Away At Windsor

A super night away followed by a dog show in Windsor. I think the furthest I've driven, certainly in a very long time. I'm actually very proud of myself, and my navigator Jackie, we talked and laughed our way there. (and back to be honest!). A wonderful welcome from wonderful friends with a BBQ out in the warm evening sunshine. It was lovely to see Anne Marie and the family, and of course  Luna, Nova (Orin's daughter) and Isla. I love the Shepherds Cottage  and we were reasonably early to bed with Beti sharing with me but Meerah sensibly opting for the colder floor. I left the door open all night and the bird life in the morning was wonderful. Though I didn't see as much as I did last year as I couldn't move without getting a Beti snog. 

Judging was at 8.30am, but with only 6 miles to travel to the venue, we got there in good time. Jackie's Ricco was 2nd in Puppy dog, and a thank you to Jackie for handling a very naughty Meerah to 3rd place in Puppy B class. Meerah's behaviour was quite shocking really "Im not doing it for you" clearly written all over her face. In the photos from the show you can clearly see how out of place she looks, I'll have to seriously consider what I do next!  Sadly no yearling class for Beti, and she looked very much the baby of the class, but thanks to Arron for handling her to third in PGB. I have to say that our judge Netty Kirby had such a lovely way with the dogs, she didn't care about Meerah's strop, and it was nice to see a judge so gentle on the mouths.

We decided to stick to the motorways all the way back, but the sat nav wanted us to come off the M6 onto the M54. Initially I ignored it, but then a motorway sign came up saying there was a 30 min delay between Junction 14 and 16, so we took exit 12 off the M6. I thought that from then on I should listen to it as it obviously knew what I didn't, I was surprised it took us onto the A14 rather than the M54/A5. A road I kind of knew, we'd used it when we went to Weston Park in days gone by, and I came home that way from Bath with Darryl and Bethan. Anyway, it was a pleasant drive after the manic motorways. We were home around 6pm, with the evening to relax on the sofa with the troops. Again, thanks to all who made it possible. 

10 Years - Almost

 

Siska didn't read the sign, but when Sammi went in Oct 2015, there was no sign! 

Dorothea

Last time I was here was in the Autumn, that was with Orin and Siska too. I did a search on the blog and found that all the photos I've taken here are in the Autumn! LOL According to this blog, I was there in Oct 2015 and Nov 2015, I know why, Steve was taking me out and about to see the world whilst I was trying to get over my brain surgery!  

Exploring Today

Today we parked by the Church in Dinas, and set off on Lon Eifion towards Llanwnda. (where we parked the other day.) It was a more popular walk than I expected, dog walkers, bikes, runners, nothing was a problem until we came across two older men behaving oddly. We moved to the side to let them pass, but then realised they had stopped, I've no idea what they were doing, but they made me feel uneasy.  I exchanged pleasantries with the first man as we passed, but glanced down to see Beti pulling to the side, eyes on stalks and hackless up as she passed the second man. She even kept looking back as we walked away. I wonder why she knew that I didn't?? 

We then crossed off the cycle track onto the footpath that we walked on Saturday with Zeus, down to the gate and walked up the single track lane (Glanrhyd) back up to the van. A much shorter walk than I anticipated, but actually, ideal for Ross. Definitely one to add to the "let's go back there" list, and the possibility of taking two lots of two and parking by the bottom gate.... hmm sounds like a plan!!!

With plenty of time on our hands we swapped dogs, parked in the Cwm and walked towards the house we refer to as the "Lonely Light." Castell Caeronwy (Caeronwy Castle) is nestled at the base of Mynydd Mawr and appears in many of my photos. (though not in these today)

Meerah and Sammi 

Blame The Girls

 Zeus didn't eat at all yesterday, or this morning, and though Orin is eating he started barking at about 6am today. I guess we are going into the last few days of Meerah's season now. The awful smell which is associated with ovulation in some bitches lasted about 48 hrs and thankfully is well gone now. I can only recall Krizzie smelling like this before. Meerah, like Beti is quite the little slapper and poor Ross has been harassed for days, the boy still prefers his Kong to a bonc ...LOL 

There are some HUGE decisions to be made before the end of the year, mating Siska being the easy decision, choosing the male is currently harder. But the hardest decision of all is whether I can face having Beti spayed before the end of the year? Logically, I know it's the right thing to do, but the thought of it puts the fear of god into me! Anyway, she's only just finished her season, so I have three months to think about it! 

Yesterday

We were in Glynllifon - "The mansion is located within Plas Glynllifon Country Park which is located on the A499 between Pwllheli and Caernarfon. The park is owned by Gwynedd Council and is the perfect place to enjoy gardens, wildlife and history; it has an onsite cafe, boutique shops and play areas."

Where Are We??

Twelve Months On

A year ago Orin's daughter Mayzee looked like this. I'm sure her owner wouldn't mind me saying that she was obese, one person even asked if she was pregnant. Mayzee waddled across the ring and like us, the judge advised the owner to drastically reduce her weight. Well 12 months on and look at Mayzee, she looks like a different dog, and she flew happily around the ring. Congratulations to her owner for Mayzee's second in PGB qualifying her for next year's Crufts. Credit where it's due for taking on the advice and getting Mayzee back into a healthy weight, just her coat to come back now and she'll do some winning. 

Bitches At Blackpool

Both these photos are taken whilst other dogs in the class were being assessed, so just as the girls were hanging about, but I love both photos. Beti performed so well, the best she's done in a while, but still she was not the judges' cup of tea. I'm a bit embarrassed about bursting into tears with Sarah, I just feel like I need a break now! I do try and be positive in all aspects of life and look ahead, but knock after knock gets you, doesn't it. Just Beti being last again upset me and I couldn't hold it back, normally I'd take it on the chin, especially with quality females if the class, but currently everything in life set me off. I honestly do have faith that Beti's day will come again.

Siska really put some effort into it, she is so consistent, well done on a second our Siska. 

Hot And Smelly

Changing weather here this morning. After a sleepless night, mainly because of the heat, I was glad of the cooling temperatures today. I got up for a cuppa around 3am and the smell in the middle room was revolting. I've had bitches who smell before when they are in season, but my god Meerah smells like a fish farm. To be honest, she's not much better today, but my boys are not that interested, yet! The smell apparently is associated with ovulation, so at least we know roughly where she's at in her season now. So she would be ready for mating in a day or two!

For my own protection, I had more or less decided not to take Meerah to the show tomorrow. With everything that's going on I'm an emotional wreck, so best I leave her at home. Like I said, I was Ok with someone taking the piss the other day, but when I got home I was dwelling on it and wondering if other people were taking the piss out of her, and me for showing her? Right now I can't cope with all the negativity, so maybe her season is ideal timing. 

How Did We Get There???

Linda and I parked in Llanwnda and went to walk along Lon Eifion towards Caernarfon ... but no sooner had we set off than we saw a track which took us off to the left, well we had to try it. After a pretty rural walk we came out onto a single track road .. and it left me totally confused. I had to look at the map when I got home and I realised I was on Glanrhyd road, which is the road that runs behind the church in Dinas and comes out near Glynllifon. (opposite Lon Cefn Glyn) Well yeah, if we can find somewhere better to park then we could do a circuit ... one for the next couple of weeks then!  

One Step Forward

 A quick chat with the owner of Orin's future wife and it seems she doesn't want to breed till next year. That is ideal for me, so let's hope we can go ahead with a Siska litter later this year, or early next year ... I wish I could find confirmation that one of the front-runners has sired a litter before coming to the UK, but with that county's privacy policies, that doesn't seem possible! The other male has already got puppies on the ground in the UK.

Interestingly, my front-runners are very closely related, Wally mothers is the litter sister to Benzes' father! 

Royal Cheshire

Beti looking about right for her age I think, she was second in the class. The judge commented that she needs more body and coat. Yes I agree on coat, but it's coming back, her body will come with time, she's not two yet so we have time on our hands.

Meerah was second of two, Some nice comments from the judge, followed with, "but she's just too big!" Hell I know, and I'm so disappointed, but nothing I can do is there. Some humour about her size on the day left spinning round and round in my head in the evening and overnight. I hope people aren't laughing at her, or me for showing her ... I guess Meerah will have to stay home after this month. 

Lyra, Orin's L/C daughter looking lovely and flowing around the ring with her amazing gait.

Lon Eifion

Another convenient walk on route to Tremadog. Lon Eifion is the cycle track that runs from Caernarfon to Bryncir. I stopped in Bryncir, where there is a small car park, and walked towards Pantglas. Not a long walk as time was tight, but being out there in the countryside helps me headspace so much.

Mum was the worst I've ever seen her today, my concern deepens for her future. Apart from her awful mobility, she seemed quite confused and forgetful, I've come home feeling quite concerned about the current situation, and as I said, the future. 

Capel Engedi

 

I just couldn't believe it when I came across an old Chapel on the Lon Goed ... Of course when I came home I had to find out what I could ...  

"The chapel on Lon Goed is likely referring to Capel Engedi, which is situated off the historic Y Lôn Goed (Lon Goed) in the rural area near Chwilog, Gwynedd. It is described as being in an idyllic rural location with far-reaching countryside views. The chapel has planning permission for conversion into two holiday lets. Lon Goed itself is a lane lined with trees, famous for its beauty and celebrated in Welsh poetry, particularly by R. Williams Parry. The lane runs for about five miles, connecting Afon Wen to Hendre Cennin."

Lon Goed Again.

It looks like Ross has nothing more serious than a UTI. His prostate is normal, his temperature was normal and there were no crystals in his urine. Only blood/protein was detected, so antibiotics have been prescribed. Though he doesn't look overweight to me, he was 41.5kg so a smirk from Beth about that!

Today we joined the Lon Goed on the old Chwilog to Llanystumdwy road, so not at the bottom which is at Afon Wen ... I would have had to cross the main road to go down so I went uphill instead. I went further than I've been before, maybe a little too far for Ross to be honest, as he was lame on the way back. Memories came flooding back of doing this walk with an elderly Tali, Sammi and a puppy Ross .. and then that photo of Kaiah hiding behind a huge rock came to mind, some sweet memories, but some tears. I remembered so clearly the nightmare of Ross' limp back in 2017, as ever I was so negative about it. I remember pleading to a god I don't believe in to let him have  good quality of life, to make it so we could manage his pain in his youth, and seek more help for him in later life. Well now it is "later life" and the boy was lame again today ... but he's lived life to the full and with some extra TLC now he's an older chap, lets hope he continues to do so! 

Pinchmill Adira Of Blanik

Beautiful Beti, wet, unbrushed, in season and just coming back into coat. Now coming close to her second birthday, such a special girl, the light on the darkest of days. Thanks, Ian and Jackie for this photo of my whirlwind!

More About Heads

A perfect example of overdone, and if you think we don't have heads like this in the UK, well sorry but sadly we do! If we keep breeding from animals with huge block heads then I fear this will become  "acceptably the norm!" 

I listened to the critiques from the Sieger as the judge commented about one of his top winning males as being "on the limits of proportions, " he suggested caution was necessary, but still said he was a beautiful dog and put him first. Years ago I commented that a male I bred "Arko" was bordering on being coarse, but my god he was not like this! Whilst I also dislike snippy heads, a GSD should not look like a collie, I really think this is an ugly trait that is creeping into our breed. 

The head of a dog is the first thing we see when assessing them, if we carry on like this we will lose the breed characteristics of what is "A German Shepherd Dog," as guardians of the fabulous breed, surely we can not let this happen! 

Seasons and UTI

Beti is now on the last week of her season, Zeus is still going demented, but I'm still able to take him out with Meerah at the moment. Just the field for everyone today but these three may have to miss their walk tomorrow as I think I'll have to take Ross to the vets. I hope it's nothing more serious than a UTI! 

Hairy Ross

For a dog who had no coat as a youngster, this boy hasn't half made up for it. Though he doesn't have a lot of length to his coat, it's just so thick, and looks lovely, till it starts to come out! We've been brushing him endlessly and when I put the blaster on him last week I thought I'd got it all out ... nope he looks exactly the same again now!

There's been a lot of hanky-panky going on between Ross and Beti, I'm sure he almost "got there" yesterday. Beti is such a little tart, if he's not taking any notice of her she's practically on his head. Ah well safe sex for Beti! LOL 

Zeus has left breakfast for days and is really wound up, Orin hasn't skipped a meal and is easier to deal with. It's funny I've found the stud dogs are easier to manage when a bitch is in season than the other lads. Nico, Dexi and now Orin were much more in control of their urges ... though of course they are the ones that I need to be the most careful with, human error could be a disaster when they know exactly what to do! 

Beti And Ross In Carmel

A walk in Carmel for Ross and Beti, now everyone has done part of this walk, Orin and Siska have yet to get to the stream. I found my way back along the other side of the field, it was great to do a circuit, but even in wellies I was wet from my knees up when I got home. I guess all the tall wet grass and reeds got the better of me. But who cares, we had a nice time. Where can we go next then? There must be so many similar walks that we can do ... it's just finding them.

Next

Beneze - another stunning head - Wow I have a lot to think about.

(If a photo of him in stance is posted I will add it later)

Vesco has already been posted numerous times on this blog, a lighter eye and less mask but still a very pleasing unexaggerated head. 

George, again a lighter eye, but correct ears set and an unexaggerated head. 

I really don't like the overdone heads which are creeping into the breed, this should be a breed of moderation and have no Mastiff or Akita characteristics. Foreheads should only be slightly domed, but not furrowed, the head should not have a pronounced stop, and the skin should not be loose, lips should be tight-fitting. Heads should very much be in proportion to the body. A dark mask is personal preference, and I have always preferred it, but it's not a game changer in the right dog. If we continue to breed for "overdone" regardless of personal taste, then surely we lose the breed characteristics of what is A German Shepherd Dog. 

So This Is Wally

A head to die for, masculine and dark. The perfect ears set and the darkest of eyes. Beautiful parallel planes, a moderate stop, and tight-fitting lips - just wow!

The judges critique from "The British Sieger" - "Masculine Dog with a very good and well formed head. Very good position of the ears. Normal wither, straight back, croup could be a little bit longer. Good angulations in the front, very good angulations in the rear without any exaggeration. Front lines are good and from the rear the hocks are firm."