Indie's New Home

Indie came back to live with us at Easter this year. She is litter sister to our own Lottie and daughter to Bronte. In no rush to rehome her, we have spent a happy summer getting to know Indie all over again. For Gary and I, one of the downsides to taking back a puppy or dog that we have bred is that once here, they quickly become a member of our family and we get very attached to them. Despite this, we felt that Indie deserved to go to a loving home of her own. We are delighted to say that Indie went to her new family a couple of weeks ago and has settled in well with Liz, Chris, their children and their spaniel Cookie. Getting used to their cats might take a little time but we have every confidence that Indie will get there in the end! Liz and Chris are experienced dog/GWP people and intend to train and work Indie. She shows every indication of being a very talented young lady and we will be watching her progress closely. Thank you Liz and Chris for giving this special girl the forever home that she so deserves.

Winnie's first birthday

Today we would like to wish Winnie (Klancraig Artemis) and her siblings Lottie2, Storm, Dora, Kato, Otto, Flint and Bruce a 'Happy First Birthday'. Winnie and her siblings are from our Tilly/Timo litter (refer to our website www.klancraig.co.uk) and we will be forever grateful to Maxine and Peter McCullough (Kimmax) for allowing us the privilege of using the handsome and talented Timo. Between them Tilly and Timo produced a litter of beautiful, healthy puppies all of whom have the most delightful temperaments.
Our thanks also to the families to whom these puppies went for giving them such wonderful homes and for the regular updates and photographs.

National Dog Show

Yesterday was the National Dog Show held at Stafford Agricultural Show Ground where our judge was breed specialist Barbara Stamp (Tynsil).
Unfortunately I was unable to attend the show so Gary took Winnie (Klancraig Artemis) along since our friend Mandy Hayes (Germanus) had kindly offered to handle her for us. This was Winnie's third show ever and her last opportunity to enter the puppy bitch class, since she is a year old later this month but Winnie being Winnie, she took it all in her stride and behaved like a trooper for Mandy and in doing so won a very strong class.
Mandy had previously won puppy dog with her youngster Bruno (Germanus Guardian AI) which meant there was the dilema of who should handle Winnie for Best Puppy in Breed - needless to say Gary was thrown in at the deep end and ended up handling her himself which was the first time that he had handled a GWP at a show and I missed it!!
We were thrilled that Winnie won Best Puppy in Breed.

Ollie - Sh Ch Kimmax Kandy Storm By Klancraig

Today is Ollie's ninth birthday... not that you would think so going by his behaviour! He is still very much the 'clown' at home - a loveable rogue - his favourite trick with all our visitors is sidling between their legs (from behind) to say hello and then bringing them a gift - anything will do but it's usually a shoe or piece of bedding.
He thinks nothing to emptying the kitchen bin for a nighttime snack if we don't remember to move it at bedtime and is not above curling up on the mahogany dining table for a sleep on a lazy, sunny afternoon. Towards the end of the shooting season he also discovered that he had a taste for pheasant, having discovered several hanging in the barn whereupon he devoured two!
Still we wouldn't have him any other way - just grateful that he's the only joker in our household, I don't think we could cope with two Ollies!! Happy birthday xx

Roman (Rieyonne Kommanchi For Klancraig)

Today was Roman's thirteen birthday - yes ANOTHER birthday in the Klancraig household - we told you that they were coming thick and fast and there is still one more to go this month and another early next!

Roman is still very much 'top dog' at home despite his age. Physically he is in great condition - lean and reasonably well muscled for his years. His coat and eye are clean and bright and his pigment remains dark. His teeth are in great condition too!!! Perhaps we should attribute some of this to the fact that he has been raw fed for nearly eight years.
Of course he has slowed down some and sleeps more than he did and is selectively deaf but he loves his walks, visits to our local pub and of course his food!
We are very proud of him and love him dearly and look forward to at least a few more years of his gentle company. Happy birthday Roman xx

Phaedra (Bryedal Emmaslass For Klancraig) - 'Fayfee'

Phaedra was our beautiful, gentle liver and white dalmatian bitch and Roman's soulmate. Today 'Fayfee' would have been twelve years old. Still very much missed for her cheeky smile, God Bless sweet little girl xx

GWPC Breed Seminar April 2010

Today we had the pleasure of attending the German Wirehaired Pointer Club Breed Seminar, having been invited to take Lottie along as one of the 'assessment dogs'. Bronte came along too and made a brief appearance to demonstrate correct 'reach and drive' during the talk which was given by Josie Baddeley (Lourdace) and Di Arrowsmith (Fleetapple).
Lottie was one of five dogs chosen to be assessed on their movement and conformation by fourteen up-and-coming judges. All five dogs were thoroughly well behaved during the assessments which took nearly four hours - standing, being looked-over by a succession of assessors and then moved repeatedly. Needless to say, Lottie and I are both shattered this evening.
Congratulations to Barbara Stamp (Tynsil) for arranging such a successful event on behalf of the GWPC and fingers crossed for all those who attended the seminar.
On a personal note it was lovely to see mum (Bronte), dad (Plumley) and daughter (Lottie) all together.