A chilly, damp and foggy day in autumn....

With too much studying to do Gary couldn't join our local shoot today, so instead what better way to spend a cold and damp autumn afternoon than snuggling-up in front of the woodburner with your wirey pal. So that's exactly what Gary and Lottie decided to do today... Now wires might live to hunt and love their food but they will also never say 'no' to a cuddle!

Winnie - Klancraig Artemis

We finally got five minutes to take a picture of Winnie in the yard today. She is nearly eighteen months of age and maturing into a beautiful young lady. She has the most delightful nature and is showing plenty of promise in the field. She has been shown sparingly this year but may appear in the showring more often in 2011 but more importantly, we plan to continue her training over the coming months in preparation for the Working Tests next year.

At last... its here

Well Gary has been chomping at the bit for weeks now waiting for the first day of our local shoot and today it has finally arrived and what a beautiful morning it is too - bright and warm. The dogs were all on their toes last night as Gary got his gear ready but sadly for them, they have been left behind this morning... all except Gary's trusty sidekick Fergus of course!
Eric (the gamekeeper) tells us that the shoot is covering new grounds this year and has more birds, so I look forward to catching up on all the news and listening to their exploits when I meet Gary down at the George and Dragon this afternoon.

Docked Breeds Campaign in the Dog World Newspaper

Wendy Oxman (Wendavia GWP's) has spearheaded a campaign in the Dog World publication, inviting owners of docked breeds to express their dissatisfaction at not being able to exhibit their legally docked dogs at Crufts.
We have funded an advert which will appear in Dog World in support of this campaign.
At Klancraig we intend to dock our puppies until the Government imposes an all out ban on docking. We may have only shown Winnie selectively this year but she has qualified for Crufts 2011 by winning Best Puppy in Breed at the National Dog Show in May. Ironic - and in our opinion unjust- that despite being legally docked, she cannot attend Crufts since the public pay a fee to enter the show.
Well done Wendy for starting this campaign - I believe she has already received enough support to fill seven pages in the paper, including an advert funded by the German Wirehaired Pointer Club.

Today is Fergus' eleventh birthday. He was our first wire and I can remember collecting him like it was yesterday. It was love at first sight and both Gary and I have doted on him ever since. He is a very gentle, biddable boy who despite the boredom he most obviously felt tolerated being shown because we asked him to co-operate but in the working arena he certainly came into his own. We were delighted when he gained his show champion title but words couldn't describe the pride we felt when he gained is full champion title.
Fergus long since retired from both the showring and competitive working circuit but since moving to Much Wenlock has been Gary's companion on our local shoot. Our shoot starts again in just over a weeks time and both Gary and Fergus are chomping-at-the-bit at the thought.
Aside from his successes in the showring and field, Fergus also sired the litter from which Ollie came. Whilst Ollie can't be described as being 'laid back' like his father, he certainly inherited his good looks and gentle nature.

Midland Counties Canine Society Championship Show 2010

Today Gary, Megan and I took Lottie to Midland Counties Champ Show which was held at the County Showground, Stafford. We have only made a few appearances in the show ring this year but were delighted to be placed second in the Open Bitch class under judge Mrs Rachel Thompson.
As usual Lottie had a great day out, showed her little socks off and never stopped wagging her tail. It was great too, to catch up with friends and see the dogs.
The results were as follows:
DCC - Karl O'Connor's Sh Ch Karlejay Gump You've Got Mail JW SHCM
RDCC - McCullough's Kimmax Anton
BCC and BOB - Sarah Morris' Sh Ch Bareve Buffy
RBCC - Norma Ellis' Normbar Lindsay
BP - Barbara and Sharon Pinkerton's Trollangens Runar At Bareve (Swe Imp)
Well done everyone.

GWPC Special General Meeting

At the weekend the German Wirehaired Pointer Club held it's Open Show and this was followed by a Special General Meeting called by a number of paid-up members of the Club (including myself) who were concerned that the GWPC Rescue may not be making reasonable enquiries to identify and notify breeders where a dog or bitch of their breeding turned up in Rescue. This concern was first voiced at the AGM last year.
The GWPC have formed a sub committee to review and amend (where necessary) the guidelines and code of ethics relating to the Club Rescue but some members were concerned about what may happen in the interim period between this review and amendments being passed.
I am delighted to say that the vote went in favour of the proposal and in future and where possible, Breeders will be notified should a dog or bitch that they have bred be signed-over to Rescue.