KERRY BLUE TERRIER CLUB
OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

                    Heard and Edith Izant

About

Kerry Blue Terrier Club of Southern California
by Edith Izant (1916-2005) Lifetime Member

In April of 1946 I thought we should have a Kerry Club in Southern California.  I had spent two years in New York during the War and with other breeders had formed a Kerry Club and held a Specialty at the Westchester Golf Club where the United States Kerry Club also often had their Specialty.  I sent a letter to several Kerry breeders and invited them to come to our house---the only ones who showed up were Lew and May Wallace recently moved to Southern California from the Midwest, and Dr. Tolton and his wife Cleora from San Clemente.  I even phoned the very active Pierces, a policeman who had a boarding and trimming Kerry kennel.  So we formed the Club that Sunday with Lew as President, and myself as Secretary.  We phoned the President of the Pasadena Kennel Club, Dr. Frank Porter Miller, for permission to have our Specialty, and invited him to judge.  It was that simple to start a club and have a Specialty!  Later we invited Mr. Phillips to be 1st VP, Mr. Gregg of Arizona to be 2nd VP, and Guy Simmons as our Treasurer.

Our first Specialty has the largest entry in the show---42 Kerries!  To compare with the other breeds, there were 37 Bostons, 34 Beagles, 31 Collies and Chows, 28 Ascob Cockers and Boxers, 24 Smooth Dachsies and Bulldogs, 23 Black Cockers, 20 Chihuahuas and Dobes, and in terriers, 14 Scotties.  Total entry in the show was 631.  Best of Breed was Joe Urmston's Erinblu's Delwin Delight and Best of Opposite Sex John Gregg's Ch. Thorndale Blue Brigadier, both bred in the east.  No Best of Winners at that time.  Winner's Dog was our Sirarno's Conqueror and Reserve Winner's Dog was Bill Fox's Fox Hill's Rocket.  He was handled by Ben Brown and it was a real thrill to take Winner's Dog.  Winner's Bitch went to Edward Hargrave's Hargrove's Princess Pat, and Reserve Winner's Bitch to George Tolton's Imperial Blue Princess.

All meetings were held in homes or parks at first, then the Wrights, Barbara and Catherine, who lived in South Gate, found a room in the city recreational building.  One year we held our Specialty at the Long Beach Kennel Club and the Kerry won the group.  One of our members made a Kerry Blue picture in blue flowers and this was shown on the television coverage of the show.  Entries for our Specialties were usually in the 60's.  To raise money for our shows we held an annual party in a member's home---not only did our members attend but also all the terrier handlers.  One year we showed a movie of our Specialty in addition to the garden barbeque---Rick Chashoudian watched the movie and Harry Sangster, then turned to Harry and said he didn't see why either one of them ever won after watching the two top girl handlers swish around the ring!  Two of our top kennels, the Tolones and the Wrights, started with Kerries from Townshend.

Edith Izant celebrated her 52nd year in judging in 2004 and was honored for her fiftieth year in judging in 2002 by the Rio Hondo Kennel Club with a show dedicated in her name.  Sadly, Edith passed away on August 18, 2005.  Heard passed shortly later in 2005.

 

Additional Resources

The Kerry Blue Terrier - Edith Izant - Hardcover
by Edith Izant, W. Denlinger, R. Rathman, Bob Groves

ISBN-10: 087714060x
ISBN-13: 978-0877140603
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Alpine Publications, Incorporated
Pages: 112

 

In Memoriam

Steve Barry passed away on March 31, 2008.  He was 93.  Steve was a dynamic force in the Southern California Terrier World for over 60 years.  He was one of the co-founders of our Club in 1946 and helped establish the Great Western Terrier Association in 1967.  In both Clubs he held a variety of leadership positions, from President to Show Chair.  Steve also belonged to the USKBTC and his local breed Club, the San Gabriel Valley Kennel Club.  The SGVKC holds a show every May.  He and his wife Margaret bred and showed Kerries under the O'Barry kennel name for many years. Steve was a friend and mentor to many of us.  Jack Smith, former president of GWTA and current president of the Long Beach Kennel Club, always credited Steve for teaching him everything he knows about running a club and putting on a show.  Steve may have been small in stature but he cast a giant shadow.  As per Steve's wishes, there will be no services, he will be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.  Steve was also a lifetime member of KBTCSC.

In Memoriam

Richard Basler passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022. He is survived by his wife Carol and sons Eric and Rodney. Messages of condolences may be mailed to 15412 Verdun Circle, Irvine, CA 92604. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to USKBTC Charitable Funds.

Richard and Carol have had Kerry Blue Terriers for 66 years and bred under the kennel name "Warlords." Richard was active in the KBTCSC and USKBTC for many years. Recently he was USKBTC Governor 2013-2016, Futurity Judge in 2015, and Chairman of Charitable Funds.