UKAS Certification for Kennel Club Assured Breeders

Just been informed that Kennel Club Assured Breeders will be issued with UKAS Certification after a successful inspection visit, like most things that evolve from the Kennel Club they come at a price!

Just wondering if the General benefits are really worth the extra cost of maintaining my membership?

I already breed from stock, with higher health certification than that prescribed by the ABS...I publish to the whole world every aspect of health certification, pedigree and working awards related to any gundog I own or act as agent for...and with prior appointment any one can visit my kennel and inspect my dogs and facilities.

I allow any prospective customers to contact my existing customers to seek independent advice...so will this extra piece of certification create more responsible breeders? and how many of the 2014 puppy buyers will be influenced by this certification?

Labrador Retriever Puppy Priesthill Izzy Top x Yuletide Mistletoe

Labrador Retriever Priesthill Izzy Top Black Bitch 250511 recently had 9 puppies (6 Bitches & 3 Dogs) All Black and has been health tested with BVA Elbow, hip & Eye Certification. Pedigree can also be found on the above link.

This dog has been trained with Working Gundogs (Stewart North) and has proved to be a well mannered, good natured pet for the stobart family.

Location Junction 16 Northamptonshire All Inquiries Please complete Form

Details of the Sire Yuletide Mistletoe (Ruari) can be found here

Sporting Irish Water Spaniel AV Working Test October 2013

The Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club
AV Retriever Puppy, Novice & Open Working Tests
6th October 2013

These working tests were held by kind permission of Mr & Mrs John Dawson of Broad Oak Farm, Turners Hill.

Judges for the day were John & Liz Barnes, Paul & Maddie Burr and Chris Marshall

The day was blessed with a massive 68 entries and included nearly every retriever type excluding the Curly Coated. We had Chocolate, Yellow and Black Labradors, Flat Coated Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and the most important breed of the day Irish Water Spaniels!

Puppy Test

Comprised of 5 separate tests

Test 1 Handler was required to walk dog off lead at heel for a distance of a few meters then the handler was required to throw a dummy at a peg and then return to the start position to send your dog for the memory on the judges instruction.

Test 2 Handler was required to send the dog for a marked water retrieve with shot on instruction from the judge. The dog could see the splash but not the fall.

Test 3 Handler was required to send the dog for a mark retrieve to shot in front of some cover

Test 4 Handler was required to send the dog for a mark retrieve to shot with the gun standing some distance away from the mark in light cover.

Test 5 Handler and dog had to stand in a mock drive in woodland, watching numerous dummies fall to shot, with a noisy beating line. Each dog was then required to walk the dog off lead away to another area to pick a blind retrieve down a track.

Award Winners

1st Place Malshinga Atom (FTCH Bedgebrook Excalibur x Kenmilfore Estelle of Malshinga)
 LD 230412 handled by Mrs Sue Ellis
2nd Place Yexinnita Union ( Ribbledale Big Wig x Pasideona Blondie)
 LD 180513 handled by Stewart North
3rd Place Pondridge Eternal Quest (FTCH Luddesdowne Lou of Gablescroft x Morlands Catchfly Roxy LD 240613 handled by Mrs Gill Smith
4th Place Turnervale Czar (Kirkmarsh Mr Doyle of Hiberna x Doels Dervia)
 IWSD 090412 handled by Sue Hempsted

Open Test

Comprised of 5 Separate Tests

Test 1 Dog was required to walk to heel, whilst walking up partridge, a bird was shot behind the line which the dog had not seen, whilst out retrieving another bird was shot as a distraction.

Test 2 Dog was required to retrieve a blind from water with shot.

Test 3 Two birds shot at the same time and landed in the same area, your dog was required to pick both (not at the same time)

Test 4 Simulated runner! your dog was given a mark but the dummy had moved and placed deeper in the wood

Test 5 Mock Drive in woodland, after drive each dog was required to walk off lead and sent over a fence into cover at some distance

Award Winners

1st Place Winner Lavrinco Red Drake (Oelfleet Chesnut of Fieldmark x Smale Calypso)
LD 190409 handled by Nikki Yapp
2nd Place Gowran Indigo Extra (Little Red Rooster of Varingo x Gowran Tres Cher)
FCRD 230705 handled by Robert Willatts
3rd Place Braceway Kite ( Rosehollow Shooting Star x Braceborough Kite)
LB 110211handled by Helen Thornton
COM Burntcoombe Buffy LB (Burntcoombe Austin x Mansgreen Fizzy of Burntcoombe)
LB 010308 handled by Fiona Milne
Best IWS Fendrakes Island Prince (Kirkmarsh Mr doyle of Hiberna x Kirkmarsh Roisin Dubh at Fendrake) IWSD 190111 handled by Wendy Perera

Novice Test

Unfortunately none of my dogs competed in the Novice, so unable to list the tests involved, although i believe them to be much the same as the open but shorter distances.

Award Winners

1st Place Millcombe Fern (Riversway Bosun x Downlake Shadow)
LB 080109 handled by Pauline Tiplady
2nd Place Tawnyhill Nature (FTCH Delfleet Neon of Fendawood x Tawynhill Ginny)
LB 090411 handled by T Brown
3rd Place Tygwyn Ulmas Glabra (Tygwyn Red Marauder x Tygwyn Dance of Life)
FCRB 150207 handled by Mrs J Thomas
 
COM's
Hawksmere Valley Bull at Keepersholme LD 250711
handled by Mrs L Perfect 
Birdsgreen Georgia of Flintsfield LB 280709
handled by Mandy Smith
Best IWS Goldacre Searider Acuvana handled by Judy Hempstead

Recent Labrador Retriever Mating Yuletide Mistletoe x Priesthill Izzi Top

Yesterday we successfully mated Yuletide Mistletoe (FTW Northglen Charlie x Isobels Princess) and Priesthill Izzi Top (FTCH Greyhill Rustler x Priesthill Summer).

Fully details abour about awards and health/pedigree history can be found on the following links:

Google Plus

Kennel club Mate Select

Pedigees

Working Gundog Display Sedgefield Game & Country Fair 2013

 Just Returned from the North East after 2 days gundog display work at the Sedgefield Game & Country Fair now in its 3rd year. Record numbers attended on Saturday to enjoy performances from Mark Wylie and the Drakes of Hazard, Hound & Beagle Display, Police Dog Demonstration.

Working Gundog Display included performances from English Springer Spaniels Working Cockers, Chocolate Labrador Retrievers, Yellow Labrador Retrievers & Black Labrador Retrievers

All Gundog Display enquirers to 07836736868

Working Cocker Spaniel Gundog Training Memory with Distraction

Working Cocker Spaniel Gundog Training Video Long Distance over Water Memory Mark with Distraction over Stone Walll with FTAW Toadsspannel Foxey at Northglen (Pip) 20 months

 

Gundog Training Video Labrador Retriever Introduction to Stone Walls

This is another progress video of our Residential Labrador Retriever Yexinnita Jack one week earlier to his first walk up video, he was introduce to some broken walls before taking on this difficult section, Jack has been with us for 3 months and showing a lot of promise, very pleased with his progress...enjoy

Residential Gundog Training Labrador Retriever Jack

One of our Residential Gundogs Labrador Retrievers Yexinnita Jack has now been with us for 3 months, he is only 12 months of age and destined to be a great shooting companion, this is first walk up outing on the moor, very pleased with his heelwork, steadiness, hunting and marking ability.

Dove Valley Working Gundog Club AV Open Spaniel Working Test Results Chatsworth 19th May 2013

Dove Valley Working Gundog Club AV Open Spaniel Working Test at Chatsworth 19th May 2013 Results:

Winner
FTCH Churchview Abs ESS B 210506 Handler Mr T Frost
2nd Rosebay Harvey ESS D 111210 Handler Mr D Moore
3rd Kennine Amber of Wynamill ESS B 230509 Handler Mr W Peat
4th Rose of Erwwen ESS B 080911 Handler Mr D Williams
COM Buccleuch Spinner ESS D 310509 Handler Mr K Farmer
COM Buccleuch Olive ESS B 150408 Handler Mr T Frost
COM Helmsway Hawk of Witchwillows ESS D 110704 Handler Mr G Wilson

 

The Open was ran in the afternoon at Chatsworth with Judges Mark Whitehouse and Barry Faley with 18 Entries the dogs were asked to pick a memory mark across the line after the other dog had picked a blind behind the line

Dove Valley Working Gundog Club AV Novice Spaniel Working Test Results 19th May 2013

Dove Valley Working Gundog Club AV Novice Spaniel Working Test Results 19th May 2013 Chatsworth Winner Panthfarm Little Harbour ESS D 220211 Handler Mr S Fellows 2nd Wrenmarsh Sweet Lady CS B 040811 Handler Mr J Croft 3rd Kenxiam Silent Night ESS D 090711 Handler Mr P Flaherty 4th Tibea Destiny CS B 040509 Handler Mr J Parr COM Timsgarry Summer CS B 170710 Young Handler Elliot Storey 14yrs old! COM Yuletide Boy of Lisburn CS D 010111 Handler Mr S Pearson COM Tryhome Duke of Witchwillows ESS D 280706 Handler Mr G Wilson




Great day at Chatsworth Estate and a well organised Novice Working Test with 24 entries and 22 runners, Judges for the day were Mr Mark Whitehouse and Mr Barry Faley, after the usual introductions novice dogs hunted in woodland with short mark in front and a short blind behind the line

Walk Up Group Gundog Training over WATER, FENCES & DITCHES

Anyone wishing to book in for some walk up training with dummies and blanks, you can now choose any Friday from 6.45pm or Saturday from 9.45am providing you book in advance, the maximum number of handlers will be 6. NO BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE DAY.

These sessions will only run with a minimum of 4 handlers.

Training Session at Ailsworth, A1/A47 near Peterborough will include Retrieves over the River! (FRIDAYS ONLY)

Handlers wishing to experience fence and ditch obstacles without Barb WIRE ! need to book training at Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire.( SATURDAYS ONLY). We plan to do some woodland training occasionally.

We have changed the system because going into the holiday season makes it more difficult for handlers to commit to a long course of 6 weeks. You can book just one session if you prefer.

Cost £30 per dog per session.

Booking will be taken on a first come first serve basis.

Booking Form http://form.jotform.com/form/20452832862

Please email for Terms & Conditions

Working Cocker Pip ~ The story so far & a training tip for picking large game

Hope you enjoy this short video of my Working Cocker Pip, who has made excellent progress in 18 months, she is now a field trial award winner and fully health tested to the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme. Still work in progress and concentrating on those weaknesses, in particular retrieving large game.

If you wish to keep up with Pip's progress you can find us on Twitter, Facebook and Blogger, just type in Stewart North or Working Gundogs or Training Gundogs on Google Search. See credits for contact information at the end of the video clip. If you would like a Pre Training Course Assessment please book online

 

Midland Counties Labrador Retriever Club Open Working Test 28th April 2013

All competitors and Visitors must book in via Midland Counties Labrador Retreiver Club Website

All sponsorship enquiries please email workinggundogs@msn.com

Gundog Water Training Daventry Countryside Day 12th May

12pm Beginners Grade 1 & 2 never entered water, or will enter but will not recall? little experience? 2pm Intermediate Grade 3 & 4 will retrieve from water Cost £35 per Dog

Gundog Water Training Stapleford Park 20th April

9am Beginners Grade 1 & 2 never entered water, or will enter but will not recall? little experience? 11am Intermediate Grade 3 & 4 will retrieve from water Cost £35 per dog

Working Gundog Training Video Introduction to a small stock fence

Hope you enjoy this short training video of a young Labrador Retriever Yexinnita Union aka Charlie, This is his first attempt at a small stock fence. Prior to this video he had been introduced to a small, adjustable chicken wire fence. Charlie is a very promising retriever who at 9 months is already sitting at distance for 10 minutes, now walks to heel off lead, achieving short retrieves with distractions and readily swimming across water for a retrieve. If you wish to keep up with Charlies progress you find us on Twitter, Facebook and Blogger, just type in Stewart North or Working Gundogs or Training Gundogs. See credits for contact information. If you would like a Pre Training Course Assessment please book online via this link


Working Gundog Training Video ~ Introduction to small stock fence ~ East Midlands Trainer Stewart North from Working Gundogs on Vimeo.

FT CH Eastdale Harry (Fully Health Tested) Gundog at Stud

Gundog Training near Peterborough

On Friday 1st March 2013 we plan to start gundog training again from 9am onwards, appointments at 10am and 11am have already been reserved, If you would like to start a 6 week 1:1 course, please complete the booking form on this link 

Please request terms and conditions of booking via email.

New Record of Retriever Field Trial Wins for Gundog Trainer Stewart North

Labrador Retriever Russlayne Bracken of Northglen (Poppy) was awarded first place at the Dukeries Gundog Club 14 dog All Aged AV Retriever Field Trial on the 25th Janury 2013 at Merevale Estate, Nr Atherstone, Warkwickshire by kind permission of Mr M Dugdale.

This was a particular rewarding day for a number of reasons firstly Stewart North won the same stake 9 years ago with a very young retriever called FTW Northglen Charlie collecting all 3 Awards, Youngest Retriever, Guns Choice and Winner secondly the Win this year with Retriever Poppy was the Third Field Trial Win of the season, after gaining a second and third in September. Stewart & Labrador Retriever Poppy won the North Western Counties Field Trial Association 16 Dog All Aged AV Retriever Field Trial on 25th September and The Northern Golden Retriever Association 15 Dog All Aged AV Retriever Field Trial on 12th November.

Stewart has now received over 40 Field Trial Awards with 5 Retrievers, and Won 7 Field Trials.

With this year Awards Labrador Retriever Poppy has now accumulated 14 Field Trial Awards, but as yet she is not the most succesfull Labrador owned by Stewart, that record falls to FTW Farmclose Meg of Northglen ( Susie) who achieved 12 Field Trial Awards, 7 of which were Open Awards with 2 Seconds.

Susie is the most successful field trialling Labrador owned by Stewart North and with 2 seconds he has been knocking on door of that elusive invite to the Retriever Championship, Poppy is the next best chance of Stewart qualifying Retriever Championship so they will be training hard over the next 3 years!

Field Trial Finance & Administration ( Time for a rethink)

As the field trial season draws to a close, I suspect a number of New Year meetings will be dominated with discussions about trial dates clashing and competitors withdrawing at the last minute!

It’s also that time of the year when most annual subscriptions become due, and for some too soon after Christmas, albeit a cost, which the casual observer would think very small? (Or is it small?)

Back in 2002 the typical cost of membership Range from £4 to £7, over the years the majority of clubs have increased subscriptions to £10. The average cost of a field trial entry fee was £25 and nomination fees £2.

Nomination fees are now slowly disappearing and the cost of a field trial entry is now £35-£45, which in my opinion is excellent value, when you consider guns are paying anything from £250 to £1000 per day.  The generosity of guns that shoot at field trials, should never be taken for granted, without them our sport would be very expensive in deed.

I have nearly 5 empty cheque books on my desk (over one hundred cheques), the vast majority of these cheques will not be cashed, because I failed to get a run or withdrew because I qualified out of novice, had alternative runs, illness/injury or bitches came in season.

Some Clubs and Societies cash cheques immediately after the field trial or within days of closing dates (nomination fees). However I currently have cheques dating back to August 2012, which have not been cashed and should have been weeks if not months ago! I have no idea what I owe without spending some considerable time checking stubs with diary entries or compiling some sort of spread sheet?

I have on 2 occasions had insufficient funds to clear cheques owing, causing slight embarrassment and know doubt further administration burden for some secretaries.

It was over 10 years ago, I suggested at a committee meeting the administration and collection of fees and data for field trials and working tests could be made so much easier via the internet!

The idea was dismissed because of fear/ignorance and a lack of willingness to implement change because the job was undertaken by volunteers with little computer experience.

Any suggestion that we should pay for the expertise from reserves was dismissed on the basis that not everyone has a computer!

I now see a system where some clubs/societies have abandoned nomination fees, introduced email notification of draws, yet we still do not have a club/Society that will accept an entry or payment online as a normal procedure!

The defence that not everyone has a computer in  my opinion is a poor one, even if you do not have a computer, the majority of people now have a mobile phone that can receive text messages as well as emails.

Competitors and Administrators need a system with maximum flexibility and minimal administration.

Online payment systems are very cheap and secure, online entry forms, schedules and draws can be accessed automatically. Emails and text messages can be sent automatically reminding competitors of closing dates, draws and results etc…

Payment information obviously need to be secure and private, but schedules, running cards, draws and results do not need to be secure, access to this information should be available to anyone who desires it,  the more transparency we have, the less controversy we will have!

Why shouldn’t we be able to enter a kennel club registration or stud book number and an entry form be instantly sent with no spelling mistakes!

Its taking far too long for the gundog community to sit up and take notice of new technology and how it could remove the burden of administration and hard copy paper trail, may be the kennel club should take the lead or will this be another evolution by trial and error from a bunch of volunteers that will take another 10 years!