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We are a small hobby "kennel" of show cocker spaniels, located in beautiful and picturesque Herefordshire. Our dogs are much-loved companions and exhibiting our dogs is one of our favourite hobbies, our other passion is Golf! |
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My first encounter with dogs was with Labrador Retrievers who were trained and regularly worked to the gun. When I married and left home, I decided I needed a somewhat smaller & more compact size dog. It was important to have the wonderful gundog temperament and the loving and gentle nature so common with the Gundog breeds & after a lot of research decided the " merry" cocker would fit the bill! |
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My love of animals includes horses and I was fortunate to be involved with
horses in Newmarket before moving to Co. Kildare in Eire where I was a pupil of
Iris Kellett at her world renowned equestrian centre. |
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Our first cocker joined the family in early 1987 and we named her. "Misty"
She was a beautiful blue roan girl from Normanview and Styvechale lines. Due to
family commitments, "Misty" was not destined to be a Mum; however, she was
trained to the gun and enjoyed many happy days out in the fields never failing
to give of her best. |
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In early 1996, "Amy" (Spendles Sparkler of Powerscourt) joined the family. "Amy" was initially obedience trained and I was delighted to get her up to Test ‘A’ standard, something not often achieved by a Cocker! "Amy" competed at many Obedience shows before I decided to start exhibiting dogs. Ever the versatile little girl, "Amy" soon took to showing and gave me a valuable insight into the all-consuming world of showing dogs! |
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Although we exhibit (show) our dogs they are first and foremost our family pets. They share our home with us and live happily together. Like all pet dogs they enjoy a normal lifestyle and don't lack for plenty of fuss and attention although they do have to share! |
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Our aim when breeding a litter of puppies is to produce happy, healthy cocker spaniels with excellent temperaments and good conformation which are typical examples of the breed and are loving pets and/or show dogs capable of winning well in the show ring. Several of our "puppies" are P.A.T dogs; others excel at obedience and agility. Many others are successful in the show ring or are gundog trained demonstrating that our dogs are “fit for function, fit for life.” |
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As part of our commitment to the health of our dogs and the breed in general, we decided in 2004 to make use of the OptiGen DNA test for prcd-PRA and were the 2nd UK kennel to utilise this new DNA test. We are the first kennel in the UK to take advantage of the latest OptiGen test for Familial Nephropathy (Dec. 2006) and we are delighted that ALL our dogs have tested as “Normal" for F.N., i.e. they are not carriers. With the known DNA status of our dogs, we can ensure that ALL puppies bred at Powerscourt will never develop or suffer from either of these diseases. |
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We are also one of very few breeders of parti-coloured cockers to routinely hip score our dogs under the KC/BVA Hip Scoring Scheme. In addition to this our dogs are Glaucoma eye tested under the KC/BVA Eye Scheme. |
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I am a keen exhibitor (although a lack of dog sitters is currently curtailing my outings!) and I judge Cocker Spaniels, American Cocker Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels at Open Show level. I have an ardent interest in all breeds of dog, I have completed the Animal Care College Judging Diploma (passed with Credit), the Dog Breeding Diploma (passed with Distinction) & the Diploma In Advanced Canine Care (also passed with Distinction). Chris Pritchard |
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