Netis Jitterbug known as Pi passes her health checks and confirmation

As you can imagine I am very pleased that Pi has passed her health checks for breeding.

Her hips have been scored with a result of 4 :4 and her elbows scored with a 0 :0  result.

She has passed her eye test so has a clear eye certificate dated June 2015.

This lovely girl with her beautiful markings has just been to France to be confirmed, we attended a 2 day show in Douai and on the first day we were lucky to be judged by the very knowledgeable Monsieur Dupas who placed Pi as Best Junior.

Pi enjoying the limelight.

On the same day Pi was able to take the TAN  ( water retrieve/sociability test) with several other Barbets, once again we were lucky as Monsieur Goubie another expert judge was overseeing the test and I am pleased to say. Pi passed with flying colours.

The last couple of months have been a social whirl for Pi, she had the joy of playing with the pups from Martha and Ooli, The London Pet show, Hips,elbows and eyes done, a weekend in France at the show, and a working test........after all her engagements she then had her hair cut which you can see in the photo at the top of the page.
The details for her 'husband to be' will be published shortly,

Novaforesta Joni Mitchell at 4 weeks

Novaforesta Joni Mitchell (purple collar) but now sporting a brand new orange collar.....are you confused yet? She was one of the bravest (apart from Jack Black) outside on her own today as its a whole new world outside with the wind blowing and the cold under your feet.

Novaforesta Joy Division at 3 weeks

Novaforesta Joy Division our little black girl, she has been  known as ''sweep'' as from birth she sounded like something from the Sooty and Sweep show, she had a very recognizable cry and you always knew if she was unhappy. One of the well behaved pups in front of the camera

Pregnancy news

It will be 4 weeks on Friday so we will be having Hallie scanned at the vets, the signs are good as she is very hungry and very tired.
On Sunday she had a photoshoot locally and she didn't join in the fun and games with Martha and Pi, these are all positive signs so I hope to be posting on Friday night the results.

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.  

Dog breeding-behind the scenes

If you have viewed the webcam you will have seen Bepop being devoted to her pups, from about day 10 she is now just starting to sleep on the floor just outside the webcam view. The two seater sofa is my viewing seat and my bed at the moment as I am still sleeping downstairs with her just to make sure that she is ok during the night.Yesterday she had another quick bath as the weather has been so warm, and I gave her a brush....she didn't appreciate either action  and probably to prove a point she went off down the garden to dig a hole!!!

Charamese Hermione aka Hallie

How beautiful is she? Hallie is just the sweetest dog, she is only 7 months old but she is a puppy you can never get cross with as she always makes you smile. Hallie and Bobby are now best friends. Poor Bobby has learnt to share his toys and not be so jealous and the result is that he now plays with Hallie continually and they daily share bones, they often chew one end each.So little Hallie has changed Bobby for the better, her stable and kind behaviour has won his affection. he still insists on sitting on her as in the photo above, but it is all done in the best possible taste.