Jack Russells Zak and Evie joined the clan in February 2005.  Born on a local farm, Zak chose Michelle as his mum at 10 days old and Evie had to come with him as they were joined at the hip. Becky Flanaghan has taken Zak to Grade 6 in two years of competing and has now started to compete wiith Evie

For her next dog Michelle decided she wanted something different and wanted a “proper dog” – a Labrador would not fit into the flat so Rupert the Cocker Spaniel joined the family in August 2007.  He turned 2 on 4th July 2009 and celebrated his birthday a day late by winning into Grade 4 whilst on holiday in Scotland.  He is currently Grade 6.

May 2010 saw an opportunity for Michelle to get her next dog so she and Eileen started looking into a mate for Rupert.  Eventually they found a lovely black bitch with a white blaze and white chinny chin chin and on 3 July 2010 Purdey Blue was collected – then promptly introduced to everybody at a flyball show where she learnt how to negotiate the caravan steps on the first day, get onto the bed in the caravan the second morning  and to get onto the furniture at home the first day she saw it.  She is a super intelligent if very wilful young madam but Rupert (and everybody else) adores her.  Like all the other dogs, Purdey is not registered to Michelle.  It is our intention (subject to health tests being ok) to breed from Purdey and Rupert at some point during 2013.

Since August 2003, Michelle has judged at KC and Independent shows alike, all heights and grades.  Her best estimate is that, during this time, as she averages at least 10 judging appoointments each year, she has judged upwards of 40,000 dogs.  Due to the new KC regulations, she will only accept KC judging appointments at 3 day shows.

  Eileen's (aka Dragon) first love are Labradors.  She started her career with Jetstone Gent (Oz) who died in February 2009 – a gloriously gobby black Labrador boy who had something to say about EVERYTHING in his life. He won Eileen out of Elementary (grade 1) in June 1999 with a second in agility and jumping on the same day.  He never quite managed to get her out of Starters (grade 2) although he consistently managed top 10 placings throughout his career.  His last agility run came last December at 13 ½ years of age.

She also trained and ran briefly sisters Pip and Emmy.  Both black Labs like Oz (and his brother Albie) they were just out of midi height and had to compete over 30”.  This was too much for them so they settled back into life as working dogs during the shooting season, until Independent shows came along which offered them the opportunity of competing over lower heights.  Sadly Emmy died in June 2009 but her sister still goes strong.  She recently celebrated her retirement from agility by winning both the Golden Oldie and Gundog League at Delinquent Dogz.

Next we have Fox Red Labrador Teal.  At 6 she enjoys her agility and regularly gets places at grade 4.  Eileen is concerned that Teal is only doing agility to please her (so so not the case!!!!) so will not be running her at KC shows in 2011 other than Any Size/Allsorts classes.  She is happy jumping 20” at Delinquent Dogz and we would rather have a happy dog.

Chase, the Australian Kelpie (red and tan) who has just turned 6 was rehomed to Eileen during April 2007 at nearly 2 years of age.  She was fat, noisy and uncontrollable and had had no obedience work done with her at all, she did not even know how to walk on a lead.  She competes at grade 4 and has one win under her belt towards grade 5.

Ghillie is a WSD who was homed by Eileen during March 2008 as a pup, she was a Dogs Trust girl.  She has spent 2010 settling into her agility career at Grade 3 – but has confidence and skill to go far.  Here’s hoping. 

Finally, for now, there is Sparky.  He is Chase’s son and was born on  a Friday 13th.  Unlike his mother, Sparky is all black with a tiny white blaze on his chest.  Totally like his mother however, Sparky knows exactly what should be done and when – but is currently trying it on with Dragon.  She tells him he will lose, he looks at her as if to say “bring it on”.  He has started his agility career at NAWS shows in their A grade as his confidence needs to be buillt upon (bet you never thought you would read that about a Kelpie!!!!).

Eileen’s agility highlight (to date) was competing at Crufts on 8th March 2007 with Daisy,  in the only International Pentathalon to ever run.  Out of 5 runs they won the first class, came 3rd in the third, and were 3rd overall against dogs from England, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Spain.

Our dogs, a run down of size and grade

Chase and Teal large grade 4

Ghillie and Sparky large grade 3

Rupert medium grade 6

Daisy medium grade 7 (currently competing in veterans/any size/odd bods

Zak small grade 6

EV small (would be grade 3 at KC – only competes at our shows)