*History:

I became interested in Irish Water Spaniels in 1978. I had been training a mixed breed dog in obedience with a bit of success. Of course most everyone else in the class had a purebred AKC dog and was working towards showing at AKC obedience trials and attaining an obedience degree. I decided this was a venue I wanted to pursue. I had to decide what breed would be a good match for me. I also decided that since I would be going to shows for obedience that conformation showing would be an added plus. Little did I know the path I was starting down!

I had a friend and AKC Judge that put me in the conformation ring for the first time. She was a well known Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder. She put me in the ring with one of her puppies. I was clueless but when the judge handed me that ribbon, I was hooked. I remember as if it were yesterday watching the groups with her and discussing the pros and cons of the different breeds that were being shown. As you can imagine when the sporting group was in I saw the Irish Water Spaniel. It was love at first site. When I asked her about this breed she said “I think they are pretty good”. Well I still think they are “pretty good” to say the least.

I joined the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America in 1978. I began my search for a dog. It was no easy feat back then. We had no internet. I was lucky to have an exceptional breeder near by at Crickcin kennel. My first show dog and Champion was Ch. Crickcin’s Snapdragon. Her call name was “Mynoch”.  She was my first and truly a learning experience.

My second IWS was the foundation of all Castlehill Irish Water Spaniels. Ch. Castlehill’s L.P. O’Whistlestop UD, AM/CN CD, TDI “Liza”.  Liza was breed by Whistlestop IWS in Washington State. Liza was and still is the ideal IWS to me in both temperament and conformation.