Seen it

thank you Judith. Very pleased with that.

Karen/Mazy

if you go to www.dogworld.co.uk type in large munsterlander and then click on show reports, the Leeds write up is there.

Congratulations Taleula and Strider

When are the puppies due? Can't wait to see them.

Congrats

Looking forward to seeing puppies. Strider sends kisses xxxx

congratulations Taleula. Best wishes for a smooth and happy pregnancy. Love Sarah, Kaia and Loki xx

Taleula

Yippee it's confirmed - she is in pup with at least five showing.

I agree Karen - i have two ski jackets also - one is my designated 'dog coat' and always has a supply of poo bags in the inside pocket. However i have found that the ski jackets take quite a long time to dry if you get caught in an absolute downpour so i am hoping my new wax jacket will dry quicker.
As for keeping your legs dry - my parents use those single layer waterproof trousers over normal trousers but i prefer a pair of lightweight ski salopettes worn on their own (or with base layer trousers in the deep winter). Everyone prefers different things though and i think it's a case of finding what suits you :)

Such a lovely photo of Beau and the twins Judith.

I don't like wax jackets Sarah - find them too heavy. I prefer the ski type jackets that have a separate layer inside you can take out when warmer. Like a three in one coat. Mine is light, windproof and waterproof and with both layers zipped together is warm too on those cold winter mornings.

What I really need is something to keep my legs dry as with the wet weather at the moment and long crops my legs get drenched walking through it all. Even if it isn't raining the grass holds the wet - I often have to change my jeans twice a day!

What a lovely photo

of Beau and the twins. I had both my children when Domino was quite young and she was brilliant with them too.

Smashing pictures of Beau and the girls, can't beleive how big the babies are now. Gives me an idea for another photo themed week!!!
Have done the photo for today: www.photos.thelargemunsterlander.com

Beau

Had 2 photos sent to me today of Strider;s sister Beau. Not sure if some of you will remember alittle while ago i posted pictures of 2 very prem babies. Well this is them now but what i am so pleased about is the way Beau is with them. I told Ali that i may have her back to re-home but i think the pic, tell me i worried for nothing. The worse thing is that Tracey my niece that got Beau only lives 15 minutes away and she has to send me pics!!!!! Need a slap for being a bad auntie.

Coats, I prefer gore-tex coats to wax, I find it comfy to wear. Mine was very expensive because Tony had it made for me about 10 years ago.It is still water proof , also theres not another one like it anywhere. What weight are the wax jackets ? That's what you have to watch because there are afew different weights . We have to be careful when we sale them, it's like my gore-tex coat is triple layer, most are only double.

Don't mind in the slightest and if I wasn't saving for the Farm I would be tempted but can't justify a new coat, when I have two resonable ones already!!!!
Lins Karen, Judith and I are going on Saturday so see you there!!!

p.s.

if i get two or more people interested i would do a repeat visit and buy some more.
They had the shorter styles similar to this (some double breasted with buttons too, very smart) http://www.barbour.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.view&ProductID=18203&FeatureId=547 in 14, 16 and 18 - in three colours (not sure which in which size)
Can deliver to you on Saturday at Nat Gundog if you let me know asap.
I will offer them for £95 each - a bargain for you :D
(Hope you dont mind me ofering thsi Ali but just too good to let people miss out on)
sjames86@googlemail.com :)

Bargain

Just a heads up for everyone who has access to a TK Maxx. I poppe din with the family this afternoon to buy a new coat for work and they had a dozen ladies Barbour wax jackets. After initially saying i couldnt afford one (i'm supposed to be saving for future business plan) my will power gave out and i just had to have one. There were two styles and i opted for this one - http://www.barbour.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.view&ProductID=17429&PCategoryID=23&RangeID=2
They RRP at £219 but i got mine for just £70!!
I know TK Maxx often get the same stock in different stores (we have 4 by us and all tend to have same stuff at same time) so it may be worth popping in quickly if you pass any.
If i could have guaranteed they'd sell i would have bought the lot to sell on - even if i marked them up from shop price the buyer would still be getting a bargain!
I've got the gear so all i need to do now is finally get around to caling the gundog trainer, lol!

Web site updates

Hi all - Good to have you back Lins.
I have finally finished updating my web site, new pictures on most pages
www.blitzanmunsterlanders.co.uk
Also James' site is up and done now too
www.juniorblitzan.co.uk
Thank you to all for the pictures you have sent in, if anyone has any others to send in of Blitzans and Blitzan Relations I would be very grateful, the more the better I reckon!!!

Hi Everyone!

Hello all! Finally got back on line again, and the problem was so simple! I've been very busy lately. Had to fetch my Dad back from hospital in France and he is now recovering at mine, with his two dogs and his one-armed brother! Mayhem rules here.......
Contratulations to Mazy and Karen. Bailey's first show is on Saturday at Malvern, and then the following week at Bournemouth. He's had absolutely no training so it will be chaos!

Sandra

I missed your post earlier when I put the photos up. I'm pleased it went well yesterday with Logi and Narla - hope you have a beautiful litter on your birthday.

I have used the dogmatic with Maggie and found it worked well - in fact I used it most of the time I was in Cornwall on holiday last year for walking around the towns when I needed close control and she was great. I did find though it rubbed a bit in the end - think it got stiff with all the salty sea air and didn't wash well. I tried the leather one too but didn't like it so I had a halti type hand made to measure by a excellent leather craftsman. I took Maggie's measurements around her head and sent a picture in and she made it perfectly. It is beautiful soft leather too so it doesn't rub and Maggie doesn't mind wearing it at all. I am going to get another one made for Elsa when she is full grown too.

Before the rain set in

Maggie and Elsa love the corn field - the foot path runs straight through the middle of it and up toward Holton Woods - but we often take a detour around the edge of the field. Elsa finds it thursty work though. Luckily there is a small brook on the way home for them to stop and have a drink - or in Maggies case lie in it!

News

Narla paid Logi a visit in Hampshire yesterday, and everything went really well. It was definitely love at first sight, although I believe Logi has been eyeing Narla up at shows for some time !!!
So fingers crossed I should be having a litter of puppies on my Birthday 29th September, how exciting will that be !!! Obviously it could be a few days either way, but if I share a birthday with my new puppy, that will be the best present ever.
Thanks Ali, for everything yesterday, and making us so welcome.

I have catching up on the recent post and a couple of things I have used in the past might be of help, for pulling or walking a number of dogs, have a look at these head collars.

www.dogmatic.org.uk

Narla and Morgan both have one, to be honest I don't use them that much now, but they do stop your arms being pulled out of the sockets, when they are in full hunting mode, and they don't tighten up, they are a very kind form of control, and I can walk both dogs on two fingers when they are on, they are made on the same principle as a horses head collar.
You have to put them on for short periods at first so the dog gets used to them, but they are very handy when walking a number of dogs together, or for a strong puller.

My Old Golden Retriever was terrified of fireworks, and we used to start him on this product prior to the firework season, but I have a friend who has Weimaraners, one of whom was terribly ring shy, she also used this product and eventually made her up as a Sh Ch so may be worth a try with nervous dogs, does not contain any drugs, all completely natural ingredients, but it is highly recommended by vets, I have seen it stocked in Pets at Home.
Serene - UM Large Breed www.markandchappell.com
I have used Valerian in the past with a pony, and that also worked very well, as a calmative.

Fortunately now I am very lucky as Narla and Morgan are pretty well bombproof, nothing really bothers them, although Morgan ( Springer Spaniel) is not very happy with strange men, once she has seen them a few times she is fine, but if strange man approaches her she backs off. Funny as she is fine with women, but I think it has more to do with her upbringing and how she was reared (long story) than anything else.

I do remember Ali, the difference was unbelieveable by the next time I saw Summer! Almost like a different dog completely. Sorry to hear she is having such a bad phantom. Poor soul. Paddy will not leave Ceilidh alone but she is not in season so I am sure it is going to happen very soon, he is taking it too far and has tried getting a little too close and frisky for my liking. Seperation at nights and when we are out just incase she comes in. She is off her food aswell which has happend on her other 2 so trying everything possible to keep her munching, little and often seems to be the key today.
Poor Kaia and Maggie too. The only thing that really scares Ceilidh is my neighbours sity on lawn mower, she goes incredibly quiet, sticks by your side and refuses to go outside or near the windows if they are open. I have no idea why as she has never been near it to have had a fright and no other noises like that bother her... Also big blck thunder and lightening clouds when she is outside. I had them at the beach the other day playing happily etc until it came in really quickly, stuck to my leg, literally touching it the whole way back to the car.

Ball mad Tetra!!

She was proud as punch today as she found a ball in the field, so arrived with one and went home with two, one very happy girl.

Yes Judith you are right but also add Skullcap to the Valerian and it is great for anxiety, stress, depression and the like. Worked superbly on Summer when we lost dear Leah, do you remember how depressed she was when you visited Elspeth? She is on the verge of going on it again as she in convinced she is pregnant, and very sulky, quiet, as she is not pregnant, if that makes sense. Incredibly clingy and cuddly too, but I think the two Karens were surprised by how quiet she was when they came down a week or so ago. She is too intelligent for her own good sometimes. If I were you Sarah I would also think about adding some aconite to her remedies as that is great for fear. In all the years I have bred Munsters it's not something I have ever had to deal with fear of everyday things, in that respect my lot are bomb proof, never had an owner with the problem either. Sure Aconite would help her though.

Valerian

When Theo had a badly cut paw and had to wear an Elizabethan collar we used Valerian drops to keep him calm and they seemed to work almost immediately. Available as drops in a tube 'Anxiety' - we got it from 'Pets at Home'

Makes me feel better

Thanks Karne that makes m feel better than maggies does the same things as Kaia. Kaias shaking is only for very scary things like her nemesis 'the banging door' but like Maggie she flies out of the room is something scares her,then back in again quick for a comfort cuddle.
Judith - Kaia is on some herbal calming stuff and it is helping but she is still quite nervy - just the way she is i guess.
Loki is fine - his tests were just health tests - he has had his eye test, and hip and elbow scoring. He was clear for HC, yay! Just got to wait now for his BVA scores to come back - fingers crossed.

Sarah

Have thought of trying Kaia on herbal stuff, like Valerian, i think that's what it is called but Ali will put me right if i got it wrong. Over a period of time, they take quite a few weeks to kick in, you may see a difference in her. How is Loki? I told by someone that you where taking him into the vets for test this week. Hope all is ok with him.

That's OK Ali - we laughed afterwards - My daughter laughed because Elsa actually had a swarm of flys round her on the way home!

Lovely photos - especially of Tarka in the trough!

Sarah - Maggie doesn't like loud noises either. Funny enough she is fine with gun fire, thunder or fireworks but not with the hoover, pots and pans, or raised voices although she doesn't shake with fear - just leaves the room in a hurry. She has though always enjoyed a cuddle and is relaxed in the morning until I get her lead or put my boots on, then all hell brakes lose!

So our Ichbin girlies are not so different Sarah - I think Kaia will get better, they are still young. I still see Maggie as quite a puppy still sometimes. My Blitzan pup on the other hand still smells - think I need to get the ketchup out)lol

Zeta has a swim!!! Here comes Darcy!!!

Zeta digs and digs!!!

Darcy the poseur!!!

Busy day today, but still got some pictures!!!!

Sorry Karen I'm still laughing at your post, can just imagine the state of the dogs and the smell, let alone you too!!!! Sorry but I can laugh when it's not my dogs!!!!

Double the trouble!

Just been out for what I thought would be a nice calm afternoon walk down to the farm. 10 mins after being let off the lead Elsa rolls in fox poo and Maggie finds the blackest bog ever. Elsa managed to get the fox poo all down her back and in her collar and all around her neck - God she stunk!!! Maggie completely buried herself into the bog and literally came out blacker than Elsa. I then saw sheep at the other end of the field so just managed to call them back in time and get them on the lead, but they weren't happy about going on a lead in the middle of a field and managed not only to pull my arms out of their sockets but also cover me in mud and fox poo. I then had to walk home back through the village with my two stinking dogs where I spent an exhausting half hour trying to get them clean and now they are washed and clean I am on the other hand wet and filthy! While washing Maggie, Elsa rubbed herself on me and when I started on Elsa, Maggie shook herself all over me! Oh the joys of two dogs)lol

It is interesting to hear how different Kaia and Maggies behaviour is sometimes. I dont think Kaias behaviour was due to hormones as she is speyed but we know even as a tiny puppy she hated being picked up and froze still when handled. She wouldnt let us cuddle her as a puppy and it is only since we had Loki she has started to want to sit by you on the sofa etc. She is very nervous and reacts badly to sudden noises such as doors banging etc - this over rides her 'anti tactile' ways and makes her want to stick herself to you panting heavily and shivering like a leaf. She is also very focused on her walks and wakes before 4am everyday and just sits watching my mum (who takes her in the morning) whining until she gets up and then spinning circles on the spot until you get her in the car - crazy dog! Also if Loki and Megan's play gets too rough Kaia will run to me and hide behind my legs, she isnt confident enough to play really rough.
Having Loki has helped with some of this though and it is nicer to see her more relaxed at times now. I am hoping as she matures (she is still only 2) she will mellow even more and be happier just being relaxed.

Three Munsters

I think Judith might be right and even numbers are better. I'm having a bit of a problem now that Dudley is big enough to walk with the other 2 dogs and is getting bigger and stronger every day. I only have a short lane to walk to get them to the fields but even so I think good disapline to have them on lead when we leave home but they pull me all over the place. I do various combinations to get over this and this morning Bentley was the one left behind while I walked the 2 younger ones and then Bentley got his walk on his own after. The other problem I have if I take all 3 is that Dudley is following Bentley too much and getting in bad habits and ignoring me more. Mathilde I just get let off lead because I may not see her for several hours again and cannot run the risk of never seeing her again.

Certainly the dog that gets left at home is not at all happy. Bentley barks all the time, Mathilde scratches at the door and Dudley wails like a stuck pig!

I also agree with Ali, the boy dogs are more biddable than the girl doggies.

So I guess I'm finding the same issues as everybody else.

Playmates!!!!

Two? I prefer 10!!!!

I have always found two are easier than one as they do keep each company when your out and they will entertain each other BUT you do need to have the time to train them individually, if there are two of you to share the training it does help. Like Karen said a gap between the two to get the basics done. Sarah I find boys easier and calmer than girls anyway, so not sure it's Kaia's fault more to do with her hormones really, it's funny though as Maggie never seems mad and they are litter sisters!!!

Having said all that I have kept litter brother and sister four times over the years, and have never just had two dogs!!!! 10 is a good number to have though!!! Perhaps I am a Munster junky!! Judith always says even numbers are best as it means you can take them out in pairs and leave them home in pairs works out fairer and easier. The down side is if you don't have the basics done you could end up with two hooligans and the youngster can learn all the bad habits off the older one and you may end up with two bogging off instead of the one!!! I think deep down we all know what is best for our lifestyles and family home. I certainly would go more than 10, as I don't have enough sofa's of big enough bed!!!!!

Lovely pictures again and great Video of young Theo, now he is a big character John, sure he would love company, he would teach the young one to stand on his shoulders so he could reach even higher!!!!!!

Two dogs

One great thing you get with two munsters that you don't get with one is watching the interaction between them and seeing them run together, two dogs with the same energy is wonderful. I always knew I wanted two, just wanted a gap between them because of training. I think it's easier having two. If Maggie is bored she pesters Elsa not me)lol I also love watching them together - out on walks and at home. One thing I was worried about having another was losing the bond with Maggie or not getting the same bond with Elsa but that hasn't changed and both dogs fight for my attention when I play with them. Elsa has learnt from Maggie too, which has made it easier training Elsa than it was Maggie. Now if I blow the whistle I have to take cover cos it's often a competition who gets to me first!

Two dogs

Having Mazy has helped calm Domino down a lot, but she is coming up 9 years old this year. Whether it's because Mazy has so much more energy that Domino seems quieter, I'm not sure. I wouldn't say it's any harder, no easier having two either. They're certainly company for each other and another dog to play with. People did think we were a little mad having another Munsterlander but I wouldn't have it any other way now, they have very different personalities too.

John, I only have Ceilidh who has been troublesome at times, since moving in with my parents and theior spanniel she has calmed down and the spanniel has come out of his shell. I think a lot of it with munsters is attention whether it be positive or negative. With 2 or more dogs there is companionship which seems to benefit them greatly. Maybe just my opinion, but I am sure those with 2 would agree. i know I dont have 2 munsters but it is a similar theory.

Different..

John - i had Kaia first and she was so much hard work friends thought i was crazy when i said i was having another one! BUT - Loki is completely different and a pleasure to live with - he also helped Kaia tremendously and she has calmed right down and whats nicest is that she just adores him. I say Loki is the best thing i ever did for Kaia :D

Rescue dogs

We've found one Munsterlander quite a handful (but we wouldn't be without him) - are two easier, harder or just different??

Rescue LM's

I've had an email from Jean Stone, secretary of Large Munsterlander Rescue. They have at the moment three Large Munsterlanders all needing loving permanent homes. If you have a suitable life style for a loving Munsterlander please contact Rae Massey on 01302 711691 They are also looking for foster carers too. If you can help please give Rae a call. They have girls in now and three boys waiting to come into Rescue, as sad as it is that Munster's need re homing, I am sure these will be very happy to get into their new home.

Seagulls

With all this rain, the seagulls have moved inland. When he was a pup, Theo would chase them until he was worn out but now he's learnt that if he doesn't catch one in the first couple of passes to give up. He had another rabbit at the weekend and, judging by the obvious nasty taste in his mouth, we think he may have found a toad too - maybe he's learnt from that one!

Hope you're feeling better, Ali and Happy Birthday to Andrew

Mazy at Leeds

Photo taken by my 7 year old photographer. Very proud of Mazy for not completely showing me up at her first Champ Show and now we're off to Crufts too.

Happy Birthday Andrew

Hope the sun shines for you!

Happy Birthday Andrew!!

Hope you had some nice presents and enjoy your day.

Morning all on this damp, chilly morning, and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HUBBY ANDREW

From US ALL!!!!!!

Must say how gorgeous are the pictures of Maggie and Elsa, Elsa has a strong point bless her.

Maggie & Elsa

Thank you hopefully on the mend now!!!

Mandy I am so sorry I meant to mention Holly's training as I thought it was great, what a good boy Oscar is and what a great Trainer Holly is, well done the pair of them.

Elspeth you may well have something there about farmers spraying, Lyndsey is that a possibility? Hope you and both dogs feel better soon.

Karen, Charlotte and Mazy are on their way home now, having camped for two nights, very brave is you ask me, feel so guilty and fed up for missing Mazy at her first show and for not making it there with my two and for spoiling the weekend for Judith and James. Not the best of years for me.

Sorry to hear you had to miss the show Ali - glad you are OK now. Hope you are feeling better today.

Congratulations to Karen and Mazy - well done!

Lins, sorry to hear Ghillie is ill again - poor you, you have been through it with him haven't you. Hope you are feeling better too. Lovey to hear from you.

Mandy, great video of Oscar - does seem to be a Munster trait the way the go down - we have always laughed at Maggie the way she throws her self to the floor when you say down - now Elsa does it too and it's almost a competition to see who can get down the fastest)lol

Sorry to hear you were not well Ali, how are you feeling this morning? Hopefully a little better! Karen, very welldone for yesterday you must be proud of your girl!
Mandy the video reminds me so much of Ceilidh and how she moves when you make her do the same series of positions! Does he get a bit of attitude when you have made him go "down" a few times? Ceilidh throws her paws down punching the floor to lay down. Such character!
Lyns, so good to hear from you but I am terribly sorry to hear about Ghillie and Jig, maybe when they are better we could meet for a walk? I seem to be getting fridays off over this next term so fri sat or sun is good. Does your vet think there could be anything on a walk you go on that could be causing it now? E.g. have farmers been spraying anything etc. Just an idea.

Another characteristic Logi has is using his feet as hands to hold sweeties and toys and me!!!!

Prima, the little madam who skipped her season again! Flying Darcy, tongue and ears!!!!

Tetra leaping not the same as the blog but another action shot taken by Andrew.

Andrew and James were given the camera yesterday and this is what they took!!!!!

Also have updated my web site at long last, lots of new pictures on every page, some you may need to look for others will be obvious!!!!

www.blitzanmunsterlanders.co.uk Thank you for letting me use some of your photo's.

Morning all, thanks for keeping things going, as some of you noticed I didn't get to Leeds and am so dissapointed, been looking forward to Leeds for ages, my puppies debut and all that. Well I packed the car, loaded everything I could possibly need and more dorve to meet Judith, we headed up the road deciding to stop a little while later for fuel for car and us, I go out and went into the garage and well fainted. Not been very well all week but thought I was well enough to go, unfortunately it seems I wasn't. Judith and James were fantastic and took charge of everything, I felt very embarrassed but they soon got me to the car and then insisted on getting me home. Talk about feeling guilty, I apologised to Judith and James for them having to skip the show, but neither would hear a word about it. A huge thank you to them both for looking after me so well and not minding the cancellation. I am so chuffed for Karen and Mazy, going to their first show and qualifying for Crufts by getting 2nd. I am also very sorry not to make it to Leeds for Judith and James as well as all the people I had arranged to meet there. Roll on next weekend, I am determined to get my babies out then.

Sorry to hear Ghillie is unwell again Lyndsey, bless he is an unlucky boy isn't he, Grampy Logi sends his love.

Gorgeous pictures on here again

Long Time ..no speak.

Hi all. Sorry haven't posted for quite a while...not been well and just couldn't motivate myself at all. However, I have read the blog every day and thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the wonderful photos of growing puppies and oldies and following everybody's news. The photos of Evie are amazing Tess, I can't believe how much her colouring has changed and she was such a chunky pup as well. It made me look back at Ghillie's puppy pics; he has retained the lighter colouring with mega amounts of flecking and was also very chunky. There is no mistaking he is a boy at that stage and had a lovely head and I really do wonder now how much their problems during their first few months have affected their ongoing maturity. Sadly, Ghillie is unwell again and has dropped all the weight we worked so hard to put on him. Once again blood and stools have gone off for analysis, he is back on antibiotics and 5 meals a day of fish and potato. He is absolutely full of himself...not ill at all in the way he behaves. Unfortunately, Jig- one of my collies is also ill now, although the vet thinks it is a different bug as he has definately not been well, so he is also on medication and a fish and rice diet. I sat up all night with him and Ghillie last Wednesday as both were so poorly, I was too worried to leave them. They both seem to be on the mend but now I am worried about reintroducing their normal diets in case they relapse. Think I will continue with fish/potato/rice until at least Monday and then gradually start to reintroduce their original diets. It was great to see that one of the 'Eternal, litter went home with a placing at Leeds; sadly we didn't go for obvious reasons. I am now hoping that things will be sorted in time for SKC.
I have been doing hpr training with the GSP club and Ghillie and I really enjoy it. We have a lonhg way to go to reach Jim and Brodie's standard but we shall persevere. Will try to get some piccies up when Ghillie is a little better. So pleased that all the 'Eternals' are doing so well.
Hugggzzz Lindsey

Lovely pictures of the Munsters when they were puppies and how their coats have changed, Evie's coat has really changed she is so much more darker now. I also think Elsa and Oscar have a very similar coat Karen.

We all enjoyed our day out at the Leeds Show, we took Oscar as un-entered and he was so well behaved could not have ask for more as it was very busy. We are going to enter him in the Darlington show as Holly regretted not entering him at the Leeds Show, but never mind. Karen it was lovely to meet you, Charlotte and of course Mazy, she did really well she is so cute, think Oscar just wanted to play with her, you will have to let me know if you are doing the Darlington show, if you are will keep an eye out for you. Sorry did not get to meet up with you Ali, hopefully we will at one show. Have attached a video of Holly training Oscar.

Joanne so glad to hear you are safer now!!! Must be very stressful for you all. I adore the baby pics of Duke Duchess adn Evie too! Karen you will be glad to be off on holiday!
Has anyone heard of any of the results from Leeds this morning? I have tried looking on Dog.biz but there is not a link yet to gundog. So looking forward to hearing how everyone has enjoyed their day (dogs and owners)

Joanne - that is good news - it must be a big relief for you. I hope they remain on top of the fires. Duke and Duchess were sweet as puppies. Very different in colouring - like Maggie and Elsa - it's nice to have two so different.

Tessa, Evie was a name I had on my short list - pretty name. She was quite silver as a puppy like Duchess wasn't she. I would have more dogs too if I could but think it would take a lot of persuading Frank to have any more)lol

Hope all of you at Leeds today are doing well - at least the weather seems good so far!

Should be safe now!

The forest fires are still burning here in Kelowna, but they are farther away now, and the ones really close are put out, thank God! It was getting worrysome. Thank you everyone for the concern.

I'm trying to catch up with the blog so here are a couple of pictures of Duke and Duchess as puppies and now. Duke has stayed pretty much the same except for flecking, but Duchess as a puppy was very silver and now stays quite dark,being summertime she gets a little lighter.

We named them Duke and Duchess as they were coming to Canada and wanted them to be Royalty in Canada. We even talk in an English accent sometimes so they wont forget where they come from, hahahaha

Joanne

Have finally got around to putting up some photos of Evie and how she has changed. They are from 2 months to 8 months. Evie doesn't have a bright white spot on her nose on the photo second from last it is actually paint - blends in quite nicely though I think. She has changed again since and in some lights can look quite silver in places.

Liked the discussion over names and what they mean to everyone. We had a long list for Evie but finally decided on Evie as her Mum is Eva and we just liked the name. We chose Murphy as he was from Ireland and it was a good Irish name and it also followed the drinks theme as our other Flat Coat was called Jack as in Jack Daniels. I already have names for my third dog and my fourth (just got to work on Tony).

Loving all the puppy to adult/junior pictures. It is amazing how they are all so different. Oscar looks very similar to Elsa in colouring Mandy. Elspeth Paddy was such a cute puppy! Some Munsters obviously change more in colouring than others - I think Narla has changed quite a bit. She is such a beautiful girl Sandra.

I finished work today for two weeks so feeling great - hope we have some nice weather, there has been a lot of thunder storms today. One thing about the Summer is that it usually means less washing of muddy Munsters but at the moment they are coming home with clogs of mud on their paws which I have to wash out. We have quite clay soil around here so it sticks - not nice!

I'm taking Lydia to see the new Harry Potter movie next week - anyone seen it, if so is it good?

This is little Paddy, fitted right on your hand at 7 weeks old. Also loved

to sleep with you but to lay across your neck to get as close as he could to your face.

Colours

I dont think Ceilidh has changed too much colourwise, blacker front legs and a definate black fleck at the end of her tail and blacker nose now just silvering not white. You can see in the older pic her white strip up the side at the back, when in coat it almost disappears too. It is starting to now that it is starting to grow back. Will post the only one I have on my camera of baby Paddy on his arrival, tiny and ever so cute!!!

Anne, Elsie is a beautiful girl, looks very happy and healthy! Congratulations again. Love all of the pictures of puppies to adults, I especially like puppy Narla sitting with a twig in her mouth! Loom forward to seeing more!

Good luck to everyone going to Leeds, I will be keeping my eye online for the results.

Sorry if i have missed any posts, just on for a really quick catch up before heading out.

Have done the daily photo, www.photos.thelargemunsterlander.com
Thanks for the great photo's you have sent in, will do another tomorrow but probably will be late afternoon once I get home again.

Last of my name choices, Diva, well she is a Diva and always has been so her name was quite easy, and when Prima came along we already had our Diva so next we needed a Prima Donna!!!! Summer was also an easy decision as she was born in Somerset, and born in the Summer, so Summer it was. That now leaves Tetra and Darcy. James chose Tetra and the name is from a favourite series of Games The legend of Zelda, it was a name that jumped out at him and he always wanted to use. Darcy was going to be Chaos, but I know a friend who lost her dog in a freak accident and he was called Chaos, I am superstitious and felt it was wrong to use the same name, as Darcy was so handsome the name suddenly came to us, it was James I think who mentioned it first, I am a fan of pride and predujuce, then Ann mentioned the name too so we went for it. Well thank you for the good luck wishes, think we may need them!!!!!! We're off at lunchtime and wont be back till late on Saturday, so I will leave you all to it!!

Loki changes

Here is Loki at 6 weeks and then 1 year old. He seems to have a very similar colouration to Narla and Elsa. I love munsters because they are so unique and you never really know exactly what you are going to get when you pick your tiny puppy. I was expecting Loki to end up alot darker but i really like his current colouration so was pleased he didnt darker further.

Oscar now and then

Nice to here how all the dogs got there names and its nice to see the pictures of when they were puppies and how they look now, some of Oscar's white patches have started to disappear and he now has very spottie legs. Congratulation to Rosie and Ann, glad to see you are ok Joanne. Hopefully will get to meet some of you at Leeds, we are not showing this time but taking Oscar along with us so Holly and Oscar can get a feel for showing as Holly will be doing the showing if she likes what she sees.

Narla as a Puppy and more recently

Names and Coat Change

Congratulations to Rosie and Ann on the new arrivals, little Elsie is very cute and her big brother looks very taken with her.
It must be wonderful to be a grandparent, I hope it won't be too long before I am one.

Very glad to hear that Joanne and family are safe, it must have been a very worrying time for everyone, and so hard on the firefighters who have done such a marvelous job.


Narla was given her name by my daughters, Narla is from the film The Lion King, apparently Narla was Simba's girlfreind.
I had met a lady from South Africa caleed Narla when we were in Portugal, she and quite a few other South Africans had settled there when they had to leave their homes due to the troubles, so I had heard of it before, originally she was going to be called Elsa, as like Karen I loved the Book and the Film Born Free, but when she came home the girls decided that she was to be a Narla and that was it.

I will try and upload some puppy and recent pictures so you can see how she has changed, she has definitely lost most of her white patches, it was very gradual, if I look at pictures of her as a Junior she still had quite a few white patches, but the dots sort of joined up gradually.
One of the things I love about Munsterlanders is their individuality, no two have the same markings, some have similar one's but each one is quite unique.

I,m loving all these puppy photos. I think this breed is fascinating with their individual markings and colours and how much they change. Evie is very dark with lovely roan on her legs and a white tail. The picture of Elsa in the sun is stunning Karen and Tetra looks lovely.
Congratulations Ann on the birth of your granddaughter (she is lovely) - I wish you all lots of happiness as a family.
We are off to France on Saturday so Win is coming to live at ours whilst we are away to look after the dogs and cat. Evie and Freddie will be back together again up to mischief no doubt!!
All the best to those going to Leeds especially all those babies going to their first show.

Colour changes

Summer as a baby sat with her DadSummer as an adult

Colour changing, Tetra has not gone as dark as I thought she would. This litter is the only one I have not got spot on in predicting their the colours. OK they haven't finished colouring up, but Judith and I really thought they would go much darker. I'm sure we thought Tetra would end up similar to Julie Darby's, Hermii. I love all their colouring and lighter ones are very useful when breeding from, so all in all I am chuffed with the look of all of them.

Flecks

I love that Maggie puppy photo Karen. Kaia had very few spots as a puppy and has only developed a couple more, leaving her white areas very plain white.
Elsa is becoming the spitting image of Loki though. Loki's white neck splodge vanished at about the age of Elsa and his rump went very dark roan but then all the white hairs came back through. So i wouldnt be surprised if Elsa's white collar makes a come back in a few months!

Good luck to those going to Leeds - I have decided Loki and I wont be going but I look forward to seeing everyone at National Gundog the week after as we will definately be at that one :D

Elsa has changed too

She did have a patch of white on her neck which you can see from pic above and now it has completely gone and the white on her back side is very dark too.

Good luck to all those going to Leeds!