Obedience Trial

So, last Sunday it was time for me and Visa to participate in an obedience trial, our first this year. My original aim was to participate in class 3 with my other labrador, Tutan, but as I didn't find her prepared enough for that class, I chose to start in class 1 with Visa instead. And Visa wasn't too unhappy about my decision, rather the contrary. She loves obedience trials, sometimes she gets even a little bit too happy...

The circumstances weren't optional, the ground was very wet and muddy and lots of dogs didn't want to lie down while their owner was walking. Visa too had problems with that, but I must say that I am to blaim for our low points here. I got a complete blackout, used the wrong intonation and the wrong tune so she got very confused and I had to use two commands. I realized it as soon as the word came out of my mouth, but then it was too late. So very unnecessary!

Anyway, thanks to my wonderful 4-legged companion, we got a score of 169.5 (of maximum 200), which means a 1st prize and we were also placed 7 out of 25 competitors. So overall I'm very pleased. She scored a maximum 10 in lying still, teeth checking, recall, fetching and jumping.

One more first prize to go in class 1 and then we have the title LP1. I think we'll go for that, but I also hope that we can compete in class 2 before it's time for her to go on maternity leave. :)

Planned litter

Now we're planning a labrador litter this year! My bitch, Huset Elliots Visa, will be mated to FinUCh Upwards Goodwill Gunnar , a brown male with hips, elbows and eyes OK and Optigen normal/clear. As Visa also is Optigen normal/clear, the puppies will be so as well.



Gunnar is a healthy, good-looking and gentle male with a great deal of will-to-please. He has got qualifications from field trial and obedience, as well as good show results (as is shown by his title). My aim is another litter healthy and sound labradors, with lots of will-to-please and classic labrador looks. If you're interested to know some more, please don't hesitate to contact me.

A picture of Gunnar is shown above.

Back from Crufts

And so we're back from Crufts. Actually, we've been back for five days now but I haven't had time to write. Until now.

So, what can I say about Crufts? That it was - marvellous! It was a much bigger and better experience than I had ever dreamt of. I'm normally no big fan of dog shows but this was so much more - shows, shopping (lots of shopping!), entertainment, dogs... It was impressing and we'll definately be back; soon, I hope. :)

What struck me most was that everything was so well-organized. Lots and lots of dogs and still very clean. And no queueing! Not for food, not to the toilets, not to get in... Amazing!

Being in England again was wonderful too. I love that country! I love the language, the friendly people, the climate, everything. Well, not the food perhaps. But if I should ever move somewhere, I think I'd move to England. Though Stina won't come with me, as she didn't like the idea of wearing a school uniform... ;)

Now that we're back home again, life's back to normal. Stina caught a cold so she's been home for a couple of days. I've been working, how unusual... But I'm glad that the jobs keep dropping in to my mailbox.

I've also spent some more time looking for a male for Visa. And I think I may have found mr Right. So keep an eye on my puppy side, I'll put the information there as soon as it's official.

I'll end here by showing you another picture of Idefix' puppies, of course. The two tricolours are still available...

Have a nice weekend!

Crufts next!

Our trip to Birmingham and Crufts is getting closer. Only three more days now, on Wednesday morning we'll leave Luleå. It's hard to believe that we're nearly there, we've been waiting for this for so long. Lot's of packing to do before that though... I can't quite figure out what to wear, I guess there won't be lots of snow and minus 16 degrees in Birmingham! :)

My dear friend Vigdis from Norway reported that here trip to Sweden is going well. Her labrador bitch Vimsa is now successfully mated to SwFtCH Sneezing Duck's The Night's On Fire and hopefully there'll be black labrador puppies in the beginning of May.

I'll end this by giving you another picture of the Cavalier puppies at kennel Laipo's, sired by our male Idefix. Aren't they cute?