TAN success in France

Novaforesta Janis Joplin aka Nell

Nell who swam out to the yellow buoy in her keenness to prove she is a waterdog 

A group photo of the dogs that passed the TAN with Monsieur Goubie

Two British Barbets passed the Tan in France in June 2015, Novaforesta Janis Joplin (Nell)and Netis Jitterbug (Pi), this is a basic test to show that the dogs are able to swim at least 5 metres and retrieve a dummy or toy, the dogs must show they are sociable amongst other dogs of the same sex and they must not be startled by gunfire. The lake was very near the dog show, and as it was a hot day the dogs were very keen to get swimming. The only downside was that Pi missed her chance to go in the big ring to compete against the other breeds being represented as 'Best Junior'. I might add, not because she might have won, but as so few Barbets are shown in France it is an opportunity for people to see the breed in the spotlight even if it is for only a few minutes. 

Novaforesta Lady Fern at her first dog show in France

What a clever girl she was on both days in France, she won best puppy and got to go in the big ring twice........she was the only entry both days BUT it was very good practice for her, and lovely for us to spend 2 long days with her in a very busy, noisy environment.

Martha the Barbet diva and dog shows!

This is me with my hand on hip, next to me is my chilled Barbet, Martha waiting to go in the ring. My sweet Martha who we can take anywhere, she travels like a dream, she sleeps under the table at restaurants, she is a working gundog, she swims like a fish, in fact as a dog (not just a Barbet) she is hard to fault. BUT take her in the show ring and she becomes devil dog. When we took her to the club show in Holland, she created as soon as she was in the ring, she barked and did absolutely every trick in the book to get out of the situation....hmm....so for Calais we borrowed a soft crate for her and she was the perfect dog, quiet,serene,happy as you can see from the photo above, she was normal Martha. Martha can do normal behavior to lunatic in less than 3 seconds and it is not fear or anxiety, she lets the judge check her over, but trying to make her move in the ring is impossible as she gallops to leave. It is a shame as she does deserve better, and it takes me back to showing Betsy as she had a stubborn streak in the showring and really only behaved if there was someone else handling her. So with that knowledge, I should have thought about training her from an early age about showing, although some dogs are just natural at it, Martha is not. Strangely enough I was not nervous or stressed about the show, I think I knew deep down that Martha was going to behave badly, and I normally just accept I am not a good handler although I never had a problem with Bepop in the ring, and Pi was also perfectly behaved. I think Calais will be Marthas last appearance in the ring, I know what a sweet girl she is and that is what is more important, she also works well in the field and every day life. She got an excellent by the judge at Calais, and I was told she needed cutting to make her hair more even which amused me as a dog groomer!,  ,  

Netis Jitterbug aka Pi

Pi has started dog training and as expected is a little star.She is going to her first dog show in November in Calais so will be having her rabies shot soon to enable her to travel.  

Championnat de France 2014

I am pleased to say that Charamese Hermione, daughter of Novaforesta Dora and Novaforesta Eton got the CACIB on Sunday at the French championship show in Angers. She had no real competition, as she was competing against young females and Martha but she was looking the best she could (coconut coat conditioner and then 3 hours swimming in a lake and temperatures exceeding 29, perfect for natural drying). This was Hallies 3rd visit to France to compete, and in the past she has had some serious competition and I hope we have understood the rules, but winning on Sunday means she has become a French Champion (so watch this space). Hallie was amazing in the ring with Nikki handling her, and when I handled her for the first class we were thrilled as the judge was examining the dogs in the middle of the ring which meant away from the trestle table that Hallie associates with a wormer being forced down her throat (something British dogs have to go through at shows to satisfy the pet passport scheme). Hallie in all her past critiques from judges has it written that she is a little timid, as she goes into reverse when the judge checks her mouth, sadly my French is not good enough to say that she thinks you are going to worm her :). This time however to avoid this we did the worming before we left the UK, and then not being examined next to the trestle table meant the judge saw the real Hallie who is certainly not a timid dog.So another first as the critique did not say those words, just exc this and exc that. We had an amazing time in France, we stayed in a chalet next to a lake and it really was like a mini holiday although it did take 12 hours to get there, but definately worth the effort. If Hallie has become a French Champion then she has retired from the ring, it is not cheap to have these French adventures, and we will need to concentrate on her next achievement which will be Motherhood. She is due in season around August, and a dear boy in Germany called Cooper is eagerly awaiting her visit.  

Amiens Dog Shows in France

Showing in France can mean alot of hanging around, Martha and Claude coped well and enjoyed being together which was lovely for Karen and I, actually what I should say is that their behaviour over the weekend was faultless and it is a tough weekend for dogs not used to being shown, they even coped with the 5 hour delay at the tunnel and bizarre events like eating their dinner off a park bench!  .