Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Evening Walk Cancelled!

After a lovely training session in Porthmadog we decided to have a toddle up Moel Y Gest!! Loki and I were very enthusiastic but after sliding down hill backwards Linda refused to go any further. Well I didn't think it was a ridiculous idea to go up a mountain at 8.15pm!!!

Monday, 20 April 2015

Critiques From St.Helens

PG (3 1) 1 Stanley’s Blanik Ivana really nice bitch of standard proportions, nice outline and a fantastic head. Moved well BOB.
 (3 1) 1 Stanley’s Blanik Georgette Nice bitch. Presents a standard outline. Good head, nicely angulated, good front.

Sunday, 19 April 2015

Beautiful New Place To Walk

I'd seen an entrance to a path in Gyrn Goch and really fancied giving it a go, 
so today we went exploring, and what a beautiful place we found!  
Nico, Finlay and Jezi having a great time
and it was all going so well
until...
There's no way 12 year old Finlay could get over this
So just me and Nico then!!!
Haha Nico! 
Linda Posing with the kids
All in!
Yes it's dark, but still beautiful! 

Sammi Playing With Caffrey










Click To Enlarge 

Yesterday At WPBW

Well the day went pretty much as I expected, but still a lovely day when you share it with great friends. There's really nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with a case and a half of Jacques!!!! Thank you so so much Sarah, she cleared the shelves of Jacques at at her local Tesco in Norfolk. (9 bottles - not see it here since before Xmas)
Loki
The dogs did me proud, could not have asked anymore of them, especially little legs Loki who was at his first Champ show. Second out of the two who completed the class, (one was removed as he was nervous) but ah well Loki qualified for Crufts, gave a super performance and took it all in his stride. The judge commented that he was a super moving puppy who just needs to fill in to his frame - I can't argue with that! The other pup competing against him looked much more mature, actually he didn't really look like a young puppy at all, hopefully with time Loki will catch up! 
Nico was really up for it and in my opinion powered around the ring, again second out of the two who remained in the ring for the whole class. (again a dog was removed, this time the judge sent him out as he tried to bite her!) I feel Nico could have won on the day, but a small ring and on that kind of surface did him no favours! 
Nico and his wagging tail
Sammi looked bald, but beautiful - 5th out of 5. My opinion  for what it's worth - if your in a class of quality bitches (which it was) and out of coat/condition and the judge is nit picking for class places then it's only right that your at the back. I didn't see a single other bitch exhibited looking like she did yesterday - I won't do it again, valuable lesson learned! .... Not our day in the ring but at least we were consistent!
Sammi - Bald but Beautiful 
 A highlight of the day for me was getting to see Barney, Sammi's brother. A big strong powerful dog who shares his fathers happy go lucky nature. Yes he was over weight, yes, he flicks his right hock on a gait, but still a beautiful boy who with weight loss can only improve. 
Barney
I also enjoyed showing Champion Caffrey for Sarah. a veteran now the old boy still looks amazing! Though I did feel someone on the outside of the ring tried to make me look stupid, I kind of hope they didn't succeed, Caffrey proved that even at his age you can show them how it's done! 
Caffrey
Following some upset over photos at NWA last week we will no longer be taking photos of other people's dogs at shows. Most people love getting photos, and I'm always happy to remove any that an owner/handler doesn't like. But in this case apparently none of the photos showed the dog in his true light. Odd that isn't it!!!!!! Anyway there has been too much fuss about it all and it actually upset me, I now feel it's really not worth it! The first person I saw yesterday said "I hear you've upset the owner of such and such a dog!" It has only ever been our intention to share memories of the day, never to belittle or upset .. So unless an owner asks we will only take photos of our kids to share on Social Media in future. Anyway yesterday the light in the hall was poor so we took advantage of the beautiful location and sunshine and got some photos after judging was completed. 
Another day, another dog show ....

Friday, 17 April 2015

Little Bella

Bella
Nico's daughter/Loki's sister looking wonderful 

Bald Baby ...

To Show Or Not To Show? - That Is The Question
Just don't know what to do ... 
Tomorrow we are at a Champs show, and Sammi is as bald as a coot. I really don't know what to do about putting her in her class, or not. Truth is I'm a little bit precious about her really. (bet no one knew that!!!) To loose because she's simply not the best in the judge's eye is something I can live with ... To loose because she's not in great coat would piss me off, because it would be my own fault for putting her in the ring when she's not in peak condition. I know that some judges do make concessions for bitches (and occasionally dogs) who are not in tip top coat, others of course do not and expect full coat and condition. I guess I'll decide on day, as the class goes in the ring, as I see what the other Junior bitches look like! 
Actually I'm not that enthusiastic about tomorrow, full stop! Loki is really not ready for a Champ show, he doesn't look as "together" as he did when I entered it 6 weeks ago, and he too is looking thin on the ground for coat. Nico is also entered and has started chucking his coat (I suspect a theme going on here!) He still has plenty of coat though, but more and more tufts are appearing. I have also been told that our rings have been moved this year, and we are indoors. Nico really does do better outside.
Ah well, with all the above info in mind I did consider not going. But hell we'll give it a go, and I promise not to sulk if we don't get anything!!!!! 

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Beautiful Birthday Boy

Nico - 4 years old today 

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Bella Brings Louis To Visit ...

They had great fun playing in their brother Loki's field! 
Louis - Well we had to have a go!
Handsome boy
Louis was Mr Purple and in my top three of the pups of the litter. He had the most outgoing character in the litter, and I think he still probably has! He carries better weight and currently has a better coat than Loki, but my reason for preferring Loki as a puppy is actually still apparent. Though Louis has decent length in second thigh, he doesn't really have much turn of stifle. His front angle is lovely and he looks pretty balanced, and maybe he's also shorter in loin than Loki. Both boys currently measure 64cm at the wither, though with Louis weight he did look the bigger dog. Yeah had I picked him over all I would have been happy, and what a beautiful head and expression. 
But I still believe that for show purposes I have the right puppy, Loki has the stronger head, better bone and better angles. Yes he is a little long in loin and currently "flat" in overline. But as he gets taller he looks less stretched and hopefully his overline will strengthen. He is really starting to grasp the idea of "moving out" and even in that small hall in Porthmadog lat night he gave a credible performance - though he still cuts corners! (lazy arse!) 
But even had I got it badly wrong I wouldn't swap him for the world, Loki is kind, gentle (when foods not involved) loving and sweet. A pleasure to live with, easy in all ways. He fits in with everybody and adores his big sister and partner in crime! 

Loki

Monday, 13 April 2015

Highlights Of The Day

No camera, but couldn't resist capturing a couple of moments!
Jezi wondering "how do you get in there?"
Somethings never change - Mikey and Ziva having a standoff with the gundog dummy!