Jocelyn Duddell was born into a animal orientated family, whose mother bred German Shepard’s and Scotties.  As a young girl one of her friends had a large shaggy grey dog that used to accompany them on their horse rides, it turned out to be a Deerhound. Jocelyn fell in love with this dog, but no amount of begging or pleading with her parents would they allow her one. She had to wait until she was married and eventually purchased her first hound from the famous Upend Kennels in 1974.  This Deerhound was not a particularly good show specimen, but thoroughly enjoyed his coursing and so the journey began.

A further puppy was purchased, this time a bitch, she was not very big by today’s standards being 28 inches at the shoulder, but of good type and sound conformation, in due course we bred from her and she produced three surviving puppies, two of which became Champions and a few years later we bred another champion Canerikie Eley.  Jocelyn’s love of the breed grew, as did her expertise, eventually qualifying as a show judge.  Unfortunately at this time Jocelyn’s husband died, and due to work pressures, Deerhounds had to take a back seat, but her interest remained in the breed and was continued through handling for friends and judging.

Barry’s start in dogs was very different from Jocelyn’s in that he was born and raised in the middle of Birmingham, but was always mad about any sort of animal. It wasn’t until his two children had grown up that he purchased his first pedigree dog, a cocker spaniel. This bitch he bred from, keeping a bitch puppy that was shown with some success.  Unfortunately around this time Barry’s wife died.  

He carried on showing his cockers and bred another litter, keeping another bitch puppy to show, but due to work commitments he was finding it difficult to maintain the stripping of the coat and all the other commitments a dedicated breeder is required to perform.  Barry managed to maintain his other interest, greyhound racing, and it was through this he met Jocelyn seven years ago and their shared love of dogs rekindled a start with Deerhounds and, as we say, the rest is History.