Cuckavalda Gundogs on Dallowgill Grouse Moors 2011

The shooting season begins with the grouse on the 12th August -better known as the Glorious Twelfth. If the weather is good and the heather is out, glorious it certainly is. Although I take cockers to the moor it is the Labradors that work tirelessly all day. You have to be a crack shot to shoot a grouse as they travel so fast. here you see the dogs working and resting on the Dallowgill Moors near Pateley Bridge in the heart of the North Yorkshire Dales

Finn and Blade

Here you see Finn and Blade waiting up amongst the heather on the Dallowgill grouse moors. Both of these fine looking dogs are by Billy Steels snr - FTCH Leadburn Viceroy.Blade was born in Jan 2010 and Finn in April 2010. This is their first year of experiencing going picking up and they are really enjoying themselves and as you would expect are behaving like first class labradors should.

The Partridges and Ducks are now in season

The first of September was the beginning of the partridge and duck season. The Cuckavalda Gundogs were out on the first two days up on the Rievaulx shoot. This shoot is renown for high birds and this year it is no exception. The dogs had to work hard sweeping up and down the hillsides.Here you see May and Tina watching the shooting and waiting to get given the go ahead to go and pick the birds up. Bet they were glad to have a rest on Sunday.

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.