Ken and Virginia Murray own and operate Dominoe Kennels. They
have been located in Island Lake for 28 years and have made it
their home.
Both Ken and Virginia have an extensive background in dogs and
the care of dogs.
Ken began showing dogs at the age of 13 in Dallas, Texas. He
continued showing dogs and attending dog shows thru out his
high school and college years. He moved to the Chicago area
in 1969 to work as an assistant to the famous dog handler,
Dick Cooper. He apprenticed with Dick for 10 years before
venturing out on his own showing dogs professionally.
Virginia began showing dogs in the mid-1970's in Canada and
when she moved to the Chicago area in late 1970's she worked
for Chuck and Marilee Hendee of Canarch Springers. The
Hendee's also owned Barrington Boarding Kennels. Virginia
managed Barrington Boarding Kennels and showed the Hendee's
dogs privately for 5 years, when she met Ken.
Ken and Virginia had an extremely successful career as
professional handlers which spanned over 30 years. Nationally
known, they showed some of the top dogs in the country year
after year. Ken won many "Show Dog of the Year" awards in the
sporting groups. Some of the dogs they showed were: Ch. Windwood's Night Hawk, Top Sporting Dog in the country in
----- Ch. Honeygait 'N Lampliters Fever, #1 Sporting Dog in
2002 and the top winning English Setter bitch of all time, Ch.
Glenlair's American Beauty, Top Winning Border Terrier of all
time, Ch. Polk's Flashback, a Top Winning American Foxhound.
And the incomparable Gordon Setter, Ch. Bit O Gold Titan
Treasure, who won the Sporting Group at the prestigious
Westminster Kennel Club show in 1997, 1998 and 1999 to retire
the Challenge Trophy. "Kirby" was also #1 Sporting dog in the
country for 2 years
Virginia showed and bred Portuguese Water Dogs, and still
has Ch. Sete Mares Windward Breeze, a Multiple Group, Best in
Show and Specialty winner.
Some of the Murray's other clients included Mr. and Mrs.
Gaylord Donnelley (Yellow Pages), Mr. Robert Maytag, Mr. Jim
Kimberly (Kimberly & Clark), Mr. Ted Eldridge (President of
the AKC until his untimely death), Mr. and Mrs. William
Wrigley, Sr. Mauricio Tuck Schneider of Sao Paolo, Brazil and
so many others that they owe a debt of gratitude to.
Ken and Virginia are now embarking on their AKC judging career
and judge at some of the countries largest dog shows.
Their own current dogs include "Monty" the Portuguese Water
Dog and "Teegan" and "Jackie" the Springers.
Their experience in the care of dogs is immeasurable. You can
feel confident in entrusting your pet into their hands.
Members, Little Fort Kennel Club of
Waukegan |
