Cookie is on a roll !

We have had a good couple of shows recently. Firstly we attended the Flatcoated Retriever Society Open Show in Leicestershire. It was a very damp day, made worse by a tiny hall for the show, such a shame as the grounds outside were beautiful. Good news for next year though as the show will be moving to the Kennel Club building at Stoneleigh, which is a lovely venue with lots of space and good catering !!!!!!! But we had a lovely day despite the weather and venue, the bitch judge was Helen Osborne-Brown, Jive was 5th in Veteran, Tuva 4th in Post Graduate and Cookie was 1st in Puppy Bitch ! So a lovely collection of rosettes !!

Yesterday we attended Southampton Open Show which is held in the Royal Victoria Country park in Netley Abby right next to the beach. Such a lovely venue, so much space and a very relaxed atmosphere. Our judge was all rounder John Taylor (Tannadice) he awarded Cookie 1st in Puppy and Jive 2nd in Open. Cookie then went on to be shortlisted in the Gundog Puppy Group under Lyn Strudwick (Burpham). We had such a lovely day with friends at the show. We took our picnic chairs and table, and had a lovely lunch in the sunshine.

Cookie & Tuva Crufts Qualified !

Well what a good couple of shows for Team Harlistream ! First was the Birmingham National Show under Jan Erik Ek. Cookie and Tuva were in attendance, it was a very windy day, with the ring full of smells and long grass, all making for a recipe of disaster with a head strong Flatcoat puppy ! Cookie certainly enjoyed herself in the ring (I'm not sure I did!). You know your in for a bad time, when even the judge can't stop laughing, and notes "she certainly enjoys life" ... Well miraculously Cookie was placed 2nd in Puppy Bitch (really not sure how we managed that!) and therefore qualified for Crufts 2016. Tuva performed brilliantly in Post Graduate, but no place that day.

Next up was Bath Championship show under Karen Joyce, always a favourite of ours due to the excellent ground and ring size, this year was no different. First up was Cookie, due to last weeks performance we were all very hesitant, however she decided to behave and listen to me (I know !!!!) She was a different puppy, it was glorious sunshine, no wind, and very short grass, maybe all these things helped !?! Anyway she was a star, and was awarded 3rd in Puppy Bitch. Tuva was entered in Post Graduate bitch, predictably the largest class of the day, she was on a mission to run around the ring as fast as she could ! She thoroughly enjoyed herself, and I really struggled to keep up with her ! We were so happy when she was awarded 2nd, and therefore qualified for Crufts 2016 ! This was only her second show of the year after a long break last year to mature, and I am so proud of her !

So understandably we are thrilled that the full team will be at Crufts next year, Cookie, Tuva and of course Jive who is qualified for life ! Now we have a relaxing summer of shows with the girls to look forward to !

2015 Round-Up !

I haven't been very good at updating the blog, so I shall start from the beginning of the year. Not much happened in January Cookie was 6 months at the end of the month, so February saw the start of a few Open Shows. We haven't done many Open shows for such a long time, we'd forgotten how nice it was to be at a show which was within an hour of home ! We really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere around the Open ring, which is a little lacking at the Championship shows. We must hold our hands up the fact that Open entries are dwindling, I myself have only just started entering Opens again as they are excellent practice for Championships shows for puppies. I know this attitude is not helpful, however it has made me realise that Opens are fun ! Something I think you forget when you show so much at Championship shows. I will now make much more of a concerted effort to support my local Opens. Cookie has done well at the Open Shows, having many placings, inlcuding Best Puppy In Breed at Hampshire Gundog Open Show under Stella Oliver.

Proud Cookie and her Best Puppy rosette

March saw CRUFTS, the biggest show in the showing calendar. We had such a fantastic time, it's such a unique show, we saw friends from all over the world, it was so lovely to catch up ! It was a quiet show for us this year. We took only Jive who was in Veteran Bitch, typically she was in one of the biggest classes of nearly 30 bitches ! We are so proud of her though, she made it through the cuts and got down to the final 7 but was unplaced, she was a superstar ! Love my Bunny Dog !

April saw a big event, Cookie's first eye test including gonioscopy, the lovely Ian Mason tested her, and thankfully she passed with flying colours. So Cookie has clear eyes, such a relief !! Just have to get through the hip scoring later in the year !

Cookie Arrives !

After much sadness when we lost our little puppy Java at 6 months of age, we finally have something to smile about. Mathilda Luckner from the famous Explicit Kennel in Sweden has allowed us to have a puppy from her beautiful Toby x Kakan litter. Last week I picked up Explicit I Love Cookies, pet name Cookie. Her father is Swe Ch Black Mica's For Those Who Dare and her mother is Swe Ch Explicit I Love Fame. Cookie is such a sweetheart, we look forward to having lots of fun with her. A huge thank you to Mathilda for allowing us to have her !

Chance wins at Gundog Society of Wales !

After much heartache at the loss of our beautiful little puppy Java who was taken from us far too soon at the tender age of 6 months; highlights have been few and far between. However recently things have been looking up. We attended Gundog Society of Wales Championship Show under judge Carole Coode. The sole representative was Chance (Harlistream Astrada) and he did us proud. Chance won a fabulous Post Graduate Dog class, we are so proud of the boy. Thank you so much to Lorraine for keeping him in such fantastic condition. Also thank you so much to Terri & Andrew Durrant for the wonderful photos of such a special day.

Introducing our newest family member ...

We are very happy to announce the arrival of our new puppy. Her name is Java (Black Mica's Let's Dance at Harlistream IMP SWE) and she was bred by Linda & Cecilia Edberg in Sweden. I cannot thank them enough for allowing us to have Java. She is a very special little lady, and will be a much loved addition to our family. We wish all Java's brothers and sisters well in their new homes, especially brother Rossi who also has come to the UK !

Open Shows Galore

We've had some lovely Open Show results recently. We attended Windsor Gundog under Allison Laird. Tuva (H. Ellerstina) won her class and went Best of Breed. This was a lovely surprise, and her first BOB at Open Show level.

At South of England Gundog under Helen Fox (Blacktoft) Tuva won Graduate, and Jive (Clandrift Dirty Dancing at H.) was 3rd in Open. This was a lovely day, great atmosphere, and lots of fun, including baby puppy cuddles !

Continuing the winning streak, Tuva won Post Graduate under Janette Morrissey at Guildford Open Show, Jive was 4th in Open. This was an interesting show, rain, mud, cold and an equestrian barn made for a lively show !

I had the honour of judging the Boston Premier Show at Newark Showground. I had a lovely entry and gave Best of Breed to Lyn Walker's beautiful Gloi Dubh Drumellie JW. I had a fabulous time and was able to cuddle some gorgeous dogs !

The final piece of news is that our newest addition to the family will be arriving in a matter of days. Watch this space for photos and more information !