SPORTING IRISH WATER SPANIEL CLUB

SPORTING IRISH WATER SPANIEL CLUBSPORTING IRISH WATER SPANIEL CLUBSPORTING IRISH WATER SPANIEL CLUB

SPORTING IRISH WATER SPANIEL CLUB

SPORTING IRISH WATER SPANIEL CLUBSPORTING IRISH WATER SPANIEL CLUBSPORTING IRISH WATER SPANIEL CLUB
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    • Home
    • Menu
      • Diary of events 2021
      • Membership
      • SIWSC History
      • Litters and Puppies
      • Objectives of The Club
      • The Irish Water Spaniel
      • Club information
      • Health
      • Breeding
      • Constitution
      • Meet the Committee
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      • IWS Databases
      • Welfare
    • Contact
    • About
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      • Health News
      • Eye testing
      • Health publications
      • Drug sensitivity
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Meet the Committee

David Wilcox, Chairman

Melvyn Hurst, Secretary

Melvyn Hurst, Secretary

 I have owned IWS for 17 years and have used them for wildfowling, picking up and beating. A graduate Biologist I am particularly interested in health and breeding in a way to minimise the effects of a small gene pool. I have pieced together the largest IWS breed database in the world which has been used for both scientific and historical research.

Melvyn Hurst, Secretary

Melvyn Hurst, Secretary

Melvyn Hurst, Secretary

 I have been in the breed for 25 years, and have been active in promoting the IWS, including Gamefair Demonstration and the Sporting Dog Pavilion, Gundog Working Tests, Field Trials and picking up on shoots.

I have previously served as a Committee Member from 2000 during which time the club was being regenerated and actively seeking K.C. recognition, which was granted.

Both my wife and myself are also interested in the health and breeding of the Irish Water Spaniel.

Shane Honey, Treasurer

Melvyn Hurst, Secretary

Jackie Hill - Newsletter & trophies

 I have owned water spaniels for 10 years, my first being Merlin, a dog pup from a Kirkmarsh litter.  A few years later I collected my "littleDutch girl" Teagan from Hans and, the late (sadly), Mary Knopport in Holland.

I bred a litter in November 2016 keeping a bitch myself in order to start my own "Gullytown" strain which I hope may help the gene pool and be of some benefit to the breed in the future. I have always tried to work my dogs but found it difficult to find a regular place on a local shoot but have now been lucky and found a sympathetic Gamekeeper.

I really enjoyed our first full season (2018/19), using both Teagan and her daughter, Enya (Gullytown Will 'o the Wisp).

There was nearly always someone who asked "what type of dog is that?", giving me the chance to promote the breed and let people know how rare they have become. I have also been fortunate enough to find a supportive trainer in my area and am looking forward to learning more and improving my technique for the coming season.  I really enjoy attending IWS training weekends as its a lovely, informal way to meet other owners, share experiences and information, as well as make new friends and have some fun with our dogs!

Jackie Hill - Newsletter & trophies

Jackie Hill - Newsletter & trophies

Jackie Hill - Newsletter & trophies

 I've been involved with the breed since 2011 when we got our first IWS, Fendrake Isla (Isla), from David & Ursula Wilcox.  We now have six, all of whom I adore.  Our dogs are worked regularly in the shooting season and they draw a lot of attention and interest.  I live in NE Scotland and one of my aims is to promote this breed to the best of my ability so as to hopefully help increase their numbers in the working field. 

Nichol Watson events coordinator

Jackie Hill - Newsletter & trophies

Nichol Watson events coordinator

 Irish water spaniels have been of interest to me for the last two decades; following the SIWSC at events and fairs, and making great friends along the way.  We managed to fit our own Irish Water Spaniel, Fenwick (Lachanstrand’s Dubhlainn at Janbry), into our lives in 2015, looking for a brilliant multipurpose dog, something he is enjoying growing into.  I am currently involved in a couple of beating lines, a member of Newcastle Wildfowler’s Association, and enjoy other sporting opportunities that Fenwick and I can get involved in.  We hope that we continue along this path with Fenwick’s son, Gefrin (Kirkmarsh’s Ferryman). I am strong supporter of making the best of the breed in in all environments, and making this a platform for getting better – whether this is being active with a single dog, or working a large team.  I have thoroughly enjoyed helping at breed confined tests and publicising at fairs, and look forward to a committed and productive association with the SIWSC.   

Ursula Wilcox - membership

Jackie Hill - Newsletter & trophies

Nichol Watson events coordinator

 I have owned IWS for the last 16 years. Initially as pets but very quickly we trained them for work in the field.  Our IWS have been used for beating, picking up and wildfowling. 
Over the years we have had a number of litters and some of those puppies we bred have also been used in the field and for breeding.

I am passionate about the IWS and as a committee member I can help the club in promoting them to the wider public. 

I feel that I have skills which lend themselves to assist in administering the club. Having worked in the public and private sector, managing office procedures has taught me to be well organised and methodical with a keen eye for detail and a democratic approach to all committee and club members. We must not forget that the primary aim is to preserve and promote the breed we are so passionate about.

Susan Sheehan

Ardle MacMahon

Susan Sheehan

  

I was introduced Irish Water Spaniels at the Midland Game Fair over 15years ago by David and Ursula Wilcox and Melvyn and Denise Hurst. After attending an event at Chillington and talking to others within the club I fell in love with the breed. Over the years my husband and I visited Melvyn and Denise in Sheffield many times and met their dogs, helped to dry off 11 puppies and enjoy their hospitality.  This was much to my family’s surprise as I was always afraid of dogs when I was younger, but these beautiful dogs have won my heart hook line and sinker. 

We initially put our name down for one of David and Ursula’s puppies but unfortunately it just was not the right time for us. We waited and eventually met Yeates who we loved and knew at some point we would have one of his puppies. Well that time came after meeting Roisin owned by Carol Jackson and in 2015 we got our very own IWS , Fenwick (Lachanstrand’s Dubhlainn at Janbry). My husband and I are both members of the Newcastle Wildfowlers Association where Nichol takes Fenwick to shoots and where he enjoys entertaining everyone on the beating lines. I have enjoyed helping with training Fenwick and myself (I need a lot of help) in sporting activities. In 2019 Fenwick became a father for the first time when he mated Melvyn and Denise’s bitch Dee Dee and we got our second IWS Gefrin (Kirkmarsh Ferryman at Janbry). Being committed to the breed Fenwick was mated with Cally, owned by Kerry Finch in 2019 and he became a father for the second time.  

We live in Northumberland where there are not many of the breed around but hopefully this may change in the future as I am passionate in preserving and promoting this amazing breed and the club.

Cora Browne

Ardle MacMahon

Susan Sheehan

Hello everyone.
I'm Cora married to Paul and have 2 sons,
I grew up in Dorset where we always had bo

s no ordinary dog..!!

Hence why I've found myself runninHello everyone.

I'm Cora married to Paul and have 2 sons,

I grew up in Dorset where we always had boxer dogs.

My beloved boxer Simba passed away 7 years ago and we didn't have a dog for 3 years.

But the time had come when we were ready for another dog in our lives but not a boxer.

So after much research we happened upon an irish water spaniel. New to me!!

clown of the spaniel family it said.

Hypoallergenic (mum has asthma)

Sounds perfect!!

Well fast forward and beaux is now 4 years old, I knew from the start this wag around agility courses!!!

In fields doing gun dog training lessons.

I'm still an absolute novice but beaux is a very patient teacher!!! 

Ardle MacMahon

Ardle MacMahon

Ardle MacMahon

 awaiting info 

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