S c h e r z a n d o   G u n d o g s

for   Scherzando Chinese Cresteds  see
http://www.scherzandocrested.webs.com/

    This is quite a long page... sorry about that... please try and read all the way to the end...  last updated 13th August 2010

Christine is the ONLY breeder in the UK of WORKING spaniels that has health tested to the maximum for nearly thirty years!

She aims for drive, stamina, soundness and long healthy lives. Currently she's into her eighth generation of English Springer Spaniels. She has a keen and practical interest in all working spaniels and retrievers and Christine's affix is well known and respected in many breeds. Christine breeds in order to provide herself with a pup of KNOWN ability, soundness and longevity... NOT for commercial gain. She says "if you think you can make money in correctly breeding dogs.... forget it!" She is breeding less and less in recent years as her stud dogs have attracted some very nice bitches; pups in lieu of stud fees have been taken. Not to mention that she is getting a bit long in the tooth... she's trying to cut down the work these days... not increase it.

Using only top stud dogs with hunting ability and kind temperament at the top of the list of her requirements, she is very proud of her SCHERZANDO Kennel's reputation for producing hard workers. All Christine's dogs over the age of twelve months have always been hip scored and regularly eye tested.  She now holds annual eye clinics at her home; saves on petrol and the clinic is also open to anyone else that might like to attend.

All dogs are DNA screened for everything currently possible and, although bred from top competition lines, her dogs make excellent and intelligent companions to old and young alike.

All puppies have always been home reared – in and around the family. The puppies reared on CSJ Puppy food www.csjk9.com and BARF (bones and raw foods). The English Springer puppy above chews a raw chicken wing whilst the adult Papillon bitch takes on a few beef ribs! Dogs grow correctly and (in my experience) remain far more healthy when fed as near to a natural diet as possible. Very high protein all-in-one dried foods are all very well but are often over fed and used inappropriately.

Puppies leave home microchipped, Kennel Club registered (with KC's 4 weeks free insurance cover), fully wormed and routinely treated for fleas. Pups are screened at 6 or 7 weeks of age for congenital eye defects by Mr Mason of Seadown Veterinary Practice, Hythe. He also checks their hearts etc. Spaniel tails will be docked by a third (Special note re docking further down this page) and dew claws will be removed. There will be certification with each puppy signed by the Vet that performed the operation. The pups will also have had an early vaccination. Puppies are supplied with full written instructions to help with the basic care, especially during the important first few days.

Help and advice is always freely given in the days and years ahead. As an added safety net, it is Christine's policy to always take back her pups at anytime, any age. Happily, this is a very rare occurrence.   Christine offers a 24 hour FREE helpline for all breeds and to anyone but, please remember, she is not a Vet!!

Her partner, Dr Chas Lister, favours Labradors and registered his own Lomcovak affix from Salisbury in 2004. His puppies are also whelped and raised within the family in Hampshire.

...above are ESS puppies in their pen starting their weaning.......

Madge back in June 2008 with her puppies by Woody

R E C E N T    P U P P Y   N E W S

Although we live in credit crunching times....  if your first question is "how much are they?"  please do not go any further...

People should breed the very best that they can...  for health and longevity and provide unlimited help in the future.

If money prevents you from buying the best available, why not consider giving a home to a rescue dog?

Remember... putting size of the dog to one side, the costs of keeping a dog are the same no matter what the breed.
If money is a consideration have you worked out annual feeding costs, fairly regular vet checks (lets not think of illnesses / accidents) and also care during holidays?

ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS 

Nothing at the moment BUT there may be other people's puppies further down this page

 
3 days old - Vet docked / dewed

 
My English Springer spaniel pups are born from fully accredited and working parents so are therefore docked and dew clawed. In the past I have been happy  for my pups to go to “pet” homes… as long as they are loved and looked after that is, as a breeder, all that I can ask for. However in this ridiculously politically correct world I do now have to ensure they go to a home where they may be trained and HOPEFULLY WILL BE allowed to do what they do best. It is impossible for me to dictate anything once the pups have left me...  Please look at the following link:-http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/act/documents/tail-docking.pdf  also perhaps http://www.doglaw.co.uk/

Working bred ESS pups make very “active” pets if you have them around the house and family; far more so than their show bred cousins as the working breds are (generally speaking) more anxious to learn and desperately willing to please. So, if you are often out and about and/or have active holidays then go ahead with purchasing a working-bred puppy. If you want a quieter life you need a show-bred dog. There will always be exceptions to the rule - some show bred dogs will work quite well and some working bred Springers end up as total couch potatoes... but the great majority, if correctly bred, are true to their family's genes!

The sex of a pup makes NO difference as far as working or pet goes. Males are the same 365 days of the year. Bitches come into season twice a year. As in women - this can cause dramatic mood swings or not change her one tiny bit. A bitch may have a considerable discharge but keep herself immaculately clean or may have hardly any discharge and not clean herself at all so will make a mess. For approximately three weeks the in-season bitch cannot go anywhere where there may be an uncontrolled entire dog. That is a darned nuisance if she comes into season just as you want to take her shooting or, in the summer, go on a family holiday with her. You might then be swayed by a Vet to have her neutered simply for human convenience. You wouldn’t do that to your daughter now would you?   There is, with both sexes, going to be an adolescent period but, provided you keep on top of it, that’s the only extra effort that is required. Some adolescents never show the slightest sign of being a “Kevin”, others will test you for months by being a general nuisance.

If there is no intention of breeding I would recommend that people have a dog.  My favourite all-time canine was a black and white ESS bitch born in 1985, my other favourite spaniels have all been males....   If you do intend breeding – my puppies are genetically clear of various conditions so you wouldn’t have to have those particular DNA blood tests done.  All this is shown on their registration documents. Being from an Accredited Breeder my puppies also have four weeks free Insurance cover from Petplan.

Price of English Springer puppies will be £750 - to include the cost of docking/ dew claw removal (certificates provided) microchipping and an early injection.
The pups will also ALL be screened for congenital eye defects by Ian Mason at seven weeks old.
I have two conditions of sale (1) That the puppy is NOT neutered unless it becomes medically necessary and (2) That the puppy is returned to me should he/she need to be rehomed in the future for ANY reason, at ANY age.
All my puppies have their KC Registration documents endorsed "progeny ineligible for registration". The endorsement will be lifted as soon as the pup is hip scored and eye tested.

Reserving a Puppy:-  ONCE THEY ARE BORN... to confirm interest and to reserve a puppy in advance of viewing I take a £100 deposit which is only refundable should you not like me or the pups when you visit. You may express a preference for sex and/or colour but I do not allow any one to choose individual puppies until the temperaments start to show. I reserve the right to choose the most suitable puppy for the prospective owner/s and NOT to sell a puppy at all if I don't think you're right for each other - although this has very rarely happened .

See list below for other puppies due BY my KC accredited stud dogs....

Pictures of the Stud dogs with details of their health certificates further down the page

e-mail me or contact the individual breeder/s as shown for further details.. 

Smudge

Cocker Spaniels  in Sutton Scotney area born 30th May by Smudge (pictured above) out of a very pretty pale golden girl called Wynne
Contact  fenellamorris@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07974 773936  Accredited Breeder

English Springer Spaniels (large litter!) in Kingsworthy area born 7th June by Nobby   out of Scherzando White Duster (by Sam / ex Madge)
These will genetically clear Fuco etc.  Contact  jmperry@btconnect,.com Accredited Breeder

Cocker Spaniels Three boys/three girls, all golden in Farnham area born 26th June by Herbie to a pretty golden girl
These puppies are NOT docked so are NOT suitable for working - but will make excellent pets
Contact Mrs Harris barbie@harris-net.co.uk  or phone  01252 711071 Accredited Breeder

 

English Springer Spaniels born, mostly, on 11th July to the lovely Eva - five girls and one boy
Contact - Julian Drake  julian.drake@barclays.com   new  Accredited Breeder

Cocker Spaniels  in Portsmouth area pups various colours born 10th August by Milo (pictured below) to Poppy, a black Scherzando bitch
Contact Michelle Hodkinson michelle_hodkinson@talktalk.net Accredited Breeder

 
Milo on the left.... and his babies on the right...

Cocker Spaniels  in Winchester area born 22nd August by Herbie out of a very pretty pale golden girl called Lily
Repeat mating that has produced solid golden and lemon / orange roans again.  Phone Sue Harefield on 07790 949140 E-mail susan192@btinternet.com  Accredited Breeder

Cocker Spaniels  in Alton area due 15th October by Smudge out of a very nice solid orange girl (Crumble)
E-mail Mrs Frankel merula.frankel@btinternet.com  new  Accredited Breeder

Even if you live at the opposite end of the UK - there are still good people about - Enid Lake on the Isle of Skye*  www.sgurr.org.uk 
* Scottish dogs CANNOT be docked as the practise is completely illegal there

Or if it's a particular spaniel you're after I can always e-mail the Club Members around the UK

Telephone 44 (0) 1962 793152       email chris@scherzando.co.uk

Gundog Price Guide.... depending on the breed you can expect to pay from £650 and a long way upwards for an English Springer from fully health tested parents. Remember, there is  much more red tape surrounding docking - making chipping of a docked puppy a legal requirement. Then add the cost of the early injection...    Labrador puppies now start at around £850 - £1000 up to six months of age, especially if fully vaccinated and microchipped. Around £900 - £1000 for Cocker or Golden Retriever puppies. Prices are going up dramatically all the time although you will always be able to find a "cheap" dog somewhere but maybe with no real guarantees... Also, not everyone in Wales (or up north) is a puppy farmer - there are some nice dogs if you do your homework and are prepared to spend a day travelling.
Rarer breeds [and/or colours] will always command higher prices. Adults can be at least three or four times this depending on the level of training. More for bitches than dogs, as they immediately recoup their cost if bred from. Occasionally part trained dogs are available. In retrievers you should expect that hip and eye certificates be provided if buying anything over one year old. Never pay a fortune for a peg dog without seeing it on a shoot day and at the peg. Equally don't expect to take a fully trained spaniel home on "approval" as you could ruin it in a very short time - which is hardly the fault of the original trainer. You must ask to see everything demonstrated to you that you think you might possibly need... and then it's up to you to keep the dog up to standard!

Dogs at Stud 

Left to Right      Nobby,   Grouse,   Sam,  Herbie, Scot and  Woody (finally) on a shoot day!  Below are Otter and Smudge... I soooooooo wish I was a good photographer...

 
10th June 2009 Grouse flanked by two of his sons Gromit (sitting up) and Skipper (down)       on right is Gromit at home after a hard day

* * * All my stud dogs are suitable for use by Accredited Breeders * * *
I screen / health test my stud dogs way beyond the Kennel Club requirements - they are all DNA profiled

Stud fees are payable in full at time of mating on a no pups / free return basis    -    I recommend two matings over three days.

If your bitch is fully health tested and of exceptional breeding I might elect to take a puppy in lieu of Stud Fee
I would take second choice of puppy so that the breeder at least gets first choice of their own litter!

Gamegetting Grouse Scherzando    Grouse - Dark Yellow Labrador (fox red)  
Whilst everyone loves all their dogs... this is THE best Labrador that I have EVER had through my hands.
The hardest worker, cover bashing, soundest, most honest, intelligent Lab I have ever had the pleasure to train. He was bought in at 8 weeks to train and sell on. No way!
Hips 4:5  Elbows 1  Eyes clear Jun 10 (Clear again - at well into his 12th year!!)   Optigen DNA tested PRA clear  AHT DNA tested clear Centronuclear Myopathy                           
By FTCh Flashmount Socrates ex FTCh Tasco Dancing Brave of Willowyck  bitch       Stud Fee  £500    and he can't be around for many more years...

Red Kestrel Scherzando                        Skipper - Dark Yellow Labrador (fox red)   New kid on the block....
Hips 3:4   Elbows 0  Eyes clear Jun 10  Optigen DNA tested clear for PRA and Narcolepsy and Oculo Skeletal Dysplasia - Inherited RD/OSD  AHT DNA tested clear Centronuclear Myopathy    
By Gamegetting Grouse Scherzando ex Flashmount lines bitch                             Stud Fee  £600  

Lomcovak Kenmilfore Bols                     Snobie - Black Labrador      Chas's own favourite boy, photo below taken on a shoot day 
Hips 3:3  Eyes clear Jun 10  AHT DNA tested clear Centronuclear Myopathy  Optigen DNA tested for PRA, Narcolepsy and Oculo Skeletal Dysplasia - Inherited RD/OSD
By Gamegetting Grouse Scherzando ex FTCh Bryn Dylan  bitch                                    Stud Fee   £500

Sams Lucky Scherzando                      Sam - Liver/white  English Springer Spaniel                         Olivertash Freedom   Oscar - Dark Yellow Labrador (fox red)  at stud in Kingsworthy
Hips 4:4 Eyes clear Jun 10 including Gonioscopy  DNA Tested Fucocidosis, PRA cord 1 mutation and PFK free            Recommended (not owned) by me - lovely worker, sound and very well bred
By FTCh Robinsmoor Sam of Flintwood ex Scherzando line bitch                                 Stud Fee   £500                                                                  Hips 2:2 Eyes clear   By Waterford Dunbar (2:2) ex Olivertash Linnet (3:8)                                                               

Gannaway Galdor Scherzando          Woody - Black/white English Springer Spaniel                 
Hips 3:3 Eyes clear Jun 10 including GonioscopyDNA Tested Fucocidosis, PRA cord 1 mutation and PFK free
By Sams Lucky Scherzando ex Edgegrove/Scherzando bitch                                           Stud Fee   £500

Fantastic Freddie at Scherzando           Nobby - Black/white English Springer Spaniel  
Hips 3:5 Eyes clear Jun 10 including Gonioscopy DNA Tested Fucocidosis, PRA cord 1 mutation and PFK free
By  Arlebrook Jupiter of Edgegrove   [Edgegrove Ranger/ Robinsmoor Candy]         Stud Fee   £500   
                            ex Marshwood Sally   [Parkbreck Agnen /  Parkbreck Sasha]                                                                                                                                                           

Bishwell Mascot at Scherzando         Scot - Black Cocker - has produced various colour pups even to black bitches!             Henry Ville Special   Milo - lemon/white Cocker Spaniel
Hips 6:6 Eyes clear Jun 10 including Gonioscopy   Optigen DNA tested PRA clear                                                  Also recommended (not owned) by me as producer of excellent pups - stands at stud in Exton, Hampshire
By Clevedale Chamomile of Bishwell ex Wernffrwd Tywll of Bishwell                           Stud Fee  £600                                                                  Eyes clear June 09 including Gonioscopy   Optigen DNA tested PRA clear  Antagene tested clear FN

Sherbet Dabb Scherzando              Herbie - Orange roan Cocker - has produced various colour pups                                   
Hips 4:7  Eyes clear Jun 10 including Gonioscopy   Optigen DNA tested PRA clear  Antagene tested clear FN                                                
By Bishwell Mascot ex Maxchar Sioux (by FTCh Parkbreck Jake)                                Stud Fee   £600                                                              

Lomcovak Darjeeling                                Smudge - Black Cocker
Hips 4:5  Eyes clear Jun 10 including Gonioscopy    Hereditarily clear PRA   Hereditarily clear FN 
By Henryville Special ex Kenmilquin Miranda (daughter of Scot)                  Stud Fee  £500    

Scherzando Ottoman                              Otter - Black/white English Springer Spaniel                 
Hips 5:4 Eyes clear Jun 10  Hereditarily clear Fucocidosis, PRA etc...
By Gannaway Galdor Scherzando  ex Scherzando Sea Empress                                          Stud Fee  £400

Scherzando Cox                                          Butch - Black/white English Springer Spaniel                 
Hips 5:4 Eyes clear Jun 10   Hereditarily clear Fucocidosis, PRA etc...
By Fantastic Freddie at Scherzando ex Scherzando Boursin                                          Stud Fee  £400

Chinese Crested dogs at Stud - all DNA PRA and PLL screened. Eyes clear (gonioscopy). Patellas certified clear of instability
ONLY to fully health screened and approved bitches          n.b. Carrier bitches will be considered
See dedicated website     http://www.scherzandocrested.webs.com/

I recommend   The Book of the Bitch by J M Evans and Kay White   to first time breeders  

Contact me for more details and photographs  
Copies of Stud Pedigrees and their hip / eye certificates supplied on request

 
Grouse still cuts the mustard on runners at nearly ten years old last season!  Snobes (a Grouse son) delivers woodcock to Chas

 
Some of the gang out shooting - January 2009
Grouse with a daughter and son  Sam with a daughter   L-R Jubbly,Grouse,Sam,Skipper,Sleuth

Grouse still working his little socks off at nearly eleven years old and STILL with a current clear eye certificate

Tips passed on by other owners of pups...

Don't be embarrassed to shop around for reasonably priced Vets for your day to day requirements; vaccinations, wormers, general advise. If you need state of the art you will always find it. You may be a Sloane Ranger for your best outfits but there is nothing wrong with the local Supermarket for general use garb. You can keep going from Vet to Vet until you hear what you want to hear... or end up at the Specialists' door whilst the Insurers pay all the fees. Is the end result any different? Locally, to me is Mr Cartmell in Wickham 01329 834030. Down to earth advice and sensible prices. He is also happy to dock but only working bred puppies. My other preferred Vet in the area has been Mr Maddoc at the Mildmay Practice, Winchester 01962 894088 but he has recently relocated to the north of England. The Mildmay Practice was taken over in 2007 by a national company which could mean a loss of their personal touch. The other Vets I like at Mildmay are Kate Hoy, Becky Pope and Rebecca Secluna.  I definitely would NOT use the Vet in Pets at Home in Winchester (Mr Finn Seydewitz). Absolutely nothing wrong with him as a Vet but he charged me 50% more than was originally quoted which I accepted at the time as the operation proved to be slightly more involved. But...what really infuriated me was his charge of nearly £30 to simply check and redress the site. What a cheek that this didn't come under the original £250 charged! Especially as his original dressing had come off within hours so I had to redress it myself and I didn't charge him... Finn didn't seem to care as, in his experience, the fee would get paid by the Insurance companies so he didn't think it mattered... 

Sadly this does seem to be the case with an awful lot of Vets these days. Sign of the times do I hear??? I do not begrudge the Vets' need to make a decent living, having done all those years in University, but then don't we customers need to feel valued too? We  expect better than average treatment if we opt to pay for Private Healthcare ourselves do we not?? There is no NHS for animals so you pay your money and make your choice. Vote with your feet (and paws). If you do find a brilliant Vet in your area - stick to him/her like glue.

For insurance follow this link  http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1130761827,56015   Read down and click the price comparison bit - very interesting! If you are a member of BASC or NGO you are automatically covered for third party liability should your dog cause an accident.

Shop around the Internet for companies with good on-Line order facilities, reasonable prices and quick door-to-door delivery service. Collapsible to flatpack, front and side doors, cage divider and/or slide in trays. These days crates cost next to nothing in Scats and similar places...

Would you like a portrait of your dog?? Excellent work from photographs by Nathan www.nathanart.co.uk
Please have a look at the detail - his pictures are absolutely fabulous!

Chicken houses... I like chickens!! Town and Country Coops  absolutely brilliant!  01489 790528  or  07790 004 787

If you can't use BARF (bones and raw food) I personally recommend the CSJ dog food range www.csjk9.com and I am happy to order (for anyone) their dog's personal requirements from their extensive range.

Recommended reading; Give Your Dog A Bone written by Dr Ian Billinghurst BVSc (Hons) B Sc Agri Dip Ed.

Should the unthinkable happen...

Firstly notify Petlog (your microchip registration point) and your local Police and Dog Warden then look at

I offer a Microchipping Service @ £15 per dog get your dog chipped!!!!!

HEALTH SCREENING - EXPLAINED FOR YOUR INFORMATION

  
These are the WORST hips I have ever personally known - total score 95
None of my breeding - thank goodness!!!

Hip Scores - Hips can only be scored in animals of 12 months old or older. Each hip attracts a total score between 0 and 53.
0:0 is perfection and 53:53 is no hip joint at all!!  You should always try to breed from animals with a score of less than the current mean average for the breed, unless there is something else very, VERY special about the animal.
All my Stud Dogs are under the BVA's BMS and Median scores.

Top - BVA Hip (green), Elbow (orange), adult Eye Cert

 Below - Optigen Certs for NARC, PRA, RDOSD and AHT CNM Cert

Eye Certificates - Puppies can be screened "Clear" [or not] of congenital defects at 6 weeks old before leaving their breeder. It is then preferable to have annual checks on all adult breeding stock to make sure no other condition manifests itself in later years, for example PRA (Progessive Retinal Atrophy). All my stock is DNA screened wherever tests are available.

Elbow Scores - Fairly recently introduced. Zero is perfect 3 is the highest grade (each elbow scored).

Fucosidosis in ESS - I now test all my ESS for this condition. Please see http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1144   for the list of tested dogs clears / carrier; I have done my homework. The two working bred carrier's sire is by FTCh Clarburgh Art and out of a Moonreed bitch. One dam is by a Birdrowe dog and the dam’s bitch line has Larford on one side and Rytex on the other.  I think you will agree that that covers a fair bit of the UK’s top names in Field Trial breeding???  Where is this gene coming from?? And now.... Sh Ch Gleadsbury Whatadestiny JW Sh CM is a carrier. By a Mompesson dog and out of one of a Gleadsbury bitch... That must be a blow to them BUT all power to their elbow for having the test done!

 If it is ever doubled up someone's dog will have a truly horrible fatal condition that will slowly creep over and overwhelm it. An unnecessary and avoidable death. "Pedigree" dogs don't breed themselves. It's the owners that choose the sire and dam. For a few extra £££ the health of the pups would be ensured that much more...

 My breeding stock is now also screened for any condition that a DNA test is available for in that breed... e.g. PFK deficiency and PRA cord 1 mutation in ESS, Centroneclear myopathy in Labs... etc

Sadly, as yet, The Kennel Club still checks no-one's credentials; they do not check that the animal I (or anyone else) says is Dog A was mated to the animal I (or anyone else) says is Bitch B. Neither do they check that the Puppies C were born. They don't check how many, what sex, colour... zilch.  To be fair, it would be impossible for them to do so so it left to the buyer to beware!!! They are doing their best to catch up with themselves...

Neither does the Kennel Club [or anyone else] check that the dog taken for any DNA or Health Screening (hips/eyes etc) is the same dog as shown on the documents accompanying it. So many loopholes and so much done on trust... Again, that is being checked now with microchipping being compulsory before hip or eye screening is done.

The KC Accredited Breeders, as shown on the KC's Website, may have never owned a dog before never mind bred a litter. They may never do so again. They just pay a fee and sign a form to say that they promise to be bound by a code of ethics.  Very creditable in principal, no use in practise. They do listen to constructive criticism and have been known to change a policy if justified... most recently the KC will now add the word "docked" to descriptions on their puppy sales register.

As you can see - there is a great deal left to trust. Make sure you TRUST whoever you buy a puppy from.
Good hip scores and clear eyes cannot guarantee a puppy's health for life but give a good indication of the health of their parents / grandparents.

Recommended Health Links  Eye Tests http://www.bva.co.uk/canine_health_schemes/Eye_Scheme.aspx  Hip Scoring http://www.bva.co.uk/canine_health_schemes/Hip_Scheme.aspx

How to become an Accredited Breeder http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/474

Accredited Breeder list of required health tests http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1100/abshealthreqs.pdf

 Labradors  www.lab-health.co.uk  Cockers www.workingcockerhealthscreendirectory.com  English Springers http://www.englishspringer.org/Julia/pages/pageone.htm

Also..

BBC Documentary - Pedigree Dogs Exposed http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7569521.stm When you have seen this, ask me to send you my thoughts
I was so furious at the biased views expressed in this BBC programme that I wrote letters all over the place in support of the Kennel Club  -  "Pedigree" does NOT mean "Kennel Club registered"

If you really want to feel nauseated look at DEFRA's recent advise....   http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/welfare-dogs-cop/index.htm

Answers to Novice Working Gundog Owner's FAQs

The following tips are aimed at novice owners; some of them are so cringe worthy I am ashamed to put them in! However, if I can save one dog (or human) from being made a monkey of, it's worth it.

Particularly relevant if this is your first dog and you are not 100% sure of how much shooting your dog will get to see.... the one thing you absolutely must do is your homework about the difference between show and working strains. Working bred dogs make excellent companions / pets.  But they do need a “master” not a “mummy”. I hope that doesn’t sound too patronising - but it’s the one area where things go wrong. A dog needs a pack LEADER. Someone (or two / three PERSONS) to whom he looks up and will obey at the drop of a hat.

You must be consistent with your dog at all times. Firm (sometimes VERY firm with a strong spaniel) but ALWAYS fair. The dog must respect you as master/s and not simply treat you as a two legged equal/s that opens doors, tins, crisps, makes it's bed.... heaven forbid sit on your lap or feed it before the head of the household. [Are you getting my drift?]

You should never need to handle your dog roughly if you have been fair but firm from the start. A puppy only needs showing the correct way to behave and he will never do anything else. Never let him get into the position where he can possibly get it wrong. [If you didn't leave your best shoes on the floor in the kitchen they would never have got chewed... if you had taught your dog to sit on a single whistle command he would never have chased the rabbit... if you had taught your dog to walk to heel calmly on the lead he would never have pulled you over....   are you starting to get the picture now?]

They don’t need a lot of exercise – that is a fallacy. They are able, if they are fit, to work long and hard hours. That is a different thing to “needing exercise”. Dogs do NOT need loads of exercise but they DO need your time. Time and attention and training. For a change, rather than take a dog for an hour and a half hour hike, give him or her a few ten or fifteen minutes intensive sessions per day where you have the dog's absolute attention. This can be geared to suit it's age.. from "early learning centre" stuff  to really Advanced level...

If you let them run free and anywhere they like as a puppy…  you maybe thinking that you are giving them lovely play time – they will simply “run amok” as an adult. Why oh why do the idiot fraternity encourage (teach) their dogs to "run away and play" (ahhh.... look, isn't that nice... look how little Fido is having a good time...)  Sure enough, just as night follows day, the same person wants to know what the trick must be in order to catch their dogs as "he won't come back!"  They have just spent the first few months of their ownership of their dog GETTING it to run off and play on it's own???   I bet you any money you like that when the same idiot bumps into someone with a calm dog, walking sedately at heel, they say "Gosh - isn't he well behaved". Yes - he has had a sensible owner!

If you don't want an adult dog to jump up, you must never teach it to do so when it is a puppy... by giving you a paw (why do that anyway?)  or allowing it to jump up whilst still in it's sweet little cuddly stage.  Visiting guests are the worst culprits... full of "don't worry" and "I don't mind" phrases.  The same happens when you meet with friends whilst out. 

Beware of the general public at all times!  They might call your dog away from you or offer your dog inappropriate treats - they (the public) then get quite shirty when you ask them not to.  Likewise when their dog "just wants to say hello to your dog" - GLARE at the other dog's owner!  Strange dogs meeting up nose to nose is not natural. Especially if one dog is straining at it's lead and leaning over the other dog - that is a very threatening (frightening) posture. You may need to see my words on neutered dogs at the bottom of FAQs

Beware of your puppy believing that all other dogs are friendly, which it is bound to learn at puppy parties and by only ever going out with friendly dogs. Think what would happen if it spots another small dog, gallops towards a "new friend" and it turns out to be a grumpy, badly brought up, untrained and aggressive terrier??  Not nice. Skin and hair everywhere..

The first time a young dog barks.. don't laugh and pat it, saying how silly that is - that is tantamount to praise in it's eyes.  Also don't let children shriek with joy as they rush around the garden with a puppy. The growing dog will want to join in with the humans' racket... thinking it is communicating in a completely appropriate fashion. The neighbours will love it!

Basically - never let a puppy do what you wouldn't want a full grown hairy muddy mass to do as an adult.

Don't let a dog anticipate your actions. For instance, if you open a car door it should not jump in or out until told.

Don't let your dog train you - for instance, if it barks at the door you open it. To make it worse you then allow the dog to go in front of you... who is subservient here??

You should have a place where the dog can have time out. Either a crate in the house or a kennel and run in the garden. It must not be a place of punishment, it should be a nice place. Maybe where his food is given, or a bone. He must be allowed to be left alone without undue fuss.

Don't let the dog have free range of a large garden (or park) without you. The garden (or county) will soon not be big enough! A puppy should never learn to have fun without you being a central part of that fun. That way you are the centre of it's universe and it would never dream of being without you.

Taking a dog's lead off should have no meaning whatsoever. A lead is merely a training tool and a safety device. Don't let the dog think that as you take off the lead it can then gallop free - you will never have a dog that will walk to heel off the lead...  If the dog needs to run, why not keep the lead on and run alongside it? Try not to take up any slack in your lead - the dog should walk happily alonside you... the lead is a "safety net".

For the would-be shooting companion you need to make sure you bring the dog up as 100% mute (so no excited barking) and steady (which means no chasing). It must stop on the whistle, recall and walk to heel in any circumstance. No chasing balls (or anything else) once it is fully vaccinated and out 'n' about. You should teach a dog to only retrieve on command.  I use and recommend  Acme 210 1/2 whistle available from your local gun shop or by mail order. If you use it at the same time as your voice commands right from the start (as often as reasonably possible) it will be a doddle later on when more serious training commences.

Pitfalls...

Make sure that, wherever you buy your puppy, the breeder is happy (and knowledgeable enough) to help you in the months or years to come if required. They should be willing to take the puppy back if you find you've made a mistake? Sadly "a puppy" is only an item of goods and comes under the Sale of Goods Acts like anything else. You can take it back for a 100% refund if it is found to be faulty. Some breeders exploit the new owner falling in love with their pup...

If the pups are not docked then the breeders obviously DON'T work their dogs or they would otherwise have been able to find a Vet to dock them. If you only want a pet it doesn't matter if the tail is undocked BUT why would someone with good working bred dogs bother to breed undocked puppies? Maybe they're not as "good" as the breeder reckons them to be?

If you don't like the look of the breeders / their dogs / their premises or... if there is something fishy about what they seem to be telling you (or not) TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS and don't buy a puppy there. If it is really bad - leave the place quickly and ring the RSPCA when you get home.

I love training dogs but am the first to admit that I am not good with people...  That is an attempt to be a subtle way of saying that if you need help with behavioural problems that you think the human family might have caused....  I recommend Caroline Spencer who covers areas in Wiltshire and Hampshire   www.yourdoglistener.com    and Robin Glover who is more towards Surrey  www.robinglover.com

If you really DON'T train your dog you may end up needing a lawyer... it will serve you right....  don't come bleating to me  http://www.doglaw.co.uk/

Neutered Dogs. When dogs meet they sniff each other's scent glands, usually around the back end, to find out "doggie information" about each other. Males particularly so. A dominant male will approach another dog to check it over... Hmmm. Is this dog male or female? If it's male, does it want to challenge me??? Hmmm. Is this dog female??? If so is she in season when she may need mating by a dominant dog?  [If she is not in season she may have just growled BIG time, or snapped at the sniffing stranger]. Hmmm.  IF the poor dog being checked out doesn't smell of anything in particular - the dominant male will mount it in a sexual fashion "just in case".  There could well be a punch up with the first growl or bite coming from the dog underneath, that genuinely thought he or she was being attacked.  The poor dog that was only defending itself is the one that gets the blame.

Docking of Scherzando Spaniels

My pups have working genes. No matter whether they live in town or country, every natural instinct will be fulfilled every single time they are out. Usually they will be hunting for game to be flushed to the gun in a working environment. In the summer maybe they will be thrashing around bushes in the local park, perhaps only at home in their own gardens, around rose bushes and shrubs? Their tails express their total delight at being allowed to do what they do best!!

My first ever spaniel litter (in 1985) was taken to the Vet for routine docking at 2 days old. That Vet's practise was trying to dissuade any breeder from docking - so I was persuaded to let my particular "chosen" pup keep her tail. I'd never before had a spaniel with a tail so couldn't honestly justify the removal of hers. The other puppies in the litter were docked by a third as their planned homes had all requested that their pups' tails be correctly shortened for work.

I had SO much pleasure from that bitch's tail. Forget the clearance of low tables at home or in the Pub or the spraying of mud and poo up the walls - you get that, to some extent, anyway. She was banned from stalking trips as, as soon as the Land Rover stopped to drop off the Guns, her tail would give our intentions away to any beast within miles. At home her tail thumped the end of the bed with almighty thwacks - amazing - and for such a small bitch... I absolutely loved it! She wagged so hard that, just by walking along, her back legs alternately left the ground. I loved that, too.

However... it seemed that every day she would damage her tail in some way or another. Either on the brickwork of a wall, the brambles at the end of our garden or the cover she hunted - which is, by the way, far more punishing in the summer than the winter during the shooting season. The bramble rips the hair out of the tail and the skin then easily splits. There was never a flinch; the joy of hunting scent far exceeded any pain felt in the opposite end of the body.

Her poor tail was constantly BALD and the slightest "clunk" after she reached adulthood resulted in a split to it, blood being wagged everywhere. Mostly she covered herself up to and over her shoulders. Often an infection in her tail would follow and time and time again she was presented to a Vet. who would advise docking "once the present inflammation dies down".

I remember saying to one young chap "perhaps after this (shooting) season?" To which he replied "she isn't IN season" whilst looking under her tail. Ignorance of practical gundog ownership is still commonplace in some young Vets.  With Mo's tail, once healed, I could not bring myself to put her through that awful and far more serious procedure of docking the adult tail. She died with her full tail still on - but I vowed I would never subject another dog to that sort of pain and misery again. Been there, done that, bought the book and seen the film!

In April 2007 the law changed again with regard to docking where it has been effectively banned; happily bona fide working bred dogs are exempt from this ban. There is red tape by the bucket load for breeders and Vets. The pups MUST be docked before five days old and (in England) must be from a recognisable working breed (HPR, Spaniel, Terrier) and the dam MUST be seen by the docking Vet. The breeder MUST give evidence that the pups are bred to work. The legislation also indicates that the pups should be micro chipped at the same time as the pups are docked but my Vet, quite rightly, says this would be too cruel and wants to do this at six weeks of age with a primary vaccination.

This is my friend's dog - I took the picture a couple of years ago

From an owner's e-mail....."Just a quick note to let you know I went to Mr C (a docking Vet) and I am glad I asked if you knew him.  I have to say I was nervous and now its been done and I saw how the pups were, when I think why it its done it makes me really mad that people who know nothing fight these issues.  The pups were fine in seconds and we waste tax payers money on the argument.  Anyway I also met a really nice couple who were parked outside in a really smart pickup with ESS number plate so in my moment of "Oh my God!!!" when I first arrived I tapped on their window and after a bit of a chat they came and  took a quick look at Juniper, well... when I said who the stud dog was and mentioned your name they laughed.  They were very jolly and  clearly held you in high and fond regard.  Pups are all doing fine, Mr C made some very encouraging remarks saying that they were all nice pups and as he said nothing else I guess that must have been meant."

 These pictures were taken at a Trial on 28th January 2008 - the tail is docked but is TOO long!

Neutering

This is my other soap box subject... There is absolutely NO difference between dogs and bitches as far as trainability, temperament and husbandry requirements go. Bitches are not sweeter natured than dogs - they are all JUST THE SAME.  Very, VERY generally speaking... dogs tend to be more loyal and bitches more intelligent; although some smart bitches might try (successfully!) to outwit their owners - you have been warned!  Please do not buy a bitch and then let some silly but well meaning Vet persuade you to get her spayed for no good reason - it is certainly NOT "the kindest thing" to do.... Keeping her away from sexually active male dogs for a couple of weeks is far, far preferable to major invasive surgery which can change the bitch's whole demeanour, coat and temperament. Not to mention the urinary problems which can sometimes result.  I personally, again, don't approve of unnecessary castration either. Train the owners - don't perform surgery on animals just because of inadequacies in the owners ability to keep their dogs under control. [Always remember that it isn't the dog's fault he is untrained]. UK Vets may claim that spaying a bitch can prevent things like pyometra and tumours as well as those unwanted pregnancies... why not take out the poor animal's eyes and remove any chance of developing cataracts?  In some European countries the routine neutering of canines is very much frowned upon and considered "unnecessary mutilation" by their individual Veterinary Associations.   I'm with them...

Steve Dean (Dog World's Vet and renowned Border Terrier Judge) wrote an article in May 2010 quoting from the recent Veterinary Record. The contributing Vets themselves admitted to seeing many types of problems across the board and yet still were promoting neutering, and as young as only a few weeks old. One thing they added, that I had never really thought about, was that spayed bitches develop temperament problems. The odd bitch I've had spayed for their own health reasons certainly did not - but then they were late middle / old aged. The bitches I have had in for training or boarding I had never known as entire - so just assumed that their temperament was just "as seen". If you use common sense, it does seem reasonable for a young bitch to "go off the rails" through hormone imbalance? You wouldn't perform a full hysterectomy on a young woman without expecting to give counselling and HRT for some time.....  the poor dogs just get left.

And what of the boys? If there is a medical or temperament reason to castrate a dog then fine. But why oh why oh why march the poor chap to the Vet to have his bits snipped off at only six months old?? He hasn't even started to behave as an adult male might behave and I stress it's only MIGHT.   Very, very, very few male dogs become a problem with too much testosterone.  Correct training overrides any desire to fight all comers, check out any bitch in the district or mount anything anyway just in case.  I challenge any Vet to justify this practice. Their main reasoning is to prevent unwanted puppies but isn't it down to the owners to control their dogs?

Also see my advice to pet owners at the end of the FAQ section above

BUT PLEASE don't let me and my giant soap box prevent you doing whatever you believe is best for your own circumstances!

Sprockers / Labradoodles / Cockerpoos / Spaniadors
 all crossed breeds are merely mongrels - don't kid yourselves they're anything else!!!

I wouldn’t touch a crossbreed with a barge pole. What is the point in deliberately making mongrels? It’s impossible to breed “the best of both breeds” and you could well get “the worst of both”. The Labradoodle was invented as supposed to have none shedding hair, excellent pets for asthmatics.. what tosh. Maybe one or two pups in a litter have the required type of coat - what happens to the pup that turns out to be as loopy as the dippiest Poodle and has the incessant shedding coat of the sloppiest Labrador?

Spaniadors?? These just started out as accidents that, with extreme luck might, in some cases, work quite well. But - what happens if you end up with the nuttiest of spaniel brains in the largest framed Labrador body? You can't tell when they're only a few weeks old what they'll turn out like. Serves people right in my opinion. Then what happens?? Another unwanted dog needing rehoming by the Charities. Why does anyone want a crossbreed? Why not KNOW what you are getting and go to someone that specialises?

Any breeder that deliberately turns out mongrels for a physical type is a dipstick.  [n.b. it is quite a different thing to want a mix of size and brains which is what the Assistance Dog people do]  What health tests are these idiot brigade people doing? The sire's or the dam's? They should test for the associated conditions from each breed – but I bet they do zilch.   I guess there is some attraction when HM Revenue can't catch up with the breeder as there are no registration documents anywhere.  Another consideration to be considered by the prospective purchaser is, as they are “only” mongrels anyway, how do you know what else [as in... what other breeds] might have crept in there? At least with an Accredited Breeder of KC registered dogs you can throw the legal book at them should you ever suspect fraud. DNA checks cost only £15 per dog to prove heritage.

Mongrels are, essentially, worthless. Do NOT go paying huge sums of money. Go to your nearest RSPCA, or Blue Cross, or similar and choose something you think at least "looks" suitable from there and leave a donation to the Charity's work. There are enough dumped purebred dogs in the world, never mind mongrels. Every pure breed has a "Rescue" co-ordinator. Numbers are available from the Kennel Club.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind , Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Assistance Dogs  have breeding programmes, you may or may not know, that deliberately cross certain breeds... BUT they have scrupulous vetting / screening methods before they ever use an animal to produce pups. Guide Dogs for the Blind have been crossing Golden Retrievers with Labradors for donkeys' years and their depth of knowledge, of their various lines, is vast.  Once born the pups are closely monitored during their early months before ever entering their various training programmes. If they don't make the grade they are carefully re-homed.

Unless a breeder has considerable experience of both I wouldn't cross working lines with show lines in any gundog breed either.   Oooooops - there's another soap box tipped over.  Sorry.

Show or Working Bred??? What is the difference??

These two fine Cockers and lovely English Springer are SHOW bred. They are bred to a KC "Standard" for their looks rather than ability.

As long as you source a reputable, knowledgeable breeder show and working bred can both make good pets - but they are poles apart in working ability

Do I Go Home Today?

My new family brought me home, all cradled in their arms

They cuddled me and smiled at me, said I was one most charmed

They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys

I sure did love my family, ’specially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me, and they gave me special treats

They even let me sleep with them, all snuggled in their sheets.

I used to go for walks with them, oft’ several times a day

They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.

These are the things I'll ne’er forget - a cherished memory

’cos now I’m in a shelter, without my family.

 * * *

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe

But they never told the difference between the old ones and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug

So I thought I’d done the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.

They said that I had lost control and would have to live outside

This I never understood, although I tried and tried.

The walks all stopped and, one by one, they said they had no time

I wish I could have changed things, I wish I’d known my crime.

 * * *

My life became so lonely in that backyard on a chain

I barked and barked the whole day long, to stop from going insane.

So they brought me to this shelter, embarrassed when asked why.

They said I’d caused an allergy and then kissed me goodbye

If only I'd had classes, when I’d still been just a pup

I was never hard to handle, I was only growing up.

"He only has the one day left," I heard the kennel maid say.

Hurrah !! Hurrah!! A second chance? Do I go home today?

One to One Training 

Christine does not hold private training classes BUT is a trainer with a couple of groups such as The Gundog Club www.thegundogclub.co.uk and also in West Meon village, contact jdaniel@btinternet.com .

Wherever you go, expect to pay the trainer from £30 per half hour private session or £60 per group class per hour, plus travel expenses.  Watch out for cowboys - there are LOADS out there. I have never seen such an explosion of people calling themselves Gundog Trainers and claiming all sorts of accreditation. Some have superb websites, some can't spell. Some are firmly in the "bull s**t baffles brains" camp. Some can't string two words together. They all know how to charge a fortune for their time.  Various Kennel Club associated Societies hold Training Classes that are run by enthusiastic and experienced people. The trainers might not be THE best in the universe but they might just point you in the right direction before you start spending megabucks. Contact the Kennel Club for details. There are also several non affiliated Societies... you'll have to ask around.

Isla Lloyd Owen took to game - like a duck takes to water...

Gundog Training 

Christine no longer takes in gundogs for training. Wherever you go, boarding alone could be £100 per week. Remember a peg dog's training should be geared to finish in the shooting season. No dog can be proven steady unless you have seen a practical demonstration of the end product i.e. doing the job you will want him to do IN THE FIELD.  Again... watch out for cowboys - there are EVEN MORE IDIOTS out there!  Why not buy a fully trained dog and see what you're getting? Yes it might sound like a lot of money but it is a buyers market and if the dog isn't what you want or you don't like the dog or if you don't like the person selling it - take your money elsewhere! Easy peasy.

In the West Meon area you could get in touch with Jum Daniel jdaniel@btinternet.com who has put together a group of friends who meet informally two or three times a month. If you would like to join the group please contact him. There is a nominal charge per trainee per session and we retire to the Pub afterwards!

If  It  Should  Be

If it should be that I grow frail and weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep

Then you must do what must be done

For this last battle cannot be won

For this day, more than all the rest,

Your love and friendship stands the test

We’ve had so many happy years

What is to come can hold no fears

Would you want me to suffer so?

When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they’ll tend

Only please stay with me ‘til the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see

Although my tail it’s last has waived,

From pain and suff’ring I’ve been saved

I know in time that you will see

It's kindness that you do for me

Do not grieve it should be you

Who must decide this thing to do

We’ve been so close, we two, these years

Don’t let your heart hold any tears

 S O M E  O F  M Y  "O L D"  P U P P I E S   I N  T H E I R  N E W  H O M E S

Below is one of Scot's Grand Daughters - lovely Yogi (Lomcovak Yirgacheffe - pet name Yogi) is out of our Maddy. Here in the snow 2010

Her litter brother is Lomcovak Lingtong (pet name Vinnie) who was returned to us for very naughty behavioural reasons and rehomed.... read below what his new owner reports...

Hi Christine,
One year has passed, and here is Vinnies first ever red rosette, last Saturday he won his first ever agility show, his first ever run!!! Beat nearest dog by 2 whole seconds!!
 Am I proud of him or what!!  Have to lock my car cages, as the amount of interest shown in him is enormous!
  I can take him to school and he is perfect with all the kids, he is great with my tiny nephews, and loves the whole planet.
As long as he is part of the action he is a happy dog.  Thanks for giving him a second chance.
Tima
14th Feb 2010

above is Buzz (Scherzando Warrier born June 2005)  English Springers are everything anyone could need in a family / working dog

above... Scherzando Pisces (aka Timmy)  - two day A/V Open Stake winner. Breed class winner FT at Crufts - Stands at stud Worcs / Salop borders  www.dikeadaze.co.uk
I thoroughly recommend his owners as breeders of lovely Goldens  - work or pet

     
Left - Scherzando Jolly at 4 months (born Jan 08)   two middle pics S Chuckle (born Jan 08) with her friend Inca   and on the right the handsome Zed

      
Left - Scherzando Hornet (born April 2007)         Middle - S Genesis (born Feb 04) with S Crepe (born April 07)         Right - S Rush (born Feb 04)
      in the Italian Alps

   
 S Falcon (born 2000) and her best friend Maggie      S Frolic (born Jan 2008) with his family in Cornwall       Bertie (born 2008) says "when I grow up I'm going to be a Leonberger

Scherzando Ludo (born 1998) - Chester started life as a Pub dog with Bill and Maggie in the Kings Head, Ashford, Middx and ended it with (and in) Chinook helicopters in Lincs with Simon and Liz
Simon and Liz's baby boy Thomas arrived at about 2.30 on Friday afternoon, 27th June! Thomas will have "Chester" as a middle name and a litter of pups was named after helicopters in his honour!
Scherzando Wasp (aka Moose) at 15months of age has now joined Simon, Liz and Thomas

 Jill Hammond with her three Spaniels, summer 2008 - on the right of the group is Nico born 08.04.97     The close up of Nico was taken last year, still looking like a pup!

 Nicki Turner's Scherzando Witwatersrand born 2nd September 1995 - still going strong at 13 years old
FTCh Skipper of Arford / Scherzando Bramble

S Diamond White born 5 April 1998 - used for tracking by her German owners

Chinese Cresteds 
a new breed has crept into my life and there might well have to be new pages in the future..... 
  Click on this link http://www.chinesecrested.no/en/registry/75452/Konishiki+Tiger+Lilley+to+Scherzando.html and, where it shows my name as owner click again on my affix Scherzando and you can then see all my Cresteds

L- R  Lilley, Percy and Moss at the gallop....     Percy BOB Southampton.....     Moss at home....     the Konishiki trio at Southampton

My boys are offered at stud only to FULLY health tested DNA screened bitches  - Stud Fee or 2nd choice from litter

     
"Queen" Lilley in the sun on left. On right.. new-boy Dutchie arrived 24th June 2009, won his first Champ Show class at Blackpool on 26th - THEN - his first DCC at Bournemouth on 9th August under Zena Thorn Andrews

New girl - Vino - Percy and Lilley's cousin  and  Percy and Lilley showing off their tans whilst tussling on the patio

Lilley (above) visited Jay (below) - pups born 8th December - see http://www.scherzandocrested.webs.com/
All puppies have their KC registration papers endorsed "progeny ineligible for registration". The endorsement will be lifted at my discretion and after eyes and patellas are tested.

Show photos by Alan V Walker  K9 Photography www.alanvwalker.co.uk

http://www.crestedhealth.com/

Moss's sire - Sh CM Solinos Letterman (aka Jay)  also Lilley's "husband"

Dearly Departed
 

Above is Anne Yell's Scherzando Scoundrel (aka Bonnie) at 15 years old.  20th May 1992 - 12th July 2007
FTCh Cresset Cristo / Scherzando Halles Mot Justs

My little Ace...  24 April 1994 - 1st January 2009
FTCh Skipper of Arford / Scherzando Bramble

 Polly Polish 5 Nov 2006 - 17 Feb 2009 - tragically involved in an accident, Vets couldn't save her

Poppy wanted you to know
...that when she was nearly 13 years old, on 21st March 2004, she underwent an emergency operation to remove half a ton (large kidney bowl full anyway) of cushion-floor from her stomach  We thought she was just getting older and more frail... but an X Ray showed a blockage of some kind!?!? And how!! She had another fourteen months of happiness before being put to sleep on 18th May 2005. 
Thank you to Mildmay Vets of Winchester - especially Kate and Claire!

Pictured below are Scherzando Bramble at 2 years old (aka Poppy - black/white) and 
Robinsmoor Blue Scherzando as a puppy carrying dummy and game  (aka Balloo - liver/white) 
                                   

Telephone Christine 44 (0) 1962 793152
or email chris@scherzando.co.uk