Kerryarc Irish Wolfhounds

   Kerryarc Irish Wolfhounds are located in the beautiful gold and cattle country of Northern California one hour southeast of Sacramento. With 500 acres for free running, our dogs exercise in large groups each day. Sound legs, bodies and minds are required for all dogs that become a part of this breeding program. We are pleased that so many judges comment on the hard muscle tone our show dogs exhibit. Having the temperament and soundness to run in a large pack each day must be coupled with beautiful type and health clearances for dogs to be incorporated for future generations.

   I started with Irish Wolfhounds in 1972 combined with a lifetime of breeding and showing horses. One of the highlights of my decades in horses was being breeding and stallion manager for what was the most significant Polish Arabian breeding farm in North America. All my horse experiences have proven most valuable when transferred to Wolfhounds. The same priorities apply  when the goal is to produce sound, functional animals that combine structural correctness with exquisite breed type. Breeders don’t have to settle for one or the other, and the combination is what we strive for in every breeding.

   While all of our dogs are pets and each gets a turn spending time in the house, they are also all outdoor dogs that have the strength and hardiness to run the hills, tolerate extremes of weather and thrive on basic, quality dog food without the necessity of special diets and pampering. Our dogs must be able to live a normal, active, vigorous life and stay sound to fit our ideal for this breed. For information on IW health issues, please go to www.iwclubofamerica.org

   One of our most important goals is to keep this an ongoing family of dogs, not just focusing on one important stud dog or one good-producing bitch. Too much emphasis on one individual animal has been the downfall of many breeding programs through the years. We are always looking two or three generations ahead to make sure this family stays viable.

My teenage children, Sam and Chandler, are intrinsic to the success of this breeding program. Both work with the dogs on a daily basis and both are “hands on” when it comes to all the daily activities with the dogs, including helping with all care, whelping and handling. Both have bred and handled their own champions before their teen years and both are currently showing most of our class animals, winning majors and Breeds on a regular basis. In 2008 Sam took a class dog, Kerryarc Fast Cars, to the IWCA National Specialty in Texas and handled him to Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed. At 15 years old, Sam is the youngest person to ever win the IWCA National. We are members of the Irish Wolfhound Association of the West Coast, Irish Wolfhound Club of Puget Sound, Irish Wolfhounds Association of the Garden State, Irish Wolfhound Club of Belgium, Sacramento Council of Dogs.

   We are extremely proud that our dogs excel in the show ring when exhibited to Wolfhound breeder-judges. The breeders from Ireland and England have done especially well for them, and we have won several Breeds and majors at specialties under these judges visiting from the breed’s homeland.

   In 2008, for the first time, we actively campaigned a dog at the all-breed level. It is gratifying that so many all-rounder judges have taken such a shine to our Ch. Kerryarc Roman. He was the #1 Irish Wolfhound in breed competition from January through December. We are gratified that a dog of such correct type and movement can rise to the top being handled by his breeder/owner.

   Kerryarc show puppies and stud services are available on a extremely limited basis. We have devoted so many years to developing this family that we want to make sure anyone sharing this adventure with us thinks these dogs are as special as we do. We do occasionally have companion puppies available and we welcome inquiries from loving, lifetime homes.

   Kerryarc Irish Wolfhounds are based on a strong British foundation of mainly Eaglescrag bloodlines. The other major influence on our program are the dogs and advice the late Samuel Evans Ewing III shared with us for so many years. In tribute to Mr. Ewing, we have included the “Eagle” name on several Wolfhounds bred here descending from his dogs.  

   We are proud of our dogs and their accomplishments. We hope the photos and information on this web site can show you where we came from, where we are, and illustrate why we are so excited about our future.

      Mandy Tyler, 2009