Judith Owens Poole

Judith is one of Ireland’s leading competitors in Breed Showing, Obedience and Working Trials. With over 30 years experience of many aspects of companion and competition dogs, Judith has achieved great success with her own dogs under the prefix FIRCROFT which she shares with her Mother Mary Owens another of Irelands top trainers. Judith has helped hundreds of owners with their dogs.

Associate Life Member of the Irish Kennel Club Ltd.

Irish Kennel Club representative of the Ard Chomhairle since 2000

Former Chairperson of the I.K.C. Agility, Obedience & Working Trials Committee 2005-2015

Instructor of the Irish Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme

KCAI (UK) Scheme Member – working through accreditation.

Secretary to Blanchardstown & District Dog Training Club

Secretary to Border Collie Club of Ireland

Behaviour Consultant

Achieved Level 1, 2 and 3 in Animal Behaviour

with John Rogerson of The Northern Centre for Animal Behaviour, Durham, England.

Judith’s special achievements include:

• Irelands first Triple Champion in Show, Obedience & Working Trials
• Irelands only handler to own & train Seven Irish Working Trials Champions
• Owner & trainer of Three Dual Champions in Show & Working Trials.
• Owner and trainer of Two Obedience Champions
• Irish Team Captain competing in Crufts Obedience World Cup 2005
• Qualified numerous dogs for Crufts Dog Show
• Owner and handler of Three International Champions
• Trainer & Handler of Irish Kennel Clubs Top Obedience Dog 1990
• Top Working Trials Dog 1990, 1991, 1997, 2000, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2013.
• Winner of three Working Trials Championship Certificates in U.K.
• The first, and to date only Irish handler to win the Kennel Club (U.K.) Championships at North East Counties 2007, runner up at Wessex 2008
• Judith is currently the only Irish Judge qualified to award Green Stars in Agility, Breed, Obedience & Working Trials.  Judith is a fully licenced IKC judge and international judge in Agility, Breed, Obedience and Working Trials.

Jeff Poole

Jeff has been involved in dog training for over 30 years and served in the U.K. as a Police Dog Handler for 24 years. During his service he trained and handled four general purpose police dogs, all four competed in Police and K.C. working trials. He also trained and worked two specialist search dogs. Until his retirement from the service in 2002 Jeff was a Sergeant Instructor and was involved in all aspects of dog training within Avon & Somerset Constabulary. Over the past 25 years Jeff has been involved with various dog clubs and until moving to Ireland in 2003 was a Representative on the K.C. (London) working trials council.

U.K. Home Office Accredited Instructor

Qualified to Judge Championship Level Working Trials U.K. and Ireland

Judging the Patrol Dog Stake at the Kennel Club Championships 2002 & 2012

Associate Life Member of the Irish Kennel Club Ltd.

Chairperson & Treasurer of the Border Collie Club of Ireland

Jeff is a fully licences Irish Kennel Club judge for Working Trials and Obedience.

Jeff’s special achievements include:

• National Police Dog Champion
• Trainer and Handler of two U.K. Working Trials Champions
• Winner of Six Working Trials Championship Certificates in U.K.
• Winner of Three Irish Kennel Club Working Trials Green Stars