Tali's Tails

Saturday, 24 January 2015

Everybody Out!

First time out for Loki with Daddy Danko's gang

Finlay, Jezi, Nico and Loki in front

Ziva, Mikey, Asha, Tali and Sammi

My Ziva

Sat here with her brother

Look how tiny she was, but even then God she was beautiful.

(Her baby name was Mini Minx)

"Look At Me Now!"

*****

Ziva is on day 10 of her season and with 2 unneutered adult males in the home it's becoming a necessity now to know where she is at all times. She sleeps in her crate all night, she doesn't move, but keeping her in it with the door closed during the day is impossible! We had thought of finding a way of locking it, but have opted against that now as I'm scared she will damage her face/nose in her determination to open the door. Ziva still spends sometime in her crate during the day but with the door open ... and she does use it as a place to take her stolen goods. If anything is missing we check out her crate first. Already this morning I have retrieved 2 cat bowls and a fork from it. Yesterday she stole Loki's bone from his crate and that was taken straight to her own crate. I think they consider these crates as a place of safety, a place that is theirs and theirs alone. I think she thinks any goods taken into her "den" is safe from the others.

Friday, 23 January 2015

My Opinion Of Loki In Stance

Ok it's not the best photo, but I'm pleased I've got it just to remember how he looked at just over 4 and a half months old. It really is hard with just the two of us ... and Finlay was just taking the piss on the outside attraction! I will give him an honest critique for this stage of his development, as is my right to do so..

Strong head with dark eye and lovely expression, receding mask. Winter nose detracts. Wither height could be better, correct back with slightly short steep croup. A little long in the loin. Super bone and substance, correct front. Good length of second thigh but turn of stifle could be better. Fantastic feet, super coat and colour, nice free mover.

Just my opinion of course!!!

Lots of area's could well improve with age, hopefully his wither height will be more correct and that will give him a more sloping topline; and as he get's taller hopefully he will look less stretched. I doubt his turn of stifle will improve but when his knickers grow, and with careful standing that could well look a whole lot better. His front is like his dad, just super, his bone is fantastic and his colour and coat is glamorous. (Though of course I would have preferred a solid black saddle, which he won't have - but that's just personal preference!) Without doubt he will not have a solid mask like his dad and Mikey - I think maybe he'll be a bit more like Louis in head colour, and there can't be much wrong with that can there!

Thursday, 22 January 2015

Beautiful Day

At the risk of repeating myself - I do love Winter Sunshine.

It's been a stunning day

The Gang -Yes it's a lovely photo. But as ever I'm after perfection and would love it if Loki was looking forward. Sadly I only had one opportunity and the youngsters were gone!

I guess I'm lucky Loki stayed there at all!

Together - A Happy Trio

Isla in all her Winter glory!

Junior looking grumpy at having his peace disturbed for photos!

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

One Other Boy

Other than Blade my first GSD and the Conbhairean boys, there has only been one other male that I have bought in. Jay, sire of the magnificent "E" litter. Jay was Dexi's grandson. Honestly he was a bit of a twit really, we nicknamed him Captain Chaos, but we loved him and my god look at what he gave me.
Jay, maybe not mentioned often enough but he'll never be forgotten!

Conbhairean

Kaiser Vom Conbhairean - Kai

If you've had a "Blanik" dog from or after the "G" litter of 2008 then you'll notice there is a lot of "Conbhairean" dogs now in the breeding. In my opinion one of the best kennels in the country who have very high standards and produce super quality dogs.
Kai was our first Conbhairean dog, he was the sire of the "G" litter - a huge dog in every way, huge size, huge coat, huge character, huge presence. (Huge gob!) A proper hard nut who could look after himself, and he'd keep you safe in any circumstance. I have had some fantastic dogs over the years but I have one word to describe Kai, and exclusively Kai. He was simply Awesome!
And then came Nico ... our second Conbhairean dog. A more correct size dog, his history is well documented and his character couldn't be further from Kai's. Nico is a cuddly goof, who'd sooner sit on my lap than do a days work. Nico has the ideal "pet dog," character. Kai would have made a fantastic working dogs. I always felt he was wasted as a pet/show dog. Nico is truly a wonderful dog, now that his confidence has grown he's a lot like Louis really. (Well to be honest it's testament to the dog that he was able to trust again!) He's just so cuddly and would sit in my arms all night if he could. He's very licky licky and waggy tailed, something he seems to have produced in his wonderful progeny.

Conbhairean Danko Of Blanik - Nico

So "Conbhairean," what does it mean? Well in Heather's own words ......"Both myself and David were (once) very keen hill walkers and came across this on one such trip. It seemed very fitting at the time and was our first choice. Initially, I wasn't so sure and almost changed it as it was very difficult for some people to pronounce . However, that is part of why I now love it 'Sgurr nan Conbhairean' is a mountain above Loch Cluanie, the highest of a group of three Munros. It is found on the north west coast of Scotland roughly between Fort William and Inverness. It's literal translation is 'Peak of the keeper of the hounds.' It is pronounced.... 'Con-a-varen' or vairen depending on your accent!"

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

How Quickly They Change

Thanks to Carrie for sending me this photo of me and Loki,

taken about 10 days before Xmas

This one was taken today,

I swear he's growing and changing almost in front of my eyes.

Ring Craft

A great night again at Porthmadog Ring Craft. As Loki gets more confident he get's more "wiggly" and convincing him to stand still last night was quite a job! To be honest I don't care, he's a baby and he should be having fun! The way he commands his seat is so amusing, but he couldn't stay on it for long as watching Noya and Charley playing was just too much and he kept coming down to join in.
As we were leaving a conversation about the up and coming Caernarfon Dog Show broke out by the doorway ... Loki got bored of waiting and there was no seat. Well what's a man to do with no seat? He got onto the dustbin instead!!!! No photo, just a memory that will always make me smile!