Rosemary Harrison
Dogs, dogs and more dogs
"As a young child aged about 3, I had a little terrier called Tiny. If I was told off for being naughty I would disappear but could always be found in Tiny's kennel cuddling her and saying "my poor poor Tiny" just as if it was Tiny who had been told off..."
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My first dog
"Growing up I was always around working terriers and my fathers Curly Coated Retriever. My parents (not thinking for one minute that I would be able to save enough money to buy a dog) told me that if I saved, I could have a dog of my own. I proved them wrong and not only did I save up enough money, but I rode my bicycle 8 miles to collect my new puppy, Dusty a Golden Retriever. I hadn't considered how I would get it home on my bike! The puppy's breeder very kindly took me back home with my new puppy and bike."
Adult life
"I met Tony (Dawn's Dad) and we got married when I was nearly 21. We decided to breed from Dusty. From the litter of puppies we kept one and called her Lady. Dawn has very early memories of falling asleep on Lady as a young child! I then had a Westie puppy but as Dawn and her brother, Paul were toddling around and starting to run about, keeping the Westie white proved a little difficult so I looked around for another similar breed and came across Cairns. My first Cairn was from Sue Poole and was Rustleby Ruff & Tumble. This was in the mid 1970's. And as they say, the rest is now history."
Dawn Inett
In the beginning
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"One of my early memories is going to Primary School on a Monday morning and writing all about my weekend in my Weekend Events Books. I still have one of these books and every page is full of the things I used to do with the dogs; walking in the fields, setting up agility courses; having pretend shows; grooming them and just having so much fun being with them.
My 7th Birthday was on the horizon and Mum and Dad kept asking "what do you want for your birthday" (people don't ask me such silly questions now...). Of course, I asked for a puppy and Mandy, bred by Jean Curtis, came into my life. She was my childhood friend! I took her everywhere; dressed her up and played with her for hours on end. Mandy was a constant in my life until I was 21...
My 21st birthday loomed and all I wanted was to be a child forever! I suppose that is testimony to a great childhood, growing up in the countryside and enjoying being outside come rain or shine. My parents gift for my 21st birthday was an interest in the Carradine kennel name. That did it! I was hooked; all the way through my working life all I wanted was to be out of the office, playing with my dogs. Now that dream is reality and whilst I still have to work as a Dog Groomer, my life is dogs, dogs and more dogs – wonderful!"
And now...
"Now my life is full of dogs. I keep around 10 Cairns at home with me. The puppies are born with Mum at her house and then move to mine once they are weaned – I love having puppies and relish nothing more than deciding on silly names for the pups once they are running about. Although I go to the majority of the shows without Mum, she is a constant force and voice of reason. She is very much the stay at home partner in Carradine but it has to be said, that I couldn’t do what I do without her. She is my encouragement and always there to share the highs and of course, to pick up the pieces. People may think that Carradine is Dawn Inett but Carradine is Rosemary Harrison then Dawn Inett.
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Judging Cairns started when I was 17 years old and has now taken me all over the world. I have been lucky enough to have judged in France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada and USA. It is a great pleasure to judge Cairns in different countries and I feel very honoured to have been invited and met so many wonderful people on my travels. I had the absolute pleasure of judging Cairns at Cruft in 2022. If you'd like to see 'Crufts Critique', please click here.
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Cairns have taken me all over the world but I love nothing more than cuddling up with them on the floor and playing tummy tickle games..."
Lucy Hiam
Where did it begin?
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I have always been enthusiastic about dogs, ever since I was a little girl. In 2019 I landed my dream job as a canine centre assistant at The Dog House, I was in heaven. I really was living the dream.
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My director and now show mentor Dawn Inett would have conversations with me about her show dogs, this was the first time I have ever heard of or seen a Cairn Terrier! I quickly fell in love with their quirky and ‘naughty’ personality. As part of my role, I had the ‘difficult’ job of helping when Dawn had litters of puppies. I helped by taking the puppies for socialisation and gentle training to Dawn’s ringcraft club. This is where I began to learn the basics of handling, and I enjoyed watching the puppies confidence grow as the weeks went by. In February 2020 Dawn had a litter and this is when I fell in love with little Dottie McGrottie. She stole my heart, and I was delighted when Dawn said she was keeping her. I’d always joke to say that Dottie would come to live with me one day, then in March 2021 I became the proud owner of Carradine Dottie.
We went to Dawn’s ringcraft training, and we then attended our first show at Bath in August. To our delight and shock, we were placed first in special beginners. To say I was hooked was an understatement. Week after week and show after show I was falling in love with my new hobby.
What I enjoy most about showing the dogs is finding out what makes them the most motivated, what makes them show well. In October, I began to have partnership with Carradine Podgy Paddie, I have found that boys are so different to show compared to the girls!
What does the future hold?
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Honestly, who knows. But what I do know is that I have found a hobby that I love and take pride in. I would like to say, one day I’ll be capable of judging the breed that means the most to me. I have recently added a new Carradine puppy to my show team, Arfa, who has given me a fabulous experience so far.
I have been welcomed with open arms into the show world and I have received valuable help and advice from other exhibitors and judges! I would like to say a special thank you to Dawn Inett and Rosemary Harrison for guiding me every step of the way. Words cannot express my appreciation.
