Haverlands Old English Sheepdogs

 

Crufts 2008

This year saw me with a car full for the return journey, which was nice as we chatted all the way down and back, making the travelling feel much shorter. My travelling companions included my friend Dorothy Brocklesby-Evans as usual, together with my best friend Kay (who is really a Labrador nut but puts up with our bobtail ranting very well) and Linda who is obsessed with working Border Collies, having 14 of her own ! The day was enjoyable but I can't honestly say that it was the most exciting Crufts I have ever attended. No real buzz at ringside this year for some reason. The day for me seemed not quite what it usually was and I don't really know why ?

Spent a fortune loading myself up with vet bedding and 'bogof' dog and puppy wormers. Met and chatted with hosts of really nice people along the way. Enjoyed a glass of champagne and nibbled the buffet set up alongside the benches by Jeanette (thankyou) in aid of her daughter Victoria's 21st birthday (last wednesday) which they decided to celebrate at Crufts !  (One memory not to be forgotten)

Got a bit of video of ringside and the odd picture which I will attempt to uplaod shortly

---

Crufts 2007

Well...This year travelling wise was much better than last. No roadwork or accident holdups on the A42/M42 so we had a nice clear run down to the NEC and even better than that the carparking was sorted and when we left it took all of 15 minutes to leave and head home. A vast improvement on last year I'm happy to say

The OES on show were wonderful and 'so many with tails' including the Best of Breed winner; Something we are all likely to have to get used to in future years.

Here's the BOB winning dog 'Aryakas Cosmo Junior'

His father, Reatas Cosmopolitan took the same title last year. 

He's 2nd from the left being judged in the video. The dog to the right of him is Sue Goddard's Brinkley American Pie which took Reserve Ticket. I love this dog!

I hope you enjoy the short video!

 

---

 

 Crufts 2006

Mixed feelings about this years show!

We were hindered by traffic problems and arrived later than we had planned. Usually we are benched and at ringside by 8am but this time with roadworks and road accidents we landed at 9.40 and missed the first classes judged and not a seat in the house.  By the time we arrived judging was well under way. We had missed our beloved Digby strutting his stuff but watched him get reserve in good citizens later on.  What a fabulous dog that took BOB this year. Not unexpected by any means but CH Reata's Cosmopolitan without doubt deserved it all. A Greek dog currently staying here in the UK but likley to return eventually. 

I did note just how many overseas dogs were big winners on the day and I'm sure this will continue throughout the Event.

We finally left the venue at 4.55pm but were then confined to the longest queue in NEC carpark that I had ever known.  We queued for 2hours and 20 minutes before eventually exiting and starting the long journey home. I have never seen as many raised tempers. It was pure luck that there were no fights between drivers.  NEC staff could or would not assist or advise.  The whole situation was a farce. We arrived home at 9.45pm and were absolutely wrecked.

This is the first time in many years of attending Crufts that I have reservations on the return next year.  Maybe time will heal my wounds!

Having said that, my mobile was redhot and I caught up with some old and dear friends and met even more new ones.

We took some nice photos and hopefully will put some up for you to see shortly.

Photos courtesy of Jeanette Richardson and Victoria

 

 

---

CRUFTS 2005
We had a great day out as always and watched some spectacular examples of our breed in the show rings.  Competition was strong this year but congratulations must go again to Jeanette and Digby (Maritime Blue) who took a very well deserved 4th place in the yearling dog class. I'm sure we'll all be there again next year to try again.........................

Rose and her bitch "Jazzll Dazzle for Mistyrose" in Crufts showring

 

 

2004

At Crufts Dog Show 2004 three of Haverlands puppies were highly placed.  Huge congratulations go to Jo Huggan with "Little Man of Strathmore" who took 2nd in Junior Dog with Jeanette Richardson and "Chase The Vision" coming 3rd behind her and Rose Fells with Jazzll Dazzle for Misty Rose being placed 5th in Junior bitch class. We are very proud of them all!

All three have now qualifed for Crufts 2005, together with another of our younger dogs "Maritime Blue" who is also with Jeanette. We wish them all the very best of Luck and will be there to cheer them all on next March.

We do generally know where there are litters already born or  planned so if you are searching for a bobtail puppy then please let us know, we may be able to help you.

Murphy 'shattered'	Alas Smith and Jones

We would like you to meet Murphy, who has recently come home to us as his owners cannot keep him due to business commitments. Murphy is a lovely chap. Full of the joys of spring and has settled really well. He's enjoying canine games and companionship from our other dogs and is a pleasure to have around

The Animal Welfare Bill became Legislation on April 6th 2007

...meaning a complete and absolute ban of tail docking of all breeds of dog in the UK...

 The Council For Docked Breeds has advised breeders not to contravene the bill and most docking vets are or have already ceased docking !

Please do not try to buy a puppy wanting it to be docked. It is now very much illegal!

..................................

For those of you who didn't know about the bill that had been making it's way through Parliament :-

For a number of years now in this country it has been quite lawful to dock breeds of dog if the proceedure is undertaken by a Veterinary Surgeon.  Some have declined to participate but others have given their services and continued to dock.

The Animal Welfare Bill includes proposed legislation to cease the proceedure of docking dogs.

The bill went before the House of Commons on 14th March 2006 when MP's voted for a ban on the docking of dogs leaving only exceptions for certain working dogs.  The bill will now progress through to the House Of Lords, possibly by 27th March and how they vote will decide the outcome of docked breeds in this country.

Obviously if there is a total outright ban then the appearance of all the docked breeds including OES will be changed forever

We will update when we know the result

Details of the bill etc can be seen on the Council For Docked Breeds Website at http://www.cdb.org/

 

In early December 2005 we found what we thought to be a mammary tumour on Jade which was confirmed by our Vet the next day.  She went in for the operation the very next day (last Friday 9th December) and we spent a very tense day biting fingernails awaiting the outcome.

I can report that..so far so good! Our vet was an absolute star and so was Jade. She sailed through the operation and came home the same evening with a 12 inch scar on her under carriage and two drain tubes sewn in alongside.  We took her for a check up today (12th) and she was remarkable spritely and happy with herself.....Not bad for a 91/2 year old big girl! 

Hopefully the tubes can come out later this week and her many stitches next week, fingers crossed. Will keep the site posted!

22nd December

Jade has had both drainage tubes and now stitches removed on 19th. The wound was clean and the bruising all but gone until yesterday when she had a small relapse and is now back on antibiotics and anti inflamatories for another week as fluid started to build up and she became uncomfortable.  Can I say that she's relishing the extra attention!

August 2006 sees both Jade and Jess in really good Health.

 As you can probably see it's a toss up to see which one "ate all the pies"

Excuse the grubby floors! These two girls are scruffs and I'm just waiting for dog friendly dark grey slate tiles