About Us
Ken and Virginia Murray own and operate Dominoe Kennels. They have been located in Island Lake for 32 years and have made it their home. Both Ken and Virginia have an extensive background in dogs and the care of dogs.
Ken began showing dogs at the age of 13 in Dallas, Texas. He continued showing dogs and attending dog shows throughout his high school and college years. He moved to the Chicago area in 1969 to work as an assistant to the famous dog handler, Dick Cooper. He apprenticed with Dick for 10 years before venturing out on his own showing dogs professionally.
Virginia began showing dogs in the mid-1970's in Canada and when she moved to the Chicago area in late 1970's she worked for Chuck and Marilee Hendee of Canarch Springers. The Hendee's also owned Barrington Boarding Kennels. Virginia managed Barrington Boarding Kennels and showed the Hendee's dogs privately for 5 years, when she met Ken.
Ken and Virginia had an extremely successful career as professional handlers which spanned over 30 years. Nationally known, they showed some of the top dogs in the country year after year. Ken won many "Show Dog of the Year" awards in the sporting groups. Some of the dogs they showed were: Ch. Windwood's Night Hawk, Top Sporting Dog Ch. Honeygait 'N Lampliters Fever, #1 Sporting Dog in 2002 and the top winning English Setter bitch of all time, Ch. Glenlair's American Beauty, Top Winning Border Terrier of all time, Ch. Polk's Flashback, a Top Winning American Foxhound. And the incomparable Gordon Setter, Ch. Bit O Gold Titan Treasure, who won the Sporting Group at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show in 1997, 1998 and 1999 to retire the Challenge Trophy. "Kirby" was also #1 Sporting dog in the country for 2 years.
Virginia shows and breeds Portuguese Water Dogs, and had Multi BIS Ch. Sete Mares Windward Breeze, "Sterling", Ch. Bayswater Land Shark "Monty", Ch. Afims Shark Bait, "Ruffie" and her newest addition, Pouch Cove In The Paint, "Noah."
Some of the Murray's other clients included Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Donnelley (Yellow Pages), Mr. Robert Maytag, Mr. Jim Kimberly (Kimberly & Clark), Mr. Ted Eldridge (President of the AKC until his untimely death), Mr. and Mrs. William Wrigley, Sr. Mauricio Tuck Schneider of Sao Paolo, Brazil and so many others that they owe a debt of gratitude to.
Ken and Virginia are now embarking on their AKC judging career and judge at some of the country's largest dog shows.
Their experience in the care of dogs is immeasurable. You can feel confident in entrusting your pet into their hands.
