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Obituary
Mr Ken Wheelhouse
I
first saw Ken compete in Obedience at Balmoral Showgrounds on
Easter Monday 1969, while I was a spectator at the Show. He
was working a black Labrador called Jet.
I did not know the structure of the classes but had watched
other dogs compete earlier on in the day at a standard that
appeared to me to be nowhere as good as the performance I had
just seen from Ken and Jet. I had never seen a better-trained
dog. That was until I watched this same gentleman enter the
ring with a White Border Collie called Pip. This round was fantastic.
Pip completed all the exercises with speed, enthusiasm and accuracy
and as a team, Ken and Pip were a dream to watch.
This was my first and most vivid memory of a man with whom I
was to share a passion for Dog Obedience for many years.
During the following 30 years I have had the pleasure of stewarding
for, judging Ken and being judged by Ken, as well as competing
against him in Open C with various dogs.
For many years, if you beat Ken and one of his dogs, you won
the class.
His enthusiasm for our sport, right up until I last spoke to
him, two days before he passed away, never diminished.
He was always supportive to me personally in my role as Northern
Ireland Representative to the Obedience Council and as Crufts
Inter-Regional Team manager, always ready to give advice and
the benefit of his experience. He was a co-selector for the
Crufts’ Obedience teams and single-handedly managed the
finance side of our Crufts’ Fund for many years.
Who else for over 20 years would bring scent cloths and scoreboards
to every show? He rarely missed a show and in fact the first
show of this season, due to be held the week before Crufts,
was to be judged by none other than Ken.
Throughout the height of the "Troubles" (Mid 70's)
when no one wanted to come to Northern Ireland to compete, judge
or steward, Ken Wheelhouse kept most of our shows going. He
also organised Inter-Club matches throughout the winter to help
handlers gain competitive experience and confidence.
Ken was the head trainer at Glandore Dog Training Club of Ulster
for over 30 years, a club he joined with his wife Sally in 1962.
Ken and Sally travelled from their home, across Belfast for
their Monday and Friday night classes, through rain, hail, snow,
bomb or bullet. Ken would be on the floor training and Sally
would be at the door collecting money and welcoming all those
who had decided to attend.
This is what Dog Training is all about, putting in more than
you take out, and Ken certainly did that.
I know Ken's dream was to compete with his dogs in the main
arena at Crufts. His dog Pip was most certainly good enough
but never got the opportunity. Ken's other "star"
dog, Jem could also have taken him there; however, was awarded
the Reserve CC and hit the bar on other occasions.
Two years ago Ken got the chance to lead in the Northern Ireland
Inter-Regional Obedience Team and was very proud to be acting
Team Manager.
This year he would have had the pleasure of leading the Sunday
Inter-Regional Team into the ring. However this was not to be.
To say that Ken will be missed at dog shows would be a gross
understatement. Ken Wheelhouse WAS Northern Ireland Dog Obedience.
The foundations that he has laid will only serve to ensure that
Obedience here will go from strength to strength, especially
at his own club, Glandore.
The number of people who attended the service at Roselawn was
testimony to the high regard in which he was held by so many.
I will personally miss Ken, as will all the all the members
of his Dog Club and other Dog Clubs within Northern Ireland.
Our thoughts go to Sally, who will miss him the most.
Michael McCartney
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