Back on the Dallowgill Grouse Moors

Monday being the Bank Holiday most people have any easy day . Not so for Jack and his dogs.Up without an alarm at 4.10am as there were the rest of the dogs to exercise before setting off for the Moor. The youngster left at home needed feeding and a small amount for the workers. they don't go to work on eggs but need something in their stomachs when they are working the grouse moors all day . Off from here about 7.45am and back by 6.15pm made it quite a long day .We will all be sleeping well tonight. The bag was not as large as it sometimes is as the birds were flying fast and the guns didn't seem to be able to hit them . Four Labradors- Tara,Hidi,Blade and Rollo went along with Troy and George the cockers and Charlie the veteran of them all - the springer spaniel. The heather was a picture and the day was pleasant. It can be very harsh conditions up on the Moor but today it made for a pleasant day. Back home Anna had had the other dogs out and exercised and pups feed. Roast lamb and Yorkshire puddings to fill a hungry man.So off to bed now as it all starts over again in 7 hours time

Bess goes to her new home

Bess, one of our Labradors has gone off to her new home today. She has worked hard over the last couple of years on the grouse moors Then later on picking up pheasants and partridges as the seasons progressed.She has had 2 litters of pups and we don't want her to have any more pups. One of her pups went to Holland and one went to the North of Scotland to be trained for field trialing. She has now gone to friends near Skipton where she will have a wonderful life living in their house. As Chris does a bit of shooting she will get to have the occasionally day out there showing everyone how it should be done. We occasionally have dogs we give away like Bess,free to good homes where all we ask is that they have a lovely life-to be loved and well looked after. Not to have to go to work every day in the season or to have any more pups. We are careful to choose where they go. As they have given us their best so we want the best for them. Sally,a cocker,is going to Suffolk next week to join Penny who went a couple of years ago.

Laid back Labradors

I am a great believer that young dogs should not be over excited. I don't like to start training them until they are nearly a year old. Here you see our young dogs laid out enjoying the sunshine and having the space to just chill out. Not everyone has the space to have more than one but here you can see how much they relish this time being with their siblings

Optigen tested for PRA.

As you will probably know more and more buyers are now looking for Optigen PRA clear dogs. We have just had May and Tina -our 2 fox red girls tested. We are delighted that their tests have come back clear.

Cocker Pups at 4 weeks

These little cockers are starting to explore. It is surprising how they come on in a week. People who have left deposits when they are very young usually make one or two trip if they have time to come to see how they are developing. Daisy is quite happy to be away from hem for a short time now. They are all penned in so they cant get into the pond or under car wheels.You can spend ages watching them as they play together with their siblings . This si all part of growing up and if people sell them too early they miss all this.A week ina pups life as young as this is a long time. People say they cant wait to get their pps but we are not swayed and tehy stay here until we think they are ready to go it alone. As they get older we move them into big space which is near the kitchen window and love to watch their antics. We do honour peoples holidays which often means they are a little more than a bundle of fluff when tehy go .

BATA ,Helmsley

Not that I like shopping one bit but this is a store which I don't mind going to. Young Alec Snowball works there and is on hand to get you what you need. Not only does he know who you are but he serves you with a smile. He will even put it into your vehicle for you -you don't get that from the supermarkets. This store sells everything the country person needs. We get shavings for the dogs and orphan lambs milk for the younger ones. They sell wormers and sprays to keep ticks and mite off. Wooden posts and railings also wire for making dog runs etc. Their stock is endless.Whether you want a pair of wellingtons or a rat trap you can get them here.

Tucking In....

This is the first time that these Labrador pups have been introduced to food .Weetabix and orphan lamb milk was on the menu for their first feed. They are incredibly forward as they are only 16 days old . There eyes are open and today 2 had wandered out of the kennel into the sunshine in their run. We do not want Bess ,their mother,to get dragged down so went in with some sloppy food to see what they thought of it. You can tell they are Labradors as they were soon happy to be tucking in. We have just registered 10 names on the Kennel Club website so that their papers will be in good time for when they go to their new homes. Each pup will come with the Cuckavalda prefix. Anna has chosen Cuckavalda Jilly June for the girl we are keeping . She will be called Jill which is a easy name to remember and say. June was added in the name as she was born in June. We are also keeping a dog pup but have a choice of 5 names to go at.