HISTORY | BrambleBush

The History of BrambleBush

(Charlene showing CH BrambleBush Mourning Dove)

Charlene Kickbush obtained her first Irish Setter in 1972 as a birthday gift and within two years acquired her first show quality Irish Setter, which would go on to be the foundation bitch of BrambleBush Irish Setters. This lovely bitch was Palomar’s Molly Dew Indeed "Molly" (CH Candia Indeed ROM x Palomar’s Rollingbay Molly). Molly was bred and owned by Lauralea and Tom Conlon of Palomar Irish Setters. Lauralea was Charlene’s mentor and friend until her death. It was only fitting that Molly was Charlene’s heart dog.

Charlene produced her first homebred litter in 1982. Windermermere Marrakesh Express CD ((sired by CH Ash-Ling Celebration (CH Draherin King’s Ransom x Glenavan Taste O’Honey)) was bred to Charlene's "Katie" to produce the inaugural litter. This was a line breeding on Draherin and Courtwood lines bred to Charlene’s Bayberry stock, a combination that would heavily influence the early BrambleBush pedigrees. Throughout the 1980s, Charlene continued to focus on Charlton and Draherin lines.

Charlene’s husband, Tom Greer, was welcomed to the BrambleBush team in 1988. Tom was a professional dog handler and became an integral part of BrambleBush Irish Setters, caring for and showing many of their dogs. Charlene's friend Ronelle Willadsen also showed with Charlene and exquisitely handled many of the BrambleBush dogs. Ronelle can be seen featured prominently in many of the photos from our past. In addition to the Irish Setters, Charlene also bred English, Gordon, and Irish Red & White Setter litters over the years.

One of Charlene’s most successful Irish Setter breedings was that of CH Arab Irish Monte Hall (bred by Cecily Barker and co-owned with Charlene) to CH BrambleBush Autumn Design. This breeding produced CH BrambleBush Unfrknblvbl “Killian" and CH BrambleBush Irish Design “Kelley.” Kelley was bred to CH Kerry-Eire Hocus Pocus CD to produce two bitches, one being BrambleBush Toil and Trouble “Brew.” Brew was the dog that really started me on my breeding path.I started working for Charlene as a veterinary technician in 1998 and obtained my first Irish setter, BrambleBush Private Parts “Howie”, in 1999.

BrambleBush Private Parts "Howie"

Howie was one of my heart dogs and was a wonderful companion. Charlene and Tom fostered my desire to show in conformation, thus Brew came to live with me. Charlene bred Brew back to Killian which produced a beautiful litter and contained two bitches: BrambleBush Sit For a Spell “Spell” and BrambleBush Witches Brew “Bubbles.” Spell stayed with me and I showed and pointed her as a young puppy. Bubbles was co-owned with Dr. BJ Parsons and Kristen Apodaca and was shown and finished by Kristen. Bubbles was bred to CH Greenbrier’s The Websurfer “Webster” owned by the late Geri Cuthbert. This breeding produced BJ’s BrambleBush I’m a Survivor “Reba.” Reba was shown by Kristen and was major pointed. At the age of three, Reba returned to Charlene and then came to live with me.

In an effort to line breed back to Ch Seregon Second Edition, Spell was bred to Gallivan’s Special K “Kenney” owned by Anne Perfetti. This breeding produced BrambleBush Kiss Me In The Rain “Smooch.” I showed Smooch as a young puppy but then took a hiatus from showing and breeding as I was admitted to veterinary school at the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!).

After graduating veterinary school in 2013, I moved to Maryland to accept a position at a prominent veterinary clinic in the greater DC Metropolitan area. My return to actively showing and breeding dogs has been a breath of fresh air. Our most recent breeding, whelped February 2018, produced possibly our best litter to date, including our newest addition BrambleBush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn "Declan" who brings with him a great deal of excitement and anticipation. I am honored to carry the legacy of the original BrambleBush dogs that have come before and work passionately to continue the tradition. These dogs, both past and present, are a special part of my life.

BrambleBushIrishSetters@gmail.com

(Charlene at my Graduation in Georgia in 2013)

Charlene with one of her Irish Red & White Setters.

Declan being awarded Winners Dog at the 2019 ISCA National Specialty.