Brontillow

Puppy News

We had planned two litters last year but Mabel failed to conceive and Brontë only had two puppies. With our waiting list into double figures we decided to try for two litters this year, they were planned a couple of months apart. The girls, Mother (Willow) and Daughter (Mabel) had different ideas and came into season almost together, with were mated and we were delighted when both pregnancies were confirmed. 

Willow had her puppies on Friday 21st April, five boys and three girls, all born safely and thriving. She is so happy with her babies, she's a brilliant mum and has them all lined up when it's time for cleaning, they are gaining weight every day.

Mabel's puppies were due today but she was a couple of days early and whelped on Sunday 23rd April, she had five boys and two girls. It's her first litter but she was fabulous, they were all born easily and within six hours. She's taking her role as a new mother very seriously and won't leave them unless she needs to go into the garden. 

Both girls are having extra food, lots of treats and attention. They each have a bedroom with constant supervision to give them as much help as they need.

We have one remaining dog puppy available for sale from Willow's litter, details can be found on our Puppies page.

 

Wire Haired Dachshund Championship Show

Betsy and I headed up to the Midlands at the weekend, at the thought of a very early start after the clock change and losing an hour's sleep I decided to take my little caravan. It was so cold I woke up at 2:30am and had to put on a woolly hat! I stayed in a friendly farmer's field and it was a lot easier driving only ten minutes to the venue. Betsy could go into the Post Graduate class but I had decided to enter her into the Limit class. Our judge was Mrs Carolyn Davies and she had us moving many times around the ring, I was very happy that I had lost so much weight, I would have struggled this time last year! I was even happier that Betsy won her class! I have to smile at our critique because when I came out of the ring my friend grabbed me and told me to put Betsy up on the table to tidy up the bits I had missed on her legs and feet! Of course our judge noticed as soon as we went back into the ring!

1. Dean’s Brontillow Grace Darling – Nicely balanced dark brindle
who came into her own on the move. Lovely head with correct eye flowing into
a good length of neck and a reasonable layback of shoulders which meant she
had a better front than many. Good coat texture and presentation which
improved after some of her leg hair was removed. Good tight feet which is
something I really look for this is after all a digging breed.

We were pulled out in the first three for the challenge but we didn't make it to the CC or RCC. I always hope to win but I couldn't be disappointed with our day, we brought home two lovely trophies and gifts donated by Val Philips and Mrs Hutchings. Here is Betsy with her stash back at the caravan:

The next day was sunny and we had a very lazy day in the garden

 

Puppy News

Last year we had Mabel mated but unfortunately she didn't conceive. This year we tried again but to make sure we had puppies for our growing list of prospective owners we also had her Mum, Willow mated. They were due into season a month apart but Mother Nature had other ideas and decided it would be much more fun to have them in season at the same time. We are now looking forward to two litters within four days of each other, while it will be hard work we are well prepared and lucky enough to have the facilities to cope. Friends are supporting us with the promise of house, dog and puppy sitting,  loan of a second whelping box and puppy pen, we have a new day kennel built and awaiting installation (thank you Jason Manser of Haymac) the weather is improving daily. We would much rather have the two litters together in the springtime than one in winter, it makes so much difference to the puppies to be able to play outside in the warm sunshine. Further details are on our Puppy page, we have five weeks to get ready….

Mabel and Willow, ladies in waiting.

Spreading The Word

Betsy and I have been to WI today to give a talk about my dogs and showing, it went really well and Betsy enjoyed meeting everyone.

 

 

 

 

Betsy is on a roll!

Betsy and I had a lovely day at Woolwich and Bexley Open show today. Loads of fun with friends and Betsy was second AVNSC Standard Dachshund, Reserve Best of Breed then we won a huge open stakes class with some great comments from the judge.

Crufts!

We had a fantastic day at Crufts, Betsy (Brontillow Grace Darling) was fabulous and I couldn't have asked any more of her.
She was placed first in her class (Post Graduate Bitch) which put us through to the challenge, the top six bitches!
Thank you very much to our judge, Mrs Anne Moore (Romanchi Wires)
I'm quite overwhelmed by the whole experience and the support and well wishes I've received from everyone, it's been amazing. Our critique was excellent too:

Post Graduate Bitch (14 entered, 2 absent)
1st Dean’s Brontillow Grace Darling, Well balanced dark brindle with excellent coat and well presented. Has super bone and tight feet, very pretty head with dark eye, excellent lay of shoulder with prominent fore-chest, has excellent ribbing and good body, has well angled hindquarter, handler doesn’t always stack her to advantage but she came into her own moving when she strode out soundly, looked a picture, close decision for RCC.

Kent County Show

Lovely day at Kent County show, Betsy was second in a strong AVNSC Hound class behind a Saluki that went on to win Hound group one then BIS
Thanks to judge Val Philips (Tendrow) for your support and advice

Kent Super Dog

Both Betsy and Polly qualified for the annual Kent Super Dog match. Betsy won best puppy in show twice and Polly reserve best puppy in show. The evening is quite an occasion and evening dress is required. I thought I was prepared, with a flowing dress and flat shoes but I wasn't counting on the very slippery dance floor and the lit up curtains, neither were the dogs! Lack of training for every surface sorted them out, once Besty had slipped she didn't move freely at all but it was a super evening and the judge was very complimentary. To qualify in my first year of showing with two of my girls made me proud.

A Wintery Walk

We braved a wintery Dachshund walk this morning, I had to keep removing ice balls from Polly and Betsy but they didn't seem to mind. At one point they both had icicles on their beards!

Thank you George Ridley for the beautiful photograph

Boston Championship Show

Brontillow Grace Darling 
(AmGrCh Daybreaks Classique Cruiser x Kindeace Maggie May of Brontillow)
and I had a lovely day at Boston Championship Show yesterday. Betsy was second in her class but she didn't put a foot wrong, she was fabulous, I'm so proud of her. She will be eighteen months old soon so up in with the big girls.