New life ...

2 years ago we lost our 13 beloved dogs but they say every cloud has a silver lining . Our silver lining came in the fact that 2 weeks ago we had a litter of 6 beautiful fox red Labradors and this week - 4 days later so we were on tenderhooks a litter of 9 a mix of black and fox red Labradors. Another twist to this story is the mother of the mixed litter was concieved just a week before we lost the others . We had bred her mother and sold Sky and her brother as puppies to a lady who then came back to us use one of our stud dogs. We then bought 3 black girls out of this litter as we were worried we would lose our lines to keep out blood lines going. Jack calls them all Willow but there is Chloe who really is now called Willow , Sky and as she was black in colour and at that time the skies felt really black and Abbie after Byland Abbey. The first litter now have their eyes open and crawling about ,the second litter are just like tiny puppies are drinking and sleeping. So apologies to all of you who are waiting to see the puppies. Time seems to go by so quickly. One is already earmarked to go to the top of Scotland . The people have had 3 already from us but sadly lost one and have been very patient waiting for this litter to arrive. They got their last in lock down so it made for us a nice trip out to meet the lady half way. We had to pass a red squirrel area on the way but unfortunately didnt see any but it was a nice ride out,

What does a picker up do .And the shooting year

When we talk about Jack going picking up often people who have never been on a shoot wonder what we are talking about. The most days he and his dogs have done is 106 in a season in his prime but more likely to be 50-60 days these days . A season is starting on the grouse moors on 12th August known as the Glorious Twelfth and finishing on the 1st Februrary. They work just as hard as the loaders and beaters. Working teams of dogs and often walking and sending the dogs massive distances to find that one elusive wounded runner. A picker-up has to have a dog — the job cannot be done without them. A good beating dog is undeniably a huge asset, but many beaters do not have nor require a dog to do their job. Many shoots insist a picker-up has a team of dogs, so if one is injured, in season or has to retire, they have another to replace it. So this is why we have a lot of dogs.aand when it is really busy days we run two teams on alternative days so if the workload is too much it gives them chance to have a day off and rested up but most of them bark furoiously when the other set off to work as they love their job and want to go along too . So you could argue that a picker-up has increased costs purely from the fact that they need a full team of dogs, whereas for a beater it is often an option not a necessity. A picker-up frequently uses their own vehicle, so incurs those costs too. They also require essential equipment such as a priest, game bag or carrier, first-aid kit, drying coats for dogs and so on. Every single job on a driven day — where done by beaters, loaders and pickers-up — is just as important as the next and if done well they become a priceless asset to the shoot. On the last day of the shooting season it is known as "Beaters Day" which is when all the people who have worked on the shoot throughout the season have a free days shooting as a thank you for working hard and often closes with a meal at a local pub. With plenty to eat and drink there are plenty of tales to tell of what has gone on during the last six months. And if George Lupton had still being here he would have already been planning for the coming season to start again. As we look back at photos of him out on a hoot day over the years he always has a smile on his face .Never was he so happy than when he was out for the day giving guests a wonderful day at Wass Grange. He got great pleasure from giving memorable days to many people for years . He was a crack shot often managing to bag the first and the last bird and only handing his guns over when he was 99.

A perfect life ..

Usually blogs are written in house but this arrived and the owner has given permission for the words the be used to describe the life of their much loved Cuckavalda cocker spaniel It is with the heaviest of hearts, that today, we said our final goodbye to our beautiful, loving .... She could look into your soul, and know what to do to cheer you up, make you laugh or, to cuddle and love you with all her heart. She never once wagged with just her tail… the whole body wiggled with happiness and excitement. Play a game of fetch and you were in for the long haul! I used to mark it Human 0 - Dog 1 (often more!). And if she found a stick… well SIZE DID MATTER! She’s never left my side and seen me through thick and thin. She loved ... from the moment she met him (that’s how I knew he was the one for me!). Then she was our ring bearer at our wedding. Out of both of the best men we had, we still knew 4 paws were the most reliable option (only kidding guys, but she was far prettier than you, and got the most Aww’s of the whole day!). She was great with the elderly, often taking full advantage of rich tea biscuits given to her, and fab with kids, often sat under a high chair just to save parents having to tidy up! Thank you to everyone whose given her the best life! Her breeders, the vets (there have been many!), groomers, dog walkers, and to our friends & family who have looked after and loved her whilst she holidayed with you. Finally to my parents who looked after her so well, where she wanted for nothing, whilst I travelled around the world. The day she loved most, was a day out shooting, followed by a tin of tuna, or smoked salmon or ham! A sleep next to the fire and getting the last sips of a glass of Prosecco (or wine, or whiskey, or… well you get the picture). So tonight, we shall raise a glass to Cuckavalda ...... for being one in a million! We miss you with all our hearts, sleep tight .... 05.06.2011 - 19.01.2024 Thank you for breeding the best dog ever! She’s missed so much already.

Happy New Year with news from America

Occasionally we do a google search to see what is happening in our Cuckavalda World to see where our dogs are and what they are doing now and their offspring . So it was interesting to read this from Mississippi Ross is his nick name, His Kennel Club official name is Cuckavalda Yorkshire Teal who is a FTW - He is the result of a lining between Copperbirch Winnebego - Rollo and Jakoranda Moment which was our orginal Tina. Born back in 2014. This is what his owners say about him Ross is a Fox Red, Field Trial Winner that we imported from England. He has 30 Field Trial Champions and 11 Field Trial Winners in his five generation pedigree. His confirmation is excellent. he has a wide head, wide shoulders and an otter tail. Ross has an excellent nose and as evidenced by his natural game finding ability. He has picked hundreds if not thousands of birds and rabbits in the United Kingdom. Ross is a welcomed addition to our breeding cadre.

His daughter is USA Gemma Gemma Red of Muddy March “Gem”, is a fox red bitch that was whelped here at the kennel. Her sire is FTW Cuckavalda Yorkshire Teal “Ross” and her dam is Mossy Oaks Daisy. Gemma is representative of the British standard, she has a wide head, wide shoulders, and an otter tail. In other words, she has excellent conformation. She is steady to shot and fall and fast out and fast in on the retrieve.