Gosh - i see i haven't posted since last Tuesday!
The week being a short one for me - BH on Monday and away on Friday and the in between we were on site so no dog training and no walking save daily duties exercise.

Friday - a day in the car for them all as we went off to the CBV show in Fritzlar in Germany. Twelve hours door to door with areas of traffic that put the M25 to shame (in the extent of carparking they offered). Normally on a 500 mile trip one can reckon on beating the satnav by about half an hour or so including stops - but this time no stops ad an hour and half behind.
It was nice to meet up with some old friends. a nice convivial dinner ended the day. Catja's photo in the Shooting Gazette meeting with much approval - I do sense the German Club looks upon her as 'our Catja'

Saturday - Early breakfast and a walk out to the stream where of course all got wet!
The show was held at the local horse centre and was on grass outside so a blessing as there was little need to hoover the ground for ants. Catja moved very well and stood well. The tips and tricks from Les Strudwick (he of Leonbergers and now proud owner of Array Adorn Eastonite) were useful - Catja was walking into a good stand and did not need to be handled. I did try my 'this is the best dog here' face but as the judge does not speak English this probably did not get across. The judging was shared between the Breed Master and Club Secretary (the French judge who had been booked was unable to attend)

This is a conformation show - The dogs are graded as in France and then those graded excellent are put in to order 1,2,3 etc. Dogs need to attend this before they can be bred from; the result is entered officially onto the dogs papers.

Catja was graded excellent and placed first in her class (open). She then went on to be give the position of best bitch in the show. A best in show between dog and bitch is not given.

pictures here http://www.facebook.com/album.php...amp;id=716403565&l=fb738e7d37

after the show a scurry was run pictures here http://www.facebook.com/album.php...amp;id=716403565&l=6f867a7d74

A lovely day with great people - there were as many who had come just to watch (without dogs) as were entered. - which indicates how sincere they are about the dogs. After the show Julia and I retired into town for cake and beer - which seemed the better option to attending the club AGM.

A final chat and coffee with Andrea, Hermann and Anne before they departed. Donald (Catja's half brother a most lovely faced laid back dog) displayed some calm retrieving on the hotel forecourt whilst Catja indulged in some puppy bounce style retrieves rather than her more sedate usual style - I think having an audience went to her head. It was interesting to see how Catja went into play mode the moment she saw the sister she had spent many months with whereas others had to go through the rigmarole of becoming friends. She recognised Andrea and Hermann immediately and subjected them to her enthusiastic greeting.

Sunday - the long drive home. Preceded by a nice walk by the river. They were all loose and Topaz disappeared, on looking around i saw an orange and white streak racing along the far boundary of the football field we were next to. Whistled the stop - nothing. Then realised it was not Topaz at all but another dog. topaz was eventually seen on point amongst some nettles; and as I went in to move him on the other two backed which was rather nice. He put up a duck which Catja then proceeded to chase - so that is not sorted yet! On her return I said nothing. (previous posts refer to my current thinking about this behaviour). She did find a retrieve however - proudly bringing in a wooden clog. Her fear of water seems to be nicely under control - she was going in just for the fun of it, walking in or jumping in off a log and swimming around in circles. Back to the hotel for breakfast to be serenaded by the hotel's resident grey parrot whistling Colonel Bogey - much to my amusement.


Last job of the day- before moving off- was to find a supermarket to buy some beer to bring home - but they are all shut on Sunday. Did manage to get some 'drop' in a Dutch petrol station en route though