So the end of 2012 is drawing to a close. Beginning on a very high note for us with the birth of our first Amimagique litter of barbet puppies. It has continued to be a wonderful year, particularly for us in London where we celebrated throughout the summer with the fantastic crowds that descended upon us for the Queens Jubilee and the summer Olympics.
Unfortunately for us, the Olympics clashed with a very big meeting in France, which in hindsight, I'm very glad I didn't go to. Rather I went to Eton to enjoy the kayaks and canoe racing and the various events other sporting venues.
The meeting of course was the Barbet Symposium, which unfortunately, though a lot of hard work went into the set up of it, didn't live up to the expectations of many. Questions that were hoped to be answered were not, a new pedigree database with many of the false and altered pedigrees from the past, was shown, but not accepted by some. The show in the morning ran overtime, so the meeting ran short. Sadly many people had travelled huge distances with their barbets, but although the meeting was from many accounts rather shambolic, those that travelled did at least get to see the barbets that turned up, always a treat to see so many in one place. It is from myself travelling to a National Elevage a few years ago, that prompted me on the quest to find a second barbet to join our family. I saw so many barbets, that were totally different to the ones I had previously seen here in the UK. I particularly delighted in seeing the differing sizes, particularly the smaller ones. Also the various types of coat, and the grooming styles, one in particular (which I'm sure anyone who was there will never forget)! So, it became clear to me that there was quite a selection of barbets to feast my eyes on, which leads me on to the photo below. This is a very rare colour so far in the barbet breed, most being solid black or solid brown with varying degrees of white. Judy who is the very proud owner of this barbet called Brogan, waited for a long time for her barbet, and was so very fortunate to be chosen to look after this handsome boy. I have enjoyed following his exploits throughout the year, from his love of mobile phones, yep he is a chewer, to his sailing escapades, his trips to the beach to swim, his emergence on the show scene of which is probably Judy's least favourite pastime, and his trips to the groomers. And now Judy is emerging on the scene as an excellent amateur photographer, I'm looking forward to seeing many more photo's of this lovely barbet bred in Canada by Chris and Ula Pepper.. Enjoy .
Unfortunately for us, the Olympics clashed with a very big meeting in France, which in hindsight, I'm very glad I didn't go to. Rather I went to Eton to enjoy the kayaks and canoe racing and the various events other sporting venues.
The meeting of course was the Barbet Symposium, which unfortunately, though a lot of hard work went into the set up of it, didn't live up to the expectations of many. Questions that were hoped to be answered were not, a new pedigree database with many of the false and altered pedigrees from the past, was shown, but not accepted by some. The show in the morning ran overtime, so the meeting ran short. Sadly many people had travelled huge distances with their barbets, but although the meeting was from many accounts rather shambolic, those that travelled did at least get to see the barbets that turned up, always a treat to see so many in one place. It is from myself travelling to a National Elevage a few years ago, that prompted me on the quest to find a second barbet to join our family. I saw so many barbets, that were totally different to the ones I had previously seen here in the UK. I particularly delighted in seeing the differing sizes, particularly the smaller ones. Also the various types of coat, and the grooming styles, one in particular (which I'm sure anyone who was there will never forget)! So, it became clear to me that there was quite a selection of barbets to feast my eyes on, which leads me on to the photo below. This is a very rare colour so far in the barbet breed, most being solid black or solid brown with varying degrees of white. Judy who is the very proud owner of this barbet called Brogan, waited for a long time for her barbet, and was so very fortunate to be chosen to look after this handsome boy. I have enjoyed following his exploits throughout the year, from his love of mobile phones, yep he is a chewer, to his sailing escapades, his trips to the beach to swim, his emergence on the show scene of which is probably Judy's least favourite pastime, and his trips to the groomers. And now Judy is emerging on the scene as an excellent amateur photographer, I'm looking forward to seeing many more photo's of this lovely barbet bred in Canada by Chris and Ula Pepper.. Enjoy .