About us
Welcome to our website, the home of Fredaricka, Ian & Thomas West.
We have been exhibiting our West Highland White Terriers since 1999. It is a hobby we never planned to be involved with, but instead it found us!
It all started when we purchased a West Highland White after we had lost our Cairn Terrier. 'Loafa' died young of heart failure and we decided that in time we would purchase a 'Westie', in 1995 we bought 'Rona'. The idea of showing was non existent at that point, she would be our loving pet. As time went by, everytime Rona came in season a black Labrador appeared in our drive. It was decided that we would have one litter of puppies from Rona before we had her spayed.
We were fortunate enough to live near Marie Purchon of Lindenka West Highland White Terriers who offered us assistance and advise on mating Rona. We used Lindenka Proper Cheeky. This proved to be exciting times for us as we waited in anticipation. Rona had a litter of four puppies, one of which was Tomlyndon Pride of Freian (Bertha).'Bertha' proved to be our first show dog. We kept two bitches to show from the litter. As the litter progressed and we were witness to the 'show life' Marie took part in, we decided we would like to take part with the best in Rona's litter. After visiting a few shows as spectators it was exciting when we went to a show with our own Exhibit. As the years passed, we learnt about the show situation through Bertha. Thomas showed Bertha and her litter Sister Dotty in both breed classes and the Junior Handling. There was limited success for us in the breed, but it was a learning curve and we began to be taken in by the 'show life'. We decided on an appropriate affix for us to use: Tomlyndon was a combination of Thomas and his two older sisters, Lynsey and Donna
After mating 'Bertha' to (CH)Lindenka Brannigan, she produced Tomlyndon Tristana (Bessey). We had enjoyable times with Bessey and we began to be positioned with her at most shows. She qualified in the breed for Crufts with a 1st place as a Minor Puppy at the City of Birmingham show in 2001. We campaigned Bessey for five years during which she qualified for Crufts three times and was the winner of five YKC Stakes classes.
In 2005 we were contacted by Barbara Graham of the famous Lasara Kennels. Due to her ill health and as she thought very highly of Thomas she offered us Lasara Libra (Libby) who at that point was aged 14 months. Libby had been handled up to that point in the breed and had very good placings. We were delighted to receive Libby and we set out during the first winter months to try and obtain her Junior Warrant. Both ourselves, and Barbara, were delighted she was able to acheive this. Libby is the dam to the current exhibit in the ring, Tomlyndon Look Of Love.
Thomas has been asked to handle for other Exhibitors on numerous occasions. During the last twelve months he has also commenced Judging and has now progressed to the B list for the West Highland White Terrier Club of England. Fredaricka is the Honorary Secretary of The West Highland White Terrier Club of England.
Thomas is in his 2nd year at the University of Leeds studying Computing, which he is enjoying very much.