Geoff Corish

A brief history of Geoff Corish

When I was young I had so many happy memories of the time I had spent in Wales on my school holidays as my father was Welsh, and this was the basis for my Affix. Wales turned backwards and add an “A”. SEALAW

I had set my sights on having a Wire Fox Terrier as my first dog, but for some reason my parents would not allow this, so instead in 1965, a West Highland White Terrier became my first dog. I started showing this Westie at a few of the local shows and I have now idea why I wanted to go to dog shows it just happened.

As I attended more shows, it led to a friendship with and old couple who took me under their wing. They could see I was very keen and gave me a Famecheck bred Westie as a present. In her first litter she produced my FIRST CHAMPION, Ch Sealaw Selena. As I went to more Championship Shows the first person who asked me handle one of her dogs was Miss Cook “Famecheck”, her dog Ch Famecheck Extra Special was made up in 21 days, a record in those days. Other dogs I have handled are Ch Crinan Candida, Ch Ashgate Lochinvar, Ch Ashgate Stewart of Greennveldt, Ch Ashgate Carnassarie, Ch Griersons Fancy, Int Ch Tweed.

Tartan Caledonier, Ch Furzeleigh Startrek, Ch Snowqueen of Furzeleigh. And of course Ch Dianthus Buttons, who I handled to win Best in Show at Crufts in 1976 under the late Joe Braddon.

Ch Saxonsprings Fresno founded the Sealaw Lhasa Apso kennel, she was a remarkable showdog and producer. She won Best of Breed at Crufts four times, including winning the Group and tiwce Group 2. She won the Contest of Champions, Pedigree Champion and Veteran Stakes Finals and of Course was Dog of the Year Winner. Her son Ch Sealaw Mr Mulligan has proved to be a wonderful sire, his son Ch Hashannah Picture This at Sealaw, won Best of Breed at Crufts twice and was Best In Show at Belfast Dog Show in 2000.

Other breeds I have owned are Scottish Terriers, Sealyam Terriers, Lakeland Terriers, Norfolk Terriers and more recently French Bulldogs. The first Frenchie me and Michael Showed was Int Ch Videe De La Parure, he became an English Champion in 3 straight shows!!!!! From one of his litters we purchased a bitch, Moorwari Glowing Suset at Sealaw, she is one of our foundation bitches of this wonderful breed. Watch out for us in the future with our beautiful frenchies.

I am passed to award CC’s in 24 breeds … American Cocker, Kerry Blue Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, Akita, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Schnauzer, Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, Toy Poodle Schipperke, Schnauzer, Samoyed, Welsh Corgi (Pembroke), Bichon Frise.

I am also passed to judge the Terrier Group, Utility Group & Best In Show at Championship Show Level. More recently I judged the Terrier Group at the prestigious Crufts Dog Show in 2003.