Company Name
The kennel name Monkhams originally belonged to husband and father, Bernie. Before early retirement, he was a Metropolitan Police Officer and in his leisure time his first love was Bassets - breeding, showing and judging. It was this breed which brought Bernie and Linda together as Chairman and committee member of a thriving Essex branch of the Basset Hound Club.
We are Linda Skerritt and Jenna Betts, mother and daughter team and proud owners of the Monkhams PBGVs. Linda is a retired senior Customs Officer and, having swiftly passed through university, Jenna decided to qualify as a dog groomer, which suited our lifestyle rather more than media studies! She is a full-time mother of twin boys, who take up most of her time, though this doesn't prevent us from maintaining our avid interest in, and love of, the Monkhams family.
About Us
About Us
Bernie watches while Linda's mother has the Bassets' full attention, September 1980
Bernie and Linda with her father and the Basset family, Southend, June 1980
Bernie enjoying time with his Bassets, 1981
Early in the 1980s, on an annual visit to Crufts, Bernie and Linda saw some happy looking rough-coated little hounds. Linda fell for them and soon convinced Bernie that one day this would be the breed for Monkhams - Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
By 1983, having lost some of our old Bassets, there was room for the long-awaited "rough-coats" - Jomil Sirène of Monkhams (Jomil Mistral ex Jomil Gitane) and Wakelyns Willow of Monkhams (Gourou of Wakelyns ex Ch Twinrivers Duchesse of Wakelyns).
Both did well at shows and were great fun. However we were constantly being asked "What is it mixed with?" or "What is it?" (even by a judge!) much to Bernie's annoyance.
Both did well at shows and were great fun. However we were constantly being asked "What is it mixed with?" or "What is it?" (even by a judge!) much to Bernie's annoyance.
Jomil Sirène of Monkhams and
Wakelyns Willow of Monkhams with our Basset Brackenacre Delphinium
Bernie with Honeysuckle and Hollyberry
In 1984 our first litter from Jomil Sirène of Monkhams (Aster) was sired by Jomil Larbi of Varon. This produced 4 bitches (Hannah, Heather, Hollyberry and Honeysuckle; and 1 dog (Huckleberry). We kept Hollyberry - our first homebred PBGV to gain entry into the Kennel Club Studbook; and Hannah went to Valerie Link as her first PBGV. After going to America with Valerie, she became a Canadian Champion. She was also the first PBGV in the States to gain a Tracking Degree.
Shortly after, Willow was the first bitch in the UK to be mated to the newly imported Dk/Lux Ch Salto de Crislaure of Morebess. From this litter Douanier Dillen remained at Monkhams and was shown successfully for a while before going to Sussex and Django was one of the early imports into America, going to Bets Young in California. He too was shown for a while but, with an element of Grand features behind him, embarrassingly he soon grew too big!
Monkhams Douanier Dillen
Monkhams Django
Bernie with Monkhams Douanier Dillen
We travelled many miles promoting the breed and enjoying showing our PBGVs regularly - but we also made sure there was time for relaxation as well.
Bernie, Linda and Jenna at Loch Lomond after Scottish Kennel Club Championship Show 1985.
Jenna with Wakelyns Willow of Monkhams, May 1987
Jenna with Fredwell Fern of Monkhams,
November 1986
Bernie died in August 1986. It was a difficult time and, of necessity, exhibiting was limited. But, with Jenna brought up amongst dogs, it wasn't long before she was showing an interest in handling them herself.
Jomil Sirène of Monkhams (Aster)
In 1989 Linda and Jenna moved to Buckinghamshire when Linda transferred with her work to Heathrow Airport. There they were finally able to resume showing and breeding. 2006 saw Jenna moving back to Essex with Linda following her in spring 2015 to continue a closer enthusiasm for and love of the breed.
A year later, Aster won the Bitch CC and Best of Breed at Richmond Championship Show. Monkhams was back in business!
Scottish Kennel Club 1985