About Us

The Terrijay Kennel was started over 20 years ago by Jayne, when she bred and showed Rottweilers. Her ex-husband wanted another dog, which Jayne agreed to, as long as she could choose the breed and the animal in question was of show quality. Jayne chose a Border Terrier, which she soon fell in love with and had reasonable success in the showring, gaining a UK Kennel Club ticket and reserve ticket with Terrijay Golden Amber.

Molly having a laugh

In 1995 we got together and married the following year. I had no previous interest in show dogs, but was quickly smitten by the Borders Jayne brought with her. The two Borders were in veteran stage by now, so we decided to buy a Border puppy. We were very lucky in getting second pick from a litter bred by Mrs. Jane Parker. The bitch was named Ch. & UK Ch. Conundrum Vagabond at Terrijay (kennel name Pepper). She went on to gain four tickets, all with Best of Breed, and one reserve ticket.

Jayne had always wanted to travel to Ireland and do the Munster Circuit (for those who don't know, a week in August where there are four Championship shows plus the All Terrier Championship Show in Dublin),so one year we decided to go. We had early success, Pepper winning one ticket and even a 4th Group placing at the tender age of 10 months. We showed many more times on the Circuit, and made up another four Irish Champions. We also began to like the Irish Terrier, so we bought in a couple of puppies, which, although nice dogs, were not the best of show dogs. So, we decided to breed from our bitch, Indira Onya At Terrijay (Shannon), and we used Ann Bradley's Ch. Montelle Famous Star, who we had admired many times in the ring. Shannon had the litter early, and we lost all but two puppy dogs. We kept what we thought was the best one, who was named Ch.IntCh. Terrijay Clermont-Ferrand (Dudley). He had a tremendous winning record with us before we sold him on to Tom and Alice Deegan, who made him up to Irish and International Champion and won several Best In Shows, now with the affix At Thomeilis.

Molly at 7 months of age

We loved Ireland so much that we decided to move there, so in 2000 we went to live in Co. Laois, where we stayed until 2003, when, due to redundancy and hard times, we had to move back to the UK to gain employment. We were never happy leaving, so when the chance came again we moved back in 2005. We stayed until late 2008 and then had to move back, again because of the work situation. We had a lovely bitch IR Ch. Int Ch. An Ch 07 Thomeilis Inseba of Terrijay (Molly) that we bought from the Deegans, out of Dudley, who made her debut at the St. Patrick's Show, 2006 where she won Best Puppy Bitch. At her second show, The Combined Canine Club, she won Best Puppy in breed - a good start to her career. The picture on the right shows her at 7 months of age - on the day she won her first Best of Breed at the Hibernian Championship Show.

Molly has now retired from showing, and had her first litter in March 2008. Out of that litter we kept Terrijay Special Brew (Basil) who has had a great start to his show career - see picture below and the News page. Having tried to have more pups with Molly, and with no success, she was re-homed in March 2010. We have recently bought in another bitch, kennel name Sybil, to help improve our stock, and we would be hoping to have puppies with her in 2010 out of our own boy Basil. We would like to show her but she is not currently happy around people, although she has settled in really well and plays endlessly with Basil.


Basil at 14 months of age

Basil has had a tremendous start to his show career, having achieved a BIS at Lancashire Sporting Terier, three RBIS placings, numerous BOB's at Open Shows and group placings, one RCC, two firsts at Crufts from two appearances (the first time as BPIB), 3rd in the PetPlan Junior Stakes final at Sandown Park in 2009, and innumerable class first places at championship shows.

All of this in 18 months. He was two years old in March 2010 and just reaching maturity, so we are hoping for even better wins in the future. He has already been used for stud and is available to approved bitches.

We are also hoping to have puppies around August 2010, so all enquiries are welcome. For any body who is new to the breed please have a look at our Puppies page for some advice. We are also happy to answer any questions that you might have, either via email or telephone.