Working dogs

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UKDS Event at Bedingham, 10th-11th September 2022

By Wendy Beasley

What a lovely couple of days we have had watching some super dogs make history by bringing this sport to Norfolk. Although it was born here, there had not been an event here before, and I couldn’t have imagined it any better than it was.  This was in no small part down to Steve and Jo Felton for providing the fantastic venue. A large field with two thirds fenced with totally dog proof fencing, and the last third plenty big enough for parking, an exercise area, a toilet and a base. I heard at least one competitor describe it as a “a field to die for” and, as it was only at the bottom of my road, it could not have been any more convenient for us.

When I decided to put this on I was aware that getting sponsors could make the competition so much better.  I was amazed by the response that resulted in great prizes and something for every competitor. This was down to the generosity of CSJ Dog Food,  Crossways Country Store Ellingham. This was further enhanced by the beautiful rosettes supplied by In the Ribbons.

People were also very generous with their offers of help and I am especially grateful to Anita Bagge who judged Beginners and then went on to work her own dog in Novice.  Ann Handley also did Trojan service as Judge for Novice and steward for the other three levels, and then went on to stay behind at the end to help clear up. Another vote of thanks must go to Joan Snowden and Hilary Mercer who, between them, took some great photos. Finally I must thank Paul Beasley who as well as being by my side in the organising, setting up and clearing up, went on to judge both Intermediate and Advanced.

Although our entries were good, we did lose three of our Beginners before the event for various reasons, so only had two competitors at that level. The other levels were between four and five and we managed to fill both days without rushing, so everyone had plenty of time to get ready and to work without any panic. In hindsight, despite wondering if we should have done it all in one day, everyone seemed to agree it worked better having the extra time and everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.

I see the judges have kindly done their own reports so I won’t go into the work other than to say I thoroughly enjoyed watching you all work your super dogs and you made UKDS everything I hoped it would be, so thank you.

<strong>Dream come true for dad and son at World Sheepdog Trials</strong>
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Dream come true for dad and son at World Sheepdog Trials

Press release – 24.8.22

Arwyn Davies told sponsors CSJ that it was a dream come true that he will finally get to represent his country with dad Bryn … after 10 years of competing against each other!

Bryn (57) and Arwyn (28), of Bryneglwys, have both qualified to represent Wales at the 2023 World Sheepdog Trials at the Gill Hall Estate in Dromore, County Down, on September 23, 2023.

Bryn started competing in trials career in the mid-1990s and Arwyn grew up with it.

They were just two of many hopefuls who headed to Newtown recently hoping to qualify from the Welsh trials and Arwyn topped it off beautifully with himself and his dog Cynfal Gwen finishing second overall.

Both Bryn and Arwyn feed their dogs on CSJ’s specialist dog foods and naturally CSJ’s owner and founder Ceri Rundle understands well how tough it is to compete with so many top winning handlers and dogs … since amongst her own numerous successes she was the first lady to qualify for the Welsh National Team in 1996, and also competed in the World Trials in Ireland in 2005.

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470

… and follow CSJ winners on:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/specialistcaninefeeds/

Twitter:  @CSJDogFood

Instagram: @CSJDog_Food

YouTube:  CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds

http://www.awaywithdogs.co.uk

<strong>CSJ Highland Agility Stakes Finals</strong>
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CSJ Highland Agility Stakes Finals

3rd July 2022

Giggle
Judge – Yvonne Reid
Lalapaws Born This Way
Newt

By Sara Hawkswell

The 3rd of July 2022 saw the return of the GWCT Game Fair at Scone Palace.

In the morning the preliminary agility round was held which determined the running order for the afternoon’s final. Our Judge for the day was Yvonne Reid who set a fantastic course showing the ability of the dogs and handlers to the viewing spectators. 

After a break which enabled the competitors to have a wander round the stalls in an effort to ease any nerves it was time to set the course for the final. As the stalking ponies were in before us we needed to clear away mountains of pony poo, however it was quite special poo as they were ponies owned by the Queen!

Once again Yvonne set another fantastic, fast course.  The ring is big and Yvonne set  a course that meant dogs, and handlers, had to cover a long distance.  A large crowd gathered to watch dogs in all four height categories run.  The winners had to work hard for their places – in the medium competition only 0.6 seconds separated the winner and runner up!! 

Congratulations to the winners:

Large Winner: Lalapaws Born This Way handled by Dane Redford.

Runner Up: Combyeanaway By The Way Love handled by Alan Short

Intermediate Winner: Candlewind Spring Time handled by Emily Lewis.

 Runner Up: Inverlochys Spring Time handled by Cerys Miller

Medium Winner: Basileas More of a Chaser handled by Jennifer Kent

 Runner Up: Sanscott Midnight Mist handled by Elizabeth Graham

Small Winner: Blundas April handled by Emma Pullan

 Runner Up: Calderwood Cheeky Charmer handled by Derek Elms

Huge thanks go to our sponsor CSJ, with support from Showtime Online and Norton Rosettes. Without your support we could not run this showcase event. Also thanks to Hollycraig Photography and CSB Photography for the photographs and the ring party for giving up their day to make it such a memorable day for the competitors.

Four Nations Challenge 2022, Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland
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Four Nations Challenge 2022, Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland

By Alan Rees

What an event – this was the fourth Four Nations Challenge Gundog International Working Test, and unbelievably it gets better and better every year.

A huge congratulations to Sam Drysdale and her team who work so hard to put on this event, undoubtedly one of,  if not, the best event on the calendar – and that’s saying something. I’m sure all the handlers and spectators would confirm that statement, and as the commentator Adrian Slater stated many times – the grand stand was rocking.

Wales were delighted again to be part of the event and that is only achievable through the financial help and sponsorship of CSJ, Ceri and Phil Rundle. We, as a Team were delighted to have both of them with us over the weekend. A big personal thank you to you both from me and the Team.

We were delighted to welcome back Simon Hagain as a Retriever member of the Team this year, he ran very well, we were also delighted to welcome the newbee, Dewi Williams, although his name caused a few problems for the commentators, Dewi put in a sterling performance with his E.S.S. dog Bryn, well done!!

There were three spectacular runs over a very difficult course for Retrievers, Declan Boyle (Ireland), David Latham (England) tied with 113 out of a possible 120 points, with Declan winning the run off for Top Dog, Nigel Probert of Wales returned a magnificent 112, a point short – these three were outstanding over the course of the International test.

Now onto the spoils – 

Top Retrievers   Ireland    283           Top SpanielsEngland 312     Team Placings   First         England  590

Second               England  278            Second           Ireland    305                                Second      Ireland  588   

 Third                   Wales     273            Third               Wales      272                                Third          Wales   545

 Fourth             Scotland    244             Fourth            Scotland  247                                Fourth    Scotland   491

One thing this International competition proved is that everything is decided on very small margins. We now look forward to The Game Fair at Ragley Hall, towards the end of July.

Alan Rees

Team Captain

UK Gundog Team wins KC International Team Test!
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UK Gundog Team wins KC International Team Test!

Press release – 22.6.22

Nigel Probert of Llangynidr Gundogs contacted Ceri Rundle of CSJ with this exciting news about the Kennel Club International Team Test held at Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire on 16th and 17th June.

“When I was asked by the Kennel Club to Captain the UK gundog team for 2022 it felt an honour and a privilege to be asked.  My first task was to select a team so I asked the captains of England, Ireland and Scotland to pick me a dog from their selection process. 

This was done slightly different in Wales and I asked two independent panel judges to set a course and to judge the selection as I had to take part in running in the selection myself.  Fortunately, I was the highest scoring on that day so I was picked to represent Wales.

The Team was picked as follows Nigel Probert . David Logan . Kieron Coey . Adam Snare

Day one of the competition consisted of a walk up with water retrieves included then followed on to a drive scenario picking 4 retrieves at 200yrds plus over a steep bank valley. This was pushing the dogs due to the extreme temperatures that we had over the two days, but with careful management of wetting the dogs and staying in the shade between retrieves as much as possible, we could keep their performance up.

End of day one we were in second position, a few points behind Netherlands but all to play for – anything could happen…

Day two consisted of five double retrieves in a variety of woodland and open grassland scenes – memories and blinds.

Our performance stayed consistent but we dribbled points here and there (which was similar to the other teams) but thankfully no zeros!! By the end, the consistent performance of all our dogs then pushed the UK Gundog Team into first position – it was tight with Ireland only 5 points behind but we did it!

I would like to thank CSJ for the dedicated help and sponsorship that they always provide for Gun dog International Events.  Without sponsors such as CSJ we wouldn’t be able to take our dogs to these events so it is very much appreciated.”

Final scores were :-

1st – Great Britain 1048 points

2nd – Ireland 1043 points

3rd – Italy 1027 points

4th – Netherlands 1006 points

Kieron Coey also sent this …

“Ceri, I want to personally thank you for CSJs support over the last few days, I hope we did you proud. It is refreshing to see a company still prepared to support working dogs of all varieties in these difficult times. I struggled for at least 18 months before finding a food that agreed with Ralph (Int. Ftch Crosstone Trickster) trying everything from the cheapest to very expensive before discovering CSJ at the Moira Game Fair and we have not looked back, feeding fit and fast for the last 5 years. Once again thank you very much.

David Logan also messaged

“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to CSJ, Phil and yourself for everything you have done over the weekend for the team. It is greatly appreciated!”

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470

… and follow CSJ winners on

Facebook: https://facebook.com/specialistcaninefeeds/

Twitter:  @CSJDogFood

Instagram: @CSJDog_Food

YouTube:  CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds

http://www.awaywithdogs.co.uk

LYNDA WARD

pet trade SOLUTIONS

lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com    
tel: 07946 743784
United St Bernard Breed Open Show, April 2022
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United St Bernard Breed Open Show, April 2022

By Yvonne Milward

The United St Bernard Breed Open Show was held in April 2022 and CSJ kindly provided CSJ Salmon Oil and TurmerTinc! for the winners in each category.

United St Bernard Club Open Show 23/04/2022
Best In Show & Reserve Best In Show sponsored by CSJ

Best In Show Bell & Jeffries’s Tizine Wielkopolski Bernardyn for Bellfries

A dog of excellent type, a beautiful head and lovely expression, Correct in bite, good muzzle length, nice dark eyes and correct in skull. Neck length just right, Nice deep chest of good width with correct shoulder placement. Good spring to ribs ,level topline and strong loin, god curve to croup just right in rear angles, well musculed and had good bone throughout. He moved with purpose, drive and power. A very beautiful dog who drew my eye to award him Best male and Best in Show.

Reserve Best In show Deegan & Grainger’s Chandlimore Smoking Gun

Deegan & Grainger’s Chandlimore Smoking Gun 2yr old male who makes a good picture standing, good breed type with plenty of bone throughout. Liked his head with short muzzle, good bite and just the right amount of stop, nice neck length, body of substance, a correct structure in front with his depth and width of chest just right, a good topline and rib to loin ratio, moved very well and deserved his RBD & RBIS.

Best Puppy O’Reilly’s Fantasira Welkopolski Bernardyn Strelillys

At 11 months I found her a very nice puppy of excellent type. Overall, she made a good picture standing, quality headpiece, correct in muzzle with good bite, good dark eyes giving a lovely expression, stop and top skull good, nice length of neck, shoulder angulation correct Body of excellent width good in rear angles and well-muscled giving her good movement. BP BPIS.

Best Smooth Bell & Jeffries Ch Bellfries Smooth Jazz

I liked this female, she makes a lovely picture of balance and strength, A great head that was just right in muzzle depth and width, clean in mouth and eyes with tidy ears. A good shoulder in chest of depth and width, level topline, not as smooth over croup as I would like, strong in rear and good bone throughout, moved cleanly with reach and drive, strong contender for top honours today. BSIS.

UK gundog team wins Kennel Club International 2022
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UK gundog team wins Kennel Club International 2022

By Nigel Probert, Kieron Coey and David Logan

When I was asked by the Kennel Club to Captain the UK gundog team for 2022, it felt an honour and a privilege to be asked. My first task was to select a team, so I asked the captains of England, Ireland and Scotland to pick me a dog from their selection process. This was done slightly different in Wales where I asked two independent panel judges to set a course and to judge the selection as I had to take part in running in the selection myself. Fortunately, I was the highest scoring on that day so I was picked to represent Wales. 

The Team was picked as follows: 

Nigel Probert – Wales
David Logan – Scotland
Kieron Coey – Ireland
Adam Snare – England

Day One of the competition consisted of a walk up with water retrieves included then followed on to a drive scenario picking 4 retrieves at 200 yards plus over a steep bank / valley. This was pushing the dogs due to the extreme temperatures that we had over the two days, but with careful management, wetting the dogs and staying in the shade between retrieves as much as possible, we could keep their performance up. 

Anything could happen

End of day one we were in second position, a few points behind Netherlands but all to play for – anything could happen. 

Day two consisted of five double retrieves in a variety of woodland and open grassland scenes – memories and blinds. 

Our performance stayed consistent but we dribbled points here and there (which was similar to the other teams) but thankfully no zeros!! By the end, the consistent performance of all our dogs then pushed the UK gundog team into first position – it was tight with Ireland only 5 points behind but we did it!

I would like to thank CSJ for the dedicated help and sponsorship that they always provide for gun dog international events. Without sponsors such as CSJ we wouldn’t be able to take our dogs to these events so it is very much appreciated. 

Final scores were :- 

1st – Great Britain 1048 points 

2nd – Ireland 1043 points 

3rd – Italy 1027 points 

4th – Netherlands 1006 points 

Nigel Probert
Llangynidr gundogs

Kieron Coey

“I want to personally thank you for CSJs support over the last few days, I hope we did you proud. It is refreshing to see a company still prepared to support working dogs of all varieties in these difficult times. I struggled for at least 18 months before finding a food that agreed with Ralph (Int. Ftch Crosstone Trickster) trying everything from the cheapest to very expensive before discovering  CSJ at the Moira gamefair and we have not looked back, feeding Fit n Fast! for the last 5 years.

Once again thank you very much.”

Kieron Coey

David Logan

“Morning Ceri, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to CSJ, Phil and yourself for everything you have done over the weekend for the team. It is greatly appreciated! It was great to catch up on the Wednesday evening and Thursday. Will see you soon at Scone!”

David Logan

Race season is over once again for Ystwyth Racing…
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Race season is over once again for Ystwyth Racing…

By Chelsea-Anne Lee, Ystwyth Racing

Our race season is over once again until September, we just wanted to update you on our journey up until now and thank you once again for your support.

Our team as you know is made up of 6 rescue sheepdogs and a staffy x husky. As the interest in canisports grows there will always be a desire for purpose bred dogs for the sport (that’s what makes it such a spectacle to watch). However we are keen to show that rescue dogs can compete just as well and ultimately provide plenty of fun whilst doing so. 

Here’s a little update of the dogs achievements this season…

The absolute highlight of the year was winning the 2021 / 2022 championship at Newnham in two categories!

  • Champion 4 Dog Rig (Tony with Ted, Wally, Kai and Nero)
  • Champion Male Bikejor (Tony racing Nala)

A few other placings besides the ones related to the championship included…

2nd Place – October 2021, Newnham – Nero in female bikejor

2nd Place – October 2021, Newnham – Ted in male bikejor

3rd Place – October 2021, NATB – Ted and Nala in DB2 

3rd Place – October 2021, NATB – Nero, Kai and Wally (a 3 dog team competing in a 4 dog class)

1st Place – October 2021, Checkendon – Nala and Kai in the teams bikejor

3rd Place – October 2021, Checkendon – Nero in bikejor

2nd Place – November 2021, Newnham – Nero in canicross

1st Place – April 2022, Newnham – Ted in bikejor

2nd Place – April 2022, Newnham – Gary (Chelsea’s Dad) competed in his first ever canicross race with Nero and bagged silver.

4th Place – April 2022, Newnham – Chelsea competed for the first time with 4 dogs on the rig and although not a podium placing a fourth place is a promising start for this combination. 

As well as a lot of nearly podiums, the dogs have really had a blinder of a season especially as the classes have been much larger! 😁 We will be resting over the summer (with the exception of a dog surfing competition in the summer – something different to try).

Once again I cannot thank CSJ enough for your support, without this we certainly wouldn’t be able to get out and compete as much as we do.

Ystwyth Racing dogs are fed on CP24, CP30, CP Xtra, Champ and Salmon Oil.

Photos by courtesy of Lucy at Lucy D Photography

Sponsored by CSJ

Wales International Team Announcement 2022 – Scone Palace and the Game Fair
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Wales International Team Announcement 2022 – Scone Palace and the Game Fair

By Alan Rees

After three busy weeks of gundog activity, with more than 30 dogs, and their handlers, attending the various venues, we are now able to announce the teams selected for the International events at Scone Palace, Perth and the Game Fair, at Ragley Hall. Firstly, a big thank you to all attendees at this year’s assessment / selection days.

16 Spaniels, put through their paces by Aled Jones, over three sessions before ending up with the selected handlers.

18 Retrievers, put through their paces  by Alan Rees, plus the watchful eye of Nigel Probert (This year’s U.K. Team Captain for the Kennel Club International), over two sessions.

I would like to thank Aled, Nigel and David Pither, with all their experience, for their input over the past three weeks. I would also like to thank all the guys that turned up to help with dummy throwing, and of course our resident man on the gun, Clive.

My biggest thank you is to the Team’s sponsors, Ceri and Phil of CSJ K9, without their support it would be impossible to keep running the National Team at this level.

Encouraging this year was the appearance of new faces at the days, hopefully this will continue.

Now to the handlers selected (in no particular order) –

Scone Palace – 1st to 3rd July 2022

Spaniels.                                                        Retrievers.

Aled Jones.                                                    Simon Hagain

Dewi Williams.                                                Alan Rees

Nathan Quinn.                                                Nigel Probert

The Game Fair – 29th to 31st July 2022

Spaniels.                                                         Retrievers.

Aled Jones                                                       Mike Jones

Dewi Williams                                                  Nigel Probert

Roger Woolridge.                                            David Christmas Thomas

Steve Erasmus.                                               Alan Rees

Nathan Quinn                                                  Nigel Probert

                                                                        Wendy Glue (Reserve)

It is sad to report the loss of one of the cornerstones of the Team over the past years, Rhys Carpenter, (joint top dog at Scone in 2021), has withdrawn due to personal reasons.

Alan Rees

Captain of the Wales Team

The Southern English Springer Spaniel Society Charity Virtual Dog Show
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The Southern English Springer Spaniel Society Charity Virtual Dog Show

By Bev Nicholson and Eve Whitley

Thank you so much for being part of “Team SESSS” and generously sponsoring our recent Virtual Charity Dog Show in aid of The Alzeimers Society and Just Springers Rescue.  Once we had started to advertise the show online, a member of our society asking us to consider raising money for Ukraine.  After some thinking, we decided on having an extra two ‘Special Stakes’ classes with the money donated to these classes going to The Red Cross Ukraine Appeal.

Our show was a huge success with an amazing 629 entries raising an incredible £1,600

Without your amazingly generous and kind support we have no doubt that our show certainly would not have been the success it was.  So from the bottom of our hearts we thank you.

Already, English Springer owners are saying they cannot wait until our next show!  So fair warning….. we will be back to ask if you would be involved again next year!!!  

If you’d like to go onto our website, visit: sesss.org

You’ll see on the home page information about the show and if you click on the downloaded file, you’ll be able to view the winners of each class and the 7 judges comments on them.

Please find attached the winning photo of Supreme Best In Show, Marley and a photo his owner took of him with his rosettes!

Once again, thank you, we truly appreciate your help and support.

Best Wishes

Bev Nicholson and Eve Whitley

(Part of the Southern English Springer Spaniel Society committee)