Peter Dunne Garvan

Dungarvan Kennels (American Cockers)

Peter Garvan, along with his wife Billie, operated one of the most highly regarded and influential kennels of its time. Established in 1922, Dungarvan Kennels produced many notable bench and field trial cockers. Noel Cacchio, one of his 6 children, continues to carry on the Dungarvan line of hunting dogs.

Mr. Garvan began his career with show cockers and achieved success at an early age. In 1937, at age 15, he won the Sporting Group at the Westminster Dog Show with a Cocker spaniel, Ch. Torohill Smoky. Initially Dungarvan Kennels focused on show dogs, with ten Champions to their name in 1943, including CH. Dungarvan Damfino, also a great hunting dog, and sought after stud. Peter Garvan and his mother, Mabel Brady Garvan, always recognized the field ability of Cocker Spaniels. Peter loved researching pedigrees and discerning the Cocker that could excel in the field, as well as the show ring. He was a long time member of the American Spaniel Club, and a vocal advocate of the Cocker to maintain its standing as a superior Sporting Dog.

Peter served on the Field Trial Committee for every Cocker National from 1953 to 1962, serving as Co-Chairman, with his dear friend and longtime hunting buddy, Hartwell S. (Bucky) Moore, from 1960 to 1962. Peter was a full participant at field trials, serving on committees, donating trophies and campaigning his own dogs successfully to Field Championship titles. He was responsible for six of the 19 dogs in the last NCC of that era. He was particularly dedicated to the Amateur Shooting Dog Stakes and entered every one from 1953 on. Mr. Garvan was thought of as a wonderful sportsman and kind and helpful person to everyone in the game. His and Billie’s influence kept the sport of field trials strong until the end. Dungarvan Kennels was one of the last kennels to stay in field trials in the early era and is the only kennel from that era still active today in field trials. The Peter Garvan Memorial Challenge Trophy is awarded by the Cocker Spaniel Field Trial Club of America at their annual field trial to the dog that the Gunners would most enjoy hunting with.

Mr. Garvan was a WWII Air Force veteran. After his B-17 was shot down over Hamburg, he was a prisoner of war for 22 months in Stalag 17B, a German prison camp in Krems, Austria. Upon his return to the States he became an attorney and village judge and raised six children, all of whom shared his love of dogs.