Latest News from Rivermeadow Labradors 2015

My goodness, it’s November already! Summer 2015 has flown by, in a blur of Agility! The boys and I have had so much fun, competing all over the country, and collecting lots of pretty rosettes in the process.

My beloved Oak is holding his own in Grade 5, still managing to beat the (much younger) collies with his accuracy, and speedy paws! At 7 years old, he really is amazing to do so well, and most importantly, he still absolutely loves his agility. He has regular physical check-ups, and passes the fitness test with flying colours.

Fig is proving that he is well and truly Oak’s son. He adores agility as much as Oak does, and having done a lot of foundation games as a puppy, his understanding of the agility game has been rapid. During the 6 months that he has been competing, the immature novice Fig has developed into a confident and extremely accurate young dog, regularly getting clear rounds and places in the awards. I’m not pushing him, and often “throw” a run to insist on a steady contact, so that hopefully this early tuition will remain with him throughout his career. I am really excited about the future with Fig!

Ash has now retired from agility, just doing the occasional fun run over a very low height. He still enjoys that, and gets faster and faster as he goes round!

Now Autumn is here, we are hanging up our Agility trainers and digging out our winter shooting gear. Oak is my number one picking up dog, coming out twice a week as my right hand man. Totally reliable, he is my rock. Ash is just doing once a week this year, which he thoroughly enjoys, and often finds the tucked in bird which the younger, faster dogs have galloped past. Fig is making his debut on the days Ash stays at home, the idea being that I can leave Oak to do the work and concentrate on Fig. Fig is once again displaying his heritage and demonstrating superb hunting ability, with a quiet acceptance that patience is required from a gundog, as well as action. Having such a lively temperament, I am restricting what Fig is allowed to do to start with, so that he doesn’t get over excited. So he has no seen retrieves, only unseen hunting at the moment. I am truly delighted with the performance he is giving me so far.

On the previous update I mentioned that Tom was getting a puppy. Ace has now arrived, Ash’s grandson! So on the days Ash doesn’t come picking up he babysits for his grandson! Unfortunately poor Ace managed to fracture his elbow aged just 4 months, so he has had a very restricted life so far, whilst the wonderful repair work done by Noel Fitzpatrick did it’s work. Thankfully he has been given the all clear now, so life can start to get more interesting for Ace. Tom and I have very much our own dogs – mine are mine and his are his – so I’m having to be very strict and not do too much with Ace, but leave him to Tom!

Breeding wise, Oak has sired some lovely litters this year, and is still available to health tested bitches. Oak is ideal for smaller bitches, as he is compact and perfectly formed himself. Ash sired a super litter this summer too. I keep thinking that I will retire him from stud soon, but all the time that he is fit, fertile and healthy if nice bitches suit him then he may be available. Fig will probably be available in 2016, but I’m not rushing into breeding with him yet. He is a gorgeous dog, with the most fabulous temperament, but he is still quite immature and I want to wait until I feel he has grown up before using him.

Well, the pheasant shooting season is over. Oak and Ash were, as usual, a joy to take picking up. They worked hard and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Their game finding abilities really are superb!

Fig came out on a couple of very small days at the end of the season, and was completely unbothered by the shooting but very excited seeing Dad and Uncle Ash retrieving. He gradually learnt through the day that he wasn’t to steal the birds from them, and even picked a pheasant himself later on. He was also given staged retrieve of a woodcock to pick at lunchtime, which he did with great aplomb! I look forward to next season but being so excitable it will be a gradual introduction to a shooting day needed!

The agility season is now beginning to start. Oak is delighted and has already done some lovely rounds. My beloved boy – his talent is still shining through even in the heady realms of Grade 5! Fig is not yet old enough to compete, but in February he did a “not for competition” fun run over a lower height (which is all he is jumping at the moment), and to my delight was totally focused on me and did a lovely clear round! I’m not pushing him, but he loves agility, like his Dad, and is quick to understand what I want. This season is looking like being great fun for us all!

Ash is still very fit and happy, the senior member of the family, he passed his end of shoot season check up with the Chiropractor with flying colours! His baby sitting skills will soon be called into play as my husband Tom is planning to have a puppy this year. Dear Ash is always the puppy minder, he is so patient and loving with them. I’d like for him to sire another litter or two before I retire him from stud, as his puppies tend to have Ash’s marvellous temperament and good looks. They are ideal family pets, and also working dogs. But we will have to see who comes along.

Oak has had some lovely bitches to mate and enquiries for using him. If you are looking for a puppy to train to work, or be an active pet, I would be happy to pass details of these breeders on.