What a Summer , we have had a horrid time the house has been flooded twice. After the first time we had major referb to do, new skirting boards decorate and new carpets on the ground floor. We had worked really hard to finish had new carpets fitted then 2 weeks later it happened again! Chris and I were devastated we have lived at Catherton for  24 years and never had a problem. Jas continues to grow she is a joy as are all her litter mates  We have had numerous photos sent , thank you all so much , and as soon as Chris has finished digging our moat ,to prevent further flooding they will be put on the website for you all to see . To be honest the website has been bottom of our priorities lately but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy seeing the pictures so keep them coming . Jas has been to a few shows initially not doing as well as I had hoped but she did go through an ugly duckling stage, so bum high it was ridiculous. Her front end is catching up now, so her topline is improving and so have her placings. So much so that she has qualified for Crufts 2013 so she will go with her mum who has also qualified. Crumpsbrook will be well represented there next year something I would have only dreamt of.Cassies brother Oscar will also be there with Holly and her mum Mandy.Hope to have time to write my blog a little more frequently weather permitting !

The other important news is that my training and behaviour part of Crumpsbrook is being seperated and will be called Mannerly Mutts. I am now a member of The Guild of Dog Trainers and continue to study for my degree . I adore the behaviour side of things trying to help families improve their relationship with their dogs is such rewarding work .My classes are as popular as ever I continually have a puppy wait list and currently do 6 classes a week. Poor Chris is trying to build that website as well ,but do keep an eye on it ,I hope to put some useful articles on there that I have written for my degree,concerning dog behaviour.

www.mannerleymutts.co.uk

I judged the pedigree classes at a fellow munster owners charity dog show over the jubilee weekend. So difficult with such a huge range of dogs ranging from Pomeranians to Great Danes . My best in show was a 9 month old Standard Poodle who moved really well .Chris came to support me and took Jas and her mum Cassie. Jas took it all in her stride and seemed really confident, she even found a patch of fairly dry grass to curl up on .

It seems my Munster pups get around the country .Ben has been to London, on the tube, with his folks and apparently behaved really well, there is a photo of him by London Bridge .

There are other new photos to look at of Quill and Ava,

Our friends Matt and Kate have been over to help with Gundog  training for  Jas . Dougie their Munster is well on his way to being a full champion.  . So I hope some of this rubs off on Jas !!

Chris and I had a wonderful trip to Harlech with our girls. Carol and Otto, Cassie’s brother, came to. The 4 dogs had a tremendous time chasing bunnies in the sand dunes and seagulls on the beach. The weather was perfect and not a soul about, heaven!

Father and daughter win best dog and best bitch at Malvern. Cassie’s first best of sex. She continues to exceed all my expectations, bless her!

Helping puppy buyers find their way.

As a prospective new owner it is understandable to want some kind of reassurance that you are purchasing a puppy from someone whose priority is the health and welfare of the puppies that they breed. Someone who will provide you with a quality, supportive and informative service both before and after you take your puppy home. One way to do this is to contact a Kennel Club Assured Breeder. The scheme promotes good breeding practices, giving prospective owners the best opportunity to bring home a healthy well adjusted puppy. As a puppy buyer there is now some kind of benchmark to help you in your search to find a responsible breeder.

Assured Breeder Scheme requirements

Assured Breeders must:

• Ensure that all breeding stock is Kennel Club registered
• Hand over the dog’s registration certificate at time of sale if available, or forward it to the new owner as soon as possible
• Explain any endorsements that might pertain and obtain written and signed confirmation from the new owner, at or before the date on which the dog is physically transferred, that the new owner is aware of the endorsement(s), regardless of whether or not the endorsed registration certificate is available
• Follow Kennel Club policy regarding maximum age and number/frequency of litters
• Permanently identify breeding stock by DNA profile, microchip, or tattoo
• Make use of health screening schemes, relevant to their breed, on all breeding stock. These schemes include DNA testing, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and inherited eye conditions
• Socialise the puppies and provide written advice, in the Puppy Sales Wallet, on continuation of socialisation, exercise and future training
• Provide written advice, in the scheme Puppy Sales Wallet, on feeding and worming programmes
• Provide a written record, in the Puppy Sales Wallet, on the immunisation measures taken
• Provide reasonable post-sales telephone advice
• Inform buyers of the requirements and the recommendations that apply to Kennel Club Assured Breeders as well as the existence of the complaints procedure
• Draw up a contract of sale (see below link) for each puppy and provide a copy in the Puppy Sales Wallet
• Provide a list of breed specific traits and tendencies or any further breed specific advice or information that may enhance the puppy buyers understanding of the breed they are buying

In addition there are a number of recommendations.

Assured Breeders are strongly encouraged to:

• Make sure that whelping facilities accord with good practice
• The contract of sale should clearly lay out to the buyer the nature and details of any guarantee given (e.g. time limit) and/or any provisions for refund or return and replacement of puppy. If endorsements are being used the contract should also explain why these have been placed and under what circumstances they would be removed (if any). The contract should be signed and dated by both breeder and purchaser, showing that both have agreed to these terms
• Commit to help, if necessary, with the re-homing of a dog, for whatever reason, throughout the dog’s lifetime
• Follow relevant breed health screening recommendations