Celtic Clover Hounds

04/28/2024

It is another rainy day here in Utah but Obi was bringing smiles to faces. He completed therapy visit #20. Our assisted living residents were so happy to see him and get some loves.

04/19/2024

Oh these girls. They are best friends and are the biggest cuddle bugs. I sure love these adorable, crazy sweethearts.

04/08/2024

I have been really under the weather since early yesterday morning. Each of my dogs have been taking turns snuggling me when I’m not somewhere they all can be. Right now is Dusty’s turn.
The girls don’t get as much attention as Obi at times but I’m so grateful for each one of my dogs. Dusty, Sage, and Obi each give me different things but they are all so empathetic and caring when I’m not feeling well.

03/23/2024

We’ve made it to our first camping destination for the year! Any guesses where we are?

03/04/2024

Yesterday Obi was entered in the Canyonlands Canine Association UKC show. He put his whole heart into it and Dr Kathryn Baxter awarded him with a group 1 win. No placement in the Best In Show round but I am so proud of everything he did. He is now getting some much deserved rest.

01/29/2024

Obi completed his 19th therapy visit tonight!
And I know I’m smiling in this photo, just like I always do in all of our therapy photos, but a few days ago the world lost someone that was very impactful to my daily work life which has been really hard. I still haven’t wrapped my head around it but decided that today Obi and I could bring a smile to some faces. The world needs more genuine smiles.

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas from our reindeer to you!

11/12/2023

Obi just completed his 18th therapy visit! He looks serious in this photo but he has such a good time visiting with his friends at the assisted living facility.

10/20/2023

He is now officially a dual champion!!!!!!

10/16/2023

Obi had a very successful and fun weekend at the Idaho Capital City Kennel Club show. He was awarded 3 Best of Breed placements and was able to go into all 3 Hound Groups and Owner Handle Groups. He didn’t get any love in groups this time but I am proud of how he did plus he added some points towards his Grand Championship along with a competition win.
On top of conformation he completed 3 FastCat runs. He doesn’t run them to me the fastest but I love that after every run we get comments about how much fun he looks like he’s having the best time ever and he quickly acknowledges every person along the run down to me which people think is hilarious. He is such an incredible boy and this weekend is yet another example of why I’m so glad he is my teammate!

10/02/2023

Fall is officially here in Utah. We are loving these colors. 🍁

09/28/2023

You might not be able to see it but both of the Weims are snuggled into Obi. Considering that Sage couldn’t stand Obi when we first bright him home and Obi couldn’t handle affection, I still love seeing this every time it happens.

09/23/2023

Love everything about this!

09/18/2023

Introducing CHAMPION Oberon Dark Red BCAT THDN CGCA TKN ATT! (Pending AKC final approval) Judge Vicki Abbott gave Obi the final major he needed yesterday. He is now an AKC Champion and a UKC Champion!

Obi has been through such a massive journey since we went to our first dog show in June 2021 and adding each title to the end of his name has been such a fun process. Adding this title to the front of his name really was a massive deal though. It was so fun to celebrate with our fellow Irish Wolfhound owners (one of who got best of breed over Obi yesterday but lead us out of the ring announcing to everyone “they did it! That was their major. He is now a champion to the watching crowd!” and another who is the entire reason we got Obi or even started dog shows in the first place). It was a truly incredible experience and I’m so glad we got to have it surrounded by so many supportive community members. Thank you to all of the people who have cheered us on in this journey. Your support has meant more than I can express! Thank you to my mentors in this incredible breed. You’ve been amazing at answering all of my millions of questions. Thank you to my husband for always supporting me in doing dog shows, going different training classes, and adding new skills to Obi’s repertoire (along with some of the accompanying titles). Your encouragement has been priceless! And last but definitely not least thank you to Obi who has been along with me for all of these firsts. My first dog show, our first title, the first point, my first dog sport, my first dog club, my first Speciality, my first National, and so many more that I can’t even name.

Our journey doesn’t stop here. That he’s going into the Best of Breed ring to start working towards his Grand Championship!

09/11/2023

Obi completed his 17th therapy visit today. He had such a good visit with the residents of our local assisted living facility. He got lots of compliments of how good of a boy he is, how unbelievably well behaved, and how handsome. I can’t agree more! I’m proud of him every single time we do a visit.

09/03/2023

One of the amazing things so far this week is getting to spend more time together. So far during our show career, we’ve been split during the away from home shows. Part of our family has stayed at home while the other part has gone on the road. It has been nice to have everyone in the same place together for the entire trip and be able to relax together.

09/03/2023

Along with his high score in Rally, Judge Judi M Roller awarded Obi with 4th place in Open Dogs with had a large entry. I am so proud of him and how he showed.

09/02/2023

Obi won the high Novice Score in Rally while getting his second qualifying score ever! We beat our last score (also at the Official Rocky Mountain Irish Wolfhound Association last year) by I believe 12 points. Yay!

09/02/2023

We have been quiet for a little because things have been so busy, but I’m back on and ready to fill you in on our recent adventures! Our Bear Lake trip last month was in preparation for the first big trip we’d be making with our trailer which we made starting on Tuesday evening, August 29th. We drive a handful of hours and then finished the rest of our drive to Greeley, Colorado on Wednesday.

07/26/2023

We highly encourage everyone with an Irish Wolfhound to become a member of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America. There are so many great opportunities in this club including the community that you get to be a part of. If you have an Irish Wolfhound that meets the requirements listed below, this is an opportunity to participate in a seizure study.

Seizure Study

We need your help!! The Seizure Study needs about 20 more participants to take the next step in this study. They are that close to having a test to identify the carriers of the gene!! If you have ever had a IW who has had a seizure, please go to the IW Foundations website and go to Studies, then to IW Seizure study for all the details of how to join. Your dog can be any age, alive or deceased, you DON'T need to be a member of any club! Please everyone who has had an experience with this, please JOIN NOW. They are so close, let's not let this test be delayed any longer!!

David Smith, President IWCA

https://www.iwfoundation.org/studies/seizure-study

07/22/2023

I saw this on a friend’s page and even though the numbers seem a bit low for Irish Wolfhounds, it brings up a lot of good points. Before I started getting into purebred dogs and dog sports I would’ve been shocked at these prices and the cost of pure breed dogs or why people insist on getting purebreeds, but there’s a reason puppies cost what they do. Ethical breeders are not ever going to break even on what they’ve spent to make that litter a reality but is worth it.

I have recently seen a few discussions on the cost of different purebred puppies. A common theme amongst these discussions is people being surprised at the cost of a well bred purebred dog. There are typically two kinds of responses to hearing these higher costs:
1. They are astounded by the price and think it is a scam or ridiculous.
2. They think you are insulting their $300 purebred by saying it is not worth as much.

No one is saying that your dog is worth less as a companion based on what you paid, but well bred dogs cost what they cost for very good reasons. A well bred dog can be thought of as an investment, you pay more up front to ensure a higher likelihood of paying less over the dog’s lifetime for health and behavioral issues.

The cost of a well bred dog varies heavil amongst breed and more slightly across different regions, but the averages for each breed can be roughly estimated. For example, a well bred golden retriever is likely to cost you between $2,000-3,000 for just limited registration pretty much anywhere in the US. So, if I see someone selling a golden for $1,000 or less that tells me that massive corners are being cut in regard to health testing, veterinary care, or titling. Reputable breeders so rarely even break even, so they certainly could not afford to take a hit like that, so this would tell me that most likely those puppies are not well bred.

To demonstrate why well bred dogs cost what they do, let’s dive into the details of what all goes into producing the litter. To make it simpler, we’ll continue our example using the golden retriever and I will be giving averages based on estimates from clinics in my area and from breeders I have spoken to regarding this. Individual costs for each breeder will obviously be different based on location and how long it takes to title the dog.

𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: $3,000

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗛 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: $10,000-$15,000
This includes entry fees, travel costs such as gas, hotels, meals, etc, grooming supplies. Breeders often have to travel very far out of state for shows, so these costs will vary. This cost can also be significantly higher if a professional handler is used, and goldens are a hard breed to finish so they often are.

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 (𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗲𝘁𝗰): $5,000-$10,000 per sport
This includes entry fees and travel costs.

These are important steps because they prove through an unbiased third party that the dog has proven itself worthy of being bred. Conformation is meant to serve as judgement of breeding stock, which means that the judges are comparing the dog to its breed standard to see how well it represents it. Titling in sports proves the dog has the drive and trainability to excel in these activities that will hopefully be passed on.

Health testing is one of the most important parts of breeding responsibly. The goal is to produce an overall healthier next generation, so doing all breed appropriate health tests and only breeding those who will pass on better genes is of the utmost importance. For goldens to receive a CHIC number, which is a certification given when the dog has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly made available, there are four required tests:

𝗛𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 >𝟮𝟰 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀:
Radiographs: $100-200
Sedation if necessary: $100
OFA submission: $35

𝗘𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘄 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 >𝟮𝟰 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀:
Radiographs: $100-200
Sedation if necessary: $100
OFA submission: $35

𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆:
Exam: $55
OFA submission: $12 new, $8 resubmission thereafter

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗰 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 >𝟭𝟮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀:
Exam: $100
Echo: $300-500
OFA submission: $15

In addition to these tests required by the CHIC program, many breeders will often do DNA testing to screen for common heritable issues in their breed. For example, PRA and Ichthyosis are commonly screened for in goldens.
𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: $200 through Embark or $80 per test through other companies.

Costs associated with breeding or a pregnant bitch:

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲: $1,000-3,000
There could also be extra costs associated with shipping the stud or costs associated with artificial insemination.
𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁: $50
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: $100/each
𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘀/𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀: $150/each
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁, 𝗲𝘁𝗰: $200
This is assuming the bitch has an easy pregnancy and birth as an emergency C-section could easily cost $5,000.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗻: $250
𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿, 𝗲𝘁𝗰): $300
𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: $300-500
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗱: $50/week
𝗩𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: $100/puppy
𝗚𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝘀: $50-100/puppy

Taking all of the low end estimates and assuming immediate conception and a flawlessly simple pregnancy and delivery of an average sized litter already breaks $20,000, and none of these figures factor in the time and expertise of the breeder which cannot be quantified. They often take days off work to travel for shows and sport trials or during the first week or so after the puppies have been born. They spend years studying the breed, studying pedigrees, and carefully choosing their pairings. They spend at minimum 8 weeks with the litter once born following puppy raising protocols that ensure the puppies will be as socialized as possible by the time they get to you. They examine the puppies closely looking at structure and personality to decide which puppy is the best fit for you and your lifestyle. After all of this, they also provide a lifetime of support to you and your new dog.

I know that I too was a little shell shocked the first time I learned what a well bred dog costs, but the more that you learn about all that is involved and how important each of those steps are, the more you understand how incredibly worth the investment a well bred dog is.

07/08/2023

07/02/2023

Obi was awarded Reserve Best In Show!!!
Excuse the excitement on my face but I am obviously so proud of Obi. He was awarded a Group 1 by Judge Keith Kozakiewicz and then went on to the 2nd show of the day and was awarded a Group 1 as well as Reserve Best In Show by Judge Kathryn Kudron!
I requested both judges to be in the photo with us because I wanted to mark how incredible of a day this was!
Thank you Judge Kudron in particular for seeing something extra special in Oberon. I still can’t stop smiling thinking about this day!

06/18/2023

On top of being handled by a junior handler, Obi was awarded a Group 1 by judge Brenda Landers and a Group 2 by judge Jennifer Landers yesterday. We had a fun time in Best in Show but wasn’t awarded a placement. I’m so proud of how he did!

06/16/2023

Go for a walk they said. Exercise is healthy they say. 😂 Chloe and I went for what was supposed to be a quick walk with the dogs today and ended up getting caught in a torrential rain which turned into a hail storm… This moment was a pause under a tree before the rain got so bad we couldn’t fully see where we were walking/running to try to get home. So grateful our dogs have great recall and stick by us even when their leashes accidentally get dropped and they trust us to get them through pretty scary situations. The girls were trying to run under Obi if possible and he was just trusting me to guide him because he couldn’t see at all. The hail was large and stung decently bad at the end but we all got home safe. I was sure my phone wasn’t going to work anymore because we were all drenched to the bone, but since it made it I had to share this photo.

06/11/2023

16th therapy visit completed today! I’m so proud of how Obi did from being washed (normally not his favorite part) clear through the whole visit. He is such a good boy and it’s amazing how much people light up when they see him.
The gentleman we saw on a previous stay came immediately over to us as soon as we walked in the door. When I asked if he wanted to pet Obi, he said yes and put his hand right on the lower part of Obi’s neck and into his shoulders where I’d showed him last time. It was amazing! He came back for multiple pets during the visit.