Above: Ch.
Oxmoon Brogan
of Limerick, born
2001 and sire of
12 champions,
was the 2003
IWCA National
Specialty winner,
an all-breed BIS
winner (ownerhandled) and
the No. 1 IW All
Systems in 2004
and 2005. Above
right: GCh.
Limerick Frosty
The Showman,
born 2009,
ended 2012 No.
1 IW in breed
competition,
No. 2 male in
2013 and No. 1
in 2014. He was
BOS at the 2013
IWCA National
Specialty and
the winner of
three regional
specialties.
66
going to be part of our breeding plans. We may have placed
We avoid indoor shows whenever possible. We feel that
six or seven dogs in our 44 years.
the dogs don’t show to their best advantage inside. They feel
restricted, and the footing is not suited to them. We prefer
DIR: Do you have time for any activities or hobbies outside
a large grass ring, square in shape if possible. This is the
of dogs? What are they?
type of ring conducive to properly exhibiting and judging
LS: My other time-consuming activity is being the specialty
Irish Wolfhounds.
coordinator for Harvest Moon Classic in Pleasanton every year.
We drive to all our shows. Flying giant breeds has become
As I mentioned previously, we have over 50 specialties this
too prohibitive and dangerous. Some of our favorite weekyear being held during our weekend. This keeps me very busy
ends are Palm Springs, Silverado, Lompoc, Puget Sound Speduring the year, so I have very little time for other hobbies.
cialty followed by Western Washington Hound Association,
Jamie has a full-time career and three young children,
and last but not least, the fantastic Santa Barbara weekend
along with occasional judging assignments. She is licensed for
with the Breeders Showcase and Sighthound Spectacular.
Irish Wolfhounds, Afghans, Salukis and Whippets. She recentIf I wasn’t one of the show chairs and volunteers for the
ly judged in Australia, and I was fortunate enough to accomHarvest Moon Classic in Pleasanton, Calif. (Skyline and Del
pany her on part of the trip. Needless
Valle), it would be on my list as well. It
to say, Jamie has a full schedule and
is a beautiful show with more than 50
not much time for any other hobbies
specialties participating over the four
The property has
outside of dogs.
days this October. So I do not show
many shade trees
there, but I help to make it happen.
and some fruit
DIR: If you could change one thing
about the current dog show scene,
DIR: Do you have strong feelings
trees. And yes, [the
what would it be?
about owner-handling your Wolfdogs] strip any fruit
LS: For me personally, I could do
hounds? Have you ever used a profesthey can reach!
without the Group competition. I love
sional handler?
breed competition and comparing
LS: We have always owner-handled
breeding stock. It’s apples against apour dogs. If we were ever to find it necples. For me the Group competition is another world, and it’s
essary to use a handler because of our own physical restricnot my comfort zone. I love the breed ring.
tions, we would certainly hire one. We would want the dog
to be well presented. We would bring the dog to ringside and
DIR: If you were starting over in dogs today, is there anynot have it travel with the handler. Carrying a Wolfhound is a
thing you would do differently?
huge responsibility. Hopefully, Jamie still has a good 25 years
LS: There is absolutely nothing we would have done difof handling left in her, and one or both of her daughters will
ferently in terms of our approach. Each of our 16 litters has
also be able to step up in the future. We would prefer to hangiven us something worthwhile. We feel we have given back
dle our own Wolfhounds forever.
to the sport by mentoring, participating in club activities,
improving our breed and conducting ourselves with integriDIR: Do you place your older dogs in retirement homes to
ty and good sportsmanship. We will be able to always look
keep your numbers down?
back and feel good about the positive influence we have left
LS: This has not been a standard practice for us. Howbehind in our breed and the sport of dogs. DIR
ever, on a rare occasion, we have placed dogs that weren’t
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