Walk to School Wednesday

Yesterday I mentioned that the kids try to walk to school on Wednesdays regardless of the weather, well it sure was wet today!  Although, I think my children enjoy the rain more than the sunshine as it gives a great excuse for using rain boots and umbrellas!  The Barbets went along for the walk today and the rain certainly didn't bother these French Water Dogs.  Their paws got pretty wet from the puddles and the wet grass but their woolly coats kept their skin nice and dry.  Now they are both curled up and having a nap and I'm waiting for the rain to stop so I can get back to my gardening!

Walking to School...

Every Wednesday the kid's school has a healthy initiative to encourage the kids to get more physical activity.  They call it Walk to School Wednesday.  So come rain or shine we always try to walk on Wednesdays so the kids can hold up their hands in class and be counted as one of the walkers. The thing is we only live about a km from the school so pretty much everyday is a walk to school day for us.  Which is great.  We all get a little fresh air and I think it's easier for the kids to sit still and learn if they've had a chance to burn off a bit of energy first.  Walking 3 dogs at a time is a bit much, especially when the kids often want to hold my hand too LOL. So, we usually take turns bringing different dogs.  Today was Quincy's day.   Now I get to go for walk number two and get the Barbets out for their exercise.  Having dogs sure keeps you fit.  Who needs a gym membership when you've got sporting dogs?

Are Barbets Bird Dogs? Yes They Are!!!

I was supposed to be washing my floors this morning but procrastinated instead and went outside to play with the dogs!   Here are a couple of photos I took of Coco with a pigeon.  Barbets originated in France and were often used as hunting and retrieving companions.  Some are still used in this capacity today. 

Good Girl Coco!  Gooood Hooooold!

Here!

Useful Retrieves

Last fall I posted a video about Quincy retrieving his food bowl.  Well I've finally gotten around to getting a video of both Sophie and Quincy doing this.  Having a dog that can retrieve is fun for both you and your dog.   Enjoy.

Coco is a New Champion!

On Friday we headed out to Fergus, Ontario to the Guelph and District Kennel Club All breed Dog shows.  The weekend started off very well with Coco going Winners Bitch and Best of Winners for a 2 point major.   With her sitting on 9 points I was really hoping we would also do well on the Saturday or Sunday. 

Well, it is with great joy that I can announce that today Coco finished her championship under Australian FCI judge, Mr. T. Horchner.  It was a fairly large entry of Barbet with 8 in the classes and 1 special.  Coco showed very nicely for me and she collected a 3 point major for going BOW/ BOS. 

Thank you to Pam Headon for allowing CH Bayport Coco Chanel to come and live with me.  She is a super sweet girl and it has been great fun showing her to her Championship. 

Sophie is a United Companion Dog

This weekend Sophie and I participated in the UKC obedience trials put on by the Maple Leaf Kennel Club in Georgetown, Ontario.  We had a wonderful time and came away with a shiny new title.  It was the first time I had ever tried UKC obedience and not all of the exercises are the same as the CKC novice exercises.  For instance she had to do her recall over a high jump and there is an honor during which she had to do a long down in the ring at the same time as the working dog performed his heel on leash and figure eight exercises.  If you’re interested in reading more about the exercises at each class level the complete Obedience Rulebook can be found online here

Pending UKC confirmation Sophie can now add the letters UCD (for United Companion Dog) before her name.  In order to receive this title the dog has to earn three qualifying scores at three different UKC licenced trials.  Thank you to our judges Isobel Hutton and Laurie Soutar!  It was a great time and a wonderful opportunity to show off the breed’s versatility!

For more information about the United Kennel Club have a look around their website at www.ukcdogs.com

Sophie and I with Judge Laurie Soutar after earning our final qualifying leg.

19th Annual All About Pets Show

Over the Easter weekend there is a large event that takes place at the International Center in Toronto, Ontario. The All About Pets Show  has been running for 19 years.  It is considered to be Canada’s largest premier pet showcase.  It has many vendors of pet products who participate yearly, breeders and breed clubs, kennel clubs and recue organizations are also present.  There are birds, cats, reptiles and other pets available on display for the public to meet and greet.  So many people pass through their doors that their website claims that “over the last 18 years, the attendance has averaged 27,500 visitors.”  Wow!

Club Barbet Canada was there to promote the breed and to allow the public an opportunity to meet our dogs and learn more about the Barbet.  Most people had never heard of the breed before.  I was there with one of my dogs each day of the show along with fellow Club members!  We all had a wonderful time.  Our dogs did a great job representing the breed and we were all very pleased with how many people enjoyed petting the dogs and chatting with us about what the Barbet is all about.  You can read more about our National Club’s participation in the event here .

Here is a photo of Coco and I from the weekend!