Sunday, 19 October 2014
First Day of the Shoot
Yesterday saw the first day of the Shoot and I can't believe how quickly it has come around. Whilst she is still very keen to go Bronte probably would not manage a whole day. Gary will on occasions take Bronte and Flash but today was Winnie's turn. Gary and Winnie were picking up and Gary said Winnie Woo was a star, even working amongst sheep which we were delighted about given that she has not had any training around stock. As we always do, we rounded the day off in The George & Dragon, sharing ' first day on the shoot tales' with our friends and treating the dogs to a bag of scratchings:-)
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Gretta
This is Gretta, she is three years old and spayed and she is looking for a new home.
Gretta was raised on a small holding with a male GWP, a male yorkshire terrier, two female border terriers and an assortment of other animals including cat(s), ducks, chickens, sheep, donkeys and horses. Unfortunately she did not get on with the yorkie and her owners felt it best to return her to us so that we could find her a new home.
With the basics of sit, stay and recall already in place we have introduced her to the whistle and started some basic gundog training both of which she is picking up really quickly. She heels on the lead very well but pulls a little if she has doggie company. We are now working on extending recall.
She is enjoying the company of Flash her litter brother and is very friendly around people, has a quiet manner in the house, happy to be crated when we go out but does not like being shut in the garden on her own.
We are looking for a home for Gretta with experienced GWP owners or people who have experience of similar strong minded breeds, where she won't be left for long periods of time and would be well exercised. Ideally as an only pet or with a male canine companion.
It would be lovely if she went to a new home with new owners who were interested in continuing her training, although being a loved family companion is number one priority. A calm, structured environment would allow her to thrive.
If you would like to speak to us about Gretta please see our contact details on our website www.klancraig.co.uk
Gretta was raised on a small holding with a male GWP, a male yorkshire terrier, two female border terriers and an assortment of other animals including cat(s), ducks, chickens, sheep, donkeys and horses. Unfortunately she did not get on with the yorkie and her owners felt it best to return her to us so that we could find her a new home.
With the basics of sit, stay and recall already in place we have introduced her to the whistle and started some basic gundog training both of which she is picking up really quickly. She heels on the lead very well but pulls a little if she has doggie company. We are now working on extending recall.
She is enjoying the company of Flash her litter brother and is very friendly around people, has a quiet manner in the house, happy to be crated when we go out but does not like being shut in the garden on her own.
We are looking for a home for Gretta with experienced GWP owners or people who have experience of similar strong minded breeds, where she won't be left for long periods of time and would be well exercised. Ideally as an only pet or with a male canine companion.
It would be lovely if she went to a new home with new owners who were interested in continuing her training, although being a loved family companion is number one priority. A calm, structured environment would allow her to thrive.
If you would like to speak to us about Gretta please see our contact details on our website www.klancraig.co.uk
Saturday, 4 October 2014
Bronte is Twelve Today
Bronte celebrated her twelfth birthday today, still looking as beautiful as ever. We are hoping that she may still make some of the shoot days with Gary this season but realise that although the spirit is still very much willing (and boy oh boy will we know about it if she gets left behind), she is slowing down and a whole day may just be too much... problem is, can't see her taking kindly to being left in the car during the morning if Gary takes another dog out and can't expect her to stay wet and cold in the car in the afternoon if Gary swaps dogs at lunch time... what to do? Only time will tell...
The German Wirehaired Pointer Club Open Show October 2014
The end of September brought with it the GWPC Open Show. It was glorious weather for late September and the show was well supported, the ringside atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and the catering was excellent.
We were delighted to win Reserve Best Bitch in Show with Coco under judge Mrs Mandy Geary and delighted to take second place with both Coco and Winnie in two well supported 'specials' classes under judge Mr Roger Mann.
We were delighted to win Reserve Best Bitch in Show with Coco under judge Mrs Mandy Geary and delighted to take second place with both Coco and Winnie in two well supported 'specials' classes under judge Mr Roger Mann.
Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Association Working Test
September saw the last of our working tests for this year the hosts being the HWVA. We all ran in Novice under judges Mr Geoff Saint and Mr Stephen Robson, Gary with Winnie, Ian with Louie and I ran Coco but sadly on this occasion, Gail and Isla couldn't join us. This was a great event last year and just as enjoyable this year... well organised and friendly and lots of fun.
Gary and Winnie had a good day coming 6th with Ian and Louie in hot pursuit in 7th place. Unfortunately despite gaining a respectable score (actually beating both her mum and brother) Coco was not placed as she failed a test by running in on the retrieve on the hunt.
All in all it's been a good year on the working front, we have enjoyed training with Chris and Peter Guest (Bardantop Gundogs) and have finished knowing exactly what we all have to improve on in time for the working tests next year. Hopefully autumn and winter training and maybe the odd appearance on the local shoot may help.
Below are some photographs taken by Workingline Images at the Little Dalby working test in August:
Gary and Winnie had a good day coming 6th with Ian and Louie in hot pursuit in 7th place. Unfortunately despite gaining a respectable score (actually beating both her mum and brother) Coco was not placed as she failed a test by running in on the retrieve on the hunt.
All in all it's been a good year on the working front, we have enjoyed training with Chris and Peter Guest (Bardantop Gundogs) and have finished knowing exactly what we all have to improve on in time for the working tests next year. Hopefully autumn and winter training and maybe the odd appearance on the local shoot may help.
Below are some photographs taken by Workingline Images at the Little Dalby working test in August:
 |
| Winnie |
 |
| Coco |
 |
| Louie |
Monday, 4 August 2014
Fun Weekend
Gary and I spent the weekend in the company of our friends Rob and Mandy Geary. On Saturday Mandy, Rob and I travelled down to Paignton for the Paignton & District Fanciers' Association Championship Dog Show where I showed Coco and Winnie under judge Barbara Stamp. Both girls behaved impeccably and showed beautifully and both won a respectable 2nd place in very strong classes and I was delighted to see Coco' s sire Vader (Layasway Dark Sunrise) be awarded the Reserve Dog Ticket. He's a lovely boy and in my opinion this award is long overdue.
We travelled back home on Saturday night for a tasty chilli which Gary had cooked and put the world to rights over a few glasses of wine before an early night, shattered from an early start and lots of travelling.
Sunday saw another early departure, this time to Malvern for The National Gundog Association champ show where I showed Coco under judge Mrs P Butler-Holley.
All-in-all a great weekend. My girls enjoyed their days out and did me proud and I enjoyed beautiful weather, good company and catching up on all the ringside gossip, not to mention seeing the quality of what is being shown in wires at the moment.
We travelled back home on Saturday night for a tasty chilli which Gary had cooked and put the world to rights over a few glasses of wine before an early night, shattered from an early start and lots of travelling.
Sunday saw another early departure, this time to Malvern for The National Gundog Association champ show where I showed Coco under judge Mrs P Butler-Holley.
All-in-all a great weekend. My girls enjoyed their days out and did me proud and I enjoyed beautiful weather, good company and catching up on all the ringside gossip, not to mention seeing the quality of what is being shown in wires at the moment.
Monday, 28 July 2014
GSPA Working Test Little Dalby
What a great day at the GSPA Working Test at Little Dalby with Gary and Ian and Jayne, sadly Gail couldn't enter. The weather was kind to us, hot but with a welcome breeze and plenty of shade. The water was sufficiently challenging for a novice test - slippy entry, plenty of weeds and lillies to swim through and a step up to get back onto the bank. Great hunting too with each dog having separate ground to work and changing wind direction.
Thrilled to say that Coco scored a respectable 80/100 on the day and although she wasn't in in the cards she was joint 6th. She scored 20/20 on her seen retrieve which we thought was relatively straight forward but saw a number of dogs fail, including Winnie who preempted Gary's command and ran in. That said Coco fluffed an easy blind retrieve which I had to handle her onto which goes to show that you never can tell... What do they say about dogs being great levellers!?!
Winnie had a good day on the water, hunting and a 19/20 on her blind but threw it away on the seen retrieve which was frustrating for Gary as she did the whole exercise without fault other than waiting for the okay from the judge to go... All it took was Gary to straighten his back and shoulders and she took it as a sign to get out - just goes to show how quick dogs are to read our body language.
Ian and Louie had another good outing scoring a fabulous 77/100. They completed all four tests well, just dropping an odd mark here and there but with no major errors. Considering that Louie is the first gundog that Ian has trained and worked we are delighted with their steady progress and feel that it is only a matter of time before all their hard work really starts to pay off.
Above all, we all had a really enjoyable day amongst good friends, watching our dogs do what they were bred to do, in beautiful sunshine, on wonderful grounds.
Thrilled to say that Coco scored a respectable 80/100 on the day and although she wasn't in in the cards she was joint 6th. She scored 20/20 on her seen retrieve which we thought was relatively straight forward but saw a number of dogs fail, including Winnie who preempted Gary's command and ran in. That said Coco fluffed an easy blind retrieve which I had to handle her onto which goes to show that you never can tell... What do they say about dogs being great levellers!?!
Winnie had a good day on the water, hunting and a 19/20 on her blind but threw it away on the seen retrieve which was frustrating for Gary as she did the whole exercise without fault other than waiting for the okay from the judge to go... All it took was Gary to straighten his back and shoulders and she took it as a sign to get out - just goes to show how quick dogs are to read our body language.
Ian and Louie had another good outing scoring a fabulous 77/100. They completed all four tests well, just dropping an odd mark here and there but with no major errors. Considering that Louie is the first gundog that Ian has trained and worked we are delighted with their steady progress and feel that it is only a matter of time before all their hard work really starts to pay off.
Above all, we all had a really enjoyable day amongst good friends, watching our dogs do what they were bred to do, in beautiful sunshine, on wonderful grounds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
