Janet Souza purchased Ch. Roaree of Limerick from René Poston of Applearbor Irish Wolfhounds.  

Roaree was born in Ireland, September of 1970.  She had one litter in June of 1973, sired by Ch. Timberlane Colin O'Hegh - a dog with a deep Ballykelly background.  Janet bred a second litter in 1976 out of Roaree’s daughter, Ch.  Sheila of Limerick sired by Ch. Timberlane Donal Deedum.  A third litter was born in December of 1977 out of Ch. Timberlane Casey of Limerick bred to Ch. The MacIntosh of Limerick, who was Roaree’s son.  From this litter, Linda Souza took her first I.W., MSBIS Ch. Shaw of Limerick.  In 1980, Sheila’s daughter, Ch. Robin of Limerick, was bred to Shaw, the MacIntosh son.  There were 14 puppies, 9 of which became champions.

Limerick litters that followed were born in ’81, ’83, ’85, ’88, ’90, ’95, 98, ’01, ’03, '06 and '09 – 15 litters in 39 years.  There are over 80 Limerick champions, 43 of which were home-bred.  Thus far in our breeding program, we have never bred a bitch twice or used the same stud dog twice.

We have won 18 specialties, including the 2003 National, and have had many other important specialty wins.  We also have been home to three All Breed Best In Show winning dogs and many other group winners.

We have won the Pedigree Award, recognizing the Number One Irish Wolfhound in the breed, in 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003 and 2006 and we are the breeders, owners and handlers of the Number One Irish Wolfhound All-Systems in 2004 and 2005.  

Limerick IW