Happy Birthday Erik

Erik waiting to go in the ring at a Terrier Club show

Today is Erik’s 4th birthday and as he is at present staying with Kirsten Toftkjaer in Denmark he has invited some of his new Danish friends to a birthday party.

Sadly, we can’t be with them to enjoy the celebrations, but we send him our best wishes.

 

Last Sunday he was once again BOB at a show run by the Danish Terrier Club, and was awarded the Club Certificate. He now has two of these, but needs 2 more in order to add the Danish Terrier Club Champion Title to his name.

Happy Birthday Emily

Emily winning the Puppy Group, with judge Frank Wildman, and Ann Cadogan

Today is Emily’s first birthday, and she celebrated it in style by winning the Puppy Group at South Wales Kennel Association.

There were six other lovely group winners in the final, and BPIS went to a stunning Australian Shepherd, but Emily was by no means disgraced, and gave Cesky Terriers some excellent publicity. What made the win even more memorable was that there was also a special award for the winner of the Terrier Group given by Ann Cadogan in memory of her late husband, Bryn. The last time that Bryn judged my dogs he gave RBIS to Emily’s grandmother,  Gloria Kvitko, so I hope that he would have approved of judge Frank Wildman’s choice of Emily to win on this occasion.

 

The photographwas taken by Carol Ann Johnson

A Day at the Seaside

Emily

It’s just too far to go every week, but our favourite outing is always to Anderby Creek on the Lincolnshire Coast. It’s a totally unspoilt beach, with smooth sand to race across, dunes to charge up and down, and when the tide is out there are puddles to splash about in as well.

Yesterday was the first time that we have taken Emily. As you can see from the expression on her face, she had a wonderful time!

After a traditional seaside lunch of fish and chips we went on to the National Nature Reserve at Saltfleeby. Of course, the dogs had to stay on their leads in the nature reserve, but there were still things to sniff and as always, everyone came home tired, dirty and looking somewhat bedraggled – but happy and tired!

I Am a Dog Breeder

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Kralovna Kvitko with the Ridley 'P' litter

I am a dog breeder. I spend a lifetime learning pedigrees, going over dogs, talking and learning from those in my breed and those outside it. I raise each litter as if I gave birth to them and spend an equal amount of time finding them loving forever homes. I only put puppies on this planet that I think will be the healthiest (mentally and physically) and nicest examples of their breed. I support each family who choses one of my puppies and let them know they are now a part of our extended family. I am there if one needs to come back and will aggressively pursue the return of one of my dogs if its in the wrong place. I support my breed in rescue and education. I hold them when they arrive and leave this world, not only my own, but my brethren in the fancy. I share my knowledge and socialize my dogs so that they will be the advertisement for my dedication.
I don’t keep track of the money and time I put in to my love of dogs, it would not be true measure of how I feel. I support my friends in the fancy, because it takes a village sometimes and only WE know how things are for us.
The price I charge for my puppies is never profit, but investment in the next generation. I will not be ashamed of who I am, I work hard at being a good dog person and encouraging others to be the same. I am a breeder and I am proud of it.

If we don’t support each other – we are doomed as a fancy.

More News from Erik

Ready to go in the ring

Erik is having a busy time in Denmark. After competing in an obedience competition a few weeks ago, this time it was back into the show ring with Kirsten. At the weekend he went to the Danish Terrier Club show, where he took BOB on his first time in the Champion Class, and then won the Club Champion Certificate as well.

We are so proud of our boy!

But as you can see, it’s very tiring winning all these prizes!

Dreaming about a successful show

Doing What Comes Naturally

Waiting her turn for the Go to Ground

Last weekend, Palma disguised herself as a Dachshund and went out for the day with the UK Dachshund Trials Club.

 

In the morning we did some tracking, then after a relaxed picnic lunchwe had a go at go-to-ground and chasing a rabbit lure.

 

Palma really enjoyed the tracking, and proved to be very good at it; the go-to-ground she wasn’t quite so keen on, but she proved to be very enthusuastic about charging up and down with her new Dachshund friends when the lure was set up.

 

This group meets every month, and although I shall unfortunately have to miss then October meeting, we will be back there in November to have some more fun!

Tired but happy at the end of the day

Erik in Denmark

Erik takes 4th place in obedience

When we came home from Denmark, Erik stayed behind with Kirsten. We are still waiting for Beauty to come into season, but in the meantime Erik has been having some fun.

Last weekend he went to an obedience competition, and came fourth overall – pretty good for just a few week’s practice. Next weekend he will be at the Danish Terrier Club’s show – his first time competing in the champion class!

Time goes quickly when we’re having fun!

Medals and Diploma from the WDS

First there was the World Dog Show, held this year in Paris. Not a wonderful experience, as the one thing the French don’t do is pick up after their dogs! Here in the UK we are pretty good, certainly at Dog Shows, at pooper-scooping, but at the Parc des Expositions it seemed perfectly acceptable to leave everything for others to walk in and spread around. Not at all nice, and by the fourth day of the show the smell was all-pervading!

 

World Veteran Winner '11

 

However, we had a successful show. I took Tomáš and Gloria, and at the French Championnat Tomáš won Best Junior, whilst the following day at the World Show, Gloria was awarded the World Veteran Winner title, and became Best Veteran, so both had their moment of glory in the Main Ring.

 

We travelled to the show with Sue Lee of the Tsuselena Pugs and great was the rejoicing when Simon won the CACS at the French Championnat. He won a cup that was nearly as big as he is!

Simon and his Cup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of weeks later we were off on our travels again – this time with Palma and Erik to Denmark. We went to four international shows in Vejen, won BOB and BOS at each show, awarded by judges from Norway, Russia, Denmark and the UK, and Palma also took Group 3 and Group 4.

Ridley Pamatka, Group 3, Vejen, Denmark

As a result, they are now both Danish Champions. Erik has stayed behind in Denmark with Kirsten Toftkjaer – and we hope that there might be the patter of tiny paws in a while!

Apart from a very successful show weekend, the highlight of our stay was an evening spent learning the basics of blood tracking – but more of that another day!

 

One other thing of great importance has happened – we now have a new member of the Ridley gang! Emily Day Break came home with us from France – she is Gloria’s grand-daughter, born in Poland and her sire is Ridley Obrazek, who lives with Jitka Paulinova in the Czech Republic. Emily is a very pretty girl, and just like Granny, is a bit of a snob, so she was quickly named the Polish Princess!

Emily Day Break

 

Emily’s first outing was to the Cesky Terrier Club Show. She won her class, and came home with the trophy and rosette for Best Puppy In Show! What a start!

Happy Birthday!

Tomáš and Gloria

It’s a lovely sunny day, fitting for a very special day here at Ridley, as Tomáš is one year old today, whilst his great aunt Gloria is 10 years young!

 

No Birthday Cake – but chicken wings went down very nicely instead.

 

Happy Birthday!

Club Show

Erik after winning BOS and RBIS

The Cesky Terrier Club Lmit Show is a friendly affair, and this year there were forty exhibits for judge, Linda Matthews.

 

The Ridley boys had an excellent day – the girls aren’t able to compete as they have both won too much at other shows, so we had a boys’ day out and the girls stayed at home! Tomaš was first in the ring in Puppy Dog, and was number 1 in the catalogue! He won his class, and later went on to be Best Puppy Dog and eventually Best Puppy in Show. Then it was Erik’s turn. He won a good Open Dog class, then Best Dog, and finally Reserve Best in Show.

 

It has taken Erik quite a time to mature, and to really enjoy the show ring, but he is now coming into his own with excellent results at most shows.

 

I even won a prize in the raffle! So we all had an excellent day!