Gunalt’s humble beginnings can be traced back to 1972 when Stephen and Patsy acquired their first English Setter. Their first Weimaraner and foundation of the Gunalt Kennel was a bitch bred by Fiona Dow in Scotland, Vimana Viveca of Gunalt. Followed by Sh Ch Hansom Brandyman of Gunalt, winner of 20 CC’s and bred by Dick Finch. Viveca proved an exceptionally sound bitch and produced two Show Champion offspring; the first homebred champion Sh Ch Gunalt Anais – sired by Brandyman – won 29 CC’s and 2 reserve groups, and also the dog Sh Ch Gunalt Gildoran sired by Sh Ch Kisdons Derring Do who won 6 CC’s.
It was Brandyman and Anais Anais who at Darlington in 1983 won the first of many doubles (Both dog and Bitch CC’s) for the Gunalt Kennel. Anais Anais went on to produce two champions by Ch Czolkins Platinum Cirrus, Sh Ch Gunalt Cacharel who won 19 CC’s one group and two reserve groups and also Sh Ch Gunalt Armani owned by Mick and Jacqui Ward who did the double at Bath in 1987.
Another Star of the late eighties was Sh Ch Hansom Portman of Gunalt, winner of 27 CC’s who became the First Weimaraner to Win BEST IN SHOW at an ALL BREEDS CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW- thus another record.
The Next Important step in what was becoming a very successful Kennel was to mate Anais Anais to Cacharel. It was not a decision made lightly and resulted in ten puppies one of which was Gunalt Joy, whilst not shown much she proved to be an outstanding producer becoming the Top Producing bitch in the history of the breed and Top Brood Bitch ALL BREEDS in 1995 after being runner up the previous year.
Gunalt Joy’s first litter, sired by Carolyn Alston’s all American bred Sh Ch Flimmoric Fanclub, produced two outstanding Weimaraners: Sh Ch/Ir Sh Ch Gunalt Harris Tweed and Sh Ch Gunalt Obsession. Harris Tweed, owned by Karen Robinson was one time the breed record holder with 46 CC’s and winner of several Championship Show Groups. Obsession was the Top Puppy in the breed in 1990 and the first Weimaraner to qualify for the pup of the year finals and also the Pedigree Champion Stakes Finals. In total she won five groups and five reserve groups and went on to produce three Show Champions, one of whom – Sh Ch Gunalt Elements (owned by Karen Robinson) – won the group on the same day as his first CC. In total Gunalt Joy produced EIGHT British title holders of which only one stayed at home with Gunalt, illustrating Stephen and Patsy’s willingness to let good stock go to new enthusiasts.
Since 1982 there have been 97 British Weimaraner Show Champions bred and/or owned, an English Setter and Hungarian Vizsla Show Champion to bear the Gunalt affix, as well as Championship show winning Field Spaniels and Golden Retrievers. Of the many Weimaraner title holders over 60 have been owned/shown by other people, proving that Gunalt sell winners as well as breeding winners for themselves. This is A RECORD being more than TWICE THE AMOUNT PRODUCED BY ANY OTHER UK WEIMARANER KENNEL.
In 2014 another record was broken when Jacqui Ward piloted Karen Whitehead’s (nee Robinson) Sh Ch Gunalt Deice at Stridview to Best in Show at Belfast Championship Dog Show, making him yet another all breeds championship show winner for the kennel. During DeIce’s illustrious show career, he won many gundog groups and ultimately succeeded his relation (Sh Ch Gunalt Harris Tweed) by breaking the breed record with an astounding 51 CC’s, all from different judges.
