Bannonbrig ~ About Us

The Bannonbrig Kennel Affix is co-owned by Carole & Mike Spencer and their daughter Nicola Spencer

        Established in 1982 we are one of the longest established and most consistently successful Spinone 'kennels' in the UK

        Being actively involved with the breed for many decades we are responsible for a long line of Championship winners and dogs that have been involved in a wide variety of disciplines from the more traditonal training pursuits such as Obedience, Agility and Working dogs through to Tracking and Pets as Therapy dogs. Above all we have been able to provide the best that the Spinone breed has to offer their human families as faithful and biddable canine companions

We have always been an extremely small operation building our success through only a few dogs kept as family pets at any one time and the endeavours of those who have waited for quality puppies from us from a carefully planned litter

I have been involved in exhibiting pedigree dogs for over 30 years now, since I was around seven years old when I started to compete as a Junior Handler.  My parents owned Irish Setters which we started to show and I became a partner in the Bannonbrig affix which was officially established in 1982. 

I come from a long line of canine enthusiasts as my parents always had dogs; my grandfather and great-grandfather kept Cocker Spaniels and my mum’s Aunt Cath and Uncle Harry Whimpanny have exhibited Whippets for many decades which I started to show before I had a dog of my own.  I also had help from lots of other exhibitors who entrusted me to handle their dogs when I was learning the ropes including Dee Ashcroft of the Torscha Sussex Spaniels who let me loose with her Cockers, Pepper and Winston, for the Junior Handling classes.

I was one of the first members of the Young Kennel Club (the Kennel Club’s Junior Organisation as it was known at that time) having represented the North West region in various national competitions and latterly working in an organisational capacity helping to arrange events for other members in the North West .

I have co-bred and exhibited several Champions, CC winners and we currently have over 20 dogs with their stud book numbers in Spinoni and Miniature Dachshunds. One of my Miniature Dachshunds was  the winner of the Dachshund Club’s Points Trophy for two years in succession.

I commenced judging in 1985.  I regularly judge breeds predominantly in the Gundog and Hound Group, and also Groups and Best in Show at Open Show level as I love to study all breeds and develop my hands-on knowledge.  

I am one of the more experienced judges of Spinoni in the UK having completed a variety of appointments at Group, General and Breed Club Championships since 1992 and had the great honour of judging the breed at Crufts in 2010.  In April 2010 I travelled to the Carlisle, Pennsylvania to preside over the Spinone Club of America's National SpeciaIty Show where I judged the largest entry in the breed's history in the USA. More recently I was invited to judge at the CISP Breed Club Championship in Castrocaro Terme, Italy. I have also coached other judges taking group sessions at Breed Club Seminars.

I have over 20 years experience of coaching exhibitors at ringcraft training and have also delivered seminars on handling when invited by local canine societies.  I have written articles on breed history and Junior Handling for the dog press and breed club publications.

I enjoy overseas travel to attend International Dog Shows and Breed Events to broaden my knowledge and make new friends in the canine fraternity around the world.