Bert Tormey

Bert Tormey of Katonah, New York is an AKC Terrier Breeds Judge. Bert started in Kerries as a professional handler and has been a breeder of Kerry Blue Terriers for more than sixty years. Bert is also well-known for his portraits of people and show dogs, and his show dogs sculpted and cast in bronze. He has been commissioned to do bronzes of several Westminster Kennel Club show winners and has created limited editions of numerous dog breeds in bronze.

Bert became aware of the Kerry Blue Terrier as a grade school youngster when doing research for a drawing that was to be entered in a city wide Art contest. It was then, he came across an article that included photos and a brief background of the Kerry Blue Terrier breed.

Bert and Peg purchased their first Kerry Blue in 1942. Their first Kerry Blue litter was in 1946. They were fortunate back then to have started their breeding program from many of the outstanding bloodlines of that time. Some of those bloodlines include Ch. Michael of Somer Set, Ch. Lisnalea Enbuska, Ch. Deeds Showoff and Ch. Bluecote lines. Bert finished his first Kerry Blue as a breeder/owner/handler, in 1950. The dog's name was Ch. Marberlane's Masquerader. Ch. Marberlane's Masquerader was the first of over sixty Marberlane Kennel champions. Bert was a professional dog show handler for more than forty years and as a licensed Terrier Group and Best In Show judge, has judged Kerry Blue Terriers throughout the United States, in Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and Canada.