Fall, oh wonderful Fall!

It's that time of year again. The air is cool (and as I write this, extremely damp!) and crisp. The leaves are changing to beautiful orange, yellow and reds. And what do we like to do as Brittany enthusiasts? Oh yeah, go bird hunting with our dogs! I have not been out in many years. There are many reasons for this. The last dog I hunted behind was my Sunny, but I lost her tragically four years ago. So I've had a few young dogs, in various states of training the past few years. I broke my back, that held me back for some time (and in truth still does more than I like admitting). Then now for my most recent reason... who am I to hunt with? Being vegetarian, it doesn't make much sense to shoot a dinner I will never eat. I don't even own a gun. But there are plans to go out with a friend and I am looking forward to it immensely!

So what do I do if not hunting? Training of course! Merlin and Tristian are slowly learning the ropes. Merlin is a bit ahead in the class by virtue Tristian kept some friends company for about a month. He has already been handled from horseback, been introduced to wings and live birds. The most important stride is he is learning to move our and work the field/woods in front of him. He may not know exactly why yet, but he is just 5 months old and I'm taking it slow. I am planning on running him in field trials come next spring. Look at him, is he growing up nice?

Oliver is another project this fall. We ran in our first hunt test the other week and it really was my fault more than anything he did not pass. But I plan to remedy that mistake and run him again at the beginning of November. Oliver is my buddy of buddies and I truly enjoy working with him.

Happy hunting everyone!

Oh bad bad me

Yes, bad me. Very bad me. I've had grand intentions of updating this many times over the past few months and never get to it, or start to and never press "publish". Bad, bad, bad me.

Isabella's 10 beautiful puppies kept me pretty busy for a few months. I miss them but boy can they be a lot of work! Merlin stayed as my keeper, and I adore him in all ways. Tristian I kept back, I wasn't 100% sure which of the boys I would keep until a few weeks later. He's still here, due to the fact I am so picky! Perhaps I shouldn't be, but there you go, it's who I am and these are my babies. I suppose the easy comment would be to sell him to just the next home who comes along (and there have been quite a few!), and I have heard it, but being responsible is a many layered thing. He's a soft boy but a lot of dog all at once. He needs a job (well, to be fair the majority of Brittanys do) and someone with understanding of the breed. I don't think he'd be great for the first time Britt owner. But he'd be phenomenal for someone with experience in the breed. Now if I was letting Merlin go (I am not!) he'd be easy to place, one of those dogs who would thrive no matter the type of home. Such is breeding, no two are alike.


Tristian being a couch potato

Isabella, the pups mother, has received an invitation to show at Eukanuba in December. It being so close to Nationals I do not think she will be going. I'll likely be driving to Nationals on fumes to save $ so the Florida sun for me at least is out. I won't count Izzy out yet though. She is my one in a million...


Isabella post puppies
We have a new Champion! Oliver finished last weekend in Fitchburg, MA. 100% owner-handled which I am very proud of. He is now CH Canipat's As You Like It. His 2nd birthday is Saturday, and we'll be going out for birthday ice cream (a tradition in this house). Soon I will have his hips OFA'd and his DNA done. I believe he could have a very positive impact on the breed in the future. But he is very young yet and I am in no hurry. There are no immediate plans to breed him but I do plan a litter out of him in about... 3 years! His breeders are ecstatic he has finished and plan to take him next year to put a Canadian Championship on him. Me, I am looking to a few hunt tests. He's a very birdy dog!


New Champion Oliver!

I have been lucky to have Kupa'a here visiting the past week. He is out of Hero and JJ and WOW does he look like JJ! I have caught myself a few times calling him by his fathers name. I was lucky to be able to show him this past weekend, his first time out. I thought he did very well. There was no competition in the regular classes for him, but he won his sweepstakes class Friday evening. He's a easy boy and welcome here anytime. I am certainly going to miss him when he heads home Thursday evening.


Kupa'a on the move!

Kupa'a and Alaïs had their first birthday on the 12th. They were able to celebrate it together (peanut butter ice cream!) and later Kupa'a got his chance on some partridge. The reports from all the pups are great, everyone is loved and happy! Turns out Magnum even has his own facebook page! Check it out here!


Kupa'a and his sister Alaïs

That's all for now. I swear I'll attempt to update this more often!

Special Announcement

Oh another glorious Spring day it is outside this morning! Yesterday was as well and the dogs spent the vast majority of it playing in the yard. You just don't waste such beautiful weather!

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of Isabella and Vic's beautiful family of 10. Six girls and four boys. This litter is the Camelot Litter and their names are Arthur, Gaheris, Tristian, Merlin, Guinevere, Elaine, Igraine, Isolde, Morgan, and Nimue. I have pictures up on the Facebook page. They are doing GREAT, 2 days old now. Izzy is a natural mother. I cannot keep my eyes off them! I admit, I'm not getting much done around the house like I need to be (like packing!) because I spend too much time sitting in the whelping box...



Another happy announcement, Horizon's Gracious Light, "Gracie" went Reserve to a 5 point major yesterday at the Hudson Valley Brittany Club Specialty Show! Gracie is a full sister to my Alaïs, and lives with her dad JJ. She is 8 months old and is handled by her wonderful "Grammy", Karen (JJ's breeder). Thank you to Pat and Jeff for showing Gracie, she's such a beautiful girl and I am SUCH a proud 1st mommy!

Spring is here!

Spring means different things to different people, but generally speaking Spring means warmer weather, the color GREEN, a chance to open the windows and let in some fresh air, and definitely a sense of "whew, no more snow, PLEASE!" Spring means all of those things up here on the Farm, but this year it means a few others too. We're making a move to New Hampshire (just over 2 hours south of where we currently are), which unfortunately also coincides with a certain someone and her amazing growing belly! More about that later, but the move itself is sinking in and WOW I have a lot to do! Somehow, someway, it will all come together.



Spring also means a chance to finally, finally get the dogs in the field! They are just as stir crazy as we are. Usually this time of year I pick up a bunch of quail to use for the season, gentle bird work for young dogs. Oliver this year especially, I think really deserves a good dose of training to help him realize the amazing potential he has. But with the upcoming move, I have to wait on the birds and focus more on some basic groundwork like "come in", "whoa", and in the case of Alaïs, put her out with Oliver to teach the beautiful range he has and style in which he works field and woods. Something he learned from Izzy! Hero's often out of sight, so we need to do a bit of remedial recall with her...

So speaking of the field, it also means Field Trials and Hunt Tests! And... once again... impending move is hindering my ability to go anywhere, but... both Luna and Kupa'a made their debut at the CNEBC FT the other weekend, and Kupa'a even tried his puppy butt at the hunt test, but did not qualify. I am happy to report that Kupa'a, just shy of his 8th month, came in 4th place in Am Walking Puppy! Go Kupa'a! Here is a awesome photo of him and his dad Paul.



Okay so what about Isabella you ask? Oh boy... she is a hippopotamus! Vic's mom, Darlene, keeps saying "ut oh"... which of course does nothing to help my exceedingly vain hope of 6-7 puppies. Izzy's a little girl, but cobby. And this being her first litter I don't want her to have too many to handle safely! There is a backup plan in place however, if she has a very large litter. The whelping box is being fixed up, whelping supplies organized and a few more things I need to replace or always have new. Towels after towels after towels, clean and stacked ready for use. Izzy is eating well, just slowly. She enjoys the extra yogurt, cottage cheese, or mackerel now put in her food. She is a very determined eater! The puppies can now be felt moving against my hands... it is a special time. And with that my friends, I say ado. Of to work I go!

News, news and more news!

I apologize once again for the delay, but I promise it was from a desire to add photographic evidence along with my ramblings than an actual apathy for writing...

The show was GREAT! Certainly one I will remember forever. I was close to tears watching both Luna and Gracie in the puppy sweeps class on Saturday. I stood next to Pat, Gracie and JJ's mom, and we were both so moved to see "our" pups there, being confident and beautiful. Both pups did WONDERFULLY, especially when you consider at this age what you are looking for more than anything is a happy puppy who is not fearful or uncontrollable, but attentive (mostly) and confident in their new surroundings. Gracie went even further than that, winning the 6-9 puppy sweeps and regular class both days! What a debut!!! I did accidentally mess her up a bit on Sunday, as I had taken Luna in for her mom (also named Pat!) that day and Gracie not only saw me, but (ut oh!) HEARD me when I told Luna what a good girl she was! Puppies certainly remember their 1st mommies! The pups "Grammy" Karen is the one handling Gracie to her CH. Karen is wonderful :)


Pretty Luna and her mom, Pat, in the ring


Gracie with Karen
Alaïs had a GREAT debut as well. She did far better than I expected, having had almost no practice on the show lead (snow snow go away, come back some other... century). In Bred By she was a baby next to much more mature adults, but I was very proud of her. Her mother Hero was shown on Sunday and surprised me by being the perfect showman. I think she was just ready to show me how good she could be! The last time she did that she walked away with the major to my surprise! But alas, nothing this time. She is just getting back into the ring after nearly 2 years of extremely light or non-existent showing. Oliver now... he's such a goofball outside the ring, but is great once we step inside it. He took reserve to the major on Sunday, which is great considering how large the Open entry and he has just aged out of the 12-18 month class. So proud of my boy! He is usually the HAPPIEST dog in the ring, and when we're out of the judges line of sight, we'll play a bit and it always gets a laugh out of people watching. But he'll go right back to being show dog in an instant. I cannot say enough how much I LOVE THIS DOG.


Oliver getting more and more handsome every day

On Sunday we also got a visit from Kupa'a, owned by the Rakoski's. He came in looking like a furry bear-dog and went out looking like a show dog! He takes my words away, he is JUST like his father JJ... and just... wow. He's already started in the field and we're going to try him in the show ring when he's older. I am one proud mommy :)


Kupa'a before...


Kupa'a after! What a handsome dude! Now to work on stacking correctly... hehe!

Izzy came w/ us Sunday only, it was a small show and since we were right near the door, and it far too cold to leave her in the van, we brought her in. This was good for Oliver because without her he is a MOMMA'S BOY and lets EVERYONE there know he wants his momma... with Izzy with him he is quiet and a good boy. What am I gonna do with you Oliver? Izzy was a bit ticked off she was not shown. She had walked in there tail up and confident... and then put away... but she got to see Dar again (Vic's mommy) and all her other minions... er.. I mean "friends".


Victor in his younger days

And as for the news... there is a entire month left until her due date (April 30th) but I'm pretty confident that it is safe to announce Isabella's pregnancy and impending litter w/ CH Triumphant's Victor of Douron. She is so HUGE for only 4 1/2 weeks along. But size doesn't necessarily dictate how many she'll have, and its MUCH too soon to tell.


Izzy before... her GCH photo...


Izzy the other day in the yard... woah baby!


Bye for now!

A Very Special Weekend

Just a little note to carry us into the weekend. Saturday will be a very special day for me as a breeder. Not only will I have my first bred-by entered for her debut, but I will be there to watch two of her littermates in the ring as well! Alaïs is entered in Bred-by Exhibitor, meaning likely the dogs in her class will be mature adults, but as her two sisters are entered in 6-9 I felt I should not directly compete against them, no matter the unlikelihood of taking any points at 7 months old! Both Luna and Gracie are also in Sweepstakes, so they will get plenty of practice and ring time. I can't wait to see them! Luna is being shown by her "mom", Pat and they have worked so hard in classes every Wednesday to learn together how to show. What a great "pet" home! Gracie's handler is a very special one as well. The puppies "grammy" Karen will be handling her to her show CH. Karen is JJ's breeder and lives close by them in New York.


Baby Alaïs and Luna! How has the time has flown...
On Sunday their brother Kupa'a is coming to watch and likely get groomed. I better find something more "fun" for next time, he'll start thinking every time he sees me he gets clipped! I'll be evaluating his growth as well, and he may also end up in the ring, with me, in the future. What a LUCKY doggie mom I am!

Kupa'a is entered in the upcoming Field Trial and Hunt Test this April. Luna may also try her paw in the puppy stakes at the FT, but she hasn't had the training Kupa'a has been exposed to so far, to try for one of her JH legs. Kupa'a may of course need a bit more as well, but I am confident in his natural ability. The puppy stakes at the field trial is looking for just that, natural ability, confidence, and style. They do not need to find or point any birds. The hunt test is a bit different, on the JH level they must hunt with style, listen to their handler and point 50% of the birds they encounter. It is also very much about natural ability rather than training, but there is a minimum score for achieve (5 out of 10) and you need 4 passing scores for your JH. I had hoped to enter Alaïs and Oliver at those events but we have a few things upcoming that will prevent me from attending. I'll tell more later :)

I am not yet 100% sure Izzy is pregnant, but I "think" she is. It is too early to palpate for puppies (next week sometime they will be walnut sized, and I may be able to feel them by careful feeling of her abdomen). But she's lazy, and doesn't want to get out of bed in the AM. She's also growing fur... where she usually doesn't have much? Her belly also feels... full, especially when she's in a sitting position, even when she hasn't eaten. So here is to hoping she's pregnant with a belly full of beautiful puppies. I know there are some wonderful families looking to bring one of her puppies into their homes. I am still looking for the right co-own for pick female, show homes only please.

Oliver... oh my Oliver... he is growing up so nicely and I hope to have good news from this weekend about him. Here is to a great weekend with even better friends and lots of puppy kisses!

It's been a while...

Oh boy has it! I have been seriously defunct at keeping the blog updated. It's just I've been so BUSY! And not a lot of doggie news to share... I admit I rely maybe a bit too heavily on the Facebook page to share news, but I know not everyone uses Facebook.

Isabella and I had quite an adventure a few weeks ago. We traveled to New York to participate in the biggest dog show in the country, Westminster! What an experience. It's one of the few remaining benched shows in the US, meaning the spectators can see each dog up close and personal all day long. At regular shows you can come and go as you like, at Westminster you must be at your "bench" unless taking a quick potty break or if you are currently showing. I definitely had fun, and know a few things now that I will have to be ready for next time. Because yes, there will be a next time! Unfortunately, Izzy and I did not doing anything in the ring. She chose that moment to come into season and as luck would have it, I'd never shown her in season before, so did not know what she was going to do. She was visibly "off" before we even got into the ring but we hoped her love for the show ring would overcome her doldrums. Alas, she was a unhappy girl who only wanted to sit or lay down. I will say she did move beautifully! But lesson learned, and I enjoyed our time there very much despite those 10 minutes! Congratulations to our friend Alyssa and her beautiful girl Lily, for taking Best of Opposite! Alyssa was great trying to perk MY dog up while showing her own! Got to love Britt people. Also congratulations to our Spinone friend Donna, and her pretty girl Perla for taking a AOM in the Spinone ring!


Izzy at Westminster

So as I said, Izzy chose to come into season while in New York. She has a very unpredictable cycle so we had to make decisions before we left New York as to what to do regarding her being bred to Victor. Izzy ended up spending a few days at her breeders in MA (thank you Joan!), and then being picked up by Vic's owner Darlene for her honeymoon in upstate NY. She hitched a ride back just last week with her "grammy" Linda. Thank you to all who helped transport her and take care of her! It saved me a lot of driving and gas money (have you SEEN what they are asking for gas lately? Yeegads!)


Victor in his youth

So my beautiful girl is laying on the couch just two feet from me, hopefully in very early pregnancy but it is much too early to tell. Her 1st due date is April 30th. I still have room on the wait list for her litter, priority to competition homes of course. I also have a potential co-own opportunity for PICK female in the litter. If you would like more information please feel free to contact me privately. More information about the breeding can be found under the Puppies link.


Izzy's GCH photo

We have a very special dog show coming up. It is back-to-back Specialties but it is not what makes it so special. It is Hero's puppies debut in the ring! Technically, Little Luna debuted just the other week but alas, I have no photographic proof! Luna, Gracie, and Alaïs will all debut Saturday March 19th in Fitchburg, MA. I cannot say what a happy and proud moment that will be for me. Brother Kupa'a will be coming to "watch" on Sunday and get a good grooming again. He will enter his first field trial and try his paw at a hunt test in April. We may also show him, we are watching him grow and like what we are seeing. Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed I would have so many from Hero's litter ending up competing. Madeline is also in a show home down in TN, after coming back to me after just 6 days! But a wonderful fellow breeder scooped her up quickly and I am honored to have my puppy as part of her breeding program.

Oliver is looking for his 2nd major at this dog show, he's half-way to his CH with limited showing and he is turning into quite the handsome dude. Field work is also in his future (as well as the rest of them). Hero is easing back into the show ring as well, and will be my main focus for the season. The puppies certainly did good things for her body, and it is time to make the commitment to finish her. Her daughter will be shown minimally as she matures and grows out of her "No, I don't wanna" stage!


The New Horizon Crew
I will make an effort to keep this updated much more often!