Newsletter 2004 - Dogs
Cerys - Ready and waiting
Cerys (Barhi Hidden Dragon) spent most of the year focusing on her gundog training. We did a working test in February when she had a wonderful time just racing about and taking absolutely no notice of me! I then decided that I had to get serious about this and so we sought extra help. This made a major difference. She loves going training and has shown a real aptitude for it. She is starting to realise that there are times when it is sensible to take notice of me. She won the working class at the North of England Welsh Springer Spaniel Club Championship show and so is now qualified to take her Show Gundog Working Certificate when she is ready for it. She was placed at the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales working assessment and so continues to be eligible for working classes at club shows.
Oliver following his 3rd consecutive BoB
Oliver (Barhi Crouching Tiger) has been shown very little this year. Apart from Crufts, his only Championship show was the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club show where he was placed second in Post Graduate Dog and therefore qualified for Crufts 2005. He has done a few open shows and, toward the end of the year, was Best of Breed at four consecutive shows. Carol (who he lives with) has been working very hard to get some body on him and her efforts are now starting to pay off. One of Ollie's favourite hobbies is to visit car boot sales (with Carol) when he has a wonderful time being petted and admired.
Miar (Kazval Bon Voyage via Barhi) and Delenn (Barhi Withycombe Shade) continue to enjoy being part of the family.
Copper (Barhi Kings Copse) has now been retired from the ring, but he continues to enjoy a wonderful life with the Barratts and I very much enjoy my visits to Romsey to see him and his family.