23 May 2007

Good homes wanted

Unfortunately, two male hovawarts are currently looking for a new home.

The first one is a 7 years old castrated male called Guinness. He is a handsome black and gold lad, who deserves a second chance. He is currently staying at Pines in Herefordshire. He is good with other dogs, and other animals. So if you feel you have the experience, and the time to offer this rescue dog a home please ring Elaine Betts on 01544 318 705.

The second one is a blonde hovawart who currently lives in Somerset. His present owners are spending more and more time abroad and feel it would be best for their boy to find a new home. From what we have heard, he is good around sheep and cattle, understands basic commands, has a good recall and walks nicely on the lead. I believe more information can be obtained from the club secretary Julie Condron. She can be contacted on 01253 777 186.

Birmingham National

Jean Lanning was our judge at the National Dog Show at Stafford on Thursday 10th of May. This show usually sees a good entry of hovawarts and this year was no exception with 20 hovawarts entered despite being judged on a week day.

I appreciated the efficiency of our judge. She was quick to make her decisions, but without leaving the participants with the feeling that she did not take the time to look at their dogs. I was worried she might be put off by our breed as one of the male dog was a bit boisterous in the ring. I hope his owners will invest in good training lessons to correct this unusual behaviour in a hovawart. Luckily, the rest of the hovies behaved well and Jean Lanning seemed to be enjoying her day.

Her best of breed was best male Spencer's Pines Saxophone 'DJ' at Hightimbers and best female went to Sharpe and Betts' Kynyaf Tiy of Pines CDex 'Orchid'. Those who were at Birmingham last year may remember that this is the same line up! Reserve Best Dog was White and Whitmore's Minches Jason and reserve best bitch Sharpe and Betts' Pines Penny Whistle. Prospective hovawart puppy owners will be happy to know that Whistle recently had a positive scan and that the 3rd litter of hovawart puppies this year will be a Pines litter.

All About Dogs 2007

May was definitely a busy month as the biggest outdoor canine event in the UK was taking place on 12 and 13 May 2007 at the Brentwood Center in Essex. It was a wet weather but a large number of dog lovers braved the rain to come and take part. Amongst the new popular attraction was the JettyDogs. This new sport challenges the dogs to run down a specially built forty-foot non-slip canine runway and jump headlong into a massive portable swimming pool. A lot of fun. I don't think any hovawart took part in this activity this year. But the breed was well represented. Julia Christopherson was our breed adviser and manned the breed stand for 2 days, together with the now famous Jacob. He has actually been such a good ambassador of the breed at the various breed promotion events that he will receive the Hovawart Club of Great Britain Tia Trophy at the hovawart club show in October.
Julia was not on her own though and we thank the various volunteers who spent time on the breed stand with their hovies. Our youngest volunteer was only 10 weeks old, a black & gold puppy from Pines last litter. We also had the visit from two 15 weeks old puppies from Spicemill last litter. It was a pleasure to see these three well adjusted and confident puppies who are doing so well with their new families. All About Dogs is a busy event but they took it all in their stride.
The hovawarts were not only present on the breed stand though. Our Venka "Pines Piccolo avec Spicemill" was also involved with the volunteer search dog organisation SARDA Cantech. She took part in various displays and proudly wore her search jacket during the whole week-end. She also had to have a go at the scurry. I don't think she would have forgiven me if I had not let her take part. She loves jumping!
Finally, Margaret Adams' black and gold hovawart Finn tried his luck at lurcher racing. Yes, you have read correctly: lurcher racing! He looked like he was having a lot of fun, although he did seem more interested in chasing the other competitor for a play rather than the lure. I wish we had been able to take a picture of this for you. Unfortunately, it was under quite a bit of rain. So we can only hope that Finn will have a go again next year.

Read the previous breed notes