I have always been animal mad and as a child always had a dog and in my teenage years bred mice, hamsters and rabbits. When I got married in 1968 I had my first pedigree dog a Labrador Retriever and a Jack Russell. My next dog was a GSD obtained from a breeder for Guide Dogs and my interest in obedience started. In 1978 My next dog was a Rottweiler which I hoped to do working trials. Injury to a hind leg curtailed all hopes of competing so my next Rottweiler I decided to show and got the bug. I applied for my affix and VANHIRSCH began.
I made my first champion up in 1984. The total number of CCs including a Champion Boston Terrier and other CC winners we have owned, bred and handled add up to 51 CCs 38 RCCs 26 Stud book numbers 9 Champions.
Started judging in 1984 Gave my first set of tickets for Rottweilers in 1990 Judged Crufts 2001 Judged in Southern Ireland New Zealand and Australia.
At Open show level I have judged Boston Terriers, Cavaliers, SBT, Ridgebacks. All the bree ds in the working group. NSC, Working Group & BIS.
Other breeds I have showed, owned and bred are,
Cavaliers, Charlies, French Bulldogs, WHWT, Corgi. Also showed and owned a Boxer and a Min. Poodle.
Age an ill health have forced me to stop showing and breeding Rottweilers and I have now gone back to my Cavaliers bringing back my line from the Dortmund Kennel which still carry dogs with the Vanhirsch affix to day. Other lines still showing today which also carries the Vanhirsch affix is Casimari and Mikette.
I had my first Cavalier in 1987 through the CKCS Club Puppy Register a B/T named Black Pepper of Vanhirsch and bred my first litter in 1989 using Ch Rheinvelt Ringold von Salador from this litter a bitch named Vanhirsch Little Bo Peep went to the Dortmund Kennel who also had a second bitch from me when I mated Pepper to Dortmund Hot Toddy call Vanhirsch Hot Gossip and from this line I re-introduced Dortmund Scarletribbons in 2006. Also from this litter Casimari had litter brother and sisterVanhirsch High Spirits and Vanhirsch Pepper's Lass lines which have continue right up to present day.
I also had a Tri named Chacombe Petrina of Vanhirsch mated to Ch Salador Corrigan produced Vanhirsch Snowdrop who started Mikette Cavalier Line now on her 7th generation. Pepper's other litter was to CH Knight Magic at Harana. Petrina went to Harana Chumley and then to Hillyacres Cotton on to Keyingham. Pepper's last litter was to Ch Johnasta Rudolf which was also my last litter at that time.
I have enjoyed showing them again and find it a great deal easier in my old age. June 2007 bred my first litter since 1993.