Mary has always been
attracted to the grace and elegance which is found in the various sight hounds.
This was especially true of the smallest of them as depicted by the artists of
the middle ages in their paintings of nobility.
The first of the Merikaez Italian Greyhounds arrived in
the mid '70s, almost by accident. An acquaintance had one as a mascot amongst
their racing Greyhounds. When the council started to become difficult over dog
numbers I brought home "Rensloe Dancer"
We were encouraged to enter her in some dog shows and
after Mary and Dancer had walked many miles to build up muscles which masked cow
hocks, we soon had "Aust. Ch. Rensloe Dancer" and several big sashes including
one for Best in Group (Group 1st). Now 30 years later we believe that we have much better
dogs , but now it is no longer 'beginners luck' but due to Mary's knowledge and
understanding of Italian Greyhound genetics and the blending of Australian and
American lines. At present we have 4 American bred I Gs in our kennel
Although we have a lot of I.G.s, we only breed a litter
when we are prepared to keep all the pups, if necessary. Then the sire and dam
are selected for Breed Type, Soundness and Movement as depicted in the standard.
Always remembering the necessity of having happy, healthy dogs as free from
genetic problems as it is possible to be.
Owing to past disappointments the Merikaez dogs are no
longer at public stud.
Although there are about 50 Merikaez Champions, there are
many other top quality animals, who would have easily gained their titles, who
have never seen a show ring but live as loved companions as we prefer to sell to
fundamentally Pet homes.
Puppies are sometimes available to loving homes, but
never to dealers or pet shops.
As a novice what do
you do with a champion bitch? Breed a litter of course!!
There were 4 pups in the first Merikaez litter, 3 of which
became Champions. One in particular
"Aust. Ch. Merikaez
Agrippina" 
went to live with Mary's sister Cath. but we took her to our
local dog shows in North Queensland where she proved to be almost unbeatable in
the puppy classes (all breeds).
After some early disappointments Mary came to realize that
some of the health problems associated with Italian Greyhounds could be
minimized by the careful selection of breeding stock. Despite the opposition of
some less enlightened breeders and the heartache of discarding beautiful
animals, she has done her utmost to put this policy into effect. Setbacks can
still occur and no doubt will in the future, but Mary has succeeded in greatly
reducing the incidence of some breed problems (at least in the Merikaez
bloodlines).