Hello everyone, firstly let me say how greatly honoured I am to be invited to judge your hounds and I am really looking forward to meeting you all and your dogs in July.

To tell you a little about myself, dogs have always played a great part in my life, I grew up with a Wire Fox Terrier a Pembroke Corgi and an assortment of mongrels. When I was first married we had a German Shepherd dog, when she died we acquired two Dalmatians, one of which had been shown, and hence my start into the world of dog showing.

I have met so many lovely people and dogs, and that quirk of fate that sent Toga the Dalmatian to me is something for which I will always be grateful. I started showing in 1979 and then bred a few litters of Dalmatians. My Dalmatians had some success in the ring, and I really love this sometimes difficult breed that is so people orientated.

Around 1991 I started looking for a second breed and much admired the Irish Wolfhound, I was fortunate to meet Liz Thornton (Mochras) and she introduced me to lots of Wolfhound people.

My first bitch was by Ch Mochras Ipse Facto. In 1997 Dagmar Kenis Pordham entrusted Solstrand Karita Hunacres to my care. Kat gave me the greatest joy and subsequently obtained her UK title. Her son Hunacres Keir by Ch Culkeeran Seth won well for me and gained a challenge certificate. Keir’s litter sister, Hunacres Kristin produced Hunacres Kantata and Hunacres Karoline, by Tirliffin Donahue at Marumac again very consistant winners, winning groups and Best in show at several open shows. Karoline was mated to Culkeeran Chase and from this litter I am currently showing Hunacres Klark Gable, and now his daughter Cairnstorm Vermillion Via Hunacres.

I award Challenge Certificates in Dalmatians and Irish Wolfhounds and have judged Dalmatians in Belgium Finland Italy Sweden and Denmark, Wolfhounds in Belgium Austria Denmark Norway. I judge groups and best in show and variety classes at open shows in the UK.

I am very interested in the administrative side of dog shows, I have been Secretary of my local society Southampton and District Canine Association since 1991. I am on the committee of Windsor Championship dog show, and I am the trade stand co-ordinator. I hold membership for The Irish Wolfhound Club and Irish Wolfhound Society and the British Dalmatian Club, and a member of The Kennel Club.

Welfare of dogs is very important to me, and I have been Rescue Secretary for the Irish Wolfhound Club, and at present a district representative for the Britsh Dalmatian Club.

In between the dogs I have to find time to work, and I have worked for the library service for many years, currently managing a branch library and working in the Historical Collections of the city of Portsmouth.

See you in July!

Sue Wilkinson