Dubs was my first Irish
Wolfhound, bred by Susan and Rene de La Roche from some of the last of the
Ambleside hounds of Alma Starbuck, and the Fleetwind hounds of Lois Hall.
There were very few IW breeders in Canada at that time, and most of them were
still on their first generation bred from imports from England, Ireland, and
the USA. The many North American IW's in the 70's Dubs excelled in size and
bone, with a beautiful, strong yet feminine head and expression, with
soft, melting dark eyes seldom seen today. On the downside she lacked breadth
and depth of chest, and width across the hindquarters.
She really did not like
the show ring, which was disappointing for me being so keen to show, but she
did eventually finish. I called her the reluctant champion, and returned her
as soon as she finished. Some years later when I brought her out as a Veteran
her attitude had completely changed. She seemed to enjoy it now, and placed
3rd in Veteran bitches at the IWCA Specialty in Lexington Kentucky in 1978.
I attended 2 IWCA
Specialty trying to find the best possible sire for Dubs and my first
litter, and chose the Irish Import Am Ch.
High and Mighty of
Carrickmines, imported by Dr. & Mrs. Thomas F Powers to the Powerscourt
Kennel in the USA. Although he was not a very large dog his strong,
beautifully angulated hindquarters were such a rarity at that time that
he was very popular at stud, and had proved his ability to pass on this
attribute. Dubs did eventually have a litter sired by High, but alas none
survived. However, I learned a lot though this tragic experience that
has helped me immensely to avoid the needless problem that occurred due to my
own ignorance, and incompetent Vets. since then.
