Synchronised swimming

Here's Jet and Max enjoying the water yesterday, bless 'em!

The curse of the ball on the rope...

Something like losing a ball on a rope wouldn't usually be an important enough event to publish a post about, however, over previous months, we've managed to lose no less than FIVE of the blummin' things, all in close succession! A small ball on a rope is great as it's little enough to fit in my pocket when we go for a walk if I'm not taking the bag or dummies and other training kit. The first one was lost up a tree (yes, up a tree...don't ask..). Undeterred by this we purchased a second one which was subsequently lost at sea in Cornwall (again this was blamed on my throwing - but how can I help it if the waves took it?!). The third one was lost beneath the reeds and stinky mud in a scummy pond (Jet's fault, not mine). The fourth one had a narrow escape - it was almost lost in a grass and mud filled ditch (read trench - we have deep ditches around these parts!) thanks to my best friend's fiance, but just as we were about to give up hope, we spotted it. Jet was sent in to retrieve it and in the process got covered (and apart from the top quarter of his body, I do mean covered) in mud. Still, I was relieved to have got the ball back, thinking that perhaps our run of bad luck was finally changing. As Jet was completely filthy, I took him down to the river for a swim to clean him off and guess what...... we lost the ball in the river! AARRRRGGGHHHH! As James had purchased ball number 4, I felt guilty that it'd been lost (but not a bit surprised) and so went out to buy ball number five. Foolish Girl. On the first throw, the ball somehow detactched itself from its anchor so I was left standing with a poxy piece of rope with nowt on the end of it. God alone knows where the ball went. Think we'll have a rethink for another toy to take out with us.

Show critique (East of England)

We seem to be on a roll of Jet's critiques going to press at the moment :) Here's today's instalment (Dog World 14/9/06) from the East of England championship show, where Jet won the Novice Dog class under judge Alan Hampshire:

"1. Hollieseast Polarkreis, well off for bone, masculine head, good length of ear, kind expression, clean neck, level topline, nice depth, straight front & good rear quarters, moved well."

So that's another good addition to the school report!!

We've got a couple of shows coming up this weekend so keep those fingers crossed for some good placings.

Birthday Edition

I think it's fair to say that I haven't a clue as to where this year has disappeared to, but the grey beastie is 1 today! Happy birthday also to Kenzie, Skye and Jet's other brother (Ronnie) and sister (Klara), wherever they may be.

Achievements

Aside from being the bestest puppy in the world, what else has Jet been up to in his first year of his eventful life? Here's a summary...

Obtained his Kennel Club GCDS Puppy Foundation Award at 5 months
Qualified for Crufts 2007 at his first Championship show at the tender age of 6 months
Obtained his GCDS Bronze award at 8 months
Awarded Best Puppy in Breed at 4 shows
Winner of the Flimoric Trophy for BIPB at Mid Herts Gundog Club
Won 1st place at 6 shows, both at open and championship level
Took to the water and swam at 8 months
Moved up to the compeition level class at obedience training at 11 months

Here are some photos taken today of Hollieseast Polarkreis, aka 'the Jetster' on his 1st birthday.

"The sun is shining, the postman's been...."

"Where'd it go??"

What a handsome lad :)

"I know what's up here...."

"...Ta-da!" (This lake is our best kept secret!)

"Just throw the damn dummy"

Jet is pictured here demonstrating "the look", which combines that not-so-subtle blend of disdain and superiority common to all weimaraners

"The Hiroshima", Jet's favourite dive technique

(What a stealthy gundog he's becoming..!)

Waterbaby

There are lots of things that Jet enjoys but I think swimming has to be his most favourite pastime

Latest show critique (Leeds)

This is Jet's latest critique to appear in the Dog Press (Our Dogs 8/9/06) from Leeds championship show back in July. Jet came second out of 9 dogs in the puppy class, and second out of 6 dogs in novice. This is what judge Margaret Holmes had to say about him:

"..2. Vincent's Hollieseast Polarkreis. Already very male. Well balanced, good reach of neck and straight front. Not the depth of brisket of (1), but movement is very good, coming, going and in profile."

After the battle I've had with getting him to move nicely, this has made my day :)

Glowing report :)

The judge's critique from the East of England Ladies Kennel Society open show, where Jet won the puppy class and was awarded Best Puppy in Breed, has been published in the paper (Our Dogs 1/9/06). It reads as follows...

1. Hollieseast Polarkreis. Mature 10 mnth d who appealed to me for his all round shape & his super temperement. Liked his head proportions, correct bite, gd nose & ey pigment & correct ear length. Forechest developing well & brisket has already dropped. Gd height to length ratio, well muscled quarters & correct tail set. Excellent coat colour, consistent with his breeding. Liked him a lot, BP.