Ailsadot Dalmatians

Darlington champ show and Dalmatian Club of Scotland Open show

This was a champ show with the club open show following on from the Champ show judging.

Seren was entered in Limit in the champ show. I knows she wasn’t probably going to get placed, but she needs to get back in the ring and start settling down, she’s been quite fidgety.

The club open show had 2 judges, one judging the special award classes and 1 judging the open show classes. Seren was entered in to the Limit special awards class and placed 3rd. She didn’t place in the main show’ limit class, but she’d had enough by then, was spooked by noises and the weather. To be fair I was pretty much done too!!

Eira was entered into the open show’s baby puppy class, her first show at 19 weeks old! She placed 2nd out of 5 puppies, and was the youngest in the class, so I was really pleased. She stood beautifully, just bounced on the move!

Blue litter play date

I love arranging play dates for the puppies, I try to arrange a few up until their 1st birthday. It helps reinforce their sibling bonds and means that they will be ok meeting up over their life times. It also gives the owners a chance to meet, and get to know each other.

We have 6 of the puppies living within an hour of us, so we arranged a local meet up, booking a secure field for an hour. The weather wasn’t great but that didn’t seem to affect the puppies enjoyment!!!! They could have happily had another hour!

It was lovely seeing them all, getting cuddles and loves.

Puppy photoshoot

Natalie from Hellherder Photography came to do a photoshoot when the pups were 7 weeks old. It was a mayhem!! The pups kept breaking out of the temporary pen, they just wanted to love her and her partner, but we did manage to get some fabulous photos of them all, both individually and in little groups.

Eira goes to ringcraft

It’s important that show puppies learn from an early age what to do in the ring, how to stand and move on a show lead.

I have been taking Eira to a couple of ringcraft. We were lucky to get on a puppy based ringcraft at Allstars dog training near Crewe. The 4 week course focused on confidence building, as well as ring patterns, stand focus and coping with being gone over.

It culminated in Match night, we took both Eira and Lottie. They both enjoyed it.

We also take Eira to on outdoor ringcraft – it’s important she learns to move on grass with out being giddy as the summer shows are mainly on grass.

City of Birmingham Champ show

We took Mac and Eire along, it was Eira’s first time at a champ show, she went along to get used to being in a crate, and experience the sounds and smells of a show. She had a wander round and even a little go in the ring after the show.

Mac was in Veteran Dog, took 1st place and was Best Veteran dog in Breed.

Driffield Champ shows

So we are back showing after 8 months out!! There were 2 Champs shows as last year’s show was cancelled due to the storm.

Driffield 2025 was judged by Jackie Kitchener. Mac took 2nd in a strong Open class. Seren was not placed in her large open class.

Driffield 49th (last year’s show) was judged by Mark Dunnachie Mac was not placed, but by then he’d lost his head to all the smells. Seren placed VHC behind 4 champions, so I was really pleased with her.

Meet Eira

It’s been a long time since our last post. We have taken a break from showing to have a litter of puppies!!

Seren became a mum on 27th April, she had 3 boys and 5 girls –

Mr Yellow – black spotted

Mr Blue – black spotted, patched ear

Mr Green – liver spotted

Miss Red – black spotted, patched ear

Miss Lilac – liver spotted

Miss Teal – liver spotted

Miss Purple – black spotted

Miss Grey – black spotted, blue eye

All the puppies have settled into their new homes, and we kept Miss Lilac, Eira. She had a difficult start to life, was a bit touch and go in the first 24 hours, but she has thrived and is growing like a weed!! I didn’t expect to keep a liver, and she reminds us so much of Ailsa and Lottie as puppies – full on, quick to learn, full of beans and bouncy!!

Eira had already started to learn how to be a show dog and is doing it really well. I’m looking forward to getting her out in the ring and sharing her successes.

Christmas 2024 with the Spots

It’s been a Christmas with a difference as we have been without Mac, he’s been on his holibobs elsewhere.

The girls enjoyed their time in the Lake District, although it was grey and wet. Their Naini spoiled them and Seren got several toys to love. it was very quiet and peaceful, even the pheasants and partridges stayed away, much to the girl’s annoyance 🤣

We’ve had a quiet few days back at home, mainly due to human illness, but we have managed a couple of trips to the beach on different sides of the country! The girls love a trip to the beach even on a cold day.

We’re all back to work next week and Mac will be home. There’s no championship shows planned for us in the next few months, we will be giving Crufts a miss this year, but we might do a few local open shows for practice.

British Utility Breeds Association Champ Show

The last show of the year for us, and just Mac and Seren.

It wasn’t really our day, Mac got a Very Highly Commended, Seren, in the biggest class of the day, wasn’t placed.

We are now going to take some time out, have a rest and plan next year’s show schedule.

North of England Dalmatian Club champ show

I took Mac and Seren to the club show, with the damper weather I didn’t want Loodles in a crate all day.

The hall was cold and the matting got slippier and slippier as the day went on.

Both showed their socks off in strong, large classes, but it wasn’t their day. Seren, particularly, did not like the matting and slipped a couple of times.