terriers Breeder Profile Paul and Eileen Martin have been involved in breeding and showing Kerry Blues since 1977. I think anyone who has had the pleasure of their company would agree that you would struggle to find anyone as passionate about the breed as them. I had time to catch up with Paul over a cup of tea and put the questions below to him,

1. When did you first get in to Kerry blues? We first got into Kerry blues around 1977, I got a bitch from John Watson she was Nostaw Wilma Fintstone and her breeding was all from the “Binate” kennel., which I can remember vividly.

2. What was it about the breed that attracted you to it? I was at a dog show and I seen Granemore Valley I was speechless when I seen that dog..... Stunning, after that I knew I had to have a Kerry blue.

3. Who was your biggest influence in the breed? I had a priceless education when I came into . I am forever thankful for the wisdom and time given to me by Tom and Bridget Boyle and also my dear friends Noel and Mary Reidy (Louisburgh Kerry Blues). I aspired to be like these peo- ple and cannot describe in words how important they were during my early years in dogs.

4. You have been fortunate in your time to breed many great champions if you had to make the tough call, which was your favourite and why?

I would have to say without a question it was Son of a Storm at Clanciarrai, this dog had such a personality and was the ultimate showman in fact he was Best In Show 6 times during his career. He was bred by my cousin out of our very own Clanciarrai Stormer (who went on to be the foundation male for the Aran Kennel in Italy) and from a very young age I knew he was going to have the temperament for showing in fact I have heard peo- ple say many phrases about dogs such as “That dog could talk to you” and this boy was Ch Clanciarrai Stormer the same we loved having him and even to this day he is fondly remembered.

5. You have seen how competitive the breed has been over the years; was there any other Kerry’s that you admired? I have to say there are a few males and females that stick in my mind. The males, first was Ch Callaghan of Leander he was a stunning dog and went on to win Best In show at . I also seen Ch Granemore Killfernora winning best pup in show at National Terrier and as we know he then went on to greater things. As far as bitch’s go I loved Ch Music’s So- nata and Ch Ardkama Maid to Measure. There was also a number of Louisburgh dogs bred by Noel and Mary in particu- lar I liked Ch Louisburgh Rowl N Dust, the list could go on.

6. What is your favourite show?

I love National Terrier, always a great show to attend and I always enjoy the atmosphere at it. Closer to home I really enjoy the Swords and District show which is one of the few out door shows in Ireland that never fails to get the weather!! 7. Best moment you have had so far?

This is a an easy one for me. In 1983 I had the honour of winning Best of Breed at Crufts with Ch Louisburgh Brigin, the bright lights and excitement of taking your dog into the group at Crufts is something that will live long in the memory for me and it would be a thrill do it again.

8. Have you got any hopes or aspirations for the future in the breed?

I still have the same aspiration today as when I first started and that is to breed the “ultimate” Kerry blue. I also hope that people look back when I've finished my time in dogs and feel I con- tributed positively towards the breed and leave it in good hands for the next generation who assume responsibility for it. Ch Son of a Storm at Clanciarrai Page 5 Page 5

Congratulations to the Top Breeder—Paul Martin Clanciarrai

In January 2015 it was confirmed that Paul Martin (Clanciarrai Kerry blues) finished the year as top breeder. This award is achieved by the number of wins by dogs bred by a particular breeder over the duration of that particular year. The club got the opportunity to congratulate Paul and ask him how he felt about the award he explained, “It was never my ambition to achieve such an award, we have been very fortunate to have had great people come and get pups from us over the last few years and its through their dedication that this award has been possible. I have to thank Barry, Melanie and Joyce Walker who own Clanciarrai Blue Jasmine also John and Melanie Craig with Ch Clanciarrai Claddagh Ring we also had some success with our own bitch Clanciarrai Blue Velvet which all contributed to the achievement of this award”.

We asked Paul what he feels is the common denominator for his success this year. “I have to say since we brought Ariel (Multi Ch Bluemont Ariel at Clanciarrai) into the county we have had tremendous success within our breeding program. I have to pay tribute to his breeder the late Lorenzo Zambrano, its our sincere thanks that he placed his trust in us with Ariel's development and I am delighted he is now making a name for himself as a proven stud dog to add to the success he had in the ring”.

Paul continued “I think we are starting to see his potential at stud and were delighted to see many of his children do well recently for example, his daughter GR CH Clanciarrai Solataire (owned by Glenn Lee) became top Kerry in the USA. His other daughter Ebrious Exotica (owned by Phillip O’ Brien and Jarka Poulová) won the reserve CC at Crufts and recently Best In Show at the Combined Canine International Show. His son Lacarnaveen The One and Only (Owned by Christine Forest) was best Puppy at Crufts and his most recent son Clanciarrai Coada was Best Puppy and 3rd best pup in show at the Combined Canine International Show as well as best puppy at National Terrier 2016. I hope this continues into he future and already know plenty of his other offspring are enjoying success both at home and abroad. It is an exciting time for our kennel as nothing pleases me more than seeing Ariel’s “kids” in the ring doing well and being so highly thought off by many top judges.”

Multi Ch Bluemont Ariel at Clanciarrai

Clanciarrai Blue Jasmine (owned by Melanie, Barry and Joyce Paul Pictured with his top breeder award. Walker)

GR CH Clanciarrai Solitaire

CH Clanciarrai Claddagh Ring (owned by John and Melanie Craig) Clanciarrai Coada Page 6 Irisblu Kerry Blue Terriers — Breeder Profile

We got the chance to put the questions to Harold and Helena Quigg (Irisblu), Harold’s interest in Kerry blues started from a hands on back- ground and he always admired the breed for its gameness. We started our kennel in 2000 to concentrate on our favourite breed the Kerry blue Terrier. Being based this far north we are very much isolated from other show kennels who are mainly in Belfast and Dublin. Travelling to shows we met up with some influential people who helped us on our way, educating

Harold Pictured at us in the finer points of the breed. Our aim at Irisblu is to breed dogs of Crufts with wife Helena correct type, temperament , coat and colour and we hope that you enjoy our dogs. Since this article was submitted Harold and Helena and their Dog Ch Irisblu Jack of Diamonds has won CC, Best of Breed and Group 3 at Crufts 2016!! This win also gained him his 3rd CC and English title. Ch Irisblu Jack of Diamonds Pictured here in the group at

Crufts 2016 1. When did you first get in to Kerry blues? Kerry blues have always been in my family. My father was a Kerry enthusiast and actually showed his dogs at local shows as was my Uncle who showed his in America. Kerry blues for some reason have always been popular in Derry and there have been many good exhibitors from the town. Jack and John Doherty to name a few who exhibited Louisburgh and Granemore kerrys to a high level mak- ing up many champions.

2. What was it about the breed that attracted you to it? Their temperaments and terrier spirit, gameness and love of life as each one is very individual with their own quirks.

3. Who was your biggest influence in the breed? There has been a few... In the Earlier years it was Jack Doherty from Derry and then I met Hugh Jordan who helped and encouraged me at the shows and in recent years Sean Delmar invited me to join the breed clubs namely Dublin Irish Blue and Irish Breeds which I am still involved in today. Finally when I travelled to the UK I met Ron Ramsay who was very supportive of my dogs and my breeding programme both in Ireland and UK.

4. You have been fortunate in your time to breed many great champions if you had to make the tough call, which was your favourite and why? My favourite champion would have to be Ir Eng Am Can CH Saredon shockwaves of Irisblu. (Lexi) who is out of my Crufts winning bitch Sharp N Shocking of Irisblu, she followed on from her mothers winning ways. Lexi has won all the breed shows, with Best in Show both here and in England including the reserve CC at Crufts before she trav- elled to Canada where she has won several Best in shows and finished top Kerry in Canada, then on to America where she gained her Grand Am Ch title in style by winning at Eukanuba in Florida and Great Western in California to name but a few, but she saved the best for last and at her final show in the US she pulled out all the stops and was crowned Best of Breed at the most prestigious terrier show on earth Montgomery County.

5. You have seen how competitive the breed has been over the years; was there any other Kerry’s that you admired? If I am honest I have to mention 3 males who interested me greatly. Firstly Edbrios Blue Ivanhoe who was a superb show dog, next is Torums Ready to Rumble who was the sire of the first dog but unfortunately died before he could reach his full stud potential and finally Torums Tunde Bayou who was a prolific stud dog who produced many top class prodigy more so on the male side. Harold pictured with Ir and AM Grand Ch Iriblu Mirage—Suki is 6. What is your favourite show? also Annual Ch 2014 Montgomery County Kennel Club

7. Best moment you have had so far? Winning Best of Breed at Montgomery in 2013. Made so very very special as we enjoyed the win with dear friends Anita Norman, Deena Simon and Lexi's breeder the late Judith Averis who accom- panied us to the centre of the ring to collect our awards.

8. Have you got any hopes or aspirations for the future in the breed? Ir Eng Am Can CH Saredon shock- My only aspiration is that Irisblu can keep producing dogs of a type that keeps it true and real to waves of Irisblu (Lexi) the breed. Page 7 Interested in a puppy?

Members have litters available occasionally if you are interested in knowing about litters that are planned please contact Fionnula on +353868750614 / [email protected] Chairperson’s Message:

Another year has flown by and we now approach our 11th Annual Breed Show held under IKC rules. I want to extend our thanks on behalf of the club to both Banbridge and Portadown Canine Clubs for allowing us to again feature at their show.

I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have contributed to our newsletter which is in its 2nd year and in turn I hope readers find it as interesting and informative as I do. I know this year the newsletter will be launched on Facebook and we extend the hand of friendship to any of our international friends who are reading and keep up with the breed in Ireland.

I also want to congratulate the winners of our show last year and thank those who en- tered for their continued support.

We look forward to welcoming many of you on the 16th of April at our show and I hope and trust that you will enjoy the day.

Ken Connor Chairperson

www.ulsterkerryblue.webs.c om Important Information All dogs travelling in or out of Ireland must be rabies vaccinated and hold a current EU Pet Passport. The regulations can be read at http:// www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/ Facebook: Ulster Kerry Blue Club Following SI 128 of 2014 PROHIBITION ON TAIL DOCKING AND DEW CLAW REMOVAL (DOGS) REGULATIONS 2014, which came into effect on 06 March 2014 it is illegal to dock tails or remove dew claws in the Republic of Ireland.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2014/en.si.2014.0128.pdf

Anyone wishing to join a committee of an IKC affiliated Club must be an associate member of the IKC.

http://www.ikc.ie/membership-registrations/associate- membership