Life with Spots
Seren’ s critique from Lichfield Premier Open show, back in January, judge Stephen Randle-Goodwin.
PGD/B (5,2) 1 Wallington Ailsadot Astral Lyra Quality black and white girl with an excellent outline, 21 months old, white and black spots, beautiful head, and feminine expression, lovely example of the breed, good tailset, good angulation and sound movement, scored in outline and level topline, looked elegant. Best of Breed.
We took Seren to a ringcraft workshop at Pearlwynd Ringcraft, just to help iron out a couple of bad habits and see if we could improve anything.
It was a fantastic session, lots to think about, a few tweaks to be made, but it reassured us we were going in the right direction.
I wasn’t expecting to have my coordination and spatial awareness challenged and tested, but it was, as I learned a couple of new ways to move and turn. I was pleased with how well Seren adapted to the new skills, she struggled less than me.
The days are getting longer, it’s getting drier and warmer, which means the Spots are enjoying more time outside.
Mac and Lottie are having a few days away in the Lakes, Seren has stayed at home. It’s good to mix up who has time away, as you never know when you may need to separate them out, or which will go to stay over shows.
Seren has stayed home, but come to work with me, again just getting her used to staying in the car for longer periods. We are lucky enough to have a paddock at the side of work that we can use to stretch the dos’ legs. Seren has loved exploring this space.
Whilst Crufts is the biggest dog show in the world, it’s still a dog show, just one that means long days!
Only the girls came along, we decided taking 2 cars was a bit much, Dave wasn’t bothered about going, and Mac prefers to stay at home and mooch, rather than be benched for hours.
It wasn’t the girls’ day, neither got placed, even though they showed their socks off.
Albus (Ailsadot Astral Peacock) also came along for the first time, and whilst he looked stunning, he didn’t get placed either.
We like to take some memory photos of Crufts, but it can be a bit challenging after a tiring day 🤣
I love taking the girls’ to do Discover Dogs at Crufts. It’s a great opportunity to show off our amazing breed and dispel some myths people have about them.
Both girls’ love saying hello, especially Lottie, who spent the 2 and a half hours smiling and sneezing at everyone! Seren found it a bit tiring, but she’s still a baby and hasn’t worked out that she needs to pace herself 🤣
All three Spots went to the last Joint Dalmatian Clubs Champ show, and all came home with a rosette and place card.
Seren was up first in a large Yearling class, and placed 3rd. I was pleased with this placing as she was a bit of a fidget bum, and kangarooed a bit on the run.
Mac was next up in Limit,and he placed 2nd behind Lottie’s brother. Again, I was pleased as he was very sniffy and was a little unsettled being gone over.
Lottie ended the day in a large limit class, and as usual showed her socks off. She got Very Highly Commended.
All three Spots went to the last Joint Dalmatian Clubs Champ show, and all came home with a rosette and place card.
Seren was up first in a large Yearling class, and placed 3rd. I was pleased with this placing as she was a bit of a fidget bum, and kangarooed a bit on the run.
Mac was next up in Limit,and he placed 2nd behind Lottie’s brother. Again, I was pleased as he was very sniffy and was a little unsettled being gone over.
Lottie ended the day in a large limit class, and as usual showed her socks off. She got Very Highly Commended.
Finally I’ve got Seren’s critique from Blackpool Champ Show 2022, where she won her Junior class and Best Junior in Breed.
I am over the moon with this critique.
JB11(3) 1. Wallington’s Ailsadot Astral Lyra. 14-month-old beautifully balanced bitch of excellent type in proportions. Strong but feminine head, good stop and well-placed ears, good muzzle, correct bite and pigmentation. good neck excellent shoulder and forehand construction, good return of upper arm and good bone Tight feet. she has excellent ribs and depth to brisket, excellent top-line and tail set well angulated hindquarters, I loved her compact shape. She moved accurately, with great reach and drive in profile holding her top-line and head carriage. she is a super fit young lady, and gave a great account of herself good coat condition and black spotting. She stood out for me in this class with her balance super movement, she was my best junior.
Judge Liz Dunhill
Finally the signs of Spring are appearing. It’s hard to believe that this time two years ago we were planning the Ailsadot Astral litter. Both Mac and Lottie have matured nicely over the last couple of years, and Seren is beginning to mature, she’s still very much a puppy mentally, and going through another growth spurt.
We are in the final stages of Crufts preparations. We will be doing Discover Dogs with Lottie and Seren and then all three will be in the ring on Utility day. That’s meant ringcraft practise and some warm up shows for the three of them.
As we were spending the weekend in the Lakes, we popped up to Penrith to support the Cumberland show as it has breed classes.
We just took Seren and she placed a respectable 2nd in a Post graduate class of 7.
Ailsadot Dalmatians 