acknowledged kennels of its day. The BRITTAS kennel owned by Mrs Gwen Barrington and located in Co Meath, Eire is still regarded as one of the most successful kennels in the history of the breed, amongst her many champions Gwen Barrington produced 12 international champions all descending from one line. The family purchased a male puppy sired by Groll v Restrauch and christened him "Britt".
"Britt's" show career was very limited and after being bitten by the dog showing bug the family, in keeping with early standards for showing high quality stock, decided to seek out a better quality GSD more in tune
Born 17/09/1961 in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, West Wales
David was born into and brought up on a working dairy farm. A GSD was always present during his childhood but showing was connected to horses, sheep, pigs, chickens and rabbits. During his teens David was a successful breeder and exhibitor of Show Racer pigeons. David's highest accolade was winning Best in Show at the Old Comrades Show 1982 held at the Royal Horiticultural Halls in London. The Old Comrades show is the most prestigious show in the Show Racer calendar, sponsored by the Star & Garter Home for Ex-Servicemen it is the Pigeon equivalent to Crufts.
In 1981 when "Rex" the old pet GSD passed away, the family decided to purchase a good quality puppy with a view to possibly showing him in the future. Their search, guided by "Rex's" pedigree led them to one of the most successful &
with what they had witnessed at the"Two Day Show" held at Tredegar Park in 1985. Through "Britt's" pedigree and with the advice of Gwen Barrington the Bowen family contacted Malcolm Griffiths of the BEDWIN Kennel, from here they bought a bitch; Bedwin Fina followed by a dog; Bedwin Pirol and then Pirol's mother, Panjar v Loher Stein
The next few years would see both "Pirol" and "Panja" gain their titles. Bedwin relocated to Llanfihangel-ar-Arth and opened a quarantine kennel which David became the manager of and stayed in the position until 1996.
David along with his
brother Elfyn and Malcolm Griffiths spent most of their weekends during
the early 90s campaigning the dogs thoughout Germany, Austria and
Switzerland. Their efforts resulted in the following notable results at
the prestigious German Sieger show:
1991 SG11 with Bedwin Nuschka & SG24 Bedwin Nickor
1993 SG21 with Bedwin Cira & SG16 Bedwin Xorro
1994 V38 with Bedwin Cira & V33 with Bedwin Xorro. Xorro would
also go on to be VA3 in Switzerland. Despite incorrect claims made
elsewhere, Xorro was the First British Bred GSD to be awarded the
prestigious title of VA anywhere in the world.
David became a Kennel Club Championship Show Judge in 1999 and a Breed Surveyor in 2008. He has awarded Challenge Certificates on four occasions and Green Stars in Ireland once.