Islwyn About Us

John was born in Monmouthshire on the English/Welsh border and Ann was born in Plymouth, Devon where they met and married in the early 1960s. While John was serving with the Royal Marines we lived in various places along the south coast before going with our daughter Linda to Singapore. it was there, that John took Linda , to a dog show and saw a Basset Hound for the very first time and the seal was set, a chance encounter that would change our lives forever

Upon our return to the UK we purchased our first Basset Hound that was way back in 1967, while attending a "training Class" we met Miss Wendy Thomas (Coastal) who said our Basset was good enough to show and in no time at all we were bitten by the bug! When John left the Marines, we returned home to his native Wales and we made our home in the village in which he was born in the beautiful Sirhowy Valley.

We were lucky that our family and hobby co-existed side by side over the years, obviously exhibiting the Islwyns’ has been a major part of our lives along with caring for our children Linda and David. It would be extremely difficult to separate one from the other, as our hounds have been members of our family too. Our human family has naturally increased over the years, we have six wonderful grandchildren, five grandsons and a granddaughter, all of whom are very precious to us. We can also proud to boast two 'GREAT' grandchildren !! Natasha our granddaughter is a Basset Hound enthusiast and is a much valued Junior Committee member of the Basset Hound Club of Wales.

In 41 years of exhibiting Basset Hounds, we have had the privilege of sharing our home and our lives with many. The majority of whom have lived to a ripe old age. Among them being Ch: Langpool Carrie’s Lad of Islwyn, Ch: Lodway Lancer of Islwyn (Breed Record Holder 1985-1995), Lillie of Langpool, Blodale Wilma, Langpool Joanne at Islwyn, Islwyn Cookie Monster, and our beautiful black bitch, Triple Bar B Cleopatra at Islwyn, whom we imported from Holland in 1989. It is from this lovely bitch and Lancer all of our current stock are descended.

During those 41 years we have had the pleasure of making many good friends, we've also had the priveledge of meeting people from all over the world many of whom we still keep in touch with, sadly like in all walks of life we have lost good freinds too, they have left a gap in our lives never to be filled

In 1974 we applied to the Kennel Club for our affix “ISLWYN” the name was acquired or rather borrowed from the Welsh bard [left] of the same name buried in the small chapel [right], which our home overlooks. Many people have great difficulty pronouncing Islwyn - but there is a very easy way of doing it: - Just think of the cut of beef primarily used for steak - SIRLOIN, (Sir-loin) and apply that to produce Islwyn - (Is - loin) - go on - have a go its easier than you think!

In 1976 we bought Langpool Carrie’s Lad of Islwyn from Dr. Elizabeth Andrews, Ann campaigned him to his title and beyond - he won 9 Challenge Certificates and 7 Reserve Challenge Certificates. When mated, in his very first litter he produced Lodway Lancer of Islwyn who achieved the title of “CHAMPION” at just over a year old. Lancer was an incredible showman and went on to become the Breed Record Holder - a title he held for 10 years 1985-95.

During that time he won a staggering

52 CHALLENGE CERTIFICATES (46 with BEST of BREED)

30 RESERVE CHALLENGE CERTIFICATES

6 GROUPS & 2 RESERVE GROUPS

RESERVE BEST IN SHOW BELFAST CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 1987

CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE AND BEST OF BEEED CRUFTS 1987

CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE CRUFTS 1988

RESERVE IN THE CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS 1988
(Runner Up to "Crufts Supreme Champion 1988" Sh. Ch. Starlite Express of Valsett, the English Setter.)

RESERVE BEST CHAMPION OVERALL CHAMPION STAKES at S.W.K.A.

VISCOUNT CHELSMFORD CUP
(Twice! - the first time this was ever achieved by a hound)

The first puppies to carry the Islwyn affix were Beagles’ born back in the 70’s. Our first Basset puppies were not born until 1985. We decided to wait until our daughter and son had grown so we could devote the necessary time and commitment to them. Our first notable year was 1970 when we won two firsts at Crufts and a Reserve Challenge Certificate. Since 1979, Islwyn Basset Hounds either owned or bred by us have won in excess of 90 CCs and 70 RCCs, innumerable Best Puppy Awards at General and Breed Championship shows and Best in Show at every Basset Hound Club Championship Show.

Ann along with two friends, Marion Brown (St Hubert) and Jeff Savory (Dahenol) were instrumental in the formation of the Basset Hound Club of Wales and both Ann and John were founder members. Ann has served as Secretary since that time and John has been an inspirational committee member. Just after the Kennel Club recognised the BHC of Wales, a west Wales puppy farm was raided by the RSPCA. In addition to various breeds 5 Basset Hounds were brought out, one being quite obviously in whelp! She couldn't be rehomed by Welfare in that condition so Ann and John immediately offered to home her temporarily while she had and bought up the puppies. "Ziggy's" story is a fascinating one and you can read about it on another page.

Ann was approved by the Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates in 1985; and is also approved to award Green Stars and CICABs. She has judged for most of the mainland Basset Hound Clubs, the BHC of Northern Ireland, the BHC of Ireland, and the Nederlands BHC. She's has just one ambition left, to judge her beloved breed at “Crufts". John too is approved by the Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates.