Head Shots

Sophie the Barbet

Quincy the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

I was looking though my photo files and came across these two head shots of Sophie and Quincy :0)  They made me smile so I thought I'd put them up on the blog. 

Canadian Dogs Abroad :0)

July 8th 2011 was the World Dog Show in Paris, France.  Florence Erwin entered Sophie's brother Ch Flacon de Paris of Neigenuveaux aka Murdoch.  He was expertly handled to his wins by Michel Raymond. Murdoch won the Junior Male Class and Best Junior.  Way to go bro! 

Murdoch along with another Canadian Barbet Ch Courailee Echo (bred and owned by Lyne Trudel) was mentioned in Dogs In Canada Magazine you can read more about it here http://www.dogsincanada.com/the-2011-world-dog-show    Here are a few photos of the Canadians from the show  http://www.barbetclub.ca/content/wds-paris-2011

If you are interested in seeing more photos of Barbets at the World Dog Show you've got to check out Stacy Able's blog http://americanbarbet.com/blog/dog-show/world-dog-show-2011-paris-france-barbet-photos/?show=slide&pageid=1403  She is a talented photographer who travelled to France to attend the show.  She took many great photos and they are up on her site for everyone to enjoy!  Thanks again Stacy :0)

Sophie Can Dive off the Dock!

While we were up north at the cottage we decided to take a video of Sophie diving off the dock.  Is a dock diving title in our future?.....Who knows...for now we will just keep on having fun in the water!

A Wet Water Dog is a Happy Water Dog!

We went to the cottage again for the civic holiday long weekend.  The weather was perfect and we did a lot of swimming.  Sophie was as usual a part of it all.  She really likes the boat rides - I think she likes the feel of the wind in her coat.  She is getting good at jumping off the boat and into the water when we stop for a swim. 

If you are wondering where our other dog was...Quincy stayed home with Daphne our cat.  I am grateful that my mom is there to look after them.  Quincy gets lots of attention and walks while we are gone.  I would like to be able to bring him with us but after our experience cottaging with him last year we have decided it is best for him to stay home.  The whinning and screaming that he does when we all go out in the water to swim is truly horrible.  Even when he is out in the water with us he is still noisy.  Also none of us want to deal with him barking at passing kayakers and fisherman *sigh*.  Sorry Quince....we love you but we do not love your noise :0(    

Camping with a canine companion.....

We have just returned from a camping trip with friends at Bon Echo Provincial Park. http://www.ontarioparks.com/ENGLISH/bone.html  We had a super time.  We have never camped with a dog before but decided to bring Sophie along to see how it would work out.  It was fantastic.  She was really really good.  We went for long walks and they have a designated dog beach and off leash area which is very nice.  Shallow sandy water and lots of room for dogs and kids to swim :0)  We didn't end up taking too many photos but here are a few to sort of give you an idea.

Definately room for a family of four and a dog....or two or three or heck I'm sure you could fit at least four extra dogs in this tent - it's huge!!!! 

No they don't really shed but ummm it's almost the reverse effect.  Instead of leaving hair all over the place they collect all manner of debris in their coat.  Nice :0)  After a few shakes it does mostly drop out but I still have to give her a good brush out...There is a fair amout of sand still in there!

She sure slept well at night.  Three families and 6 kids all under the age of 7 makes for lots of fun and excitement but by the end of the day, just like the children, she was exhausted.  Gives new meaning to the expression "dog tired".

Cottage Life

Spent the weekend up north at the cottage on Georgian Bay.  Great weather all weekend and everyone had fun swimming and boating.

New Working Certificate Title

I am very happy to brag that Sophie earned her WC last night at the Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club test in Flamborough, Ontario. Sophie was the only Barbet running and I was so pleased that she did so well. A lot of people were curious about her as it was the first time many of them had seen a Barbet let alone watched one run. She did a great job and brought back all the birds!

I have a lot of gratitude for all the people who have helped us to get this title.  Susie Bell is a great trainer and she really got us off to a great start.  A huge thank you to Sue Kish for everything she did to bring out the best in Sophie and get her ready to run.  Sue you are an amazing trainer!  There is no way we could have achieved so much so soon with out you.  And of course to everyone who threw birds and bumpers, quacked duck calls and fired off starter pistols - thank you too!    

Thanks again to Florence Erwin (Sophie's breeder) for providing me with such a wonderful girl. Sophie is now the 1st Barbet in Ontario to earn a WC, the 2nd Barbet in Canada, the youngest so far and the 1st Canadian bred Barbet to add the letters WC after her name! Yippeeeeeeee!