About us

Even though we have only really shared our home with a Deerhound since early 2003, our interest in this ancient and elegant breed sprung from a family history with the breed dating back to 1960’s,  and a familiarity with lines which have unfortunately been extinguished by time.  The long awaited arrival of our first deerhound puppy  followed three years of searching through breeders and their philosophies, lists of pedigrees, and screeds of genetic health statistics. We have had dogs all our lives, initially as family pets, moving into the field and show-ring with gundog breeds, German Shorthaired Pointers and Welsh Springer Spaniels, as well as training and competing in Obedience, Agility & Jumping, Tracking and Endurance.

'Skye'  (Nelungaloo Celtic Skye) was out first deerhound coming to us as an eight week old puppy.  We thank Virginia Hawke of Nelungaloo Kennels in N.S.W for trusting us with such a wonderful girl.  After due consideration the decision was made to follow our dream and Brakenshire Kennels became a reality, our plan being to breed a litter with Skye in the future.

‘Dougal’,(Claidhembor Cathaoir) coming from Jane Gruet‘s Claidhembor Kennels,  joined the family some two years later and we thank Jane for entrusting this very handsome boy to us.

 ‘Our first litter’ – July 2007 saw the safe arrival of Skye’s first litter of four girls, their proud father being Weirskints Scetis owned and bred by Soile and Stephen Gendle.  Ellie (Brakenshire Celtic Flame) has remained as part of our family, of the other three girls one, Brakenshire Celtic Piper, has become part of the Weirskints family, another (Brakenshire Celtic Hope) staying with a family in Adelaide and the other (Brakenshire Celtic Mist) now living in Western Australia.  We think that there will be a bright future for these girls.

At home here with us, the three Deerhounds, along with their Welsh Springer Spaniel 'brother', their enjoy a carefree family life where they are well known at the local park where they run free daily under Rob's supervision.  All the dogs enjoy their special trips to the beach and love romping freely.  Our young girl, Ellie, has decided she is a ‘water dog’ and loves to swim with her much elder ‘brother’ Jake  (Welsh Springer Spaniel, Laugharne Ivanhoe ET, JD) while Skye and Dougal relax in the shallows.

We are members of:

• South Australian Canine Assoc Inc.

• Deerhound Club of Victoria

• Welsh Springer Spaniel Social Club of SA. Inc.

Rob and Jacqui with Dougal, Skye,  Ellie
and Jake on the front verandah

Rob with Dougal, Jacqui with Skye
enjoying a day in the Barossa Valley