Brendan Kelly and his black Labradors

We had the pleasure of Brendan Kelly with us today on a shoot. Brendan with his black Labradors. So when he changed over at lunchtime with yet another perfectly behaved black dog Anna didn't realise it was a different one to what he had out in the morning. To think Brendan hadn't picked up a gun for a long time he had some excellent shoots and didn't let his dogs down. It was nice to see the 10 month old dog that we had sold him. In the last 4 months he has certainly grown into a big handsome dog.He is by FTCH Leadburn Viceroy.

Update on Fox red Labrador pups

Not into taking too many photos of the pups.The flash makes them look a lot lighter than what they are . In fact we have never had such a dark fox red litter Here you see our month old fox red Labrador pups starting to explore. They are eating like good ones now and Jack is thinking it is time they were going out a bit more.At the weekend he will start to walk them out. By the time these pups are ready for going they will be walked about 200 yards down the road 3-4 times a day. We have a radio in with them I don't think they have a favourite tune but it gets them ready for when they go to their new homes and the big wide world.

We are absolutely delighted....

for Billy and Catherine Steel from Leadburn Kennels on Billy achievement today.Early this afternoon we heard that Billy Steel snr had made his young fox red dog Copperbirch Paddy of Leadburn into a FTCH. It was at the Tay Valley 2 day event in which there were still 12 dogs in on the second day. Now for us mere mortals if we could ever get one dog to be a FTCH that would be a dream come true. Now this man can be called no less than a legend as he has made up an unbelievable 10 FTCHs now.This is sheer dedication not only from himself but from dear Catherine his wife who keeps the rest of the dogs in top form at home when he is away trialing.After the fireworks have died down and the celebrations have finished we hope they sleep well in their beds tonight. Paddy has actually qualified for the IGLs twice. Anna asked if he qualified twice -can he run twice but it doesn't work like that. These are to be held on the 5, 6, 7, Dec on the Nevill Holt Estate in Leics by kind permission of D. Ross Esq. So lets hope Catherine has a bit more silver to polish. The trophies here are from when Paddy qualified the first time . Copperbirch Paddy of Leadburn stands at stud at Leadburn Kennels in Leadhills ,Lanarkshire.-www.leadburngundogs.com.

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