December 2006: Venka has been mated by Jambo
We are just back from Germany where we took our Venka (Pines Piccolo avec Spicemill) to the gorgeous Jambo vom Wittlerdamm. We were made to feel very welcome by his owners and the dogs liked each other. It will not be before the beginning of January that we will be able to confirm that Venka is in whelp. It is going to be a long wait!

October 2006: Venka joins Cantech Volunteer Search Dogs
We have now joined Cantech with Venka to take her Search training to the next level. We are working towards her hasty search exam.

October 2006: Scamp is UK Youth Winner 2006
Oxane-Diable Animagus avec Spicemill "Scamp" wins best junior and best yearling at the Hovawart Club of Great Britain Show. To make the day complete, she also wins the best colour coat class for the black & gold bitches. Our other dam Pines Piccolo avec Spicemill "Venka" win the novice bitch class and her mum Pines Mercedes wins the day!

August 2006: Litter planned from Pines Piccolo avec Spicemill and Jambo vom Wittlerdamm
We have received the British and German club approval for our planned mating between Pines Piccolo avec Spicemill (aka Venka) and Jambo vom Wittlerdamm so we'll be going to Germany during her next seasons. We are now very busy at home building our nursery and puppy park to get ready when the time comes.

June 2006: Venka passes the French Hovawart Club temperament tests
Venka took the French Hovawart Club sociability test (CSAU) and natural aptitude test (TAN) during the Nationale d'elevage (French Club Show) and passed first time.

June 2006: The hovawart breed notes are back on PedigreeDogs.co.uk
We now write the hovawart breed notes for www.pedigreedogs.co.uk. Should you ever have any interesting or funny stories, anecdotes or pictures, please feel free to send them to us so we can include them if and when relevant.

May 2006: Scamp is home!
After several months waiting for her, our Polish girl has finally joined the Spicemill family. Scamp, officially Oxane-Diable Animagus avec Spicemill, seems to really enjoy living with our other dogs. If you want to come and meet her, please contact us to arrange a visit.

April 2006: James has been elected on the comitee of the breed club
The hovawart club of Great Britain had its Annual General Meeting on the 2nd of April and James has been elected on the comitee. This will help him becoming more involved with the breed at a national level. He hopes to be able to promote the breed better and in particular its excellent working abilities.

March 2006: Venka is best in class at Crufts !
What a day!!! Our bitch Pines Piccolo avec Spicemill (a.k.a. Venka) won the post graduate hovawart bitch class at Crufts. That alone made us very happy, but it was a truly memorable day as the rest of the family did very well too. Her sister Pines Penny Whistle was second just behind her. Her mum Pines Mercedes was 4th in a very strong open class. Venka's brother Pines Saxophone won the post graduate and the Kennel Club Good Citizen hovawart dog classes and the icing on the cake... He is Crufts 2006 Reserve Best Hovawart Dog at only 20 months old. We had to stop at Pines on the way back home from the show to open a bottle of champagne to celebrate!

March 2006: Venka's family is getting bigger
Venka's brother Pines Saxophone (aka DJ) just became the dad of 6 gorgeous black & gold puppies. More information soon on the Pines hovawarts website.

February 2006: James passed his Search & Rescue training
James has completed his basic search course with KSAR (Kent Search & Rescue). He hopes that Scamp will be able to join him in training and maybe become a low land search dog. Watch this space!

February 2006: Give Casey a home
Although Casey is not a Spicemill dog we are working with the Hovawart Club of Great Britain to find her a new home after her owner became too ill to keep her. She is 3 years old, spayed and loves to jump and run.
Casey has now found a home. All the best to her and her new owners.

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