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Barbara and Walter Bates, breeding under the kennel name Sanddollar, were founding members of the Kerry Blue Terrier Club of Central Florida. They serves as active members and officers of the club over several decades, and bred both Kerry Blue terriers and Soft Coated Wheatens. Although they used professional handlers on rare occasions, they most often entered the Bred By exhibitor class and handled their own dogs. They piloted their dogs to top rankings ad breeder/owner/handlers long before NOHS class was created.
Barbara and Walter were always helpful and supportive to anyone wishing to groom and show their own dogs. Barb shared all she knew with anyone interested in learning; they mentored many people in the sport, leading by example and encouraging them to go on and do the same with their own dogs. As staunch supporters of junior handlers, they shared their passion with their granddaughter and helped any child as if their own.
In their memory, the Kerry Blue Terrier Club of Central Florida has established a new perpetual trophy in memory of Barbara and Walter Bates of Sanddollar Kennels.