New CKC Champion title for Northrock's Good Time Charlie

Dutch CH Nuphar's Everything Zen x BPIS CH Northrock's Eureka CGN

Northrock Barbets had a successful weekend showing dogs at the Nickel District Kennel Club in Sudbury.  Charlie came back out this year to finish his Championship going Best of Breed under Barbet Breeder-Judge, Doug Windsor, on Saturday April 6th.  We are thankful to the judges for recognizing his nice qualities and to Tracy Dineley for her expert handling. Congratulations to Charlie's wonderful family and co-owners, Andrea and Carlo on their new Champion. My heartfelt appreciation to them for letting me borrow their boy to take him to the show.  

Charlie is the third puppy from our Billy x Lexi litter to earn his Championship.  We share in this celebration with Billy's breeder Anne Plomp and his owner Olav van Schie for helping to make this special breeding with imported frozen semen possible.

A Gathering of Northrock Barbets

                                       

This past Saturday, families with puppies from the 2017 litters gathered together at the home of Susan and Erik Luyendyk to socialize together with our dogs for games, hikes, swims in the pond and a buffet pot-luck lunch.

It was wonderful seeing everyone together and I'm so glad that families with puppies from each litter were able to attend.  We missed the ones who couldn't make it and hopefully they will be able to join us when we do it again at a future date.

The weather was perfect - not to hot and not too cool and the dogs had a fabulous time running and playing together.  The pond was a big attraction and watching them swim, wade and even jump off the dock was a joy to behold. 

Rebelyn and Jax, Paul and Marie, the Kellys and Louis, Mike and Leo

Joy and Thea, Susan and Stephanie & Kelly, Ellie, Rizzo and Stephanie
Susan and Ellie, Lise and Ellie

I know I speak for us all as I extend my gratitude to the Luyendyks who own Marie (UKC/ CKC CH Northrock's Forever Yours CGN).  Your hospitality is so much appreciated and we all had a marvellous day! 

I'm sure all of our dogs were tired when they got home and had happy dreams of games of chase, splashing in the water and getting all sorts of attention from the humans who were in attendance. 

There was a great deal of laughter and everyone all got along so well.  I'm really proud of the dogs who are growing up to be such nice canine citizens and of their humans for giving them such great homes.

Thank you everyone for sharing this special day and helping to create these great memories!  

Such a great opportunity for the dogs to try the agility equipment that was available for them to explore.  The Barbets were such good sports during the dress up race!

There are more photos to see which can be found in the Northrock Barbets Facebook Page album 

Jax is a CKC Champion

We are absolutely thrilled that on May 6th at the Seaway Kennel Club, Northrock’s Good Vibrations completed the requirements for his CKC Championship under judge Mrs. P. Pancel. Thank you to all of the judges who awarded him along the way to his new title. Many thanks as well to his wonderful handler Peter Scott.  Jax is our second champion out of BPIS CH Northrock’s Eureka CGN by Dutch CH Nuphar’s Everything Zen.

Jax is co-owned with Paul Walker and is adored by his loving family.  My heartfelt congratulations and much appreciation to them for sharing this journey with me.  

Summer and Gracie are new CKC Champions

This past weekend I attended the Windsor All Breed Training & Tracking club dog shows and I'm very pleased to share the news that our lovely girl Summer went Best of Breed to finish her conformation championship under judge Mr. Edward Wild.  Summer was bred by Anne Plomp and Miska Aksular and is out of Nuphar's All My Tomorrows by Eddie Bo Da Capo.  We are so happy to have her as a member of our family.

UR01 CKC / UKC CH Nuphar's Soak Up The Sun PCD RN CGN

Our homebred girl Gracie from our Billy and Lexi litter (Dutch CH Nuphar's Everything Zen x BPIS CH Northrock's Eureka CGN) also finished her championship on the weekend. Thank you to judge Sue-Ellyn Rempel for appreciating our puppy.  Gracie turned ten months old on the 23rd and I'm very pleased with the promise she is showing. Earlier in the month at the Scarborough Kennel Club she earned her Canine Good Neighbour temperament title which was also really nice.  She has such a fun and friendly personality and I look forward to watching her mature.  

CH Northrock's Goodness Gracious CGN 

Gracie's littermate Jax (Northrock's Good Vibrations) has also made a foray into the ring and shown by his new friend and handler Peter Scott he has picked up some points towards his championship. 

It's been fun going to dog shows and presenting my Barbets.  There is always something to learn, new friends to make, old friends to visit with and the dogs enjoy the attention and treats.  

At the Ontario Breeders Association show in Lindsay, Ontario at the beginning of March with Susan Luyendyk and her Barbet CKC/ UKC RBIS CH Northrock's Forever Yours CGN.

I am pleased to share that Hadfield (co-owned with Marisa Victor) a most agreeable and friendly Barbet also had a fun weekend out showing at the OBA show.  His charming and adept junior handler Alberta won her class with him on the Saturday.

Billy x Lexi Puppies 8 - 10 weeks

Our special time with the Billy x Lexi litter is coming to a close.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to have lived with these little ones for their first nine to ten weeks.  I absolutely adore these puppies and their dam Lexi has done a wonderful job caring for them.

The past few weeks have included their temperament testing, structural evaluation, chiropractic appointment and veterinary visit.  They have had multiple car rides and visits alone and with their littermates to new environments and have made lots of new friends. 

A fun trip to a friend's house

Ballon fun on their 10 week birthday

 

Hermione was especially relaxed at the vets!

 

A special gift that came all the way from the Netherlands
from Billy (Nuphar's Everything Zen) for Lexi and their puppies.  

The weather has been really nice this past July and the puppies have spent a great deal of time outside. Playing with the toys in their outdoor pen, splashing in the pool and running around the backyard.  I am really happy with the promise that these puppies are showing.  They are typey, sound and have delightful personalities.  I have fallen deeply in love with them all!

Lexi and her family 

We are so thankful to Delia and her family for sharing Lexi with us.  She is a joy to be around and our time with her seemed to fly by.  Of course these puppies would not be here with out the cooperation of Billy's owner Olav van Schie and breeder Anne Plomp - it's been a team effort with beautiful results.  Thank you all.

Billy x Lexi Puppies 5 - 7 Weeks

We are truly having such a great time raising this litter of puppies.  They are an absolute delight!  Each of the pups have lovely personalities and we are pleased with what Billy x Lexi have produced as it is thus far a very uniform and typey Barbet litter.

During the past few weeks the puppies have continued to enjoy playing on the different environmental toys that are put in both their indoor and outdoor pens. One of their favourites is the tunnel which they enjoy running through and jumping on. In addition to using the potty box to eliminate in, they also make several trips outside to potty - good bathroom habits are well under way.  They have had many visitors over the last few weeks, delighting them with their antics and impressing them with their sweetness.  Car rides to new places have been uneventful with little to no noise from the little ones.  Their temperament testing is now complete as well. We are happy to say that they have taken every new experience in stride!  

The puppies eating outside at 5 weeks

They love the swing too!  6 weeks old.

Summer is a great playmate - 6 weeks

Ron - splashing in the water bowl at 5 weeks

With the weather being so warm there is often water for them to play with in their outdoor pen and they take full advantage of being able to wade and splash in it.  In fact they will resort to splashing in their drinking bowl if nothing else is available!

Backyard play at 7 weeks 

Frozen beef windpipes are greatly enjoyed
by the puppies at 7 weeks

Hermione with the bird wing - 7 weeks

Soon they will be departing for their new homes and we will treasure the remaining time we have with them while they are still in our care.

Please visit our Facebook Page Northrock Barbets for frequent video and photo updates of the Billy x Lexi pups.  We will also be providing updates via the blog, just not as often. 

Billy x Lexi Puppies - 3 and 4 Weeks Old

The Billy x Lexi puppies are now four weeks old.  My how the time flies!  When they were three weeks old they made the big move to the downstairs puppy pen which is located in our dining room adjacent to the kitchen and living room.  The puppies are now right in the main part of our home and are exposed to all of the sights, sounds and smells that come along with family life.  

Their whelping box also moved downstairs with them and they would spend the night in the box but periods of time in the larger play space with lots of new toys to explore.  They were also introduced to the potty box and litter training is going very well.

Nap time with their big stuffed tiger

With the weather being so warm we are able to keep the windows open so in addition to classical music playing on the radio and the various different sound c.d.s, the puppies also hear the children playing in the school yard that backs onto our property,  announcements over the loudspeaker, the school bell, lawn mowers and power tools and the many other sounds of summer and neighbourhood life.  They have even experienced some pretty loud thunderstorms and slept right through them!

Hanging out in the "lower deck" of the puppy pen set up.

Over the next two weeks many visitors will be coming to help socialize the puppies and we enjoy these visits so much.  Lexi is pleased to show off her puppies and is quick to take advantage of the extra attention for herself as well.  

 Trips outside have also begun and the outdoor puppy pen will soon be filled with tunnels and step stools, wobble boards and many toys to further the enrichment of the puppies.  In the early days simply being out in the fresh air for "al fresco" meal times and cuddles with people offer further opportunities for sensory development with the feel of the breeze, the warm sun, the different surfaces to walk on and the many smells and sounds of the great outdoors.

Outside with momma Lexi

We are delighted with this lovely trio of puppies.  They are a constant source of joy for our entire family.

Please visit our Facebook Page Northrock Barbets for frequent video and photo updates of the Billy x Lexi pups.  We will also be providing updates via the blog, just not as often. 

The Billy x Lexi Litter - Two Weeks Old

The End of the Neo-Natal Period (1-14 days)

Lexi and her pups - May 25

Harry - One Week

So much has happened concerning the growth and development of the Billy and Lexi puppies during the last two weeks.

Hermione - One Week

Ron - One Week

At birth the puppies are completely dependent on their dam.  Their eyes and ears are not yet open and Lexi is responsible not just for feeding them, but also for helping them to eliminate.  The puppies can crawl around in the whelping box and will gravitate towards their mother's warmth seeking out a source of heat and nourishment.  It's important that they have access to a heat source as they cannot regulate their own temperature and could easily become chilled.  Preferably, this is their mother's body and Lexi spends all her time in the whelping box except to leave for potty breaks.  During the first week she would not even leave the box to eat or drink and so I would bring her water several times a day and all of her meals to the box.

Breakfast in bed for Lexi on May 28

When she is not in the box with them I  provide an additional source of heat for the puppies and it's amazing how they will move towards it as needed and if they are feeling too warm they will likewise move off of it.

Ron, Hermione and Harry - June 3

Now that the puppies are two weeks old they are much more mobile, even getting up on their legs and toddling about.  Their eyes and ears have opened and they are gaining well.  Lexi spends more time out of the box but is quick to hop back in throughout the day - she is a very attentive mother.

These early days with the puppies are precious and the time passes so quickly.  Soon we will be getting ready to move to a bigger pen and introducing the puppies to more enriching stimuli.  We are looking forward to the weeks ahead.

Harry - Two weeks

Hermione - Two weeks

Ron - Two weeks

Please visit our Facebook Page Northrock Barbets for frequent video and photo updates of the Billy x Lexi pups.  We will also be providing updates via the blog, just not as often.