My name is Anne Mette Mikkelsen, and I am the owner of kennel Ballygran located outside Bergen, the beautiful town of the west coast of Norway.
Ever since I can remember I have had a passion and love for animals. I have had many different animals like frogs, rabbits, cats, a horse and finally I was allowed to buy my own dog in 1988. I was 15 years old, and the breed was a Bichon Frisé. It was not the breed I had my eyes on, but it was the only dog my mother would allow me to have, still living at home. But for me I did not care, I finally got my own dog and I loved him!!
The same year I got to know the owners of the Mc’Kenzie kennel. They had some lovely Irish Wolfhounds and Giant Schnauzers. I started traveling with them to shows and was a kennel help there for many years. The highlight of the year was off cause when we traveled to the IW Specialty show. I loved the dogshows, sitting ringside to evaluating every dog and looking at what dogs would win, trying to see if my favorites was the same dogs as the judge.
I soon wanted to get my own Irish wolfhound, but my dream was not fulfilled until 1995 when I bought "Theo" (N S Ch Malleus Maleficarum O'Marksbay) from Knut Olav Wille, O'Markbay kennel. I was so excited to finally be able to show my own IW, traveling to dogshows together with friends.
In irish wolfhounds I have been fortunate enough to be able to start with great lines, and my foundation lines cames from Killykeen, Nutstown, Mc’Kenzie and Rovaleco’s. A great mixture of Irish and Norwegian lines.
I got my first whippet in 2011, after looking and wanting one for almost 10 years! She came from Oelmühle. She was a beautiful black brindle bitch that ticked off all the boxed for me. Her name was “For Pleasure von der Oelmühle” and she is my foundation bitch. My first whippet litter was born in 2013.
I have been showing dogs since 1989. And I have been breeding many champions, winning Best IW breeder of the year in Norway, Best IW in Norway, Best studdog and studbitch and winning many BIS placements and also IW Specialties BIS winners. I love showing and judging dogs, and in 2017 I got my FCI approved license to judge Irish Wolfhounds. I feel so lucky to have been able to do my training to become a judge under highly respected hound specialists and are so thankful for all their help and shared knowledge. Today I am licensed to judge irish wolfhounds, Whippets, Salukis, Greyhounds, Scottish Deerhounds and Italian greyhounds. I feel so fortunate to be able to travel and meet all these lovely hounds that I have such a deep passion for.
I was so honored to get the invitation to come and judge at your Sighthound show. And I look forward coming and meet your and all your beautiful hounds.