Happy 7th Birthday

How time flies, here is a photo of Betsy at Nantes in France when we picked her up at 10 months old. A sad day for Nicole, but a happy day for us :). Betsy is 7 years old today, and she has produced some beautiful pups which have gone on to further the numbers of the breed not only in the UK but abroad.
So a big thank you to Nicole for trusting us with Betsy, and HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY:)

Family dog = The Barbet

Well the sun is out and all 5 dogs are in the garden with bones which will give me PC time I hope :)

I am asked all the time whether Barbets are good family dogs, so it is nice to be able to share clips like this

The Barbet- a family dog

Bepop and Hallie

Bepop and Hallie....What a pair!

Hallie the Waterdog

Hallie at nearly 6 months , not sure what she was waiting for, but she was in the water when we arrived. I have read recently that some Barbets do not swim, is that a concern? certainly the majority of Barbets in the UK like water and retrieve well in water so it is not an issue here. There are also owners who buy a waterdog for the reason that it does not shed its coat, and ofton those dogs are not taken to water so they do not get the opportunities that dogs like Hallie get from an early age.    

Être crotté comme un barbet

Être crotté comme un barbet- As muddy or dirty as a barbet
This well known saying in France, Bepop has welcomed with open arms!.
 The earliest date for this saying is 1835, I may yet find earlier references.
So all you new puppy owners in the UK, you have been warned that this is 'Grandma'
She is not a city dog, she is not a dog that ever needs to wear a coat, she is a just a sweetheart that loves the great outdoors and that includes dirt, mud,bog, and anything dead. Now those puppy owners who are feeling smug because Betsy is their Grandma, more photos to follow as you haven't escaped.  

Cenzo the tolerant Spinone

I forgot this photo yesterday, the puppies just adore him and as he walked around he was rather like the pied piper.
Will he miss them? probably not, but the puppies will have very happy memories of this gentle spinone.

Novaforesta Drew aka Remy

'THE BOY'
copyright Graham Peacock

Dog shows in France and confirmation

This was Douai 2010, three barbets confirmed. Novaforesta Dudly (Ooli),Betsy and Novaforesta Dora (Bonnie). The dog show was the reason for being in Douai, but my memories are the fun we had, picnics in the carpark and this photo was on Sunday morning after coffee and a stroll round town.

This was Douai 2011, three barbets confirmed. Novaforesta Duplo,Novaforesta Eton and Ebene. I have been looking for the photo of us all in the evening with more bottles of wine than people or dogs, but I can't find it!!. Once again, the fun was back at the hotel or food establishments rather than the dog showing. A very good weekend with good company. Will we be back in Douai in 2012, I hope so......

Beautiful Daria

One day I hope to see this rather beautiful girl, she lives in Finland with a wonderful family, she is the daughter of Bepop and Caya. Nice to see her doing agility.

Very fond memories of her owner and the delight of her 4 day visit when she picked up Daria, it was chaos here with 12 pups in the kitchen!

She will be 3 years in November, and her height is 55/56 so smaller than her Mum.

Success stories and puppies so makes me want more, luckily time flies and maybe 2012 will be my lucky year, my puppy has already been named 'Hattie', so there is hope as 2012 will be an 'H' year for pups.

I am keeping everything crossed for Ebene x Ooli, and Bonnie x Eton. 

Are my dogs bright?

Typical, for many weeks my dogs have been eating mangetout with their dinners as I have been growing in my allotment and also have plants at home. I have been careful not to use the plants at home for the dogs just in case they made a connection.
Yesterday, I made the error as I was short of greens, so picked (whilst being watched!) mangetout from my garden at home.
This morning, two dogs were helping themselves to a crunchy breakfast.
Today I will pick the rest as the plants are doomed, yes I can say ''no'' but when I turn my back, they will find it hard to resist. Life is fun with dogs, especially with poodles and barbets, these breeds plan ahead, and think, always one step ahead.
The culprits in the photo are Bepop and Bobby, Jazz and Betsy were still asleep!

French Water dogs, Betsy and Bepop

Bepops' brother

This is Boone, the brother of Bepop and yes he does look like her. He, like Bepop will be 5 years old soon and he has had quite a strange life. I met him  whilst visiting Bepop all those years ago, he was a lovely well adjusted pup, but living with another male dog was not a match made in heaven so he was rehomed, then he was sent to another home in the States and finally for  Boone, a fourth home and he has the  stability and a forever home with a wonderful family. I hope that Boone brings the same amount of pleasure that owning Bepop does, always good when a story has a happy ending.  

Bepop, Betsy and Dolly Photoshoot with Dogs Today.

We have just returned from a photoshoot for '' Dogs Today'' a popular monthly dog magazine.
The photoshoot was needed as the breed is now part of their perfect pup section, and Jilly (Dollys' owner) and myself are breed advisors. I am sure I don't need to say, but all three dogs were beautifully behaved, Bepop posed as I knew she would, she loves being the centre of attention, Dolly was a complete natural in front of the camera, and  Betsy  managed some beautiful sits. Hope to see some of the photos in about a week.