An amazing Beaters day spent with the super friendly Craigmore shoot enjoyed some great birds, especially from the Eagles Cave drive. With as many dogs as people cramming into the gun bus with plenty of banter, Mavis and I will miss all the team and the beautiful drives ….. but look forward to HPR trials next month 🐾😊
Mavis waiting at the Eagles Cave drive on the last day of the season.
Such fun today, spent with John Brownlie shooting over young Mavis. (Ch Aytee Quintessa) John will be known to many UK dog handlers from his time working on Scottish moors back in the day and he had Rodney and I in stitches with stories that would have made ears burn across the miles 😆 Despite jumpy end of season birds on the fabulous but challenging ground (along with the odd ringtone of grouse going off in Johns pocket 🤣) Mavis settled into some super work and with expert shooting we nailed the all important HPRs. Thankyou so much to both John and Rodney and to the team at Craigmore for such a wonderful day.
with John Brownlie
John and Rodney
Our last “S” litter pup, Aytee Sassenach travelled to her new home today.
The wonderfully pragmatic approach to flying with dogs on domestic flights in New Zealand makes light of a days drive, especially for young puppies. ❤️ Buy your own seat online, booking a place for a dog and turn up at the airport with your crated pet, paying NZ$120 for “extra baggage’’. Smiling Air New Zealand staff take charge of your pooch and you see him at the other end….. what could be easier 👏👏👏
A well grown and outgoing puppy bitch unexpectedly for sale. Born 23 May 2025. 7 weeks old and can be seen in the litter. Fully health checked/had first injections and registered. Experienced breeder with health tested parents. This puppy has many field trial champions in pedigree - an exciting opportunity for someone wanting to work birds or will be a wonderful family companion and reliable with children. Phone 021 277 9008 near Christchurch,
Most of our “S” litter leave from tomorrow. Flights for pups to North Island first thing in the morning and long drives for pups going South, but what a wonderful experience once again. I adore puppies but am ready for them to go to their excited owners and they are too. Grandma of the litter, Aytee Isadora (Dora) was 14yo last week and this was her way back in 2011. Nothing changes apart from the hair 🤣 and the hemisphere 🤣
The “S” Litter are into their last week at home and with improved weather they are having fun outside. We look forward to enjoying time with them in the sun for the next few days, but also look forward to getting them hooked up with their lovely new owners at the end of the week.
We do have one gorgeous bitch puppy available unexpectedly. If you would like more information ring 021 277 9008 Lucies phone.
It’s a busy week in the kennel with little more than a week before collection.
Crates for flight travel have been assembled with the help of grandchildren (who were quicker than me, surprise, surprise). and they have been parked in the kennel so the pups are familiar.
Given the puppies enormous growth rate we collected more of the new food and more cardboard chippings for the kennel floor (🤣🐾🤣both inextricably linked) and made a first trip out in the car on a vet visit for health tests, microchipping and vaccinations. Once back, rather like children, pups became very excited, exploring the kennel as if for the first time.
Another nail clipping follows tomorrow, then visits from HPR friends (with their critical eyes 😅)who show and trial GSPs and GWP’s and finally with the improving weather pups will have playouts in the garden.
Rain doesnt stop play in our puppy pen and the puppies have certainly been doing that with all their adoring visitors. Working up an appetite through busy lives, each puppy has gained more than a kilo over the last week and they are very happily settled into a lovely routine.
Reckon our puppy socialising hit a high spot today when we nailed the birthday tea party entertainment for 7 year old granddaughter Ella and her sisters. Grandchildren & puppies…… divine😁🐾🐾👩👩👧👧
