English springer spaniels
Peasblossom
Summerstone
When I was a child, my family owned English Cocker Spaniels, from the Lochranza kennel. They were just pets and were never shown but they were the reason for my passion for dogs. We used to visit Crufts every year, held in London then, and I was competely enthralled. The dogs and the whole atmosphere there further fuelled the obsession to one day breed and show dogs of my own.
Eventually, when the time was right, I went to Crufts for two consecutive years to decide on a breed and to find a suitable breeder. Much time was spent walking around the benches and watching the judging. I spotted one particular bitch that appealed very much and the following year, I picked her out again! She was Sh Ch Tiverstone Play Misty For Me and I thought she was exquisite. Contact was made with her owners, Julie and Malcolm Shovel, to find that she was in whelp. Finally, after what seemed like forever, I took home my first Springer puppy, Tiverstone Sweet Lady (photo left) and named her 'Summer'. She was the best introduction to the breed you coud wish for and very aply named. Unfortunately, at not much more than a year old, Summer was diagnosed with Addisons disease.
Sadly, this meant that Summer would never have puppies and another search was on to look for a suitable bitch. 'Bronte', Calvdale In Possession soon joined us in Kent, daughter of the breed record holder, Sh Ch Wadeson Inspector Wexford. Bronte was like a whirlwind, an all action girl in direct contrast to Summer's gentle and girly ways. A kennel name was chosen as a tribute to Summer but it was Bronte who went on to produce the first Summerstone litter, sired by Eastriding Paco Rabanne. Her second litter was to Sh Ch Berkenbar Carrera, son of much-admired Sh Ch Elimvek Earthbound. From this litter, we kept 'Honey', Summerstone Basilissa. Photo below.
When Honey was around nine months old, I flew to the Honeymans in Scotland to have a look at a litter of puppies with the intention of hopefully bringing a bitch puppy home. However, you know what they say about making plans! Instead, 'Dylan', Beecraigs Bedevilled, a lovely dog puppy came instead, bringing his infectiously joyful personality with him. Photo of Dylan below. Both Honey and Dylan enjoyed some good times in the show ring. Dylan especially won well in both his Puppy and Junior classes, got his Junior warrant and went on to win a CC and a RCC. Honey was sadly diagnosed with Chronic Hepatitis at under a year old and we lost her before her second Birthday.
