Irish Wolfhound Society
.......Newsflash 13th May 2025......
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The first breed specialist judges who are about to come through the Kennel Club’s new Judges Education Programme are almost there. This means that they are ready to be assessed by the Kennel Club in order to award CCs.
This is an important milestone for Irish wolfhounds as we need more specialists from within the breed to be augmenting the judging lists.
Whilst this is good news, the Kennel Club requires a minimum number of candidates for them to hold these assessments which means that there is now a delay. This is frustrating for those waiting so it is vitally important that those close to completing Level 3, do so.
Debbie Tebbutt, our Breed Education Coordinator also needs to know urgently any candidates who have already completed level 3 and consider themselves ready to progress.
She is happy to offer advice and support to any new, or existing, JEP judges.
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Please contact Debbie directly by using the email or link below:
Debbie Tebbutt IW BEC at debtebiwbec@gmail.com
Our Open Show, judged by Alex Paisey, was held on Sunday 26th January 2025.
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Results, photographs and critique are available on the 'Show Results' tab or by following the link below. Critique will follow soon
Our 37th Championship Show, judged by Jenny Dove, was held on Sunday 29th September 2024.
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Results, photographs and critique are available on the 'Show Results' tab or by following the link below.
Come and join us for lunch on Thursday 12th June 2025
at the Royal Kennel Club, 10 Clarges Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8AB.
Numbers are limited, please reserve your place early.
The Irish Wolfhound Society AGM will be held on:
Sunday 28th April 2024
Stoke Goldington Village Hall
Nr. Newport Pagnell, Bucks. MK16 8NR
Refreshments from 10:30 am AGM 11:00 am
The AGM will be followed by a light buffet lunch.
Cathryn Mellersh, the head of the Canine Genetic Centre, recently contacted all the breed clubs across every group highlighting the urgent need to raise funds to secure the future of the Genetic Centre.
The withdrawal of financial support from The Kennel Club and The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has left them with the need to raise £345k over the next few months either as pledged support or direct donations.
To learn more, pledge or donate visit www.canine-genetics.org.uk/fund-our-future/
Our 36th Championship Show, judged by Ian Sexton, was held on Sunday 28th January 2024.
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Results, photographs and critique are available here.
Our Open Show, judged by Ann Donaldson (Kirkcarswell), was held on Sunday 28th January 2024.
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Results, photographs and critique are available here.
Click link to download a list of judges who have been appointed to judge Irish Wolfhounds at Championship Shows this year.
We've added new page to our website about buying an Irish Wolfhound puppy and why one of the most important choices you will make is the choice of breeder.
We have included advice on what to ask breeders, what they might ask you, what health checks should be carried out by the breeder, the importance of choosing a breeder who abides by the Code of Conduct, and who to contact if you want to find an ethical breeder.
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Click on the link below to go directly to the page.
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The Kennel Club Board has approved amendments to the Judges' Education Programme (Breed Shows) Level 1 and Level 2 criteria.
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These amendments will come into effect for shows held on or after 1 January 2024 and apply to judges signing contracts from the date of this announcement (21 August 2023). Existing CC judges are exempt from this requirement.
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Judges Education Programme (JEP) Level 1 criteria is as follows, with amends in bold:
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Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs
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Attend a Conformation and Movement seminar hosted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer
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Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments
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Attend a Requirements of a Dog Show Judge seminar and pass associated exam (either in person or online via Kennel Club Academy)
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Pass the Points of a Dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer
Previously it was a requirement that passing the Points of a Dog assessment and Requirements of a Dog Show Judge exam was part of JEP Level 2 criteria.
Consequently, JEP Level 2 criteria is now amended as follows:
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Attend a Breed Appreciation Day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination for the respective breed
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View ring stewarding seminar and take online quiz via Kennel Club Academy
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Complete critique writing seminar and take online quiz via Kennel Club Academy
Whilst completing the critique writing and stewarding seminars remain a JEP Level 2 requirement, the Royal Kennel Club Board has agreed that they can be undertaken at any time, and that the judge does not need to wait until they meet Level 1 criteria, and are recommended to view prior to stewarding or judging.
Judges sitting multiple-choice exams held at Breed Appreciation Days from 1 January 2024 will be required to meet the amended Level 1 criteria.
The full JEP criteria for all levels and eligibility to judge can be found on our website by following the link below.
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Wonderful news!
Dr Maura Lyons, the Breed Health Coordinator for Irish Wolfhounds, has been announced as the winner of the prestigious International Canine Health Awards 2023 for her work on improving the health of Irish Wolfhounds.
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Dr Maura Lyons helps to organise and orchestrate research and development that increases awareness of health schemes for Irish Wolfhounds. Maura also liaises with owners, scientists, breed bodies and owners to raise perception and encourage improvements in Wolfhound health.
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Maura is a member of the Irish Wolfhound Health Group, who are focussed on all aspects of Irish Wolfhound health, in particular the heart screening programme as well as awareness and treatments for pneumonia in wolfhounds.
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Dr Nick Blayney, who Chairs the selection panel for the Breed Health Co-ordinator Award, said: “Dr Maura Lyons wonderfully exemplifies the vital role Breed Health Co-ordinators have in improving the health and welfare of our much-loved breeds. Dr Lyons’ work in improving the awareness of health issues in Irish Wolfhounds on both the veterinary side and public side is invaluable.”
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Congratulations, Maura, from all at the Irish Wolfhound Society.
Click below for the full information about the award on the Royal Kennel Club Website.
Heart screening is an initiative, coordinated by the Irish Wolfhound Health Group, that enables all Irish Wolfhound owners to access regular heart examinations at an affordable price, whilst also providing valuable information for ongoing research.
The screening is non-invasive and comprises a stethoscope examination, an ECG, and an ultrasound scan. The wolfhound is not shaved or sedated.
The three-part screening can identify heart disease before symptoms appear and, with early intervention and modern medication, the Wolfhound can live a long, happy, good-quality life.
Society members are strongly recommended that all hounds used for breeding take part annually in a heart testing programme approved by the Irish Wolfhound Society.
You can find details of sessions in your area and book a place by following the link below.
The Royal Kennel Club has decided that dogs which win two Challenge Certificates (CCs) in addition to five Reserve Challenge Certificates (RCCs) will gain the title of Champion/Show Champion, effective from 1 July 2023.
The link below takes you to the Royal Kennel Club Media Centre, where you can find full details.
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Our Limited Show, judged by Alex Paisey, was held on Sunday 26th March 2023.
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Results, photographs and critique are available here.
At the recent Pawscars event we are delighted to say one of our Vice President's Mrs Zena Thorn Andrews was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Although now mainly known for her Drakesleat Dachshunds who have won hundreds of CCs both here and abroad Zena was an extremely successful breeder and exhibitor of Irish Wolfhounds.
Her first Wolfhound Ch Edgecroft Simon was born in 1967 and there followed very many champions bred under her Drakesleat affix. The hound most people including our newer exhibitors know of is Ch Drakesleat Kyak born in 1979, who up to present day is the breed record holder with 41 CCs.
We are sure you will join us in sending our congratulations to Zena on this well deserved recognition of her 55 years involvement in breeding and exhibiting superb pedigree dogs.
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Results and critique are available here.