In 1960, John West gave his new wife Alison a wedding present, a Welsh Pembroke Corgi named Benwick Marshall (Benny).
What neither of them could have known at the time was that this small dog would be the beginning of a lifelong journey that would span more than six decades and leave an enduring mark on the Welsh Corgi breeds in Australia.
Alison’s introduction to the show ring came through Benny. Although he was not considered show quality, Alison was encouraged to exhibit him and quickly developed a passion for the sport that would remain with her throughout her life.
Through the Llandaff prefix, Alison established one of Australia’s most respected Welsh Corgi kennels. Her early success came with Pembrokes, beginning with Ch Llandaff Dina Belle, the first Pembroke show dog she purchased from Ethel and Frank Hughes – the original custodians of the Llandaff prefix, and the remarkable Ch Llandaff Black Prince, a multiple All Breeds Best in Show winner. Over the decades, Llandaff became synonymous with quality, dedication and consistency.
Alison imported Aust Ch Marsh Bright of Elsdyle (Imp UK) from Beryl Morgan (UK) and Ch Mercury of Elsdyle (Imp UK) retired at Llandaff when Ethel and Frank returned to England. There have been many Pembroke Champions under the Llandaff prefix.
In 1986, while attending the Royal Adelaide Show, she saw a Welsh Cardigan Corgi named Ch Cambrian Typecast (Monty) owned and bred by Nanette Green. Like so many life-changing moments, it began with a single dog. Alison had a great eye for a dog and was smitten. That encounter sparked a passion for the Welsh Cardigan Corgi that would shape the next chapter of her life. Monty wasn’t for sale at that point but long story short, his breeding was repeated, resulting in Ch Cambrian Wedgewood ‘Wag’, who joined Llandaff in 1987. This moment would define the next chapter of her life.
Alison loved the Royals. Melbourne. Adelaide. The excitement, the atmosphere, the challenge of competing against the very best. To Alison, a Royal win always carried a special significance. She was equally passionate about obedience (Pembrokes and Cardigans) and more recently Rally Obedience (Cardigans) proving that a great Welsh Corgi should be more than just beautiful—it should also be a willing and capable companion.
One of the great loves of Alison’s life was ‘Badger’, Grand Champion Llandaff The Black Prince (AI) RN. A successful show dog in his own right, Badger was also Alison’s constant companion.
Alison and her daughter Jan’s Cardigans have been recognised at high levels in Australia through generations of outstanding Cardigan Champions including 5 Grand Champions and 2 Supreme Champion and Multiple All Breeds Best in Show winners including Sup Ch Llandaff Harlem Fox Trot (AI) RN and Gr Ch Cambrian Deemed a Toyboy and Specialty Best In Show winners – Sup Ch DOM Trehilyn Dances With Dragons (AI) and her daughter Gr Ch Llandaff I Dream of Dragons (AI) HT and Runner Up BIS Show Gr Ch Llandaff Black Magic (AI) N SPRD. The dogs have not just been recognised in showing but in Rally with awards such as State Rally Champion and winner of Advanced Rally Class at Melbourne Royal .
Alison and Jan have bred and owned more than thirty-three Cardigan Champions, multiple Grand Champions and Supreme Champions carrying the Llandaff name. Their dogs consistently win at the highest levels of competition, earning All Breeds Best in Show and Specialty Best in Show honours across the country.
But ask those who knew Alison, and they are just as likely to talk about her passion for the two breeds.
Beyond her own dogs, Alison dedicated herself to the broader dog community. She served as Secretary of the Sunraysia Kennel Club for thirty-five years from 1963, earning Life Membership in 1983. She contributed to breed clubs, represented Dogs Victoria at shows, stewarded rings, wrote tickets, donated to the Canine Museum, and helped promote the Cardigan Welsh Corgi through education and writing.
Alison was a Life Membership of the Kennel Control Council (now Dogs Victoria – awarded in 1991) and in 2023 recognized for 60 years service to Dogs Victoria. Alison was a member of the Welsh Corgi Club of Victoria and Australian Cardis Calling and up until 2019 worked at the local shows acting as a VCA representative, ring steward and ticket writer. Alison was a collector of dog statues and has donated several statues to the Dogs Victoria Canine Museum and was an co-author of a book called Cardigan Corgi Capers to promote the Cardigan Corgi.
But Alison’s influence extended far beyond the dogs she bred and exhibited.
Throughout her life she was generous with her knowledge and experience, mentoring newcomers to the breeds and providing practical advice to exhibitors, breeders and owners alike. Many people found their way into Welsh Corgis through Alison’s encouragement, and many more benefited from her willingness to share what she had learned over decades in the sport.
Her contribution to the wider dog community was equally significant. Through her service to local kennel clubs, breed clubs and Dogs Victoria, Alison helped support the infrastructure that allows purebred dogs and dog sports to thrive. Whether she was serving on a committee, stewarding in a ring, writing tickets at a local show, promoting the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgi through education and writing, or simply sharing stories with fellow enthusiasts, Alison was always willing to contribute.
For generations of Welsh Corgi fanciers, Alison was a familiar face at shows, a respected breeder, a trusted mentor and a passionate advocate for both Welsh Pembroke and Welsh Cardigan Corgis.
The Llandaff prefix appears on pedigrees throughout Australia and beyond, representing decades of careful breeding, dedication and success. More importantly, it represents a lifelong commitment to the preservation, promotion and future of the Welsh Corgi breeds.
Few people have contributed so much to their breeds, their clubs and their community. Alison West’s legacy continues through the dogs she bred, her daughter Jan and the Llandaff kennel, the people she mentored, and the generations of Welsh Corgis that follow in her footsteps.
Written and published with kind permission of Jan West
