Blackvein About Us

I was born into a long established mining family at Crosskeys, at the bottom end of one of the western valleys in the county of Monmouthshire as it was named then. I live in the same house I was born in, as was my mother before me. I met my husband Steve, in 1967 and we were married in 1975, we have a son Ian who was born in 1980, he now has a family of his own a beautiful wife Claire and our worlds were turned upside down in March of 2007 with the safe arrival of their daughter our first long awaited grandchild - Kristen Louise!

Over the years Steve and I have owned a numerous variety of terriers and we became involved with Basset Hounds purely by accident. My first encounter with a Basset Hound was when I was introduced to a puppy my nephew had bought for his then girlfriend, as a Christmas present. Seeing this strange little bundle with long ears was quite an incredible experience and one that was soon to change our lives forever. To cut a long story short that little bundle came to live with my husband, son, my parents and me and enriched our lives more than I could ever have imagined or indeed put into words.I am the first to admit that “Christopher Robin” completely changed my life. Sadly Christopher (aka - Siouxline Christian of Blackvein) was put to sleep in September 2005, just 9 days short of his 15th birthday. I began to show “Christopher” purely by accident, and like so many before me - I became bitten by the bug I suddenly became a Basset Hound enthusiast and with that, came a thirst for knowledge. My dream and ambition was to qualify him for and take him to Crufts - which was fulfilled in March 1995.

The world of dogs shows and exhibiting opened my eyes to a wide spectrum of Basset Hounds and even at that early stage I knew what I liked. As with all things worth doing well, it all takes time and my kennel and its lines although small in comparison to some, is founded on what are now are some of the longest established kennels and blood lines in the country.

In 1993 “Arthur” Islwyn Crusader of Blackvein arrived, he was a remarkable dog winning no less than 8 limit classes at Championship Shows sadly Arthur died very suddenly in September 2003. I have also campaigned Islwyn Proper Little Madam at Blackvein, Ch: Islwyn Sophistication at Blackvein (4CCs & 6RCCs) and Blackvein Dawn, and although bought as a show girl Brackenacre Merry for Blackvein - had other ideas. I am currently showing litter brother and sister Blackvein Pilgrim and Piper. Pilgrim and Piper have had a super 1st season in the show ring following in their mum’s footsteps, and now we begin all over again with Blackvein Naomi and Blackvein Niki for Islwyn.

What? I hear you ask is “Blackvein”? It is my "affix or kennel name” granted to me by the Kennel Club in 1992, all Bassets owned and/or bred by me carries the affix "Blackvein". There was a reason for my choice of affix and there is a very interesting story and local history behind it, so I have dedicated another page to it. I am also very interested in our family history and I have researched my father's family back to 1658, and my mother's to the 1750s. Both of these hobbies have introduced me to so many people from all different walks of life and from all over the world, I sometimes think of how blessed I have been, none moreso than with my dear, dear friends Ann & John.

Now all of these years on, an accumulation of “knowledge” has turned me from an eager enthusiast into a breed specialist who still thirsts for knowledge of a breed that has become a large part of my life. I am the Treasurer of the Basset Hound Club of Wales an office I have held since 1993. Four of those years I also spent time working as a Basset Hound Rescue Rep dealing with all aspects of rescue and welfare. My other committee duties include clerk to the Judges Sub Committee and I am one of the four members of the sub committee responsible for Seminars. I recently became Chairman of Newport and District Canine Society

I began judging in 1997, my first appointment was Dorset County Show. Since then I judged all over the country from the south coast to Scotland. Two of my appointments were sponsored by the SW Branch of the Basset Hound Club, one by the Hadrian BHC and I have judged two club open shows the LYC BHC 2003, the South of England BHC 2006 and the Midland Basset Hound Club in 2007, I was also privileged to judge the breed at Scottish Kennel Club in Edinburgh without CCs in 2005. I have passed all three Kennel Club “Accredited Trainer” Seminars and a Breed Club written examination with Credit. I have also been passed by the Kennel Club to award CCs.

My friendship with Ann and John began when I acquired "Christopher Robin," like all new Basset owners I felt as though I had entered a minefield, was I doing this right, was I doing that right, was I giving him too much of this, what if he doesn't have enough?.........and so on. Our paths had crossed before, my niece Sharon was a good friend to their daughter Linda. I lived only two streets away from them when we bought our first home, in fact Ann and John had often spoken to me when I was out walking with my terriers. When I slipped opposite their home and broke my leg, it was David their son, who came to my rescue and helped me get to the car which would take me to the hospital. Little did I realise then the friendship that would develop, and the support I would receive from them. We have shared tears and laughter - but thankfully there's been much, much more laughter.