For branch members Caroline and James Gwynne, 2009 has been an amazingly successful year in the show ring.

The mother and son team behind the Durins kennel have established themselves as formidable competitors. Caroline, who gained a Stud Book number with her very first Basset, Daisy, operates a highly selective breeding programme; and James has proved himself to be a very assured handler.

James, on his own admission owes much of his expertise to the time he spent at Derek and Heather Storton’s Dereheath kennels. These top Basset Hound breeders nurtured James’ natural affinity with the breed and generously shared their vast experience. Bill O’Loughlin of Bassbarr fame has also been an important mentor.

In June, it was extremely poignant for many of us at the ringside at the Basset Hound Club Championship Show to see James win the Dog CC with Jean and the late, Dusty Miller’s Cassius (Durins Dain Ironfoot at Eastmill) - shown in the photo above. Incredibly at the same event, James then won the Bitch CC and Best in Show with Mabel (Durins Flame of the West). Later in the year she won her third CC and so gained her title.

On 23rd September, this year, Bella (Abbagirls Thunderbird at Durins) gave birth to eleven healthy puppies which had been sired by Cassius. Such is the kennel’s growing reputation that all of them have already been snapped up by eager owners - no small thing in the present economic climate (See some from this adorable litter above). Dusty would have been so proud of Cass and his quality offspring.

Please see Show Results 2009 for James and Caroline’s recent wins. Well done, both of you!