English Golden Retrievers In France

Was it going to rain on the day of the Regional Retriever Club show ? It was to be held outside with no wet weather facilities, if it rained you got wet!

We left home at 5.15 in the morning and no rain. After 2 ½ hour journey,The Laird, Hazel and I arrived. The grass had been cut short, the rings fairly close to the cars and still no rain.

The Laird was first in the ring, in his first open class as he had just had his 2nd birthday. I was not expecting too much as all the others were older and more mature and there was a champion entered. Well, he did his stuff again and the judge placed him 1st, saying he won it easily, the champion came 2nd.

Hazel’s turn in the ring. There were 2 entered in veteran. I think it is 2 years since she had an outing. Hazel thoroughly enjoyed herself, strutting round the ring. Her FIRST FIRST was gained at the age of 10 years old.

Ellie, Hazel’s daughter was there and got 3rd, 2 grand sons and a grand daughter also did well. Megan, Ellie’s daughter was Best Junior in Show.
As BEST in Show was being judged the heavens opened. Time to put the dogs in the car and go home, having spent the day meeting old friends and making new ones.

In his first full year of showing The Laird did quite well I have to say! Not wishing to show off – well I’m not – can’t say the same about him!! but here’s a photo of him I took last week with some of his prizes

This year I’m hoping he’ll do just as well ………………….

I took 4 of my Goldens to the CACIB show at Montlucon – boy that was hard work – but lots of fun!

Dickens showed off as usual – well he always does! He recieved a 3rd Excellent. I guess I would have liked a 1st -but as David tells me – we can’t always get a 1st!!

But then The Laird went in – and he did get a 1st Excellent – so I had the chance to tell David I still got a 1st!

My Sable was next in – didn’t disapoint – another 1st Excellent – she is a bit of a show-off and hasn’t been in the ring for a while as she had puppies not too long ago. But she really did enjoy her day out.

Our new puppy Thyme had a day out as well. It’s always a pleasure to show little ones as thay don’t really know what to expect, but she didn’t disapoint – receiving a ‘Prometteur’ I was very proud of her as it was a very busy show with lots going on.

The 21st February saw the start of the showing year for us at the Bourges CACS dog show. The Laird was entered and Thyme was making her debut.

Now, having a sat nav has made finding the shows much easier. Bourges has always been like the Bermuda Triangle to me!

The Laird walked in to the show ground like he owned it, Thyme did not know what to make of all the different sorts of dogs, and they were not all golden! She did meet up with her brother (Enjoy Me de Hareswith) it was his 2nd show, so well experienced.

The Laird was first in the ring, in class Intermediaire. He won this and then competed with the other male class winners and was awarded the RCACS. Winning yet another cup and plaque to add to his mounting list!

Thyme, although a little overawed did very well and was graded Très Prometteur. She was given her first plaque – one of many I hope!

All in all – a great start to the 2010 show season.

Very pleased to anounce we’ve just made a new mating. This time it’s between
Clover

and The Laird
Everything went very naturally, so we are hoping that early in March we will have a beautiful litter of Golden Retriever puppies. If you would like to learn a bit more about these puppies and how they are getting on then please visit our puppy page or drop us a note using this form ……………………………..

So, you have a lovely girl Golden Retriever and you want her to have a litter? There are many things you need to consider when choosing a stud dog, and some of these include:
Temperament – you need to ensure your puppies are biddable – like all Goldens should be.
Long term Health – ask the stud owner about any health issue the dog might have – no one want hereditary problems
Hip score – important consideration – but it shouldn’t stop you from using an otherwise perfect dog.

Currently we have two wonderful stud dogs

Dickens

a lovely 6 year old – father to many adorable puppies over the last 4 years

and

The Laird

who is simply stunning – in all things temperament, health and perfect AA hips with 0 elbows. He’s started his stud dog life very well with a number of litters to his name by the start of 2010.

If you’d like to know more about our stud dogs or family in general please visit our website
English Golden Retriever Stud Dogs

This week Lace and The Laird got it together! So with any luck in 9 weeks time there will be the patter of tiny paws. If you’re interested in a puppy have a look at the Puppies page and check the latest information.

The Laird and I went off to the last show of the season. Here he secured a 3rd Excellent – but of even more importance he was confirmed. This means he is a real Golden Retriever!! French rules state that every pedigree dog has to be examined by a French judge to make sure they are up to their own breed standard. The Laird passed with no problem – so now he is available to selected bitches for stud. If you are interested in using him on your Golden retriever bitch, please contact me using the form below ….

at the Cressat (Ahun) show he got Best Juene, his 4th award, then went BOB. He was not old enough to be awarded the CACS, he needs to be 15 months for that.

The Laird then went into the big ring with all the other Best Jeunes (25 in all) and made the first cut. Then he made the second cut – then was awarded Best Jeune in Show – chuffed or what!!

The Laird then went back in to compete for Best In Group adults. Lo and behold he was chosen again (different judge) Best in Group! he went no further, which is not surprising as he in not 13 months old until tomorrow.

This is the 5th time I have owned, bred or handled the BOB.

But that’s not all – Today the postman arrived with his hip and elbow scores (The Laird’s – not the postman’s!)

Finally the day had arrived – Champoinnat de France – France’s Crufts. This year it was held in Paris, so i expected a few traffic issues! With only 5 minutes to spare we arrived. With no time to even brush her coat Lace and I entered the ring. It didn’t matter to Lace – she performed – winning her class! WONDERFUL!!

With a little time to gather our thoughts it was then The Laird’s turn. He wasn’t going to miss out and came second in his class! This was turning out to be a special day!

Next up it was Rowan’s turn and she rounded of the day with receiving an ‘Excellent’ grading!

It was a long way to go but was it worth it?

You bet it was!!