24/12/05

Our darling Pip called by today to wish us Happy Christmas! We see a lot of Pip but it was especially good to see her today as this was her first Christmas away from home. She brought presents from David and Rosemary and took away some presents for them. She was particularly interested in her present from us (can't think why?!!)

Pip and her littermates came into the world by C-Section. Unfortunately for us the vet was a locum and wouldn't allow me to be present. The litter paid the price, I took home six pups with hypothermia. Pip was one of the three I saved. At five weeks old Pip weighed 400 grams which was only 50g more than her birth weight! With lots of TLC Pip and her two brothers thrived and went from strength to strength.

When my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas that year, I replied "nothing I have everything I want" and so Pip became my Christmas present (complete with a wrapping paper coat!)

18/12/05

Our beloved Amy came to visit today! It was wonderful to see her, she's fit and well and still very, very young in attitude (even if she is a little grey!)

13/11/05

Lottie, Louis and I went showing today and what a lovely day we had! I was thrilled to win my class with Louis, I felt the dog who eventually stood second to him was so lovely and very likely destined to be the winner!

Lottie also won her class and then went on to challenge Louis for Best Of Breed. Louis was "handled" by Georgie's young friend who tried her best with him (he's just impossible when he's in the ring with Lottie!). Lottie won Best Of Breed and the little imp Louis won Reserve Best Of Breed and Best Opposite Sex!

The Best In Show judge was by coincidence the same chap who officiated 3+ weeks ago at Newtown. Lottie made the final cut again but that was it. I'm fairly sure he's not a Gundog aficionado!

Thank you to our judge of the day Linda Cooper (Megwellin) for her appreciation of my dogs. This is the third time I've given an entry to this judge, the first time was quite a few years ago, at that time she appreciated the qualities of Toby (Powerscourt Higher Echelon) and awarded him Best Of Breed (he was also short listed for BIS on that occasion!)

Powerscourt Playboy - 1st Post Graduate, Reserve Best Of Breed and Best Opposite Sex

"Pritchard's Powerscourt Playboy. 1st, RBOB and BOS. A well presented compact 3 yr old male. Lovely head with correct expression, dark eye and good chiselling. Well set ears. Muscular neck into well laid shoulders. Good bone and feet. Excellent angulation as I would expect from this kennel. Correct topline which he held on the move. Moved well but didn’t have the tail action of 2."

Powerscourt Power Of Love JW - 1st Open, Best Of Breed and short listed for BIS!

"1st and BOB. Short listed for BIS. Pritchard's Powerscourt Power Of Love JW. Judged this bitch against different dogs just a few weeks ago and I haven’t changed my mind about her. She has everything I like. Very pretty head with a lovely expression. Good neck into a well angulated, compact body. Well sprung ribs, deep chest. Correct topline which she holds when she moves effortlessly around the ring."

06/11/05

Coventry (Foleshill) Canine Society - Breed Judge: Mr Martin Sanders (Castellcoch)

Powerscourt Playboy - 2nd Post Graduate

"Pritchard's Powerscourt Playboy. Blue of quality, again one with a good head piece. Good eye and ear set. Well sprung ribs. Good topline and tailset. Moved well both ways. Close between 1st and 2nd."

Powerscourt Power Of Love JW - 2nd Open

"Pritchard’s, Powerscourt Power of Love. Pretty blue bitch, again quality head piece with feminine expression. Well developed ribs. Good bone and feet. Put her best foot forward. Unlucky to meet X-Factor on the day."

23/10/05

Today was a show day. Both Katie and Lottie showed beautifully and were rewarded by winning their classes. Lottie went on to become Best Of Breed and made the final cut down to four for Best In Show! Katie was Reserve Best Of Breed.

Newtown and District - Breed Judge: Linda Cooper (Megwellin)

Powerscourt Pippi's Gift - 1st Junior and Reserve Best Of Breed "Pritchard's Powerscourt Pippi's Gift - 15 months old bitch with a lot to like. Compact bitch with a pretty head, dark eye, correct expression and chiselling. Good clean neck into well laid shoulders, straight front and well sprung ribs. The overall construction of this bitch was what I liked here. She moved very well with lots of drive, just a pity she wouldn’t wag her tail to complete the picture."

Powerscourt Power Of Love JW - 1st Open, Best Of Breed and Short listed to final 4 for BIS.

"Pritchard's Powerscourt Power Of Love JW. Quality bitch. Nothing to touch her today. The most beautiful head and expression. The conformation of this compact bitch speaks for itself. Well angulated with well sprung ribs, level topline and correct tail carriage which just didn’t stop wagging on the move. She moved around the ring effortlessly and with lots of drive."

15/10/05

Holiday time! A much needed holiday in our favourite location (Jandia - Fuerteventura)

30/09/05

The great news that Katie (Powerscourt Pippi's Gift) has tested Clear/Normal for prcd-PRA by OptiGen arrived today. This makes seven Clear/Normal dogs at Powerscourt now!

29/08/05

Leominster and District - Breed Judge: Jeff Horswell (Drakesleat)

Powerscourt Pippi's Gift - 2nd Junior

Powerscourt Playboy - 1st Post Graduate - "Pritchard's Powerscourt Playboy. Nice compact type of cocker, balanced and sound. Decent length of neck, deep chest, well sprung ribs. Short loin. Holds a firm topline, moderate hind angulation, tight feet."

Powerscourt Power Of Love JW - 2nd Open

22/08/05

Our darling Pip joined her new family today. What a sad day it was for us but a happy day for our friends Rosemary and David. Pip is the most wonderful of dogs and there is never a dull moment when she's around. We will miss her funny antics and her plentiful supply of love. However all is not lost, Pip is only 10 minutes away and we still see almost as much of her as we did when she lived here!

31/07/05

Today Georgie, Rosie, Katie and I joined the extended Powerscourt family for a picnic in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. The company was excellent and the food wonderful. The dogs behaved impeccably and despite each one being "King of their own castle!" in their own homes they all played and got on so well without a single cross word (not that we were expecting any!).

17/07/05

Today was the Cocker Club Championship show. This is always an enjoyable show which is well run and gives us all the opportunity to see some top class Cockers. Both Louis and Lottie were placed in strong classes so this was an added bonus!

16/05/05

Today Leisl and I went to the KC Rules and Regulations Seminar. It was a very informative day and I'm pleased to say we both passed the exam! After the exam we called in on Chris and Zak. He's maturing into a lovely boy.

28/03/05

Another day's Judging today at Nuneaton and District. Nuneaton and District Critiques. Thank you for the super entry, I believe that the entry was the highest ever in the history of the club. Critiques.

24/03/05

Today I was judging Cocker Spaniels at Horsham and District show. I had a quality entry and I enjoyed my day. Critiques.

12/03/05

We had a lovely day at Crufts. The dogs weren't placed but didn't let the side down. They were beautifully behaved and showed well. Louis and I were interviewed by the BBC and were featured on the Crufts TV programme later that night! Both our dogs were in the ring simultaneously, therefore Len had to make his dog show debut with Lottie!

We also met up with many of our puppy owner's and friends and enjoyed a lovely lunch!

20/02/05

Gloucester and District - Breed Judge: Fran Bowman (Franaille)

Powerscourt Power Of Love JW 1st Open and Best of Breed - "Pritchard’s Powerscourt Power Of Love JW, 19 months old blue bitch with the sweetest head and expression. Good reach of neck and well placed shoulders. Nice legs and good feet. Deep chest and well sprung ribs. Nicely rounded muscular quarters. Well presented. Powerful movement. BOB"

06/02/05

Today we went to Malvern and enjoyed another good show day. As ever Lottie showed her socks off and we were thrilled to be awarded Best In Show! Thank you to Glyn Griffiths (Breed Judge) and Ronnie Irving (Chairman of the Kennel Club)

Breed Judge: Glyn Griffiths (Glanerch) and Best In Show Judges (Glyn Griffiths and Ronnie Irving)

31/01/05

More good news from OptiGen! Both Lottie and Tilly have had their prcd-PRA test results back today, both girls are Normal/Clear!!

29/01/05

We enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and pleasant company at West Of England Cocker Club show today. Our thanks go to George Parker (Weyhill) for awarding Lottie, Reserve Best In Show and Best Opposite Sex out of a quality entry.

Powerscourt Power Of Love JW 1st Open Bitch and Reserve Best In Show and Best Opposite Sex - "Pritchard's Powerscourt Power of Love - typey well balanced blue bitch, with a feminine head and expression, short well ribbed body, good length of neck let into nicely sloping shoulders, good turn of stifle, in good coat, well presented, moved soundly covering the ground well."