The Mountshannon Setters

  

My first Irish Setter arrived in 1970 - BALLYMOSS O'CLARE bred by the Ballymoss Kennels; she introduced me to the joys & tragedies which go hand in hand with sharing one's life with dogs.  I added more Irish Setters, and then acquired an English Setter from Australia - GILGORY WILD HONEY (Imp Aust) - who was to begin a dynasty of winning bitches for four generations starting with my "favourite", CH MOUNTSHANNON WILD SILK.

My first Irish Setter import was WENDOVER FAIR DAWN (Imp UK) from the world famous Wendover Kennels.  Her daughter MOUNTSHANNON FIANDER went to Amhurst Kennels in West Australia & left the multi BIS winning Aust Ch Amhurst Counta Espionage & a bevy of bitches who bred on with great success.  She was followed by AMHURST PAPERCHASE (Imp Australia) and then a dog who became a byword for head, type & temperament - WENDOVER MOONFLOWER (Imp UK) who (in spite of his name!) was an outstandingly good stud dog.  Shamus sired Aust Ch Ballymoss O'Rattigan (BIS All Breeds) and NZ Ch Moon Jinx of Fleurlista (BIS & ResBIS Specialties).  The next import was to prove herself a gem in the whelping box - MILLCROFT THE MOON SINGER (Imp UK) aka Cassie was never shown but her sons & daughters more than made up for that!   The lovely CH MOUNTSHANNON MOON RIVER (by Clondalkin Kerry Reuben) did very well and her litter brother MOUNTSHANNON MOONFARER (Exported to Aust) although shown rarely was a Group winner & left a string of winners at Amhurst in West Australia.  His best son went to Tommy Eisgaard of Kennels Red Tail in Sweden - Aust Ch Amhurst Ballybrogue.  My CH SHANNON BEWITCHED is sired by Ch Marindallas O'Connor out of Moon River .

At present I have at home Witch & 2 of her daughters  by FAIRUBY STEVE (UK) - MOUNTSHANNON THE GENIE AI & MOUNTSHANNON THE RED WITCH AI - from the first imported frozen semen litter of Irish Setters in the South Island which was done by Dr Kirsten Wylie in Christchurch.  Their sister MOUNTSHANNON THE MAGIC FLUTE AI (Exp to UK) has qualified for Crufts 2010 .

In English Setters I have CH ARDROSS CRYSTAL ROSE  &  SHELTA STAR DANCER.

We live in rural North Canterbury on 10 acres which we share with our red Boer goats.  I breed few litters but puppies are raised in the house with the cats & from an early age have the benefit of free running on grass, up & down small grassy "humps" (builds great muscles) & getting used to other stock.

PAT ALDRIDGE

MOUNTSHANNON SETTERS

mountshannon@xtra.co.nz

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