When Maureen Martin asked me to accompany her to meet friends visiting from Ohio in the United States, I was happy to accept but didn’t expect to meet two delightful men with extraordinary stories to tell over tea in a china cup in their beautiful little house in Co Down.

James Dalton was brought up in Carrickfergus, went to Belfast High School and had two passions in life: fashion and dogs. For his twelfth birthday he was given a smooth Dachshund. He showed Rolf at local events and at 14 he won his first ‘best in show’ in Ireland - and so a lifelong passion for breeding and exhibiting dogs was born.

Today James owns 15 French bulldogs and a 200lb English mastiff named Georgina and enjoys an exceptional career in America.

He’s a world renowned breeder of French bulldogs, having bred over 200 champions and winning many best in show awards, including best of breed at Crufts in England and at Westminster Kennel Club in New York City.

Bringing the taste of Cape Town to Creeslough

The ‘best in show’ Carrickfergus man and his ballet star-turned-doctor husband - Anne Hailes

James is a much sought after American Kennel Club professional judge who has travelled the world. All this requires confidence and presentation and that’s not lacking in James - he has always been one for making a........

© The Irish News