I just love Crufts , meeting up with all my Crumpsbrook family its a joy. I always try to encourage and support new people to the showing game . I remember my first experiences at showing at Crufts ,the butterflies in the tummy, the shaking hands, getting emotional when it goes well. The wonderful feeling when you are on your way home and I love it when others get to experience the same, it wasn’t that long ago, and Crufts has been good to Crumpsbrook. Cassie, Crumpsbrook Acacia, has consistently performed well and her offspring are coming up behind her. We treat the whole day as party. Pete ,Marce and Jackie come in the car with us and we were fed en-route by Marce, wonderful sausage sandwiches washed down with a couple of bottles of bubbles.

I do appreciate that not everyone or every dog is cut out to go in the show ring, and it gives me just as much pleasure when my Munsters branch out in other fields especially when one of Jas and Dougie’s litter, Dill owned by Becky and Paul, make an appearance in the main ring at Crufts doing a Cani-cross demo. We arrived at the show in time to rush to a big screen and cheer them on. Well done you 3!

Anyway back to the showing. Firstly I would like to congratulate Karen on showing Hugo, she has struggled with her nerves for a while now and I have taken him in. He adores his mum and I have hoped that one day Karen would feel able to take him in the ring again. She surprised me by giving it a go on the biggest stage, her thinking was that it was such a huge class that people would not notice her ! So in she went.

Mariet has torn the ligaments in her foot so was unable to run Fynn so Pete ,who so looks the part (new hobby here Pete!) who had  run Fynn with success last year finishing 3rd, was called upon again.

Kate went in with Lionel, Hugo’s brother, both of which are Jas and Dougie puppies. He has been really in form doing well at lots of shows this season.

There were 11 dogs entered in this class, Post Graduate, 5 of which were my puppies, Annette with Simon and Annalise, who only just made it being stuck on the motorway in an accident, with Pippin.

 As I sat by the ringside watching I was so proud of everyone , I know it sounds like a cliché but its true, my heart was beating out of my chest. I couldn’t wish for a lovelier bunch of owners.

Because the class was large the judge, Mrs Hartley made a second cut. Kate and Lionel, Karen and Hugo and Mariet ,Pete and Fynn were all called forward, along with Mandy with her father Malcom’s Moss, Crumpsbrook Rather Gallant, (a son of Cassie’s brother) and the Masons Ichbin Jedi Obi Wan.

By this time I was so excited and when Mrs Mason walked up to Mariet with Fynn to award him the class I leapt out of my chair cheering , then she went to Karen and Hugo for second, more cheering. The Masons were 3rd, Mandy 4th and Katie and Lionel 5th..I was like a kiddy in a sweety shop. What a result!

Things calmed down a bit, just a bit! Cassie was in her first veteran class, she is a super star, so professional. Again a huge class 11 entered so I wasn’t confident. As I knelt to stack her something happened to my leg, I had a sharp pain down the inside of my thigh. I hate my ageing bones. Anyway the pain lessoned as I ran her but there was no way I could kneel to stack. Luckily Kite has struggled to focus when I kneel with her she just wants to play, so I stand to stack her, this meant at least I am practised in another way! Cassie looked a picture and ran well and was pulled in 2nd, I am delighted another highly valued Crufts award. I rushed out to swop to Kite for her first time in the ring at Crufts. At this point I must thank my “stylist to the stars” Marce, for fruffing (don’t ask) the girls. In we went, again a big puppy class, 5 entries. At first Kite just wanted to play I could have done with a little more time with her before going in but I needn’t have worried, something clicked in her head and she stacked and ran so well, with all the professionalism of an old hand. I couldn’t have been happier with her performance. Like her mum she was awarded second, brilliant!

I must mention Keiko and Sarah, Lionel and Hugo’s sister, the poor thing had such a long wait for her class she was totally bored, not surprisingly, so today was not her day, lovely girl though, give her time she is so like her mum Sarah.

We were so late finishing we had to rush off to the horses and dogs at home, another bottle of bubbles was consumed on the way home. 

Well done to everyone at Crufts ,all of the prize card winners, it is a special day. I am off there again tomorrow, Sunday to have a day there shopping and watching main ring events.

Marce bought me a shopping bag with Mad Dog Lady printed on it , maybe it has some truth! 

See you at WELKS 

Our house is living up to its name of Upper Marshes.I am fed up, as I am sure everyone is, with the persistent mild, wet and windy weather. So far though we have escaped the floods we experienced a couple of years ago, mind you that was during the Summer!  Having experienced being under water I can appreciate the traumas families further North are living through, my heart goes out to them.

All our fur and feather are well, if a little soggy. I bought Patrick our Donkey his first rug this year. He is into his thirties now and struggled a little last Winter, maintaining his weight. I am so glad I did. Donkeys coats are thick, but do not have the same texture as a pony, the hair absorbs rain water, this means they get soaked through and stay wet much longer. Patrick is very happy, snugly and thriving. 

The horses are over at their usual residence for this time of year, thankfully. They have their rugs on too and their belly’s are beginning to bulge out underneath! Their tummy’s will soon disappear when they return home and start being ridden again.

I am a lover of Christmas festivities and  this year Mannerly Mutts Agility had its first Christmas Social. A course was set up to play on, I supplied nibbles, mulled wine, tea and coffee (thanks to some of you for bringing yummy food). There was an assortment of Christmas attire for doggies and humans and most importantly it was mild and dry. It was a fab morning, Chris had Christmas music playing and everyone relaxed and chatted. I can see this becoming an annual event. 

Our new venture into agility has been a real success. Due to the surface being non slip and mud free I have held classes right up until Christmas and aim to start again early in the new year, assuming this weather continues. I get the feeling folk are happy to have something to do with their dogs when the weather is awful and daylight in short supply. Agility is such fun, we have a hoot !

I am passionate about my ongoing professional development and want to be the best I can. I am working to become a Member of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association. They have high requirements for membership and the Fellows only support applications from candidates with an appropriate level of experience in specialist dog behaviour. My tutor is a Fellow and he is sponsoring me, so I have lots of work to do before presenting my portfolio. I am also applying to be a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer now I have enough years practical experience under my belt so 2016 is going to be busy.

Christmas day was as joyous as ever, Champagne Cocktails at Margaret’s, our neighbours, but we broke with tradition this year and returned for Christmas lunch. I supplied the Christmas pud and as there were 12 of us, I made a Tiramasu as well. It was fantastic and very much enjoyed.

The girls loved their new toys, tuggy tree and gingerbread man. Ruby enters into the spirit and plays with Pheasant. The old guard Ebby and Willow watch on. They are 9 and 11  respectively this January but though they relax at home more now both have energy to burn out on a walk. In fact Willow put up 2 deer in Wyre Forest on Sunday and disappeared for 1/2 an hour.  Her hunting instinct is unbelievable and she powers through whatever gets in her way, the thickest of cover without a care. We were relieved to see her back. All of the others came back when whistled, but not naughty Granny Willow, good job she is so sensible and worldly wise. She had made her own way back to towards the car. She has always been her Daddy Chris’s, girl and for Christmas I commissioned a portrait sculpture of Willow by Madeleine Vale. Chris loved it as do I, it really captures her personality. We are well aware without her Crumpsbrook would not exist, now she is immortalised. The statue is in the photograph of the girls and their toys, behind them on the window ledge.

I love national hunt racing , so placed a bet on the King George run on Boxing day at Kempton. I have followed a horse called Cue Card for many seasons now (which is why I love NH racing,  the horses feel like old friends returning season after season) and he won by a short head. As you can imagine I was leaping up and down shouting at the tele , it was brilliant and I am now £50 or so better off . Chris has a soft spot for grey horses so I placed an each way bet for him on Al Ferof who was third, so the Bargmans had a good race.

Sunday we  went to Stourbridge dog show with the girls, it was a lovely atmosphere. I made a Paul Hollywood” bun ring thing” I think it is Scandinavian with marzipan and mincemeat like a Christmassy Chelsea Bun and took that and some alcohol for everyone to enjoy. I think it went down well ! Sorry about the sticky fingers! 

We are off to Cheltenham on News Years day racing with our friends, can’t wait. Plenty of bubbles and a Marce and Jo picnic before racing, perfect! I hope 2016 is a good year for everyone, the weather dries up a little and you and your animals stay healthy and happy. What ever your interests enjoy them!

I am sitting at my computer typing this blog because the weather has broken and it is raining. I struggle to be indoors when there are jobs to do outdoors and the sunshine has been wonderful. We are harvesting all our produce out of the vege garden, potatoes have been a bumper crop we have 4 sacks, 2 of a variety called Anya and 2 of Kestral. I couldn’t say the same about the carrots but what we have are stored now , parsnips stay in the ground we dig them as we need them. Sweetcorn were mixed, pollination was hit and miss but they are so sweet, yummy. I freeze the bulk of them on the cob which works well. Tomatoes ,wow, we are beginning to look like tomatoes, ratatouille, tomato soup, etc etc, fantastic. We still have the last few Autumn raspberries too. So all in all a good year. 

Lionel, Crumpsbrook Bayleaf  (Jas and Dougies son) , won the last working test of the year at the GSP Test, in Laverstoke, Hampshire.
Full marks for hunting, which is unheard of, full marks for one retrieve and full marks for water. He won by 8 marks. Such a wonderful achievement. Chris and I went to watch a working test that Matt had entered with Lionel  and I must admit it rekindled my interest, so I have been doing some training with Kite. I am determined to keep the working side of my Munsters to the fore of their breeding ,even though I don’t shoot myself . Heaven forbid they should develop into 2″ types” like a few other gundog breeds.  My problem is time ,but you know what they say “if you want something done ask a busy person !”So maybe I will do a few working tests next Spring. 

Dill  (Jas and Dougie son) continues to do all sorts of canine activities, certainly showing how adaptable Munsters can be. He won his first canicross, I am so impressed by Dill and his dad Paul, he and Becky put  so much time into Dill and Lilly. 

Kite has now been to her first show, Driffield aged 6 months and 5 days .We went up in Betty, my car, with John ,Julie and  Jas, Kite and  Cassie their mother. Kite was awarded second place and her behaviour was brilliant she took it all in her stride ,stood for the judge and trotted around the ring tail wagging. Cassie had a first in Limit seemingly enjoying being back in the ring after her” pregnant pause” Jas had a highly commended. Shame the sun did not push its way through the fog that would have been the icing on the cake.Yummy scones  John and Julie ! Couple more outings for Kite coming up, Malvern next week then Midland Counties. I am pleased to have her Crufts qualification under my belt at the first attempt.

Last Sunday because the weather was stunning, clear blue sky, Chris suggested we take the horses in the lorry and ride over the top of Clee Hill. I am so glad we did , it was wonderful up there, views were fantastic and the horses loved the change of scenery.

 Its stopped raining now so need to get the outdoor jobs done, before dark 🙁 

I have been meaning to write this blog for days but somehow things get in the way .

Firstly something which I missed off my last blog, Keiko and Lionel, Crumpsbrook Angelica and Crumpsbrook Bayleaf, were the first of the Jas/Dougie litter to have their hips and elbows scored. Keiko followed her Grandmother and was scored 0 0 hips 0 elbows and Lionel 4,4 hips 0 elbows. Brilliant news, Hugo from the same litter will be scored shortly. I am thrilled with the consistent, low scores Crumpsbrook Munsters achieve.

National Gundog at Malvern was a great day. I showed Crumpsbrook Basil in Junior and achieved a first place, then I went in again with Crumpsbrook Larche (Fynn) for his mum who wasn’t feeling too well and he won too. We soon realised I couldn’t take both into the challenge so Mariet said she would cope with Fynn.  Ghyllbeck Rapax won the ticket and the Reserve went too …. Fynn, his first RCC. Mariet suddenly felt much better, WOW ,we were over the moon. The achievements of the puppies I breed makes me so happy, I love to encourage new people into showing and enjoy their celebrations when their dogs do well

There are yet more achievements to report, Crumpsbrook Hebe, Sky who is Cassies daughter from her first litter has passed her assessment to be a qualified PAT dog. Many congratulations to Wendy and Bill, Sky’s owners.

I am so proud of you all, whatever your achievements. Keep the news coming I love it .

July has been a bit of a damp squib, fortunately though the sun has shone when needed. I took my horse Johnson to a show for the first time in an age. I was in too much pain before my hip op and since then life has been hectic and he has taken a back seat. So I dusted off his show bridle, polished his saddle, trimmed his legs and mane. He looked a million dollars. The down side was I couldn’t fit into my show jacket and jods, so I purchased a new pair of jods and baulked at buying a new jacket. Amazingly my friend Marce ,who loves charity shops had bought a riding jacket for Pete her hubby, she said for me to try it on and when I did I realised ,because it fitted so well, it was a ladies. RESULT! , I now have a new, well fitting riding jacket. 

Marce has had a new horse called Domino, a 15.2 piebald cob who is gorgeous. He came to the show with Johnson, his and Marce’s first outing. 

They both behaved impeccably, Domino participated in in-hand coloured where he finished second. I entered Johnson in his  first veteran class and I blew it ! I was so ring rusty, cantered on the wrong lead, corrected it but not soon enough and then because I had failed to read the rules for veteran classes, when I did my individual show I extended his canter, something which I have done many times in ridden cob. Then when everyone had done their “bit” we all walked  around the ring. All the other competitors were called in and we were called in last. I was so disappointed, but when the judge handed out the rosettes she came to me and said “you were my winner, the reason I could not award you the class was because in Veteran you do not extend in the canter and that combined with the late canter lead correction was too much to ignore”. So moral of this tail is read the rules! Still I was so proud of Johnson and he loved his day out.

Domino goes to Burwarton, our local agricultural show ,where I think he will do well, watch this space.

Mannerly Mutts had its first stand at a show , The Ludlow Dog Day. We had never done anything like this before but the catchment area was perfect. On the morning we set up in pouring rain but by the time the show opened at 10.00am the sun was out and stayed out for the rest of the day. It was glorious, such a fab setting, Stokesay Court, where the film Atonement was shot ,was stunning. There were 3000 people there and £20,000 raised for charity. We were so busy, talking to clients new and old, it was amazing, such a brilliant day. Something we will do again.

Jas is back with us again for a few days while her mum and dad, John and Julie, are in France. She has slotted straight back in to life here at Catherton. Earlier the same day, before Jas arrived, we took the girls for a run to a woodland not far from here, it was pouring with rain. Willow our oldest Munster did her usual trick of leaving the youngsters to their own excitement and disappeared off hunting , nothing unusual there, but when we whistled for her to return she came back pushing through the undergrowth, her favourite pastime, covered in “Bobby Buttons” the seeds from Cleevers. Never have we seen such a state , sorry no photographic evidence, but I think every bit of her fringing was covered in the b…. things. John and Julie bought Jas over and sat with us helping to tease them out. The others had a few each but nothing in comparison, such a tedious job. 

Cassie went to East of England even though her coat was significantly lacking (odd comment in an otherwise lovely critique from the judge who thought her coat was good). I was very happy with her result of second in Limit. She has now been spayed, which has gone very well and will come out with Kite in the Autumn. 

Kite is at that leggy gangly stage she continues to thrive and so far so good with her development. She is such a wonderful character.

I have had a lot of fun showing Hugo, Crumpsbrook Bayleaf ,during my girls absence. I really rate him, so balanced, square and with substance. His mum Karen struggles with her nerves, bless her, so I will continue to show him for the immediate future. He went to Leeds and won his junior class.

The rest of the  Herb litter, from Jas and Dougie are certainly busy. Lionel has had great success in working tests with Matt and Dill seems happy to try any doggy sport available , I don’t know where his mum and dad,  Becky and Paul, get their energy  from, “oh the joys of youth!” Keiko and Sarah are having  a successful time in the show-ring  too. I am sure Lionel will be back in the ring when Kate and Matt’s new arrival condescends to join us in our world.

Enjoy the summer folks, lets hope August is sunnier.

I have caught up with my garden and vege plot at last, the cool nights have slowed some things down, like my beans,  but they will be fine. The bonus of the cooler nights is the flowering plants like my Iris have bloomed for a lot longer, hot sun certainly causes them to go over quicker. It seems though whatever the weather the lawn still grows!! 

Another thing that is growing at a terrific rate is Kite, I am really pleased with her development so far. She has terrific bone and weighed in at 10 kilos when she went for her second jab 2 weeks ago so heaven knows what she is now. She is really confident and bold but without being cocky and she is really biddable, all in all a joy. She and Ruby are best mates and play all the time, Cassie joins in when it suits her and Ebby and Granny Willow continue to be the grounding influences.

All her siblings have settled well. There have been a few sleepless nights and a few more chewed ankles and hands, all normal Munster development! It is a tricky time in any puppies development, there is so much conflicting advise out there. 3 month old pups of any breed do get frustrated at this age with energy to burn. I personally have never restricted my puppies exercise, I worry more about the impact of concussion on joints, for instance enforced lead walking on pavements, stairs, jumping etc. I also believe in early socialisation. The benefits far out-way the risks of isolation until after vaccinations, all that is required is common sense. Vets do not see the consequences of poorly socialised puppies that have had little or no physical or mental socialisation until the window of opportunity in their social development has passed. A lot of my work is with scared, dog or human aggressive dogs, so often a result of poor advise. 

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We went to the forest recently with all of our dogs plus my friend Jackie and her Border Terrier, Hetty. We were out for 2 hours but when Kite was tired we put her in a rucksack and carried her, well Chris did ! This will not be an option for long though, she will not fit in there for much longer and Chris will not want to hump her around. While we were walking we met a man with 10 dogs – 1 Basset Hound ,1 French Mastiff and 8 assorted Springers and Cockers. This was a grand total of 17 dogs we stood chatting for quite a while, talking dogs ,they were all his own dogs, most of them “re-homes” as he called them, due to people not understanding the requirements of owning dogs. All of the dogs had a brill time, no growling, snapping, just 2 balanced packs interacting as dogs should, it was so refreshing.

As most of you are aware now Mandy has started her own affix, Quillesta . I understand completely this decision, I would have done the same, she is truly hooked on Munsters. Something I can take some responsibility for! 

Chris and I are thrilled with the way John and Julie have welcomed Jas into their lives, she is such a happy girl and so adores her new mum and dad. We will be being surrogate parents again soon when they go on holiday, it will be like old times. We have had Zennor staying with us for a few weeks recently, unfortunately her owners Liz and Mark have both been poorly. I am happy to report they are making good recoveries and Zennor will be returning home shortly. She is a credit to them, her behaviour is impeccable and she has dealt with coming into our pack amazingly well but I know she will be overjoyed to see her mum and dad again.

I know there is a lot more to report but time is of the essence so I will leave it at that for now .

Well what a weekend, I had to choose my puppy. I had narrowed the bitches down to 3 possibles, tricky in itself. I knew what I wanted to achieve, the puppies were gorgeous but I needed to “split hairs”. I narrowed the field to two and continually went from one to the other, I could not decide.

Today, Monday, they were booked in for their microchips so a decision had to be made. By the time I went to bed Sunday evening I thought I was sure, I got up to go to work and when I came home for breakfast I asked Chris to photograph the two “chosen ones” once more.

Topline …good

Reach of neck …good

Angulation fore and aft…good

Forechest …good

Tail set …good 

Straight  forelegs…good

Ribbing… good 

Depth of chest…good

Expression …good 

OMG. this was tough, but one just stood there, perfectly balanced, smiled at me, wagged her tail, made eye contact and declared she was the show girl. Decision made.

Crumpsbrook Kerria is ……..Kite ,Ta Da. 

The first ones go Thursday, I know the people who wanted girls have had to be patient, but they will all be wonderful Munsters, so confident and have all had a clean bill of health at the vets today.

The theme of this litter is Spring Flowering plants, Kerria is a tall plant with yellow pom pom flowers that has been very cheery this Spring. I am so looking forward to her developing and hope she blooms in the ring like her mum Cassie.

I have not had a moment to write my blog,so much has happened so here is a brief resume.

Firstly Crufts was brilliant Crumpsbrook Munsters had a great result so many really good placings .What is so rewarding for me is the number of new exhibitors with my babies. I know how much they love their Munsters and to see how thrilled they are showing at the biggest dog show in the world is unbelievable.

My Shepherds have been in the wars ,Ruby and a narrow escape on the yard with the horses. Johnson ,my cob, decided to push Pepper ,Chris’  horse off his hay and poor Ruby was in the middle .How on earth see escaped ith her foot intact is beyond belief .She had sliced some flesh in-between her first two toes and broken a nail . One visit to the vets and a few stitches later she was fine .She has new found respect for the horses now ! Then Ebby had to go to the vets for x-rays when she became lame.Normal rest for a few days did not help and then 4 days of Rimadyl made no impression, in fact she became much worse over night, preferring not to put the foot down at all .Anyway the upshot of this is the vet was amazed at her joints for an 8 year old Shepherd ,so they were not the cause, there was no sign of bone cancer which I was dredding. So the diagnosis was soft tissue injury. She has had a steroid injection in her shoulder and now we wait and see .Fingers crossed she has not ruptured a ligament or tendon because the prognosis for that is poor . She will have 2 weeks restricted exercise and we will see what happens .

The menage is finished now, I hope never to have to shovel sand again !  My back still isn’t the same, but it is so worth it.

I have been on my residential training course to allow me to teach  agility .My friend Jackie came with me ,she will teach at weekends and summer evenings. My aim is to hold classes during weekdays. Mannerly Mutts are holding an open day on Sunday May 3rd with ,Have-a-go agility, various demonstrations including Agility( hoping for a Munster versus Collie match ), Pet obediance, Heel work to music ,and a Gundog demo .I have a companies coming who specialise in raw food , doggie shampoo and herbal treatments, a groomer, and several products like special hand made doggie throws .  Everyone wecome.

 Cassie is imminently due to whelp, everything is ready in the maternity wing. She is very uncomfortable now and her temperature dropped this morning Thursday. Keep fingers crossed everyone for a safe arrival of the munchkins . Will obviously update as soon as I can .

Cassie has been scanned this morning . We are delighted to say we saw lots of little “splotts” so Dexter and Cassie will, all being well, be parents in 5 weeks time approximately. The theoretical date is March 3oth, it will fly by as March is my favourite month; Crufts, Cheltenham festival and this year my agility training course. Very exciting! 

The doggies are having a brilliant time here as the sand has arrived for our arena and they think it is there for them to play in. The downside is we have sand everywhere. Every morning the doggie beds are full of sand and if they shake there is a sand storm. I think I am going to change my address to Catherton-On-Sea! 

Horses are home now too, we have clipped them so they look much smarter than when they arrived home. This was the first year they hadn’t been rugged  and their coats were very woolly, but their skin looks great and they look so well. The downside was the clippers really struggled and we were covered in hair but at least we will not have the moulting hair issue in a couple of months time. I hate that.

I still not convinced my knee will be up to running in the ring with Jas and Fynn( Jas’ brother) so I will stack them and Chris or our friend Pete are going to run them for me if needed. 

Have attached photo and video clip of Ruby and Milo playing on the sand 

Had a lovely day at the club show ,the weather was beautiful, almost a shame we were cramped indoors for the showing.

Crumpsbrook had a brilliant day.

Crumpsbrook Bayleaf Von Rulander won minor puppy and puppy dog.

Crumpsbrook Rather Gallant Moss won Junior dog and Best dog then went on to win Best in Show such a brilliant achievement. He belongs to Mandy’s Dad Malcolm and is a puppy Mandy bred by Oscar ,Crumpsbrook Robinia out of Esther Raycris Quite Unique .Heart felt congratulations Mandy .

Crumpsbrook Mispel was unopposed but was placed first in Novice Dog and Graduate Dog

Crumpsbrook Robinia, Oscar was third in Limit dog .

Dougie, CH. Paddockridge Rulander won open dog and special working dog then went on to get reserve Best Dog  

Then came the girls;

Keiko, Crumpsbrook Angelica was 2nd in minor puppy and puppy bitch. What a pretty girl, she is so correct and moves well.She showed brilliantly, well done Sarah.

 Crumpsbrook Rather Elegant, Poppy, won junior bitch ,another Oscar x  Esther pup bred by Mandy.

Crumpsbrook Jasmine, Jas  second in Post Grad, only two entered but she went well

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 Crumpsbrook Accacia, Cassie won her limit class, the judge Larry Wilkes said she won it on her movement, second to Cassie was Esther

What a day for Crumpsbrook. Many Congratulations Mandy and Malcom, enjoy every minute. It won’t be long before he gets his first ticket, maybe Crufts, now that would be  special. I’ll be rooting for you. 

I was thinking on the way home how enjoyable it was running  without any pain, then guess what, I go to work this morning at the paper shop and fall over behind the till, tripping over cables. I fell straight on my knee without breaking the fall. I am now hobbling again, same leg so I’m well practised ! The frozen peas are out again and the ibuprofen, bum !! 🙁   At least it has enabled me to write my blog.

Cassie could be 2 weeks pregnant now 2 more to go before her scan. So exciting.Will confirm or other wise as soon as I know. 

Other brill news is Crumpsbrook Camellia, Ava  has had all  her health tests and the results couldn’t be better 00 hips 0 elbows, clear HUU. and clear hereditary cataracts, my third 0 hip and elbow scores, Cassie, Oscar and now Ava. Ava works with a hawk and does agility, a really versatile girl, super news Wendy.

Milo the Portuguese Water dog, is staying with us for his annual vacation, he and Ruby are having a great time. The photo is breakfast time in our lounge, sorry about my dishevelled appearance still in my jim jams!

See you all at Crufts, yeh !  

Well eventually Jas came into season, her first since her litter last April, followed a couple of days later by Cassie, hurrah!

I took her up to the Hargreaves on Monday 26th for her romantic liaison with Dexter. True to form Cassie played a little coy ! Anyway Dexter was very keen, poor boy has had 2 of his fellow Munsters in season at home so he was very happy to oblige. I am very excited about this mating as it is something different for me, a return to old Ghyllbeck lines  (Holcus), which is way back in Willows pedigree, (Willow is Cassie’s mum) and a German import line (Dixon Ciperro).

I know there are a few families that will be waiting for this news with great anticipation. I usually scan at 28 days or so for a conformation of pregnancy. That is the worst time, those 4 weeks seem to take for ever. Still remember that special things are worth waiting for ! 

 This does mean that Cassie will not be at Crufts this year. Jas will be there hopefully, and a few other representatives of Crumpsbrook Munsters.

If any of you can come to Crufts on Thursday 5th March come and say hello. If you haven’t been before it really is amazing and worth a trip. I will also be there again on the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training stand on Friday 6th, chatting to people about all things doggy. I can’t wait, I love it.

As far as home is concerned we have largely missed the snow so far 🙁 we had a sprinkling but that was all.  Perhaps there is time yet, I would love to be snowed in for a short while anyway.

Porta cabin has arrived, Chris has been busy repairing various bits of it. Delivery was a little stressful as the lorry got stuck on our surface luckily after he had lifted the cabin off. Our old riding surface had rotted down and was very slippy but Chris had borrowed a friends 4 wheel drive tractor and he managed to tow the lorry off. The riding surface has gone now to our local tree nursery as a mulch for their Conifers. Sand and fibre will be replacing it as soon as weather permits. Perfect for riding and my dog agility plans.

We have had our usual festivities here at Catherton. Plenty to eat and drink and some lovely walks with the girls. We will be going to Cheltenham races again on New Years day which I really look forward to, its such a lovely way to welcome the New Year in.

Jas’s puppies are growing up and I have managed to see Keiko and Hugo at LKA in December. Kate, bless her, had a good idea to take Lionel and enter Any Variety Gundog Puppy. Sarah and Karen entered to and I went along to see the pups. Lionel I have seen regularly and Keiko a few times but Hugo I hadn’t seen since he left at 8 weeks. They are such quality all of them. Keiko was the little girl I would have kept, so I shall watch with interest. Lionel and Hugo will both be regularly shown as well and my plans are to keep a Dexter and Cassie bitch pup and mate to either of these handsome boys. That of course is a long way in the future, I cannot help myself, thinking ahead. Lots of bridges to cross in the meantime but so exciting.

Cassie has had her DNA colour test done and can only have black and white puppies, good news and she has now had her eye test updated which is clear again. Now we are waiting for her to come into season. I have entered both her and Jas at Manchester in January and the club show February. Jas to is due in season, she hasn’t had one since her litter in April, but my theory is I would be disappointed if I hadn’t entered and they could have gone. I shall hold out until as late as possible for Crufts entries as that is more expensive.

It is sad that Jas and Dougie’s babies will not be at Crufts due to the lack of qualifying shows at the correct time. They were not old enough at the last Champ show of the season and we do not have another qualifier until WELKS in April, that is obviously for 2016. This means they will miss their puppy and junior classes at Crufts and will hopefully appear as post grads for their first visit. Large Munsterlanders have a 6 month period without Champ Shows with tickets October – April, we have to be placed in the first three at these shows to qualify for the following Crufts. I am sure this has been noted before but perhaps its time to push for a change. Something I will bring up at our Committee meetings.

The horses are coming to the end of their holidays, they are so woolly and fat it will be good to have them back. Neither of them did much last summer, I was incapacitated with my new hip and Chris was busy looking after me and the menagerie single handed, then we had the litter of pups and so the summer vanished.

I have exciting plans for my Mannerly Mutts business to for next year. I have 2 modules left to do then I will be qualified to do insurance work on dogs with behavioural issues. I have a porta cabin arriving next week which will be my office and consult room. At the moment owners and dogs come into my conservatory, not ideal as a lot of the dogs are very stressed or unbalanced and that brings its own issues. I am also planning agility classes at home on our riding surface so its all happening.

Whatever 2015 brings for you I hope it is successful and most of all a happy year, see you at the shows.

This year has gone by so quickly its scary. Crumpsbrook has had an amazing year in the show ring, Cassie has now got 2 tickets. One at Crufts and the second at Leeds. Yes, I would love to get a third, but I am thrilled to have bred a Munster from my first litter that has achieved what she has, to date !

Mandy has had success with her first litter too, Poppy, Oscar and Esther’s daughter, has her first RCC. Moss, Poppy’s brother, has had success too winning lots of puppy classes. 

Jas has had a busy year, she had her first litter of 9 puppies earlier in the year. Our friends Kate and Matt own the father Dougie, some of them will be out in the ring next year and they are looking very promising. Jas is looking good again, her coat is back and she will go to Crufts in the Spring, she is such a sweet girl, I am blessed.

Crumpsbrook is going from strength to strength, I am so proud,with the foundation and I always look to the future. With this in mind I have had long pondering’s about my breeding plans. I do have a plan to mate Jas to Dougie again in a year or two, the temperament and working ability,especially Dougie, of these two bodes well for the offspring. The problem I have is the bloodlines. The issue with Munsters is the small gene pool. This, combined with the rigorous health tests, make it tricky to find a suitable boy. I do not want to go abroad, I like to  meet my future stud dogs. I leave that side to others that have the knowledge and contacts abroad , and  foreign health tests are not as rigorous as here, which has caused issues. I prefer to wait and see what the resulting puppies from these matings are like, then consider the offspring. This is exactly what I have done. Those of you that know me may be surprised at my choice initially, not least because the dog is a big boy. I am not keen on dogs that are over breed height standard. My view is the standard is there for a reason and we should attempt to breed  to that standard, particularly with issues that may effect the dogs soundness. Tall is not necessarily good, an analogy I use is my cob Johnson. He is not tall, 15.3 h, but has great depth and bone, he could carry a greater weight all day hunting than a 17.2 thoroughbred for example. With my lines I have the opposite issue, my girls are consistently on the lower height standard and the boys could do with a little more masculinity, so I hope you can see my reasoning. What I like is a square Munster with good depth of chest, strong bone and balanced angulation fore and aft. I realise this is my personal interpretation and that’s why I am passionate about breeding. Its fascinating and exciting.  Pleased to announce results are back of Casssie’s colour DNA test and she is Black Black.

The boy I have chosen is Ellscott Glen Finnan Illa Ghyllbeck or Dexter to his friends. I had been warned by Mandy and Kate he is a big lad but to be honest when I met him I was not put off. He has substance to die for, such good strong bone and when I looked at him from a distance he didn’t look lanky or tall because he is in proportion. My other emphasis is on temperament and he is a joy, so affectionate, level headed and biddable. He didn’t know me from Adam yet coped with my stacking and going over him without any fidgeting. He has a classic melting expression which definitely worked on me. My plan is to keep a bitch pup, its so exciting. 

Hope you like the revamped website. Thanks Chris !

Ruby my new Shepherd puppy has her own page now. She is 8 months old now and such a fluff ball, her coat is the richest colour. She is just the most perfect girl I adore her. We often take her into our village and she attracts so much attention because she is so beautiful. She will have her health tests in Spring 2015.

Will keep you posted on Cassie and Dexter. 

It seems an age now since we had Jas’s litter running around. Life has returned to as normal as it ever is here . Decorating completed, chimney repaired and we have managed a couple of special days out with Pete and Marce. One to Gatcombe horse trials and the other to our local agricultural show, Burwarton. We had lovely food in the shape of a picnic at Gatcombe, which Marce and I are well practised at, a few bottles of bubbles, one “proper job” for Petes’ birthday.Then at Burwarton we take it in turns to produce a breakfast, it was Marces turn this year and she did us proud with a full English, yum.Both of these were much needed after such a busy year so far. 

Chris and I had a long trip down to Paignton Show which was made worthwhile by a visit to Liz and Mark’s lovely home in Ipplepen. They are proud owners of Zennor (Cassie’s daughter from her first litter) and made us very welcome.

Jas has recovered from her duties, she and Ruby are loving one another, I think Jas has taken the place as playmate for Ruby since the pups have gone. Her coat is sparce and she is entered into a couple of shows at the tail end of the season , I hope to qualify her for Crufts 2015 ,fingers crossed.

Cassie has been out a couple of times, its good to be out there again ,I can now run ,pain free, around the ring, such a shame Cassie has decided not to oblige !! She has been a right madame refusing to  move in the ring  . She has been pushing for” top dog”at home in our pack, showing dominant tendencies over Ebby ,my Shepherd . Ebby had not been herself for a while  and was allowing Cassie to dominate. Since Ebby was spayed a few months ago her energy levels have returned and she is so much better, this has resulted in her not being such a pushover. I am thinking Cassie had carried her new elevated position over Ebby to Chris and I . Not acceptable, in our household with 5 girls. We have been doing some training with her on a one to one basis to help reinforce our position as leaders. Though I do believe a pecking order has to be in place amongst the girls and they must be allowed to sort this between themselves, Chris and I have to be the ultimate leaders.Obviously the pecking order amongst the girls, will alter as new puppies come in and others get older, but our position has to be consistent.

During this phase of Cassie’s life she went to Leeds Championship show and won her Limit class and then went on to win her second C.C. Challenge Certificate , under Julie Derby , I know she has loved Cassie, having awarded her Best Puppy a few years ago. She obviously felt she had enough qualities and had seen enough movement to award her the ticket. I am very grateful to her, though part of me wishes her performance had been better . Two tickets down now, one to go ,who knows if or when, she will achieve her Show Champion title, but I love her conformation and am realistic about her chances.

Ruby my Shepherd pup is 6 months old now, she has developed into a lovely young lady. The longcoat German Shepherd has always been a weakness of mine. Some of you may be aware the coat length is not correct breed standard as it is at the moment . Shepherds have always thrown long coats even in Germany their homeland. It is a recessive gene . The German controlling authorities have never tried to remove this gene ,it is even described in their breed standard , the coat must still have a double layer. Times are changing and they now have classes for longcoats in Germany and the Kennel Club are considering including them too . I shall enter Ruby at LKA and see what happens, apparently some judges are accepting them. Watch this space !

Johnson my cob has had a very lazy summer, I even questioned whether I really missed riding and ought to sell him. Well that idea went as quickly as it came. I have got back in the saddle now and am loving it. He is such a special character, suits me so well , it has been a treat riding again and amazing to be able to get on and go without pain. He ain’t going nowhere! 

 We will be doing a puppies 2014 page on the website and a page for Ruby in the very near future. Honest !! 

Have managed today to take some photos of Ruby and Jas both of whom are growing! 

Ruby’s ears are a source of amusement, they seem to alternate every day ,which one is standing up. She has now had her last jabs and has taken her first exciting walks on the common ,with me, still on one crutch but managing. Her recall is really good. One piece of advise I was given by a lady who’s training classes I used to go, to many moons ago, was to go out on walks without the rest of a new puppies pack members ,that way they learn to focus on you and not the other dogs.I have followed this advise for many years and it certainly works even if you only have one other dog. I often take a single dog out for some special one on one time and they love it . 

 Jas has 2 weeks to go now pups are due on the 22nd May ,she is so “mumsie” it is amazing.She is eating well and her behaviour is so calm. She goes out for her walk still, but on her own .Nature is a wonderful thing to see the change in her is amazing. The last week, her tummy has really grown. 

We will get the ” Maternity Wing” of the lounge ready next week so she can familiarise herself with it. Chris and I have fingers crossed that everything goes well for Jas and the little “Splots” however many there are . I know there are some excited people out there and we will keep you posted as soon as we have news. 

There was a mass exodus of Crumpsbrook Munsters to Malvern and WELK’s, the first championship show of the 2014 season. Jas stayed at home with important duties to perform ! Cassie was entered and after a much needed bath she  left loads of her coat clogging the plug hole. She is loosing the beautiful coat which helped her to her win at Crufts. Kate took Cassie in her limit class  for me and did a brilliant job, thank you. She had a third place.

There were 8 Crumpsbrook representatives there in total, Mandy was showing 2 of Oscar’s (Cassie’s brother) and Esther’s litter, Poppy, Moss and their dad Oscar. Another litter mate was having its first chance in the ring, Bertie with his mum Caroline. Cassie had 3 of her sons there from 2 litters, Henry with his mum Karen, Fynn with his mum Mariet and Simon and his mum Annette.

 The results were amazing, Poppy won her class, best puppy, beating her brother and the reserve CC. (Many congratulations Mandy).  Moss won his puppy class . Fynn won his junior class, Simon was 2nd in the same class. Then Henry followed on with a 2nd in post graduate.

The wonderful thing is all of these dogs have now qualified for Crufts 2015. I think I can safely say Mandy and I are both so proud of our Crumpsbrook puppies achievements. Not a bad result from just 4  litters between us. We managed to take a group photo of everyone. From left to right – Oscar, Poppy, Moss, Henry, Bertie, Simon, Fynn and Cassie.

Jas is being a sensible girl and has really taken the responsibility of impending motherhood seriously. She is even more affectionate, if that’s possible, and is eating well again after her “morning sickness”.

Ruby, my Shepherd pup is absolutely gorgeous, such a fluff ball and so cute. She is really sensible, treats the horses with utmost respect and is really quite grown up. Ebby’s influence perhaps. That’s not saying she doesn’t get up to the normal puppy behaviour, those teeth are like needles especially around your ankles and she adores chewing the rubber ferrel on my walking stick ,which will return to the hospital complete with tooth marks, oops. Still someone said I ought to take a photo of her with me when I return for my check up in 3 weeks and because she is so cute they will forgive the damage! 

I am pleased to report I have had my new hip and everything went well. I decided not to have a general anaesthetic  so I was aware of the whole procedure. Though the drilling and banging were a little disconcerting I am so glad I made that choice as my recovery was instant. I stayed in hospital until  Monday 7th, it was lovely to be home again to see my girls.

Chris has been managing , just about, with all of the chores as well as looking after me, but I am now much more independent, the only thing I cannot do is put my socks on. Friends and neighbours locally have been wonderfully supportive with visits and food parcels, so at least Chris has been well fed. The horses have had an extended break but it won’t be long now and I shall be back in the saddle. The other things I am looking forward to is sitting on the settee with my girls having a cuddle, I have to sit on a raised arm chair and going for walks with them. We love packing a picnic and setting off to Wales with them for a day’s walking ,can’t wait.

I was very keen to go to Carmarthen to pick up Ruby, our new GSD puppy, all went well and she is now settled here at Catherton. I knew the Father of the litter as I had tried to mate Ebby to him which was unsuccessful, so when the opportunity came to have litter pick of the girls from one of Hilarys bitches I was tempted. Even more so when I read her pedigree, she has fantastic German bloodlines that I knew well and love. This was fate, admittedly I did not expect to be going in to hospital so quickly to have my hip done, but hey -ho life is for living ! Ruby is gorgeous, such a pretty girl, very confident and she has fitted in really well. Her training will be a struggle for another week or so as I am not allowed to bend down but she will soon catch up. She is responding to her name well and has started to sit. We took her on her first adventure with Ebby, Willow, Cassie, Jas and Sully, who was staying for the weekend, in my car to visit Carol and Otto.

We took Jas to the vets for her scan this morning, her appointment followed on from my appointment at the doctors to have my staples removed, another step along the road to recovery.

I am pleased to confirm she is pregnant, Chris and I are excited as I am sure Kate and Matt, Dougies owners are (they are having litter pick of the boys). The puppies are due 22nd May. I had a good gut feeling that she was pregnant, she is really quiet, not like her at all, and has refused her breakfast, a sign of doggie morning sickness. Having said that phantom pregnancy can lead you to the wrong conclusion which has happened to us before. 

Proud parents to be. Dougie and Jas.

I have now had my operation date for my hip, Friday 4th April. So basically we are trying to get things sorted here at Catherton. The timing for my vege garden is not ideal but beds are dug over now and are ready for planting. I still have some herbaceous borders to weed and cut back but I am getting there. 

We have been to Carmarthen to choose our new GSD puppy, she is so pretty, lovely strength of bone and real quality as I expected from such a wonderful pedigree. I am wracking my brains for a name and haven’t yet settled on one so will update you on that soon. She is arriving here the week after my opp, I am hoping to go to fetch her with Chris but I shall have to wait and see how I am, a 3 hour journey may not be ideal, we shall see. In case I am grounded our friend  Marce is booked to go with Chris and I shall have to wait patiently at home. At least I can write my blog about her exploits while I am incapacitated.   

I have had so many photographs from Crufts sent to me and many emails of congratulations plus cards, thank you all so much. I still smile when I think of that wonderful day. Cassie came home and I am convinced she knew she was special, she strutted around home very pleased with herself. As promised some more photos and video of the occasion. Even at Crufts Jas wanted to swim after the ducks in the lake, good job Marce had a firm hold.

Jas and Dougie have had a “dirty weekend” Dougie actually came to visit and what a gentleman he proved to be. Fingers are now crossed in various households across the country. She will go to be scanned at approx 4 weeks. Lets hope for a positive outcome. I will keep my blog updated on progress.