WE extend a warm
welcome to all visitors to the MERIKAEZ web site.
Mary got her first Italian Greyhound in the mid 70's and
Adrian had a Saluki not long after. It wasn't long before we had several of both
breeds, taking the large and the small to shows,but always concentrating on the
IGs on the breeding side. At the moment, we have two Salukis along with the IGs
. Over the years we have also owned and exhibited the occasional example of
several other breeds :- Afghan Hound, Greyhound, Whippet, Foxhound, Shetland
Sheepdog, Skye Terrier, Pomeranian & Australian Silky Terrier, but none have
been able to displace the IGs from their place in our hearts.
The Merikaez site will be devoted mainly to our Italian
Greyhounds but there will also be room for our other dogs and other things of
interest. Let me introduce you to the humans at Merikaez.
Mary actually owns the
Merikaez dogs and says that they are her obsession. She has spent 30 years
striving to breed the best Italian Greyhounds in the world judged by any
standards including beauty, temperament and health. She was first licensed as a
conformation judge in 1988 (for Italian Greyhounds & Salukis) and now judges
the Toy, Hound, Utility & Non Sporting Groups and has had assignments in all
Australian states, New Zealand and USA. Adrian lends his support
wherever he can and has close contact with every dog every day. He is quite good
with a pooper scooper and is the web master for this site.
Both of us can be found stewarding at local dog shows
when needed.
At dog shows in most English speaking
countries the Italian Greyhound is classified as a Toy breed.We believe that the
rest of the world (under the control of the FCI) has the right idea, when they
consider them as the smallest of the Sighthound group and exhibit them with
their larger cousins eg. Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, Irish Wolfhounds etc.
etc..
She can also
judge Terriers at Open Shows and All Breeds at Parade level