Crufts 2016

Well what a show - a thrilling, amazing day at Crufts 2016.  With Matkamies taking BOB back in 2015 it was going to be a hard act to follow.

Elbereth Valkotassu

It started in Post Graduate dog  - I had honour of handling Gemma & Rob's Elbereth Valkotassu - as Gemma is a little too close to the arrival of their baby to be running around the ring - and from a class of 12 dogs  - Tassu was placed 1st, he was so good, showing beautifully for me, and I came out of the ring to a jubilant and very emotional Gemma.  Rob captured their lovely boy on camera.

 In open it was the turn of Multi Ch Elbereth Matkamies ShCM who was second behind one of the top winning dogs from Finland.

Then onto the bitches, where in the veteran bitch class Kia was second, Suvi 4th and Apina VHC, then Tilkkuturkin Hallantuoma to Elbereth JW won the Junior bitch class, and Elbereth Kaikki Meille Allforus won a huge post graduate bitch class of 19 with owner Caron Bell.

Then it was the turn of Elbereth Pelinainen JW who won the strong Limit bitch class, with her best buddy Elbereth Suvituuli taking second in the Good citizen class.

So for the bitch challenge - I was delighted to see three half sisters standing proudly and competing for the bitch CC.  Then over the moon when best bitch was awarded to Pelinainen, and res BB to Hallantuoma.  Peli's second CC and Halla's 4th Res CC.

Then it was the challenge for BOB and we were head to head with the lovely Marymead Muskateer, and so it was a very emotional moment for me, when our judge, Miss Eliina Haapaniemi from Finland awarded BOB to the young (2 year old) Pelinainen, not sure who was more over the moon, owners, Barry & Angela or me!

Especially significant for me is that my four first placed dog/bitches are all sired by the UK's number one dog - Matkamies, from each of his three UK litter and his litter in Finland.

Elbereth Pelinainen JW

Ruth Dalrymple/ The Kennel Club ©

Photo by Yulia Titovets

OnEdition/The Kennel Club ©

Summer Shows

What a great start to the summer shows:

At Birmingham National, "Team Elbereth" had a super day, first Elbereth Matkamies winning the dog CC, then Judi Cross and Ch Elbereth Marja won her 4th CC and took BOB.  If his was not enough, our new edition Tilkkuturkin Hallantuoma to Elbereth (Halla), only 6 months of age took Best Puppy in breed.

Halla then made a big impact at Bath, taking BOB & BP under Mr M Vines - his critique certainly shows what an impact this cocky little lady made on him:
Jackson’s Tilkkuturkin Hallantuoma to Elbereth, what a name, but very suitable for such an outstanding exhibit. Did it all for me, still a very minor puppy, a sable of eye filling quality. I was taken a little by surprise when she entered the ring, breathtaking would be an understatement. Fabulous feminine head so correct, eye, ears, very good stop, soft well padded muzzle, excellent dentition, tight lips. More reach of neck than you would expect, with just that hint of an arch. Well defined wither, into a topline so firm for one so young. Very good tailset. Coat texture soft at the moment as you would expect, but has the makings. Very good bone, all so feminine, forehand into very straight forelegs outstanding. Feet very tidy just the right amount of arch. Underline good, chest proportion roomy. Loved her rear assembly, long bones, wide thigh, short hocks which showed firmness standing & on the move. The handler moved her out at just the right, pace, this for me was the icing on the cake & the final decider for best smooth sound action in all areas. In presentation a confidence & attitude beyond her age. BP, BB & BOB (Judge Mike Vines)"  Her sire Matkamies had to settle for RBD and E Kia joins Bridus was reserve BB.>

Moving onto Southern Cos, where Mr Harri Lehkonen from Finland judged the breed, and from entry of 60 dogs he awarded a 12th CC to Elbereth Matkamies and BOB, with bitch CC to Elbereth Suvituuli, Matka's daughter out of E Penikka.  Elbereth Marja was RBB, and E Pelinainen won two classes, what a superb day.  This is the first time a father and daughter have done the double in the breed.

Crufts & WELKS shows

I have just been so busy that have neglected the blog, so time for a quick update....

First a look back to Crufts where I had the honour to judge Pyrenean Mtn Dogs - and found my BOB in the Swedish dog, Vi'skaly's Harlem Shake (Vi'skaly's Stage Diver x Vi'skaly's Poppy Pinot), who then went onto Group 2.  A stunning boy with such a lovely head and expression.

Sam Moore then handled Phillip's Multi Champion Elbereth Matkamies to DCC & BOB under Sue Dunger, and Emma Bird handled Multi Ch Elbereth Kia Joins Bridus to BCC.  There were also big wins for Matka's daughter's Elbereth Pelinainen and Elbereth Suvituuli.  Lovely to have these two super dogs appreciated by Sue who introduced the breed to the UK.

Crufts winners (photo Pia Reynolds)

At WELKs Championship show the breed did not have CCs, but Matkamies took BOB under Mrs Rose Marie Emery from Sweden, and he then went onto his first group placing in UK - G4 under Mrs Lynn Salt

photo Alan Walker

I haven't yet introduced the new edition to our family, Tilkkuturkin Hallantuoma to Elbereth - Matka's daughter to Fin Ch Tilkkuturkin Bunahilkka

photo Nina Lahin

Who with the rest of the Elbereth family had an amazing day at Birmingham National;  first Matka won his 11th CC under Rodney Oldham, then baby Halla won her first ever puppy class, Pelinainen won Junior and Post graduate to be followed by their older half sister, Suvitulli winning limit.  Onto open where Judi Cross won the BCC and BOB with Ch Elbereth Marja (Int & Fin Ch Lecibsin Hapmi x Elbereth Satu), an amazing day ending with 6 month old Halla winning BPIB.

Matka and Kia also popped back to Ireland to gain the final point for their Irish titles and a little trip after Birmingham to Germany to add more points towards their German titles :)

Five weeks - and we get outside

Finally there has been a break in the weather and the puppies are now getting regular visits outside.  It is funny because at first the big wide world is so scary they want to come in, but once they realise they can run about and frolic/play in the bigger place, then they don't want to come in!  A couple of organised escape plans were put into action to get out of the puppy pen, so have had to resort to more cable ties to secure the panels!  Wednesday the weather was very kind, so plenty of outside fresh air, and now they are very peaceful in doors as Zoomies are outside, plus as a bonus all the poos have been outside.  At moment energy levels of a five week pup are such that they sleep for 2 hours, then run about for 15 mins, then back to sleep for 2 hours etc Plus now eating 4 hearty proper food meals a day with top ups from Tullu.

Managed some quick head shots outside

Lightening

Tanny

Triangle

Creamy

Dotcom

Tullu puppies at 4 weeks

As I weighed these I was rather surprised by their weights, and quickly checked back to the last two litters, to see that yes these are a hefty lot!  Bigger than Tia's five or Penikka's seven.  Probably as a direct result of them all really taking to real food.  The temptation of some ground chicken mixed with lactol got their heads in the food bowl, and soon after they were happy to try anything softened.  Now at 4 weeks they all have little set of teeth - so are happy to try a little firmer kibble.  Four good meals a day - plus their mum on tap is definitely showing on the scales!

They are now very people orientated - with such adorable waggy tails!  Trouble is now changing newspaper in their pen is such a game as far as they are concerned - and really I could do without their help!

With the weather being so bad and the ground so wet they have not ventured outside yet - but fingers crossed we can get the outdoor pen up this weekend and start the exposure to outside and some house-training.

We were very lucky this week (well you are!) as Pia and Thomas popped over to get some stunning photos.  We did have to wake some up and they were not terribly cooperative - you will easily spot who I mean!  But am sure you will agree these are lovely shots.  (don't forget you can view bigger pictures by clicking on the thumbnails).

Lightening
(Wolf sable bitch)

Tanny
(wolf sable bitch)

Triangle
(wolf sable bitch)

Creamy
(cream ?w/s dog)

Dot.com
(wolf sable dog)

Diamond
(tricolour bitch)

Then we did some candid shots - using a reindeer pelt

Tullu Puppies at two weeks

Ahh well definitely need to invite Pia around to get some decent pictures of the puppies!!!  In artificial light and needing flash its just not easy to get the colours looking right - in fact they all look wet!

As  a contented litter feeding well they are pretty heavy at week two - all around the 1kg mark and now they are in the bigger pen they are trying to "stagger" about more!
(Don't forget if you click on the pictures you can see the bigger versions)

Lightening

The biggest girl - who is paling fast, with a face marking pattern developing similar to her mum and dad, starting to camouflage the white smudge centrally placed on her nose.  She is named for the long zig-zag of white from her chin to her tummy.  Her wolfie colouring is now spreading.

  Tanny

The most compact of the litter, and with the least white, she has a tan strip across her chest with only the tips of her hind feet dipped in white.  Her face markings are broadening along with pal spectacles.  She looks to be a wolf sable - but is still quite dark in body.

Triangle

Has a large white bib - triangular in shape, and white tips to all feet.  Another wolf sable whose colouring is changing daily.

Creamy

OK so hardly the most original name, but when whelping the pups I quickly weigh each as born and note any distinguishing marks, and this boy stood out for his obvious cream coat.  He is deceptive as lying in the pen looks to be the biggest, but maybe that's a illusion of his colour.  He certainly has a very broad head, with a noticeable small white blaze.

  Dot Com

Has a white bib, and then on his tummy a small white "dot".  Joint heaviest in the litter he already has the look of a boy.  Another wolfie whose face marking are developing.

 Diamond

Is the only tricolour of the litter, with her very noticeable face making and white smudge on her nose, and thin white blaze, she has white socks on all her feet.  Named for the black shaped mark on her extensive white bib that runs from chin to tummy.

Lightening & Creamy have a cuddle

Puppy Pie

Tullu's puppies at week one

The puppies are very good feeders and is common they have each at least doubled their birth weights, at their weekly weigh in.  They seem a very content bunch - I guess its a combination of Tullu having enough working teats, and the six of them being able to feed easily, she is one of the accommodating bitches who roles over a little more on her back to unveil both rows of teats, unlike the bitches who will only lay on their sides, making it harder for pups to access the two rows.

Tullu is enjoying plenty of extra food to help her with the demands of the pups, I am a firm believer in the Royal Canin Mother and Baby/Starter formula, which certainly goes down well, she is on three meals a day, and her in take is more than double her normal daily allowance - plus its a much higher energy level food that the adult maintenance she was on before being confirmed pregnant. 

So onto the pups and the week one rogue's gallery!  Not great pictures, as had to use flash, and although pups still had their eyes shut they were squirming lots when camera flashed.  Next week will aim for natural light, so you can see their colours better, as look quite dark under flash.

"Lightening"(wolf sable ♀)

"Tanny" (black & tan/wolf sable ♀)

"Triangle"(wolf sable ♀)





"Creamy" (cream ♂)

 "dot.com" (wolf sable ♂ )

"Diamond" (tricolour ♀)