31/12/08

Well another year has ended, and I'm very behind with the news, due to my health not being 100%.

However, our kennel finished on a high note, with the notification that Desi has won enough points under The Cocker Spaniel Clubs own points system for him to be awarded the prestigious title of ' Cocker Spaniel Puppy of the Year 2008 '. Thank you to the judges who made this possible.....from March to Oct 08 he has been shown sparingly and has only twice not won his puppy class at a championship show in that time. Besides being a lovely dog to show, he is a superlative companion, always full of fun, but ready to melt in your arms for a cuddle whenever he gets the opportunity.

Hannah ended her year as Sonja's new owner by winning BoB with her under Angela McLaren Marson at North Western Counties Spaniel on Dec 22nd. Desi also won his class. Earlier in the month both siblings won their classes at The London Cocker Spaniel Clubs Championship show, so our beautiful dogs did us proud in 2008.Good luck to you all in 2009......xxxx

Charbonnel Swedish Warrior

17/12/08

Today we feature a photo of one of Desi's offspring on our front page....he is Charbonnel Swedish Warrior, who is now owned by Wendy Worgan in Bedfordshire. Much as I wanted to keep this promising young boy, it just wasn't an option, having as I have 3 generations of black males here - his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Young Jack will hopefully continue to grow on the right lines, and we look forward to seeing him in the ring next year.

His brother Charbonnel Finnish Design in now in Finland with Sari Jaaskelainen. Big thanks to Sanna Leskisan for all her help and for travelling with Voitto ....xx

We have his sister and one other Desi daughter from Sh.Ch.C.Silhouette who will keep us busy next year .....

30/11/08

 

Another BEST IN SHOW for Desi !!!! This time at the Gundog Club of North Wales Open Show, under Glyn Griffiths (Glanerch ) The breed judge was Christine Littlemore (Krismoor), who was attending shows with her parents as a child when I first started showing in the 70's.There was a long wait before the BIS challenge, so I had time to spend with June Hill and other local breed folk and it was all very reminiscent of days gone by because many stayed until the end to support us and also to watch Coral Morris win 3rd in the Puppy group with her young blue....

22 + 23 /11/08

A busy weekend for our boys....Little Sonja had to stay at home because she is on heat.

Jack and his son Desi both won their classes at Devon and Cornwall CSC Championship show, under Pam Walker (Cardamine) and we are very pleased to say that the Dog CC winner was by our Charbonnel Double Dutch - Congrats to Colin and Val Flowers and their black boy Kelbonny Go Dutch on their first CC in 29 years of showing ......we are pleased to have played a small part in your success.

Yesterday was Coventry Cocker Spaniel Club's Open show, and our young boy Desi came out on top winning Best in Show under the judge Janice Beever (Dandyjan). Jack also won Open dog, so we were very proud. Go Dutch was also in the unbeaten line-up again, well done all !!! 

16/11/08

Well done to Lacey - CHARBONNEL HIDE'N'CHIC- and her owner Tina Beswick, for winning the Junior class at the Parti-colour Cocker Spaniel Club Open Show today. She is litter sister to Blue'n'Yellow who won his first C.C. in Sweden last week. She has had a very heavy puppy coat, but it looks as though Tina's perseverance has paid off, what fantastic furnishings she has !!

15/11/08

I am proud to say that Hannah and Sonja had a really good day at Midland Cocker Spaniel Club Open show today under Sandra Gregory (Glasfryn). Not only did they win Reserve Best in Show together, but Sonja also gained her last point for her Junior Warrant.

 

Desi won his class and behaved impeccably as always.

Hannah was also asked to 'judge' the puppy walk in the interval.Thank you to the club for affording her this pleasure,which is another experience which will help her when she judges for the first time at the Taunton and DCS show in January.

 

9/11/08

A day to make any breeder proud...... 

Hannah and young Sonja represented our kennel at North of England Cocker Spaniel Association today, in a very respectable entry under breed judge Mr Leslie Forfar, Glasedin. She was thrilled to win all 3 of her classes and Reserve Best in Show, bringing home a beautiful rosette and LOTS of Arden Grange food....WELL DONE GIRLS !! I believe there was a photographer at the show from one of the weekly Dog Papers.....

Todays wins take Sonjas Junior Warrant points tally to 24, so now she just needs 1 Open show win (with 3 or more in the class) to qualify for her JW title....she already has her stud book number, so the JW would be another feather in her cap.

 

BIS line-up at North of England Open show.....CHARBONNEL DREAM DESIGN. Reserve BIS, and Hannah in centre.

I had a very excited Theres Johansson on the phone today from Denmark.....she was so thrilled because CHARBONNEL BLUE'N'YELLOW had won the Dog CAC (his first) and BEST DOG in Sweden yesterday under Nina Karlsdotter in Åstorp .He was later declared Best Junior in Show !!!!!

On Sunday he was shown at the Herning International show, Denmark, under Tamas Jakkel. Billy started the day by winning the junior class which qualified him for the title Scandinavian Junior Winner 2008,then he won the Danish CAC.

I am very proud of this young dogs achievements, and thank Theres and Borge for having the faith in me to buy him when I had only sent them a couple of photos .....I said he would do well for you, so hopefully you are happy so far ?? !!!!

Well done to Rebecca too for her junior handling achievements, being Top Junior Handler in Sweden !

2/11/08....continued.....

Thought you might like to see these photos of some of our gang getting themselves wet and mucky down the fields.....Teasel, Dash, Buffy and Lulu, all much loved bitches who are all trimmed short so that they can 'get down and dirty' and enjoy themselves !!!

2/11/08

We had a quiet weekend, but over in Sweden Desi and Sonja's brother Johnny, Charbonnel Manacas Design was busy winning his first CC !! He was also 4th in the Best Dog competition, with their mum, Monicas lovely Sonja, Manacas Undesingned Dream, winning Best Bitch and BOS, under the judge Beata Petkevica. Thanks for the photo Mon !!xx

25/10/08

Some good news from Monica in Sweden where Charbonnel Manacas Design (Desi and Sonja's brother) was at a Gundog show in Mjolby ,in junior class for the first time, which he won with CK and later placed 4th best male. Their dam, Ch.Manacas Undesingned Dream won the Championclass and best bitch. Judge was Mr Fredrik Norgren. Well done all !!! No photos as Monica was on her own.....

18/10/08

A club I've always had a soft spot for is North Wales CSC,as it is where I first 'cut my teeth' in the breed club show stakes.....in those days in the late '70's all the top kennels showed at breed club open shows, and it was in those heady days when exhibitors stayed until the end of the day to watch (and learn about??) their breed. We used to use card tables for grooming our dogs on, and if we were lucky enough to have cages they were plastic -covered wire ones.Some 'big breeders' used to use wooden boxes.

My Mum and Dad often came to the shows to watch then too, more especially if they were held in North Wales, and they were always made really welcome. I have recollections of being at Rhyl CS show with Sonic Sailor at C., and being in the ring with my GSD, while Sailor ('Ashley') was ,I thought, safely in his cage. I came out of the ring, only to find that Ashleys cage was empty......! Shock, horror, the venue was the Town Hall, I think in Abergele, which was right on a main road and I went out onto the street, running up and down the road like a demented fool, screaming 'ASHLEY ,ASHLEY' at the top of my voice, but he was nowhere to be seen.....He could run like a deer when he wanted to, and I was out of my mind with worry. I dashed back into the hall to ask the secretary to announce that I had lost him, and when I told her ,she said " Is that him ??",pointing across the stage at a lady with a golden cocker dog languishing upside down on her knee...!!! Of course it was, he hadn't run off at all, but had escaped from his cage and gone to the first person who would cuddle him and love him while I was showing Rosco.....

I digress......to come bang up-to-date, our dogs did well at North Wales Cocker Ch. Show this year, more especially Desi who although he was the only one in his class, then went on to be shortlisted in the last 4 for the DOG CC. Jack was 2nd in Limit and Sonja was 2nd in Novice bitch. Thanks to judges Sue Telford and Debbie Sawko.

5/10/08

It was the Cheshire Cocker Spaniel Clubs Open show today, and our dogs and their relatives did extremely well.

BIS was Bill and June Hendersons Pendledell Vienna, a black bitch by our CHARBONNEL DOUBLE DUTCH, Reserve BIS and BOS was our CHARBONNEL WAR HERO (out of Double Dutch's litter sister) and Best Puppy was War Hero's son CHARBONNEL SWEDISH DESIGN JW.

Hannah also won both her classes with Sonja, CHARBONNEL DREAM DESIGN and was awarded Reserve BPIS. Together they have won 8 points towards their Junior Warrant award this weekend !!

Below 2 photos taken of WAR HERO after the show....

4/10/08

Our dogs had a wonderful day at Yorkshire Cocker Championship show today.....I am very proud of ,and happy for, our Hannah as she won the RCC in bitches with her puppy bitch Sonja, CHARBONNEL DREAM DESIGN in very strong company, and also Best Puppy Bitch. Thank you SO much to everyone for their kind congratulations, emails and phone calls, all much appreciated. Bitch judge was Mrs Kath Keeley of Australia who was very thorough in her procedure. When we thanked her at the end of the day, she was very complimentary of Sonja and said to Hannah " I didn't know you from Adam" .....and of course, that's what it is all about !!

I am a very proud Mum, and have to say that I thought Hannah handled her puppy beautifully and little Sonja just pulled out all the stops, right until the end of the day when she had to compete for RBIS and best Puppy, both times going to the referee, she just moved like a DREAM ,with loads of style and drive!

Not to be outdone, our boys also had a good day under Mr.Mike Masters, with Jack ,CHARBONNEL WAR HERO, winning 2nd in Limit and the RCC too ! Desi, CHARBONNEL SWEDISH DESIGN, was shortlisted for the CC along with his Dad, and won Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Show.

We fairly flew home........

27/9/08

I'm very proud to report that Hannah attended the Cheshire Cocker Spaniel Clubs Breed Specific seminar today and PASSED .....

I didn't dare expect her to do well, as I know how nerve-racking these exams can be...but I suppose in my heart-of-hearts I knew that she was capable of judging and placing dogs in a satisfactory manner. Well done my love !!!!

22/9/08

A quiet weekend for us show wise, but we do have news that Tina Beswick and CHARBONNEL HIDE'n'CHIC have been having some success, namely on Wednesday at Windsor Gundog Society, where Lacey was declared Best Puppy and Reserve Best of Breed and on Friday at Oxfordshire and Thame Show where she went Best Puppy again. Congratulations Girls !!!!!!

15/9/08

Darlington was another ' wellie' affair.....this time our ring was in quite bad shape too, but it all adds to the fun !

Desi came away with Best Puppy Dog, Sonja was 2nd in a quality puppy bitch class and Jack was 3rd in Limit, his first time in this higher class. Didn't think until on the way home that he now qualifies for his Stud Book number, so pleased with that. I think I have bred in excess of 40 dogs who have gained this KC award now, so very happy......

Talking of the way home, I was in very real pain, brought on by sciatica, knee problems and fibromyalgia...not easy for a body to cope with at times. I asked Hannah to get me some painkillers out of my handbag, and to pass me a drink to take them with, which she kindly did, but with this short quip - " I'd be good in a nursing home, wouldn't I ??? "  THANKS LOVE.......!!

Thought I'd share these photos, all taken at the show, in a greasy slippery ring (inside or outside) just to illustrate what the breed standard asks for -

' GAIT/MOVEMENT - True through action with great drive covering the ground well '

Sonja on the move

 

Desi on the move

 

Charbonnel Sapphire 'n' Lace on the move

 

Jack on the move

12/9/08

Ian Scott who compiles the lists for Top Cocker and Top Cocker Puppy confirmed today that our Desi is currently in the lead for TOP COCKER PUPPY 2008 !!!

8/9/08

Well, it was a mud bath, but our dogs did well ! Richmond championship show was judged by Les Chambers ( 'Selna', N.Ireland) and our 2 pups did us proud, with Desi (now officially CHARBONNEL SWEDISH DESIGN JW) winning his class, Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Breed, and Sonja winning Puppy bitch, ably handled by Hannah. Not to be upstaged by his 'kids', Jack - CHARBONNEL WAR HERO - also won Post Graduate dog, which was the largest class of the day. Second was Val and Colin Flowers Kelbonny Go Dutch, a son to our CHARBONNEL DOUBLE DUTCH, so very similar breeding behind these 2 boys.

 

Below is a photo of Hannah and Sonja after the judging. I want to say how proud I am of Hannah's handling and the sympathetic way in which she handles our dogs. I remember when she was no more than a toddler she used to take Noodle (Sh.Ch.Charbonnel Amorette) in the ring when she was just a puppy herself, and I used to expect a great deal from her. A friend once said I expected too much from her, (and being a qualified riding instructor meant I was a bit bossy !!) but I have to say watching her in the ring today I had a lump in my throat, and I felt that my expectations could only be described as 'fulfilled'. I have never pushed her to enter the JHA/YKC classes, indeed I don't like the exaggerated way in which youngsters are expected to 'perform' with their dogs, preferring a softer, less obtrusive way of handling, and I think Han has developed her own quiet style. Thank you Hannah, you make me very proud, and you did an excellent job of getting both pups bathed and dried xx

Good news today too from Linda Garbutt, to say that her Lindridge Ticket to Ride daughter has produced 8 pups overnight to our young blue dog MANACAS LEARN LIFES ROPES TO CHARBONNEL. 4 orange roan, and 4 blue roan !!!! Congratulations .....!

3/9/08

Another successful championship show at the weekend for our Desi, CHARBONNEL SWEDISH DESIGN, when he won the Puppy Dog class and was awarded Best Puppy Dog at City of Birmingham under Maureen Cunnane.

Desi is now unbeaten in Minor Puppy/Puppy Dog since Border Union in June !!! Are we proud ??

The winner of the well-filled Puppy Bitch class was Tina Beswicks blue youngster CHARBONNEL HIDE'N'CHIC - well done Tina !! Lacey has had a really challenging puppy coat, but Tina has taken her time with it and it is now looking good....

Congrats to Chelsea and her puppy bitch Quintavia Lacey for BP !

Sarah Amatt has just sent me the following photo of Darcy, who she continues to steadily strip with the help of Kim Gain.(Thanks Kim !!!) Darcy has a coat and a half, but Sarah is having lots of fun with her in the ring, so she's very pleased.....

 

Good news from Sweden too - Monica took Joyce, CHARBONNEL ALL'S FAIR, to her first shows where she won a 2nd with HP (honorary prize) and a really good critique ,and at the international show the next day she won the junior class with HP again. Monica said that she enjoyed herself and really moved beautifully, and that's all we need to know !.

28/8/08

Better late than never !!! A few snippets of news ........

Sarah Amatt and Darcy (CHARBONNEL VANITY FAIR) had a good day last weekend at Suffolk & District Canine Society show. She took Best Puppy in Breed under Peter Upton (Tragus) and was Puppy Group 2 under Gary Upton. Now she is out of puppy and in with the 'big girls' so fingers crossed for you both....

Over in Switzerland Elisabeth and Christophe were showing CHARBONNEL FAIR TRADE ,and he won his third CAC and has now earned the title of Swiss Youth Champion. He isn't yet 12 months old and already a Champion. We are all very thrilled about this young dogs success, especially as he still has a lot of developing to do....The breed judge was M. Kardos and this is his critique :
He is a very attractive 11 month old dog, beautiful head, closed bite, beautiful eyes, good ears, very good neck, compact body, good angulations, very good feet, good tail, good coat, very good grooming, Ex.1 Youth CAC .

 

Congrats also to Monica ,kennel Manacas,who travelled to Estonia and won yet another Champion title with 3 of her cockers, including Desi and 'Little Sonja's' mother Manacas Undesingned Dream ....Well done !!!!

I thought I'd also feature this latest photo of Maggie (CHARBONNEL SWEDISH MODEL), who is now into Junior class in Denmark.....we are very proud of how she has come on, and hope she continues her winning ways ....Good luck with her Pia ....

 

18/8/08

We're proud to report that CHARBONNEL SWEDISH DESIGN won his final points for his Junior Warrant yesterday at the Welsh Kennel Club show, when he won Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Breed under breed specialist Jinty Gill-Davies (Rosecourt).

It wasn't an easy win, especially as he had to beat his litter sister CHARBONNEL DREAM DESIGN, who had been declared Best Puppy Bitch !!! Thanks to everyone for their kind comments on our 2 youngsters, and a BIG thank you to Lesley Spencer for taking Sonja in for the BP challenge. Hannah is on her hols with her Gran, Auntie and 2 cousins, but was thrilled to bits to hear of her pup's win.

Photo shows her a couple of weeks ago giving Sonja one of many well-deserved kisses .......

 

17/08/08

Many thanks to Tina Beswick for sending me these photos of her Lacey, CHARBONNEL HIDE'N'CHIC, who is now 10 months old. She is maturing well, and has an abundance of quality coat...hopefully she will keep it ....and she is doing well in the ring too.

Always pleased to receive photos of my pups, no matter how old they are, so thanks Tina  !!!

11/8/08

Desi had another good weekend ,winning BOB and Best Puppy on Saturday at Vale of Clwyd Open show under Vicky Luckman and then winning his class and Best Puppy dog at Bournemouth Championship show under Joan Glennerster. After a while out of the ring after his kennel mate had given him a short back and sides (!!) Desi's sire CHARBONNEL WAR HERO returned to the ring on Monday and won Post Graduate Dog in good company. I had forgotten what a wonderful dog he is to show and how much he loves to cuddle with complete strangers !!

 

CHARBONNEL WAR HERO

2/8/08

Our dogs did well again at National Gundog.....Desi won the Puppy dog class and was declared Best Puppy Dog. I had entered him in the Puppy Stakes and he was a creditable 2nd in a large class of promising gundog puppies, so we were very pleased. Tony was 3rd in Novice, handled mainly by Hannah....

Well done to Mike and Tracey for their wins.

28/7/08

13/7/08

Always a special event, the Cocker Spaniel Club Championship show was blessed with lovely summer weather and an entry of 373 dogs this year. We had the honour, and pleasure, of winning BEST PUPPY IN SHOW with our 9 month old black puppy CHARBONNEL SWEDISH DESIGN,under dog judge Mrs.Anne Webster and bitch judge Mrs.Marjorie Coar.

Desi is by our own CHARBONNEL WAR HERO,out of SwShCh NUCH NORDW-06 SVCH Manaca's Undesingned Dream,'Sonja' ,who Monica Forsander bred and allowed to come here for a litter. That litter has proved to be very successful already, and we are very proud to have played our part in its creation.

Desi's sister,Hannah's 'Little Sonja' ,CHARBONNEL DREAM DESIGN, won 2nd in a class of 10 quality black bitches, and CHARBONNEL CASTANETTE was 2nd in a class of 28 junior bitches.Tony,MANACA'S LEARN LIFES ROPES AT CHARBONNEL was 2nd in A/C Tyro Dog,and Tina Beswicks young blue bitch CHARBONNEL HIDE'N'CHIC WITH CACHEL was 5th in a class of 19 Puppy bitches.

The highlight of the day for me though was handling Frankie,SH.CH.CHARBONNEL WARLORD,in the Veteran Dog class. He is my once-in-a-lifetime dog, and still gives me a tingle when I stand him on the table....he did not let me down and showed his heart out, but we had to be content with 2nd this year, behind Penny's Sh.Ch.Quettadene Copper Glow. These 2 males have won 60 C.C.'s between them, no mean feat, and I hope we can continue to show them for many years to come.

We have the privilege to be able to boast that Frankie is the grand-sire to both our BPIS winner AND the Dog C.C. winner Glenntree Zanette, and we are justly proud that Frankies legacy can live on, despite having been VERY sparingly used in his lifetime.....

Our news snippet wouldn't be complete without a special mention for Barbara and Graham Turner,whose CHARBONNEL DOUBLE DUTCH daughter JALANKIU DUTCH GOLD won a class of 24 yearling bitches,to tumultuous applause and cheers !! Well done Barbara,she moved extremely well for you !

Please click HERE  to view the full results of the show and see more photos .......