About Us
Sue Thomson:
The Ashgate kennel of Sue Thomson is the joint 2nd most successful kennel with Miss Cook (Famecheck) after Mrs Pacey (Wolvey). Sue is currently the most successful living breeder of westies, to date 39 Ashgate dogs have gained their UK title and she is proud that there are over 200 Ashgate bred dogs gaining their champion titles around the world.
The Ashgate prefix comes from the name of Sues family home in Chesterfield and was first used by her father in the early 20’s for his shooting dogs. Her current home in Somerset bears the same name.
After completing her grooming and kennel management training at Ryslip Kennels in Bracknell, Sue travelled and started to concentrate on showing dogs. Initially she campaigned Wirehaired Fox Terriers and American Cocker Spaniels, but after meeting her late husband Andrew, who was in his own right successful with Dobermans, Boxers and Smooth Fox Terriers, decided to concentrate on the West highland white terrier in 196 9. There has however, other breed favourites at the kennel including Boxers and Scottish Terriers. Sue and Andrew have been fortunate to have had a degree of success in all the breeds they have owned. The Westies are all named with a Scottish theme.
Sue now lives and works in Somerset and shares her passion with Kath Berry and Jacky Ash and together they have a number of youngsters that are looking promising. Litters are only planned when a blood line addition is needed but occasionally she sells a puppy to an approved home.
Kathy Berry:
Kathy bought her foundation bitch from Sue in 2001 with the ambition of having a show dog. With Sue and Andrew’s encouragement this ambition soon became a reality, and a year later she bought in an Ch Ashgate Sinclair daughter. After working together for some time and enjoying their showing, Kathy was asked if she would like to share the Ashgate Prefix to secure it’s long term future. Kathy chose to use a floral theme for her pups registered under the Ashgate prefix.
In 2003 Kathy bred her first litter and from this litter campaigned a bitch to her Uk/Irish and international titles Ch Ashgate Amaryllis. This success was followed by another bitch taking her title Ch Ashgate Camillia.
Kathy has recently started showing again after a break at home raising her two sons. She has plans for a litter later in the year and hopes to keep a puppy to bring on. In the meantime, she is helping Sue and Jacky with their youngsters and will regularly be seen at shows with them.
Jacky Ash:
Jacky bought her first westie from Sue in 1991, having had Sussex Spaniels for a number of years. She decided to concentrate on westies having grown up with German Shepherds as she was attracted by their big dog mentality in their little bodies. With frequent visits to Somerset to learn how to groom dogs and help Sue look after the Kennel. It was not long before another dog found it’s way home with her.
Ashgate Coquette at Oakmann was a promising youngster that had been returned to Sue as the owners circumstances had changed, Sue felt that she would be a perfect girl for Jacky to start showing. Jacky learnt her trade and having built up a small show team with Sue’s help was forced to take a break because of back problems until 2007 when she and her family moved to Somerset to join Sue at Ashgate. She was delighted to breed Ch. Hillcloud Drizzle JW and is now concentrating on her progeny.
Jacky’s Theme for naming her puppies is weather or the solar system and Hillcloud her Prefix complemented it.
Phone: 01460 281528 Sue Thomson and Jacky Ash or 01278 651176 Kath Berry