I've been pretty quiet on here the last 12 months or so, but thanks to faster internet, hopefully I can start uploading things again!
A brief introduction to our latest additions....a third Stabyhoun litter of 4 from wonderful mum Mieke. One of the boys has been born with a cleft lip and palate, and we are doing all that we can to give him a chance. If you are on Facebook, you can follow his story here: Meiko the Cleftie Stabyhoun
Apart from that, enjoy the puppy pictures! You can follow the litter here.

​Oh...and we have some Shelties on the way too!! Watch this space....

We're off again! Not too far this time - to a lovely cottage (with central heating - I cannot describe the joy after living for 5 years years without!) in Holker, in the Cartmel Valley in Cumbria.
The dogs cope so very well, they come with us most places so they're used to different surroundings. We have a great set up here, can't wait to welcome the pitter patter of little paws later this summer!!

Well here they are! Born on 30th of July, between 1 am and 4 am, 1 girl and 3 boys! All healthy and happy, and gaining weight well, and Sky is a natural with them (as you'd hope of course!) I'll be regularly updating their page on our website, so keep an eye on it, click on the button below!

One week left (in theory) until pups arrive! Today I captured one of Sky's little quirks - something I've seen in quite a few Shelties! Sky, when she's intensely excited, 'smiles' - top lip curled right back, accompanied by a massive amount of wagging to the point of not being able to walk straight, then lots of kisses and cuddles! It's become her greeting to many people, though anyone who hasn't seen what dog behaviourists term the "submissive grin" might be a bit concerned! It's absolutely the opposite of aggression, and is a totally friendly gesture. The body language in a dog indicates whether teeth being shown is aggressive or friendly - if bared teeth are paired with ears pinned back, whites of eyes being sown and hackles raised...back off! But many Shelties display this "submissive grin" as a sign of peace, and for many pets that progresses to a very exuberant greeting to their favourite people! 

So here she is (looking very round) in a series of pictures....She was asked to do a down stay, whilst Narvik - her favourite human on the planet - approaches her from just arriving home.....

She is absolutely fixated on him, at this point her tail is wagging furiously and she's letting out little squeaks of excitement.....

So if you ever meet Sky, and you get the 'Sheltie Smile'....don't be alarmed! It's her own little way of making friends!

Well here they are! Those circles are puppies! No definitive count, it's never accurate at this stage anyway. The important thing is, they are there, and there's more than one.
​They will be due the last weekend of this month....or thereabouts.

.....and here's the handsome daddy! Ch Mistmere Blackthorn at Shelridge, AKA Toby :)

I love nothing more than seeing puppies all grown up with their families, loving life. I will take ANY opportunity to say hello, and of course a photo opportunity. As it was when Yoda's family - registered name Heiko - came up to The Lakes for a holiday last month. I always think that breeds of dog play best with their own kind, it's like they speak the same language. Certainly true with Stabyhoun! Mieke lost her little mind, the two of them charging around, leaving Shelties a bit bemused....

I couldn't be prouder of Yoda's family, who have done a fantastic job in bringing him up to be a happy, confident and healthy boy. What's more exciting, is that he's now on our UK Stud List, ready to become a daddy! Qualifying a Stabyhoun for breeding isn't a simple task, so I am incredibly grateful for those in the next generation who are taking up the mantle and carrying on with the generations. Yoda, for one, I am sure will be a wonderful asset to our population. 

So here he is, 18 months old....enjoy ;)

Eeek it's all very exciting! Just over 2 weeks ago we had a 'successful' mating between Sky (Athena's Fancy for Briarmere) and the lovely Toby (Ch Mistmere Blackthorn at Shelridge). It's too early to tell yet, but we should know in the next couple of weeks. Watch this space....but for now here is Sky, posing outside of Rydal Cave this weekend. 7:30am - best time to have the place to ourselves!

Well it looks like we've had a year off....not quite though, but it's been our first year without any puppies for 4 years! So I have a few catch up posts to make from last summer, mostly Stabyhoun related, so Sheltie fans, bear with me. Just to keep you happy, here's a couple of pictures of a now fully grown Sky. Just yesterday we got a conformation certificate that she is Genetically CEA clear, which is great news. She has grown to be an extremely quirky little dog, with a taste for agility activities. Incredibly willing, and very easy to live with, she's very much a part of our family.

3 weeks old means....time to start weaning! They're starting to cut their teeth, and showing an interest in Mieke's food, so they had their first little meal today - nice fresh turkey! Avery noisy affair, but full and contented stomachs after! See some more pictures from today here.