SerenakerBeagles & Pharaoh Hounds
My love of dogs & Beagles in particular all started in 1980 when I outgrew my pony & decided I wanted a dog instead!. It had to be big enough to have fun with, but small enough to fit easily into my parent’s house. Mum wanted a Beagle & Dad an Irish Setter, we visited a few homes who owned these breeds & decided that a Beagle would be less manic than the energetic Setter!. Yes we were naïve!
The Serenaker story began in 1980 with the arrival of a Barclan Tempo a tricolour Beagle pet name of Scooby Doo. What started as ownership of this pet puppy quickly became a life-changing passion. He became our first show dog, and with early wins in Junior Handling and local breed classes, the foundations of a lifelong commitment to showing and breeding were set.
Bondlea Piper joined us in 1985 and gained early success, but it was Samwella Luther—gifted to us at 13 months—who truly shaped the early Serenaker journey. Despite the challenges of showing a tan and white male at the time, Luther excelled, winning multiple CCs and BOBs, and becoming our first champion in 1989.
In 1986 our affix, Serenaker, was officially granted.
Throughout the late ’80s we developed a close friendship with Frank and Eleanor Bothwell of the renowned Norcis kennel. Their mentorship and their dogs particularly Norcis Elkie, Cornriggs, and Gen—proved pivotal. Gen, a daughter of Foxy Lady and Murphy, would later become one of our most influential brood bitches.
The kennel’s modern history began in 1991 with the arrival of Norcis Cornriggs, a Tan/White dog who won well and showed great promise before an unfortunate accident ended his show career at its peak.
In 1992, Norcis Elkie joined us. A bitch of outstanding pedigree and sister to the much-admired Murphy’s Law, Elkie went on to produce my first homebred litter when mated to Cornriggs.
Norcis Gen arrived in 1994, a daughter of the fabulous Foxy Lady and Murphy. While she did not achieve major show success, Gen proved invaluable as a brood bitch and became a cornerstone of the kennel’s breeding programme.
Our second litter was born in 1996, a mating between Elkie and Rossgay Rambler. From this litter came Serenaker Kind of Magic, later the foundation bitch of the Cuthill family’s Benroma kennel.
In 1997, we introduced Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens to the kennel after falling in love with their mischievous character at shows. Following handling assignments for Yvonne Dean and Claire Gutherless, Deanound Tonnere (Louis) joined us and quickly made his mark.
Tonnere enjoyed a highly successful puppy career in 1998, winning consistently and being awarded Reserve Best Puppy in Show at the Hound Association of Scotland under Jill Peak. That year also brought our first major Crufts success when he won the Reserve Challenge Certificate under Mrs J. Walker. Gen’s litter to Ch. Norcis Mouseltoff also produced Serenaker Fatal Attraction, known as Frankie.
In 1999, Tonnere continued his success by winning the Reserve Challenge Certificate at Bath under Mrs S. Roberts. That year also saw the arrival of our first Pharaoh Hound. We were fortunate to have pick dog from a litter bred by Antony Bongiovanni. Dexter, registered as Ankors Blade Runner, was sired by the American import Lileo’s Orpheus of Serafin and out of Tony’s Best in Show winning bitch, Surannon Summer Solstice for Ankors.
The year 2000 delivered one of our most important Beagles: Serenaker Carousel (Carrie-Ann), whose influence as a brood bitch would help establish generations of champions. She was from Gen’s final litter, sired by the promising young dog Fallowfield Douglas, himself a successful puppy. Douglas later became a Champion and went on to be the top Beagle stud dog for twelve consecutive years.
That same year brought further success, with Dexter named Top Pharaoh Hound Puppy Dog, and Frankie winning her first Challenge Certificate under breed specialist Jack Peden.
The 2000s brought a period of rapid success.
Charlie’s achievements were extraordinary: multiple CCs, BOBs, group placings—including Group 3 at Crufts—an Irish title, and wins in prestigious Champion Stakes. As a brood bitch, she produced numerous champions and top winners, including Titchy Witch, Archie, Pixie, Belle and Dyson. The legacy she left us is beyond compare.
This period saw national and international success for multiple Serenaker hounds. Archie became the first Beagle ever to win Dog World / Purina Pup of the Year and ended the year as TOP PUPPY ALL BREEDS; Ch/AmCh. Hallam’s Busirus Ra Qena (Sirus) and Ch/AmCh. Hallam’s Gysai Kacey arrived from Dominic Carota and Stephen Sipperly, Sirus topped both UK and US Pharaoh Hound rankings. The Sirus son Birkhall Hallam’s Brodie came to us, he won Top Puppy awards and his title. Homebred Beagles like Freya, Belle, Foxtrot, and Othello continued to strengthen the kennel’s legacy with Champion titles and Top Puppy awards
Although we faced the loss of cherished dogs—including Louis, Gen, Frankie, Charlie, and Rohan—their influence remained at the heart of every generation we bred.
The mid-2010s marked a remarkable era for Serenaker. We celebrated multiple UK, Irish, and International Champions across our Beagles and Pharaoh Hounds:
Our dogs achieved CCs, BOBs, group wins, stakes wins, and major accolades throughout this time. Maddie, Hottie and Ellie became the next generation of standouts, with Maddie in particular dominating the ring with multiple CCs, group placings, and BIS wins.
The kennel also achieved significant international recognition, being named Top Breeders in both Beagles and Pharaoh Hounds in Ireland (2014).
2020 brought a group 2 for Maddie — but also the last pre-pandemic show season. Though the world slowed, during this time, two important Serenaker litters were born—promising the next generation of homebred stars.
We also said goodbye to Pixie and our beloved matriarch Blondie, who leaves behind three Champion children: Figaro, Fashion, and Maid in America.
In early 2021, our beloved Archie—TOP PUPPY ALL BREEDS 2007 and the first Beagle ever to win POTY passed away. His influence lives on in his children and grandchildren who continue to represent our kennel with pride. After the long break from competition, Serenaker returned with incredible results:
2021 proved that even after a global pause, the Serenaker team returned stronger than ever.
2022 was a standout year for Serenaker, marked by major wins and important milestones for both Maddie and Arnie.
Before retiring to maternity duties, Maddie added several impressive achievements to her record:
She then stepped out of the ring in style and safely delivered her litter sired by Ch Davricard Jacob, giving us the next generation of hopefuls.
2022 was a spectacular year for Arnie, who continued his rise as one of Serenaker’s most successful males:
A season of remarkable consistency, Arnie truly established himself as a top-winning representative of the breed.
2023 was another year of tremendous success for Serenaker, with top wins in the ring and the arrival of an important new puppy for the future.
Despite a selective show schedule, Maddie continued to shine:
Her quality and consistency remained clear each time she entered the ring.
Arnie delivered another powerhouse season, solidifying his position among the breed’s leading males:
A superb year demonstrating outstanding breed type, movement, and ring presence.
2023 also marked an important moment in the breeding programme as Ellie had her final litter, sired by Ch Davricard Harrison. From this carefully planned mating came one surviving puppy — a beautifully bred daughter, Liberty Belle, who now carries Ellie’s line forward into the next generation of Serenaker Beagles.
2024 proved to be an exceptional year for Serenaker, with established champions continuing to excel and exciting youngsters making their mark in the ring.
Arnie delivered another outstanding season, showcasing incredible consistency and dominance:
A truly remarkable year, further cementing Arnie as one of the top-winning Beagles of his generation.
Now selectively shown, Maddie still demonstrated her enduring quality with:
Even later in her career, Maddie continued to impress specialists and breed judges alike.
2024 marked the breakthrough year for Saltydog, who began his championship journey in style:
A promising dog whose career is clearly just beginning.
Ellie’s daughter, Liberty Belle (Pookin), stepped into the ring with incredible impact:
A beautifully bred youngster and an exciting prospect for the future of Serenaker.
2025 has been a year of exciting new beginnings and impressive achievements across the Serenaker team.
We welcomed a beautiful Arnie daughter in Bellvally Roxanne Serenaker. She settled in beautifully and won well throughout the season, quickly proving herself a valuable and promising addition to the future of Serenaker.
Shown only lightly, Arnie still delivered an outstanding year:
Even with limited appearances, Arnie maintained his exceptional standard and continued to demonstrate why he remains one of the leading Beagles in the country.
Agatha Raisin won
Saltydog continued his upward progression with a superb performance:
Liberty Belle (Pookin), added to her growing achievements with:
She continues to mature beautifully and represents the next generation of Serenaker breeding and show success.
Four decades after our first Beagle stepped into our lives, Serenaker remains a small but passionate kennel dedicated to producing:
Our dogs have earned championships on both sides of the world, topped breed rankings, and left lasting influence through their offspring.
But above all, Serenaker is built on love, dedication, friendship, and the unforgettable dogs who have shared our journey.
