User:Fiona Hartley

Fiona first became interested in dogs and horses aged 8 years. She passed her 11+ and the bribe for that was riding lessons, after which she owned her own horse in the 1970s.

Fiona obedience trained a neighbour’s Red Cocker Spaniel to a high standard (much to their amazement) in 1962. She also owned her first Dalmatian that year. That dog’s 12X great-grandson is Merlin (Miragua the Explorer), the dog Fiona now shows.

Fiona became self employed in 1969, since when she has dealt with her own accounts and the Inland Revenue! She started judging Dalmatians in 1969; co-judged the Dalmatian of the Year in 2000; and judged Dalmatians at Crufts Championship Show in 2006.

Fiona joined the committee of the North of England Dalmatian Club in 1978/9, became Treasurer in 1984 and was Trustee of the North of England Dalmatian Club Welfare when it became a charity. She retired from post in 2002 and became an Hon. Life Member of that Club in 2003.