Above: Ch.
Grianan Ladd of
Limerick, born
in 1988, is a
Limerick top sire
with 37 champion
get. He was a
top-ranking IW
in the early ‘90s.
Above right: Ch.
Noinin Cnoc Noll
of Limerick, born
in 1992, sired 22
champions. He
was a multiple
specialty winner,
a multiple Group
winner and a topranking IW in the
mid-1990s.
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our bitches even though we may go back in the line to use
bitch of all time until another lovely Whitehall bitch had a
frozen semen from a past male.
second litter and broke the record. Both our Ch. Grianan Ladd
We prefer to keep our number of dogs at a minimum beof Limerick and Ch. Taryn Tate of Limerick SC are the sires
cause of the time we like to give to them and the cost to
of 37 champions each. Ch. Shaw of Limerick, born in 1977,
maintain them. Our breed is more expensive for so many
was only allowed to sire four litters because we were still so
reasons. Having too many Wolfhounds can be challenging
new in the breed, yet he produced 22 champions. Ch. Noinin
and not beneficial to the dogs or the owners. We always menCnoc Noll of Limerick also sired 22 champions.
tor newcomers to curb their enthusiasm for wanting to add
We have won many regional specialties over the years, and
more Wolfhounds quickly. You want to add dogs slowly so you
our dogs are found in many pedigrees of some top-winning
know when you’ve reached your comfort zone for giving propdogs. The Best of Breed and Best of Opposite this year at our
er attention and adequate care. This is very important to us.
National both came down from our Ch. Taryn Tate of Limerick SC. A very special honor bestowed
DIR: Is it easy to find good homes
upon us personally was being named
for Wolfhound puppies? How do you
the Hound Group Breeders of the Year
Even though we have
screen your buyers? What are your
by the American Kennel Club in 2013.
never had a large
terms for sales and co-ownerships?
It was a joy for Janet, Jamie and me
kennel of Wolfhounds,
LS: We always have a waiting list for
to travel to Orlando together for the
awards ceremony. It was a weekend
we have been blessed our puppies because we don’t breed
often and we have a network of great
we will never forget and always cherwith many wonderful
Wolfhound people always waiting for
ish. I have also been twice honored as
accomplishments.
their next puppy. We have not sold a
a Winkie nominee for Best Owner-Hanpuppy in over 10 years to a first-time
dler, and when the Breeders Showcase
IW owner.
was first introduced at Santa Barbara
Of course, we would certainly screen someone very careKennel Club, we were the Hound Group honorees.
fully before we let a puppy go if they were people we did not
know. We will not ship a puppy to someone we have not met
DIR: How many adult dogs do you typically keep at home?
face to face. In general, we do not require co-ownerships. We
H ow often do you breed a litter? I remember reading some
prefer to sell a dog outright to people we feel we can trust. We
years ago that you bred each bitch only once, and this fasdo ask that the dog be returned to us at any time in its life if it
cinated me. Is this still your policy, and what prompted this
becomes necessary for any reason. This practice has worked
decision for Limerick?
successfully for us. We feel it has a lot to do with how you
LS: In years past we kept as many as six to eight dogs, but
mentor and treat people. Perhaps we have just simply been
now, as we wind down a bit, we are only keeping three to four
lucky. We support the people who have our dogs in every way
dogs at a time. We generally breed about once every three
possible, and our relationships are excellent.
years. We have produced 16 litters in 44 years. To date we
have only had one litter out of select bitches we have owned.
DIR: Describe your kennel facilities, if you have them.
Because we only breed to keep something, we have to keep
What is your “kennel routine” — sleeping, feeding, exercise,
our breeding to a minimum to keep our numbers down. We
grooming, socialization? Do you have kennel help?
have been fortunate to move forward with every breeding on
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