Patricia Thompson, Connemara Dreams

Patricia Thompson, Connemara DreamsPatricia Thompson, Connemara DreamsPatricia Thompson, Connemara DreamsAs soon as she saw an Animal Planet show about Irish Red and White Setters, Patricia Thompson of Grimesland, N.C., was hooked. Thompson began co-breeding with Judith Taylor, also of Grimesland, N.C., their foundation bitch, Autumnwood Sea Mist, and participating in conformation shows with her first Irish Red and White Setter, Taylor’s Connemara Lucky Penny.

Thompson and Taylor breed under the Connemara prefix. They chose the name because Connemara is the oldest marble in the world and originated in Ireland, a fact Thompson considers fitting for her breed. When not competing in the show ring, Thompson says her setters are her greatest companions.

“I measure success through the happiness of my dogs. If they’re content and unstressed, then I’ve done my job,” says Thompson, who notes that her greatest achievement was winning the breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York in 2012 and 2014. She also is proud to have competed in the Irish Red and White Setter Association of America National Specialty a few years ago when one of her females took Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite Sex.

Thompson attributes her accomplishments to Purina® Pro Plan® brand dog food. “I feed my dogs Purina® Pro Plan® FOCUS Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice Formula. It maintains their weight, while providing them with the protein and fat content needed.”