October 2011

Saturday 29th October

Yesterday Dave took Seamus and Lila to Midland Counties for the opinion of Norwegian judge, Per Iversen. Seamus was placed first in another super Open Dog Class and was awarded his 18th CC! We were both surprised and thrilled. It was an okay day for the rest of the gang, with Lila finishing 4th in Limit Bitch, Rat 3rd in the same class and Robin VHC in Limit.

Some new pics of the pups added to their gallery - go to Current Litters as usual.....

Tuesday 25th October

Great news from Poland that Hope (Peasblossom Heaven Sent) went to the CACIB Polish Winner show at Poznan and finished JCAC, Polish Junior winner, BOB Junior and BIS Junior finalist. The judge was Ewa Szeliga-Szeremeta, Not sure exactly what it all means but it sounds good! Congratulations from us both xxx A few photos of the event have been added to Hope's gallery.

The puppies are continuing to flourish and do well. Some new photos have been added to their page too. Have been very poor at getting new photos but there is only so much time in the day .. ie never enough!

I have attended a Field Trial today ... as part of the Kennel Club's new requirement for judges to see 'Fit For Function' dogs doing what they were originally bred to do. Beautiful place, glorious weather and some very nice and fantasically enthusiastic springers. Not the prettiest though it has to said and the bird killing is really not for me. Still I was impressed with how calm and quiet the majority of dogs were ... ours could certainly learn from this (!) and also with how kind the handlers were to their dogs. Good to see that of course. Now that I have witnessed working springers in action, I have realised that the only one of our dogs whose behaviour remotely resembles what I have seen today, is Izzie. Love her!

Details of our next litter here have been added to the Planned Litters page. Puppies will be due around Christmas time. Sensible? I think not ....!!! :o)

Tuesday 18th October

New photos added today, to the Current Litters page of the Elin and Seamus brood. All are continuing to do well. At the weekend, I judged at the SWESSS (is that too many esses??) and found my BEST IN SHOW winner in a wonderful puppy dog. But an enjoyable day and I was pleased to have some lovely dogs present.

Saturday 15th October

Have been particularly slow in putting up to date puppy photos on the website - many apologies for that. Still, a few have been added from Week 2 - hard to believe that they are a fortnight old tomorrow already. More photos coming soon hopefully ....

Show news! This time about Gundog Society of Wales Champ Show and the ESSC of Wales Open Show, both held on the same day at the same venue. Good idea we think although no doubt tiring for both dogs and owners! Super day again under Jock Mackay, with Seamus winning Open Dog, the Dog CC, his 17th (!) and BEST OF BREED! Kye finished third in Limit but the class was won by Robin who went on to win the Reserve CC. What a year he has had too! Just had Lila with us of the girls and she was placed third in Limit with a new handler for the day as well (Thanks Karl!). Brodie was also there (P Geisha at Meonstoke) and achieved a third place in Graduate Bitch. Onto the Open Show where Kye and Robin were placed first and second in Limit under judge, Angela Chandler. Kye was awarded Reserve Best Dog. It was the first outing for new baby, Lacey, who was second in Minor Puppy Bitch and it was to be another third for Lila in Limit. Rattan won the class and went on to finish Best Bitch and Reserve Best In Show!!!

A little bit of health news too that Hope (P Heaven Sent at Lordsett) has passed her clinical eye test and has had her hips scored with an 'A' score. Great news!

Saturday 8th October

Puppies are doing well. A new page for the litter has been set up accessed via the Current Litters page. Click on the link to see photos and information on how the puppies are getting on.

No show news for us of course, but yesterday it was South Wales Championship Show. Robin managed a first in Limit Dog but congratulations from us both on Mac's first RCC (Dexbenella It's About Time). Seamus sends a nod of approval to his super son!!

Tuesday 4th October

Finally I have found some time to update the website as I am sitting with a newly-born litter of puppies! Elin's puppies have been born four days early but mother and babies look to be doing well. There are five girls and one boy in the litter. Hopefully photos to follow later today and I will be in touch soon with all those who have expressed an interest in a son or daughter from Elin and Seamus.

So on to show news and it is just one show to talk about since the last update and that is Driffield Championship Show held at Wetherby Racecourse in Yorkshire. We were thrilled that our friends Helene Bjorkman and Vanja Sliwa were able to come over for the weekend to see the show. The first day of their stay was spent visiting some local kennels for Helene and Vanja to look at some of the springers we have here. The weather was unbelievable the whole time - so hot and sunny - could get used to this! The second day was spent preparing the five dogs we had entered for the show so may be the hot weather was not quite so good then, but still, we didn't complain too much :)

The day of the show dawned early .... ie 2am! It is always at times like that you wonder why we do it at all! Anyway we got to the show on time ... just! Had missed a turning en route not paying attention to the Sat Nav but nothing new there it has to be said. The judge for the day was Edith Rose (Rosannoch). We saw Robin win the Yearling Dog Class before preparing Kye for his turn in Limit Dog. Vanja handled Kye in his class so brilliantly that he won it! So pleased about that .... Seamus was next in Open Dog handled by his breeder of course. Felt quite emotional and proud watching the dogs handled by others. Thrilled when Seamus was placed first in his class - and elated to see him, Kye and Robin in the challenge. Seamus was awarded the Dog CC, his 16th and Robin the Reserve!

Our next class was Puppy Bitch with Honor and she was placed third but we were pleased with her ... she has not been shown much at all but took it all in her stride. Hopefully she might grow some coat some day to complete the picture.... Both Lila and Holly were both in Limit (the joys!) Vanja handled Lila to a first place, Rattan was second in this class and Holly was placed fourth. Really thrilled with that. Finally it was down to Seamus to compete for Best of Breed .... Seamus is not the easiest dog as he likes to fidget at the best of times but made worse by him looking for me much of the time. I did try to find suitable hiding places but it is not that easy hiding and trying to take photos at the same time. Never mind .... Seamus was awarded Best of Breed. Just so fantastic to watch Helene handle him on the day. Unfortunately nothing in the Group this time - amazing how quickly you get used to such things :o)

A flying visit indeed from Helene and Vanja. So nice to see you both .. hope you can come again soon and stay a bit longer next time xx Some photos from the day below...