About Us

Haughmill Kennels were originally established in 1983 at Petterden nr Dundee with a high
reputation for its show beagles.

It ran for 13 years breeding some of the top Beagles in Scotland.

At that time German Shepherds were always around but for companionship and work and not exhibiting.

After the years went by Carolyne and Alasdair took a sabbatical, during which time they moved to Mallorca and opened

a bar/restaurant but they missed the British weather and returned to Kirkcaldy.

Now Haughmill has been re-established in Polmont, Stirlingshire for German Shepherds.

Carolyne and Alasdair have already proven themselves in the kennel game by their impressive resume, holding high positions on both General and Breed Committees, and being the Scottish Officers of Beagle Welfare, also they have Judged Beagles, Dachshunds, Whippets and the Hound Group.
Personally organising many Dog Shows for charity.

They have bred a number of dogs which entered the Kennel Club Stud Book and qualifying a homebred dog for the prestigious Spillars/Winalot Pup of the Year Final

Carolyne and Alasdair bred & exhibited Beagles under the 'Haughmill'
affix but their first love was always the German Shepherd.
Carolyne and Alasdair have owned and bred German Shepherds for over 30 years.
German Shepherds, Foxhounds and Beagles have been in Carolyne's
family for over 100 years, so the Dog World has really
been a way of life for Carolyne since she was a small child, with one
side of the family having 4 generations of Chief Whipper-ins
for the Hunt and another Grand-father and Great Grand Father
having bred and exhibited GSD's, along with
Carolyne's Great Aunt who is 100 this year.
(and still makes her opinion on current breeding plans known!)

Carolynes love for the breed has never dwindled,
introducing Alasdair, whos background was Terriers, to the GSD
breed when they married in 1983.
This natural progression into German Shepherd breeding and exhibiting
was inevitable knowing their backgrounds.
Now adding training classes for Ringcraft and Behaviour each week in their grounds.

They currently have only a small number of carefully screened
German Shepherds and Foxhounds, but knowing Carolyne's passion for canines, this number will rise.
Carolyne is at her best mucking out the kennels and
many a day is found just sitting in amongst them, ALWAYS
taking photographs of her beloved dogs too!!

Within any pack situation there is a hierarchy and Carolyne is
definitely top Bitch (Alasdair would say in more ways than one!!)
All the dogs know who is boss when Carolyne walks into the
kennels, but she has a form of empathy, and total respect
with them. She can almost read their minds at time and
they obey her without her even saying a word to them,
sometimes it just takes a look from her. Fascinating to watch.

Carolyne and Alasdair also have an obsession with pedigrees and their dogs and they have about 32 generations worth of information, dating
back to some of the first registered German Shepherds. If you can give them any more information on any of the pedigrees on this site
just contact them by email..

Throughout their careers in dogs, Carolyne and Alasdair have firmly believed in involving their two children, Tania, 23 and Dominic, 17
since they were babies. Dominic was actually born on a large Vetbed in front of the coal fire at the original Haughmill Kennels, Petterden
with Rigsby the German Shepherd laying beside Carolyne during it all. Dominc, is now handling the German Shepherds and doing very well with them, obviously having the in-built connection that seems to run through the Cowans.
Tania, from the tender age of 6, showed Beagles as a
Junior Handler and qualified many times for the finals of the Junior Handling at Richmond Championship show. In 2007,
the next generation has arrived, with Turner J. Smith, Tania's son with her husband Sean. Who she met and fell in love with,
when the family lived in Mallorca. Coincidently, Sean has a passion for German Shepherds too, so has slipped right into the Haughmill family easily.

NEWS UPDATE: TANIA "whelped" another son, Charlie on 9th June 2008 (another Junior Handler in the making)

Carolyne seems to make a habit of getting other people passionate about German Shepherds. Her best friend, Susan Cuthbert
had never owned a dog in her life until Carolyne persuaded her to buy Whinneybank Ebby Gold (Chani), a beautiful Blue & Gold
long coated Shepherd bitch puppy. Susan has never looked back since. Many a "wine" indulgent evening was spent sharing
information and experiences with Susan. Susan has now branched out on her own she now owns and runs Cruaghaire
German Shepherds with the help of her husband Stuart and two young kids, Erin and Aiden.

If you would like more information you can email us at haughmill@hotmail.co.uk

or by phone on 01324 710034 or 07979 560 933