Harvey's Puppies

Today was an amazing roller coaster of a day as far as emotions are concerned. Today I went to see Harvey's litter of seven puppies. I was stunned! I wasnt ready to be impressed or least of all fall in love with one of them (I am very judgemental when it comes to my breed whether they are mine or not). Obviously all puppies are cute and cuddly but are they ready to carry on the history of this wonderful breed? Well, today I have to say that Harvey's are very worthy, I just hope that a few of them are shown. One bitch is going to a friend of Tillys (the owner of the bitch) to be shown and worked and at least one is going to the Netherlands to be shown which is great news. The downside and the sad thing is that I cant have one. I simply cant cope with three setters any more and Alan also wont budge. I fell in love with one of the pups called Brooklyn (they are all named after famous people's children) and feel very sad to leave him but on the other hand very proud that Harvey has produced such a lovely pup and indeed litter!

....the downside of today. My father is in hospital after suffering a heart attack - an emotional roller coaster of a day - I am now exhausted!

Terry Thorn - the end of an era....

It's with great sadness and a sense of shock , I blog that Terry Thorn has announced via the Kennel Club that he has retired from dog show judging due to continuous ill health - although I believe he is currently in remission. Terry is currently an enigma in the UK dog showing scene by being the only judge passed to judge all breeds in the UK where CC's are on offer (I think it's currently 96 breeds) . Incredibly Terry started judging in 1963 so I only imgine that this must have been an incredibly difficult decision. He has also retired as Crufts Chairman handing the mantel over to Eric Smethhurst.

A very familiar face around the championship dog scene, I dont think there can be one show in the perrenial dog scene that he doesnt attend judging at least one breed (usually many more) and usually acompanied by his wife Zena (Thorn-Andrews) who also judges as well as breeds the very successful Drakesleat Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds.

His retirement will certainly be a great loss to the dog showing scene and although I've never had that much success under him and not always agreed with his judging of Gordon Setters, he will certainly be missed around the ring - although I'm sure illness will not stop him visiting his favourite shows to meet up with friends. Fingers crossed for you Terry.

The Anniversary of.....

The death of King George VI (1952), The Manchester United Air Disaster (1958) and the fourth anniversary of the death of my first Gordon Setter, Annie. Born exactly ten years to the day of my very first setter, Annie was my first Gordon. Not an easy dog in any way, also not the healthiest dog in the world (she broke her back leg at 14 weeks!) but certainly one of the most loving. Even three Gordons later I still think of Annie a lot, she taught me so much about the breed and about showing - her best was a 2nd at Crufts in one of the largest classes I've ever been in - but most of all made me fall in love with my favourite breed and nearly twenty years later still have no inkling to change breeds.

Annie was Hernwood Elegant Ophelia of Billingham (22/10/89 - 06/02/04)

I never win anything, me!

I have won something, yes me who never wins anything! I have won a copy of the Kennel Clubs Illustrated breeds (basically a bible for dog judging and showing) worth #35! It was a prize for sending an entry about my self to the Kennel Clubs Affiliate site - talking about me and my dogs - easy!

Looking through it today I realise how things have changed, for instance there are now more groups as the pastoral and working have been split, there is also now a Russian Black Terrier, a Cesky Terrier, an Eskimo Dog, a Greenland Dog!!