Yasashiikuma

I have had the best of intentions of keeping everything up to date, but I have pictures and videos on the camera and tons of news to report and have not had the time to make pretty blog posts.   There are quite a number on the “draft” list that are works in progress.

First – puppy updates.  The DD litter had their Puppy Aptitude tests last night, and there were really no surprises.  One atypical/typical temperament i.e. typical for a Cardigan, untypical for my Cardigans.  Otherwise there were more 3′s and 4′s across the board.  It has been miserably hot all week, and the test was done indoors, so I’m proud of the babies for handling it all so well.  They had their first chicken backs this morning which brought out their “inner wolf”   They are doing very well on their crate and potty training, and the families who are getting Dafydd, Dylan and Daisy have been advised, and are eagerly looking forward to their new family members.

The Biker Gang has moved into the kitchen and are starting to become potty trained.  Of course one or two always “get a clue” long before the others so there is still a lot of puppy laundry being done on their account.

 In show news I haven’t been able to attend any shows myself with the babies, the dogs have done me proud both in North America and overseas.

Dragoon, on his European tour, is fulfilling a dream with a Lisa and Carrie.  My goal has always been to produce dogs that not only have impeccable temperaments, but can compete equally with the best in the world.  Dragoon has been overeas for just about two months and has already completed his French championship, 2/3 of his UK championship, and 1/3 of his international championship.  As well, he is winning fans all over with his sweet, biddable temperament.

In the U.S., Chip went to play with Tim Zeitz for a weekend, and came home an American Champion.   Other than the handful of shows he went to last summer with Tim, and the one weekend with Colin this past winter, Chip has only shown at specialties, so exactly a  year from start to finish (both at the Munro KC show) was a good period in my mind.

The Nautical kids have made their ring debuts and Naomi, Captain and Grace are 3,2, and 3 points from their Championships.  I think that for a bunch of less than 9 month olds, that is pretty good!  And the nicest thing is that they are actually defeating competition, not just each other!

I have lots of video and pictures that need to be posted, so please be patient, I’m dancing as fast as I can!

Yesterday was a successful day all over the place good news from one end of the day to the other. At 5 a.m. I was up watching Dolly feed the babies when an email arrived from Lisa. Dragoon attended hs frst Championship show in the U.K.
and had a very successful day.

Dragoon has now earned his first CC over in the U.K. I am absolutely thrlled. I understand that he has settled in well, loves the cows, and although he is tryng to maintain decorum his true clownish personality is emerging day by day. I warned them that he would keep them entertained over the next year

Little Dixe tipped the scales at 10 ounces last night! She is putting on almost an ounce a day. And when it comes to weaning she is going to be far ahead of the other since she already has lapping from a bowl figured out

We also had a visit last night from Beth, Megan, Matt and Mary. Megan is doing very well with the Captain. The two of them went Best of Winners and at 7 months he is already half way to his Championship. Pictured below she also won her Junor Handling class wth him under Shelley McHugh-Boumans. Shelley’s mother is Betty McHugh who gave Dolly her first Group 1.

All in all, as I said, a VERY successful day!

Hard to believe that the babies are growing up and ready to show but the girls attended their first show on Monday. It was a limited entry back to back show (2 shows on the same day).

In the first show Naomi got her first point, and Buddy was defeated for Winners Dog. The puppy who won WD was also BOB, and by default, Best Puppy.

It’s not a bad picture of Naomi, but she is going through an ugly growth spurt where her bum is way higher than her shoulders, which is also throwing off her topline.

In the second show the results were complete reversed. Buddy was WD, BOW and Best of Breed – and he now needs a single point to finish his championship. Gracie was WB for a point.

Both girls behaved perfectly, and thought the show was put on in their honour so that they could make all sorts of new friends. The only problem being that because of Brogan, they have NO issues walking up to ANY dog at the show and asking if they want to be friends YIKES!!!

This is Jenny (Yasashiikuma Genoa) from the Nautical litter with her new mom out sailing.  For those not into sailing the Genoa is another name for the Jib sail.  Sometimes the names just really fit the puppies!

And on dry land she is just as happy!   Good girl Jenny!