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03/02/2009

Drift's puppies

Driftingsky have proudly welcomed their first litter at the end of last month. Their lovely bitch, Tyehelva Super Summer, who goes at home by the name of Drift, had 7 boys and 2 girls, all black and gold, on the night of the 25th to the 26th of January.

Sweet memories for us as our first litter was also born at the end of the month of January and like them, we had 9 puppies.

They wrote: "Mother and pups doing well, although Drift would like to know where this lot came from! Life used to be so free of responsibility!"

We are really happy for Liz and Lynne and wish these puppies all the best. For more pictures and news, please visit their website www.driftingsky.co.uk.

More puppies?

In the meantime, we think we have pretty much made up our mind on which stud dog we are going to take our bitch Pines Piccolo avec Spicemill 'Venka' to. We don't want to reveal it all before we have all the relevant breed club authorisation signed up. What I can tell you now is that we will be travelling to Germany. More information soon.

All About Dogs show to end

Sad News received from the organisers of this show which was hugely popular with the hovawart community in South East England.

"The organisers of the hugely successful All About Dogs show are extremely sad and disappointed to announce that the event will no longer be staged.

Although the 2009 event had been planned to go ahead at the Brentwood Centre showground, after a series of meetings with the local borough council it has been decided that it will no longer be viable, due to changes in council policies of competitive tendering for events staged in Brentwood.

The All About Dogs show has always been about promoting dog ownership in the very best light, and was organised by 'doggie people' for 'doggie people'. All About Dogs was the largest and most comprehensive outdoor dog event of its kind - it was the blue print for others to follow.

The organisers feel that should they become involved in competitive tendering for the event, changes in the format of the show would have to be implemented and costs for all concerned would rise dramatically. The event has always been staged with dogs in mind and not profit margins. Other venues, both within Brentwood and outside the Borough have been viewed and considered but the financial implications of moving the event elsewhere were quite prohibitive and would not be viable in the current financial climate.

The organisers would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thanks to all the 'doggie people' who have supported the event over the past ten years."

Good health

Christine Cromwell-Ahrens' Spicemill Ginger Root went through her health tests at the end of last year and came back with excellent results:

• thyroid function tested normal
• elbows 0/0
• Hips 2/2

Maybe the start of a new kennel next year is she goes ahead with her plans of breeding from her.

Read the previous breed notes