Fancy dress

Bronze, silver and gold passes

Well done to everyone who passed their tests, we look forward to seeing you at the next level. Colin and Beauly were the only gold pass this time but all these silvers will surely be going for it in July.

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Puppy Foundation passes

Well done to all the pups who passed their Puppy Foundation assessment last week.

Dylan, Fly, Samson, Roger, Glen, Heidi, Dylan, Wallace, Fergus & Scooch

Christmas is coming (don't tell Joanne's turkeys)

We'll soon be having a break over Christmas and the New Year so here are a few dates for you.

Tuesday 27th is the last training night before the break. There will also be a puppy foundation assessment for all those pups who have attended for at least four weeks, this will take place during the normal class. Don't forget your diaries, identity discs and poo bags!

Tuesday 4th is our Christmas party - not to be missed! There will be games, raffle, food and prizes, don't forget your doggy fancy dress - rosettes are on offer for the most creative. 7 for 7.30pm start.

Tuesday 11th will be a Good Citizen Dog Scheme test night - bronze, silver and gold. It starts at 7pm. As with the puppy foundation, identity discs and poo bags required, plus a brush or comb.

Classes will resume on January 22nd 2008.

A collie weekend

Last weekend saw Katrina and Linda head off to Working and Pastoral Breeds champ show on Saturday and the Scottish Border Collie Club champ show on Sunday.

Linda and Vic's Gino did extremely well at W & P as he won Best Puppy Dog and then took Reserve Best Dog! Katrina had a creditable 3rd and 4th but her day was to come at the breed show the following day. Jade won the veteran bitch class, Chance won mid limit dog and was then awarded the RCC!! Congratulations all round.

To see recent photos of Gino, Jade and Chance, scroll down through older posts or you can use the search box in the top left corner of the blog - just type in their name and it will bring up any posts in which they were mentioned. This is a quick way to find references to anything - dog, show or person.

Fiona Rowe weekend photos

Thanks to Steve for sending in these photos, taken at the recent obedience training weekend with Fiona Rowe.

Everybody who attended said what a good weekend it was, they all learned a lot, especially how to motivate their dogs to get them to really want to do the exercises. Steve can see an improvement in Jay's attitude to work - there'll be no stopping him now!

Jan says "Hello"

For all those who remember Jan Crampton (how could she be forgotten?!), Linda was speaking to her at Midland Counties and passes on her "Hello" to everyone.

She now has a new tibetan pup called Hettie, who apparently makes Dennis seem quite sedate! We'll watch her future show career with interest.

Banff, Moray and Nairn CC

BMNCC held their second open show of the year at Lossiemouth Community Centre on 27th October and, going by the number of cars and busy hall, it seems to have attracted a very good entry.

Quite a few wins for club members, most notably Jock's westie, Chardonnay, who went Best in Show! Reserve went to the tibetan terrier. Heather's whippet was Best Veteran. Best Puppy was the great dane with the cocker Reserve.

Terriers - Sarah's Sasha was BOB and G4, Daveena's Inka was Best NSC and G2. Jock's Chardonnay was G1 of course.

Gundogs - the only win I'm aware of was Elizabeth's Bronni who took BOB.

Pastoral - Morag's Arran was BOB and G4.

Toys - Sue's Desmond, Pansy and Louis each won their class, Pansy took BOB and G2.

Hounds - Liz's Erin won her class, Joan's Bo won his and took BOB. Erica had a day to remember when both Willow and George won their classes, Willow then took BOB and went on to win the group! I think this was the biggest group of the day and it contained some stiff competition. Erica's face was a picture!

Well done to everyone.

Lossie photos

Willow BOB and G1

Hound G1 about to be awarded

Terrier group being judged



Terrier 1st - 4th



Pastoral group being judged





Toy 1st - 3rd






Gundog 1st - 4th

Dane Of The Year

Joanne travelled all the way down to Coventry for the Dane Of The Year show on 20th October. A long way to go but well worth it because Annie continued her run of success by winning yearling bitch. Congratulations!

Alex McCulloch

Sadly I have to report that Alex, husband of Gladys, died on Saturday after a short illness. Although he didn't come along to the club with Gladys, he was a behind-the-scenes supporter and was very proud of the achievements of their two dogs, Nikki and Danny.

A memorial service will be held at Birnie Kirk, Elgin at 12 noon on Monday 29th October. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Gladys and family.

Glenfound do the double

Last weekend the North of Scotland Sheepdog Society held an open show at Stonehaven. Katrina had a fantastic day - taking both best bitch and best dog and then best of breed with Riva. Congratulations!

Chance - Best dog

Riva - best bitch and best of breed

It's a dogs life

Spare a thought for the long-suffering Other Half, who, although he quite likes the dogs, does not share what some might call my 'obsession'.

Today is our 27th anniversary (yes I know you get less for murder and I quite agree that Other Half deserves a medal for lasting this long) but there will be no candlelit dinner for two at an intimate little restaurant for us. Instead, a certain papillon of the female persuasion is about to make Louis's day - he doesn't know it yet but he is her intended.

I won't go into details but I'm sure you'll have an idea of how our anniversary evening will be spent, Other Half will no doubt find alternative entertainment on the TV.

Who says romance is dead? Not Louis, that's for sure.

Louis - aka Cassanova

Belfast again

Joan's Maddie - BOB, Belfast

Lochaber

Lochaber and District CC put on probably one of the most friendly and enjoyable open shows. It is held in Fort William and the journey down there, although winding and car sick inducing, must be one of the most scenic - especially at this time of year when the trees and bracken are such beautiful colours. Early morning fog put paid to much of the view on the journey down this year but that all changed once the sun managed to break through and it turned into a glorious day.

The show is held in a large, carpeted hall and prizes are very generous - all best of breeds recieve prize money plus a Ben Nevis whisky miniature and group winners get larger bottles of whisky and a bag of dog food. The committee also lay on a hospitality table with a lovely selection of cakes and drinks, alcoholic included! I decided against the strong stuff, a bit early in the day for me, plus I was driving, but my breakfast of cake and juice went down very well.

Quite a few good results for Spey Valley.

Terriers - Karen's Fergus was BOB and G4 and Jock Wilson's home-bred westie, Toddy, did very well by going G1 and then RBIS. He is handled by Jock's daughter Ann.

Gundogs - Elizabeth's Bronni was BOB and G1.

Hounds - Dougie and Erica's Willow was BOB and G4. No photos of the group I'm afraid as I was in the ring at the same time.

Pastoral - Katrina's Cosmo was BOB as was Morag's Arran.

Toys - Sue's Pansy was BOB and G2, she also won the open bitch stakes class, which included £10 prize money!

I don't think there were any winners in Utility and Working but please let me know if I'm wrong.

Apologies for the photo quality but the lighting in the hall is not the best.

BIS & RBIS

Bronni goes G1

Gundog group 1st - 4th

Terrier group judging

Toy group judging

It's not often the top of Ben Nevis can be seen

Jay wins again

Steve's Jay was still on top form for last weeks Open Trial held at Longniddry, where he won another CD class. Congratulations and keep it up!

The Belfast Experience

Belfast Championship show is popular with many Scottish exhibitors who make the long journey 'abroad' each year, most travelling across by ferry from Stranraer. I should think the majority of passengers are dog people, all travelling with high hopes, and it makes for a good atmosphere.

At a ridiculously early hour (2am!) on Sunday September 30th, whilst waiting to board the ferry, we were to be found wandering around a dark car park urging dogs to relieve themselves, these same dogs thought we'd lost the plot because they knew fine well that we should all be tucked up in bed at that hour. We really ought to know better.

Great expense, hours of driving, very little sleep, the risk of a choppy crossing and days needed to recover afterwards - all in the hope of winning a piece of card! As non-doggy people no doubt say - 'we must be mad'.

Perhaps the easiest way to travel is to go over the day before and stay overnight in a B&B or hotel......but that's for softies! We did it the fun way - three people plus eight dogs in a large, white van. There and back in 36 hours, allowing for a few stops on the way (Dundee Tesco at 3am was a strange experience) and a sleep in a lay-by. Most of the driving was done by Katrina and she did a great job, especially negotiating the extensive road works and lack of signs in Belfast.

There were only a few club members at the show (most had more sense) but they did well. Joan was there the day before us and got Best of Breed with Maddie, Katrina's Cosmo won his post grad class but Linda and Vic's Gino did the best by winning his minor puppy class and then taking best pup in breed. Unfortunately, we had to leave to catch the evening ferry home and so he couldn't compete for best pup in group; who knows what might have been?

I finally got home and into bed at 7am and slept like a log. It was a long, tiring trip and we all say 'never again' but no doubt we'll be doing it all over again next year.

Cosmo - 1st PGD

Gino - Best Pup in breed

Banged up

The van - our transport, sleeping arrangement & changing room.

Loaded up

Handy place to change

Some folk go by bus

The main hall

Katrina handles Gino in the ring

Waiting for the ferry

Homeward bound

Snatch some sleep when you can

Goodbye Belfast

Nethybridge Companion show

Thanks to Jenny for the following photos from the show at Nethybridge, which is possibly unique in being held on tennis courts. The weather stayed fine, food was really good and quite a few club members were well placed. Well done in particular to June and Barney, who went Reserve Best In Show, Alec and Jake, who won the advanced obedience and Jenny and Brint who came second.

BIS, RBIS, BP & BV

Intermediate obedience winners

Advanced obedience winners

Good cakes!

Obedience weekend with Fiona Rowe

The club will be holding an obedience training weekend on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st October. Fiona Rowe will be coming to pass on her considerable knowledge and experience. Club members who attended a previous training session with her found it to be extremely worthwhile.

Training will take place in the hall and starts at 10am each day, ending at approx. 5pm. The cost is £45 for handler and one dog for the weekend, £25 for handler and one dog for one day, or £10 per day for a spectator.

Tea and coffee will be available all day but please bring a packed lunch.

If you are interested please contact Hilary Hirst on 01466 771328 or email hilary@avawaga.freeserve.co.uk

Homeopathy evening

We would like to thank Ian Swann for giving us an entertaining talk on homeopathy on Tuesday night. Opinions are often divided on just how effective homeopathy is but even the sceptics amongst us found it interesting and quite possibly useful. We had a question and answer session in which Ian not only had advice on dog treatment but also managed a few helpful hints on humans too. Perhaps we're not so different to our dogs!

News from Driffield

I don't think many club members could have made the trip down to Driffield but Linda was one who did (leaving Ron to hold the fort at home) and it was well worth it as Leila won a large junior class. Congratulations!

Homeopathy talk

There will be no training on Tuesday 2nd October as one of the vets from Miller and Swann, Elgin, will be coming to the hall to do a talk on homeopathy. It costs just £2 to attend and refreshments will be available. The talk will start at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome.

Podger Slater

Sadly I have to report that Podger, husband of Lorna Slater, died suddenly on Friday 21st. His funeral will be held at Macduff Parish church at 10.30am on Saturday.

Both Podger and Lorna have been at the club and shows with their Lakeland terriers.

Our sympathy and condolences go to Lorna and family.

Darlington

Darlington Championship show was also held last weekend in the lovely grounds of Newby Hall, near Ripon, where the weather was much more pleasant than at Airth. All three days were rain free, in fact the third day was quite warm and sunny, and the showground was in great condition - one of the lucky few champ shows this year.

Lynne seems to have been the only club member to win anything there. Her new pup won his minor puppy class and Pamona won her junior and post grad classes and went on to another reserve best bitch. Congratulations!

Apologies to Linda and Ron! I missed the fact that Leila had won her special yearling class. Well done Leila.

Jay does his first trial with style!

SKC Open working trials were held last weekend at Airth, Steve's Jay was competing in his first ever trial and not only did he manage to qualify in CD but he also won it - what a great start!

Steve says the weather was warm but the rain poured all day. Jay found two out of the three articles in the search square, completed a reasonable control round and managed enough marks to qualify in the jump section. Finally, in deteriorating conditions, he managed full 2 minute sit and 10 minute down stays even though all the other dogs broke. Their final score was 182.5 out of 200.

Well done to you both and good luck at the next trial!

Companion show at Nethybridge

Strathspey Canine Club will be holding a companion show at Nethybridge Public Hall on Saturday 29th September. All proceeds to go to Grantown Dog Rescue.

Entries are from 12 noon, judging at 1pm. There will be pedigree, novelty and obedience classes. For further information please telephone 01808 511733 or 01479 811712