Meet the Breeder/Owner Handler: Tara Darling-Lyon – Tara Kennels

Meet the Breeder/Owner Handler: Tara Darling-Lyon – Tara Kennels

1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?

Tara Darling-Lyon: I started in the sport of dogs as a child with my mother’s Irish Wolfhounds. After college I picked my own breed, Irish Water Spaniels, and later added Sussex Spaniels.

2. How many years in dogs? How many as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Tara Darling-Lyon: I have been in dogs for almost 50 years. I started showing and breeding our Irish Wolfhounds from the very start. I showed in both Juniors and in Breed.

3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars?

Tara Darling-Lyon: In the beginning, I attended handling classes—now I sometimes teach them.

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC Canine College?

Tara Darling-Lyon: I find the videos very helpful, especially for breeding and learning structure.

5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you?

Tara Darling-Lyon: Yes, I show in NOHS, and I like to show younger dogs who aren’t ready for primetime yet but are already champions.

6. How important is the Bred-By Class to you? How important are Specialties?

Tara Darling-Lyon: The Bred-By class is the most important to me. It shows what your kennel has done. Specialties are extremely important. They are a chance to show your full kennel, from babies to veterans. As a breeder, they let me see what other kennels are producing and have a look at stud dogs from all over the country.

7. Is it a challenge to compete with your breed as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Tara Darling-Lyon: In the Best of Breed class, it is extremely challenging since the IWS is a highly groomed breed, and I am scissor-impaired, LOL. Even as an Owner Handler, you should be able to win the classes.

8. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Tara Darling-Lyon: My mom, Whitney Meeks, Per Ingar Rismyhr, Beth Sweigart for handling mentors; my fellow breeders, Greg Siner, Sue Tapp, Bobby Lewis, Brenda Griffith, and Sally Sasser have been invaluable as breeder-mentors.

9. How important is the Breeder/Owner Handler to the future of the sport? To your breed?

Tara Darling-Lyon: The Breeder Owner/Handler is of vital importance; without breeders we wouldn’t have a sport.

10. What advice would you give to Owner Handlers who are thinking of breeding their dog(s)?

Tara Darling-Lyon: It’s extremely important to get a fellow breeder as a mentor in your breed.

11. What are your goals as a Breeder/Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you?

Tara Darling-Lyon: My ultimate goal is a Best in Show. I have bred several Specialty winners and RBIS, but the BIS still eludes me.

12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Tara Darling-Lyon: My IWS, Malarkey, while being examined, took his spit rag and “slapped” the judge in the face.