Puppy and Novice Tests Prove Popular

THE United Retriever Club (North Midland Area) held Puppy and Novice Tests at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire by kind permission of The Welbeck estate.

The judges were Janet Allsop, Anne Crookes and Doreen Thompson and the prizes were sponsored by performance dog food experts Alpha Feeds.

Although the summer heat had been prevalent during the week, a breeze and some light cloud made suitable conditions for dog work, and the large lake gave chances to cool off.

The Puppy tests comprised four tests, plus a finale for the top dogs. There were 13 entries with three breeds competing. The tests used the parkland and one of the two large lakes. Puppies were tested for basic obedience, a send back, marks on land and water, and a simple blind. The top dogs then completed a double mark.

Results :

1 Peter Wadsworth’s Lab b MELANIE JAYNE
2. Ray Agent’s Lab d GEORDIE THISTLE
3. Mr & Mrs Sawyer’s Lab b RASTWYKE OMEGA (H=Karl Sawyer)
4. JA&PE Illingworth’s GR b LIBRIS NELL AT LEERAMBLER
(H=Mrs Pam Illingworth)
CoM: June Brocklesby’s Lab b MORSKYE MARTINI FROM BROCKSLOT
CoM: Emma Bowes’ Lab b PRIDE OF THORNEY (H=Edward Porter)

The Novice Tests in the afternoon were held in a mixture of sunshine and showers. Twenty one entrants included four breeds with everyone starting with a marked retrieve.

Janet judged a long mark across a broad dry valley in sheep pasture, while Anne saw the dogs tackle a shorter mark over a pot and rail fence and into woodland.

Following this Doreen judged a short blind in woodland. Later Janet judged a mark into the upper lake, whilst a blind on the lower lake was assessed by Doreen.

A walk up with three dogs in line gave Anne chance to see the dogs at heel, and do two retrieves. After one run-off watched by all three judges the awards were announced. As with the puppies it was rewarding to see three breeds in the prizes.

Results :

1 PG & JC Bills’ Labrador dog SWAINE FRAGULA(H=Peter Bills)
2. Cyril Turner’s Labrador dog GOLDEN BRY (Novice Handler Shield)
3. Terry Dobson’s Labrador bitch MY BASHFUL LADY
4. Bel Grundy’s Labrador dog WARRENBANK DOLLAR
CoM: Mr & Mrs K Manley’s Flatcoated Retrieverdog LENYAM MARTINS OF CHURCHWOOD ( H= Terry Sparkes)
CoM: Towle & Samson’s Chesapeake bitch JASSPORTH ARCADIAN HEIGHTS :
(H=Jane Samson)

Novice Award Winners.