Happy Christmas

We would all like to take the oppertunity to wish you and your dogs a very happy Christmas!

Enjoy the time, and lets hope that we have some better weather so that we can enjoy the great outdoors with our dogs.

Thank you to all those that have sent cards, and photographs, they are very much appreciated and we take great pride in these, so thank you all once again.

BHC Agility

We missed quite a few agility shows over the summer due to the weather, seasons etc.  So it was great to actualy attend a show!  It felt like it had been ages since we had had a proper competition.

We only took Maddie and Trio, and shared the lift with my mum and her dogs.  Tasha and Trio picked up a clear round in the helter skelter, and had 5 faults in the other two rounds.  Most importantly she managed to get over her fear of the seesaw, she might have done it slowly but  she did it none the less!  Tasha did a great job handling her, getting the balance of being calm, clear and encouraging just right.

Maddie managed to miss the weave entry on the first round, and after watching the other competitors realised that it was due to me setting her up slightly off centre to the first jump so it wasn't in her line of vision.  Most mistakes are handler errors!  She also picked up 5 faults in the other two rounds, due to knocking poles.

Mum on the other hand managed to pick up two 2nd places and some clear round rosettes with her dogs.

Keeping Busy

Well it has certainly been a busy time here this month, and time if flying by.

Sadly it meant being away from home for a few days for a funeral, and leaving the children and dogs with Sean.  They all did a fab job, but I missed them all loads!

The weather has continued to be awful, most walks result in wet muddy dogs, not that they mind in the least.  Can't wait for some frosty weather, I would much sooner have the cold but dry weather.

We have attended a few shows over the last few weeks, things are certainly starting to wind down now as we near the Christmas break.

At Llanelli Maddie won the AVNSC Open gundog class, Trio had a second in the Post Grad.

At Pembrokeshire show Maddie again won the AV Open gundog and was awarded the Best AV Gundog.  Maddie and Trio also won the brace class, Tasha had a second in the Junior Handling and Christopher won his age group.  It was a lovely show catching up with friend in a nice relaxed athmosphere.

Trio would much sooner swim along side us than walk.

Goodwick Moor

Autumn Walks

We have been blessed with some good weather this week, it would be lovely if this dry spell continues into next week for half term.

It has been great to take advantage of the dry weather and have managed some nice walks over the previous week.  We have found a lovely walk in the Preselli's, not too far from home and the children would like to take their bikes next time as it has a bike route.

Have spent a lovely morning walking the dogs through Sealyham, one of our favourite walks.  It was quite magical there today walking through a carpet of fallen leaves.  The dogs had a great time racing through the woods, it's always a pleasure watching there natural ability come to life.  We stopped for a swim at the quarry, where the water had a layer of leaves on it and the dogs were doing water retrieves whilst the leaves fell on them.

South Wales Kennel Association Champ Show

Our last champ show of the year, and we went out on a high!

Cooper and Nutmeg made the journey for their showing debut, Coopers first Champ show and Nutmeg's first show.

Cooper won Junior Dog, and came 2nd in Post Grad, Dawn did a really good job and didn't look at all nervous.  Nutmeg had a 2nd in Junior Bitch.  Both will be accompanying Millie now to Crufts next year, and will be an extra special get together.  Tasha handled Tilly and did a superb job winning Post Grad Bitch, she took her back back in the ring for the challenge and was awarded Best Bitch.  We were well and truly over the moon.

Ruth had brought Fae along for the puppy class with the munsters, where she gained a 2nd place.  Trio also had a 2nd in Post Grad, and Maddie won the Open Bitch class, and was awarded Best Bitch.

Tilly, Nutmeg and Cooper.

Absolutely thrilled with day, one which will be hard to beat.  Thanks have to go to Cooper's, Nutmeg's and Fea's families for bringing them along and being such good company.

Mini Munster Meet

We managed a small munster gathering yesterday at Newgale beach.  The weather had a definite autumnal feel to it, a cool wind and a short burst of hail, but the sun did make an appearance!

The five munsters, along with Harvey had a great time racing in and out of the sea and retrieving to their hearts content.  Eleanor was an enthuasiastic ball thrower, and came home almost as wet as the dogs!

The walk was finished off with some Tiffin provided by Helen and tea from Jan.  Sorry that we couldn't stay for the tea Jan, but the Tiffin was delicious!



L-R Mutley,Maddie, Trio & Ella 



Richmond Champ Show

On Sunday we drove down to Loosely Park, in Surrey for the JHA Semi Finals for which both Tasha and Eleanor had qualified for.  It did mean a rather early start as the girls would be in the ring at 9 am, I was tempted to turn the alarm off at 3am though!

We had a good journey, not many people are mad enough to be on the road at this time of day, and we arrived just before 8 am giving time to change and settle in.  We were greeted by wonderful sunshine that lasted all day, quite a change from most of the shows that we have attended this year. 

Judging started promptly, and all the young handlers looked very smart going into the ring.  Tasha handling Tilly as Trio is on maternity leave, and Eleanore with Maddie.  Both Eleanor and Tasha gave creditable performances, and Tasha was delighted to be short listed.  She gave such a lovely smile when asked to stay in the ring, but sadly wasn't placed.  I was very proud of all of the girls (dogs included!).

Both Tasha and Eleanor really enjoyed the experience, and Richmond really do make the junior feel that it is their day.

Tasha and Tilly (thanks to Nicky friend for this)

Being 'down south' gave us the oppertunity to meet up with the seahaven clan in that area.  We were delighted to catch up with Yoshi, Nutmeg, Megan and their families.  They were all looking fantastic, and coped well with the show conditions, and all of the children!

In the breed classes Tilly gained a VHC in her class, and Maddie gained a 3rd in Limit in the LM classes. 

Nutmeg, Yoshi and Tilly (and child fan club!)

Megan & Maddie

It was a very long day, getting home at 8 pm, but we had a fantastic day.