Espy has a Triumphant return to the AKC ring

We had to knock a bit of the rust off the edges, but Espy returned to the Breed ring at the Two Cities Kennel club show after taking some time off recuperating from birthin' them babies in March.  She took Select Bitch on Saturday and then improved to take Best of Opposite on Sunday.  Thank you to handler Lisa Fennell and Judge Vince Mulligan for the nice win.

Doogie Bowser -Sir Francis Drake

So proud to announce that Doogie Bowser won his first point in his very first appearance in the AKC ring.  Sir Francis Drake show in Vallejo 09/17/2016 - Just six months old plus one day.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Thank you to handler, Lisa Fennell for her hard work in training and presenting this puppy to a stellar performance & Judge Denise Dean for picking him out even at such a young age.

I think we'll be seeing a lot more of this boy in the Winner's Dog ring.  In the meantime, enjoy a bit of his performance here.

Doogie Bowser -Sir Francis Drake

So proud to announce that Doogie Bowser won his first point in his very first appearance in the AKC ring.  Sir Francis Drake show in Vallejo 09/17/2016 - Just six months old plus one day.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Thank you to handler, Lisa Fennell for her hard work in training and presenting this puppy to a stellar performance & Judge Denise Dean for picking him out even at such a young age.

I think we'll be seeing a lot more of this boy in the Winner's Dog ring.  In the meantime, enjoy a bit of his performance here.

The Gaelic Litter - Pictures!

A Pedigree on Paw Village for the Gaelic Litter

These lovely puppies are no mistake.  This was my first foray into a line breeding and Rocket (Mulit BOB, Multi Group Placing, Multi V1 Rated, CH. Milagro's Don Juan Imaygo, CD, RAE, CI, TT, CGC) was the dog I doubled up.  He's the Grandsire on the father's side and Great Grandsire on Mom's side.

There also some other very lovely dogs including Java, Doc, and Midnight Cruiser.  The Gaelic Litter is my fifth generation of rotties and I've never had a lovlier litter.  The pedigree link is below.  Thanks to Jan Cooper who developed this site.

Pedigree for the Gaelic Litter

Puppy Cam - peek in on the Gaelic Litter from time to time

Puppy Cam - Link in and take a peek   

So much of the good stuff happens outside now - including that they're peeing and pooping outside the whelping box now and mostly outside the door.  As they grow, they'll move farther and farther outside to, ahem, take care of important business.  I am so proud of my puppies being house trained by the time they go home between 8 - 9 weeks.  Try, just try, to get that at a pet store.  The Gaelic Litter will be taking their first wee trip (to Reno) the last weekend in April, so don't look for any action then.

Puppies - The Gaelic Litter has arrived

So very pleased to announce that puppies have arrived!  Four beautiful babies were born to Espy by Merlin on St. Patrick's Day.  They are, thus, The Gaelic Litter which will be the naming theme.  I must admit that this allows me to marry two of my favorite things - Rottweilers and Outlander, the book series written by Diana Gabaldon and the TV show now airing on Starz.  

Here's a picture of The Wee Beasties. 

Welcome to the world little ones!  Above is the first born son (I'm calling him Ian because he's so sweet and mellow).

This girl is Bree, after the character Brianna Fraser.  Upon seeing her for the first time, her father says, "My God! You're Huge!"  Which oddly enough is exactly what I said when I saw this girl being born.  She weighed in at a whopping 18.5 oz, which as any breeder knows is a very big baby.  

These are the boys.  The one with the red collar is Dougal because he's verra feisty and head strong.  Yes, you CAN tell some things very early on.  He'll be one to watch in the show ring!

And last, but certainly not least, we have Wee Jenny.  First to open her eyes and peek back at the world, she's a precious wee lassie!  Owners are always free to pick their own names when the babies go home, but I can never resist giving them "baby names."  More pictures will be posted as these cuties grow up.

Happy New Year! Recap of Espy's achievements for 2015

2015 closed with Espy achieving four titles in one year.  She finished her Championship with a Major at the Reno Kennel Club, then went on to get her first Best of Breed at the Mensona Kennel Club.   Big thanks to my handler, Lisa Fennell and to Judge Vince Mulligan.  

Then we concentrated on training for our performance titles.  Espy hit it out of the park getting scores of over 90 each time she appeared in the Rally Ring.  She finished her Rally Novice title at the San Joaquin Kennel Club in Stockton in November, finishing with a score of 97 that day.  That was her second performance of the day (and what a long day it was!) which didn't start until after 5 p.m. due to the large number of entries.  If you get a chance to compete for obedience at the Stockton shows, you should do it.  They have such a great set up with the rings there.  

Espy also finished her Companion Dog obedience title that day, with a score of 193 out of a possible 200.  She just got better and better each day of what is fondly known as "The Turkey Circuit" because it happens near Thanksgiving each year.  We started the Companion Dog title in Turlock at the Golden Valley shows and Espy did me proud by earning scores in the 190's each day.  Three days, three legs and the title.  

The last day of the Turkey Circuit, Espy competed in Conformation and took Best of Opposite Sex, defeating two the top ranked bitches in the nation and earned her first Major towards her Grand Champion title.  We'll hope to make more progress on that title in 2016.  

To say that I'm proud of this lovely girl would be understating it.  I owe so much to my mentor in the breed, Vicky Cochran Rudy, who educated my eye about topline and movement and taught me the importance of those things to this wonderful breed.  

I also owe a debt of gratitude to Linda Orr, who bred Isabella, Espy's mother.  She had the foresight to see the potential of the Rocket/Celine breeding that produced Isabella.  

For her (seemingly endless) patience in teaching me about obedience, I thank Cecelia Banfield of Sky's The Limit Dog Traning in Vacaville.  Without her, my footwork was a mess.  She helped me become the handler my dogs deserve and improved our scores immensely. 

And, lastly, but not least, to Jim and Colleen Squires who bred Tony, Espy's father.  She wouldn't be here without you!