Rose Mary and Bob both had many dogs when growing up.  While in graduate school Rose Mary “was owned” by “Erika”, an Irish Setter. When Rose Mary saw her first Irish Wolfhound, she knew that would one day be the dog for her. The couple that introduced Rose Mary and Bob knew a reputable IW breeder. Four weeks before Rose Mary and Bob were married, their friends contacted the breeder, who had a male puppy available.  Soon, “Aloysius” and Rose Mary moved to St. Louis for the wedding with Bob.

In 1974, Aloysius and Rose Mary began obedience classes at the Mound City Obedience Training Club. Rose Mary’s first two IWs were awarded CD titles. This was when Bob became interested in obedience training too. When Rose Mary began showing her third IW, she attended conformation classes.

In 2006, Rose Mary moved to Durham for a new job. A house was built on a small former tobacco farm with enough room for Bob’s iris garden and their 9 IWs. They joined DKC shortly after that, where they have taken puppy and conformation classes

Rose Mary served on the Board of Directors of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America, and she is on the IWCA’s contact list to provide info on the breed. Rose Mary and Bob just had their first IW litter in NC.

Their proudest moments were when CH Fleetwind Spicemates Wild Valley Clark Gable, “Clark”, and GCH Fleetwind Carroy Wild Valley Hijinks, “Punkin”, were awarded their AKC titles. Bob likes how Punkin smiles for the judges.

What Rose Mary and Bob most like about DKC: the instructors train in a positive way, the camaraderie of members, the wide variety of dog events and health clinics, the superb physical facility, and
DKC’s commitment to dogs in the community.