News/GALLERY

keep up to date with blackenvoy news and events.

Tiger takes first at UGS swsh puppy test

On 31st August Sarah took Hawkerline Hysteria of Blackenvoy to the Utility gundog Society, Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire Novice and Puppy test, held at Popes oak Farm near Cowfold.

This is one of the last tests of the season for us in the South and as a result aways a very well attended event with a lovely atmosphere and sense of excitement with the trialing season upon us.

A really well thought out set of tests, designed to challenge but not over stretch a young dog in training. Tiger ran beautifully, only dropping a couple of marks in the walked up element where his enthusiasm to retrieve got the better of him and he moved slightly forward at heel. He marked like a boss, ran out confidently on all blinds and delivered all his retrieves neatly to hand.

Often a young dog can come apart under test conditions, picking up on handlers nerves or feeling the difference in atmosphere between training and competition, but Tiger took it all in his stride and we were absolutely thrilled to discover he had been placed 1st at the end of the day.

This lovely young dog still has allot to learn but we couldn't be more pleased with his progress and gaining an award at his first test.

Team second at southern interclb match

On Sunday 22nd June, Ben, Sarah and their team mate Steve Hobbs ran for the Isle of Wight gundog club in the Interclub team match on the stunning Isenhurst estate in Kent.

This competition consists of three dogs and handlers one open level, one novice and one novice dog/novice handler, competing against 15 other teams on a series of challenging tests.

There were 5 tests, three of which included a water element for at least one dog and several that were quite allot more technical than they first appeared.

All three dogs and handlers performed well, with Ted the open dog showing his quality on some tricky tests and barely dropping a point all day.

We were absolutely delighted to be awarded second place, beaten by only a few points by the Southern golden Retriever Society who took a very well deserved first. We were even more delighted by the hog roast and Pimms that we all got to enjoy at the end of the test.

What a fabulous day!

a clean sweep at UGS for pops and Her puppies

You wouldn't be the first person to call us crazy for keeping three puppies from the same litter, and it's certainly not something that I would recommend undertaking without carful thought and consideration. We had initially planned to keep one each but somehow we just couldn't part with tiny Tactic so we figured, why not?

All three youngsters have had their share of awards over the summer, and much like their dam overall they have been a pleasure to bring on and train. Tactics training has been shared fairly equally, however she seemed to go better for Ben so it was decided early on that he would compete with her and Biggie, leaving Sarah to focus on Dee and Mary.

So on a sunny day in July we got up early and headed to Rickneys training ground in Hertfordshire, with our team of reds hoping to have a bit of fun and see if all the effort had paid off.

The tests were challenging, but fair incorporating water and a jump for the older dogs. What a lovely surprise it was when Mary took first place in her group and the puppies second, third and fourth in theirs.

Its always lovely to come away with an award at the end of the day, but for all four to do so well was an incredible boost and definitely a real pinch me moment.

guns choice at ampton

Ben and Pops (Colquite Mary Poppins of Blackenvoy) competed in their first trial of the season at Hampton estate in Suffolk. This was Pops first ever trial and Bens first one back after a long absence from the sport.

Ben had only trained with MP two or three times before the day, but he figured she was up to the challenge so off they went.

Pops did really well, staying in for the first two rounds and picking a fabulous runner early on which she had marked down beautifully and earning herself very well deserved guns choice award.

clear eyes

we recently took four of the Blackenvoy Labrador girls to see the specialist eye vets for their annual eye examinations.

These tests are a real nail biting experience for any breeder as a fail means that the dog can no longer be included in a breeding program. This is obviously devastating when you've put your heart and soul into training a young dog and getting it to a high standard only to realise it will never be able to continue its line.

I am very happy to report that on this occasion the nail biting was not in vain and all four beautiful girls have passed for another year. Ellie and Pops for the second time and Pip and Sally for the first.

yay, well done bitches!