Ailsadot Dalmatians

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.

British Dalmatian Club Champ Show

It was a huge entry for the BDC Champ show, with a judge for the girls (John McCarthy) and a judge for the dogs (Mrs Jenvall). Lots of class clashes as we had 2 rings, but all three got short listed in big classes and Lottie got reserve in her mid limit class, so a great result for her.

Seren in Limit, biggest class of the day

Lottie was a little naughty and escaped her crate twice!!! Need to look at a metal crate for her for next year 🤣

Midland Counties Champ Show

We took all three Spots to Stafford showground for Midland Champ show, under judge Bill Deamer.

The classes were huge, so no placings for any of the Spots, but they all looked great.

Hydrotherapy

Lottie has been getting laser treatment and then water treadmill therapy for her back for several months now. It has made a huge difference to to, both in her gait and her quality of life, she is pretty much pain free and a lot happier.

She loves her hydro sessions, and loves Joe. She spends the first 5 minutes running round him sneeze smiling!

As she has improved so much we are reducing the frequency of the sessions to see how that affects her muscle tone, core strength and gait.