tag:espinay.com,2005:/blogs/latest-news?p=5Latest News2019-05-01T17:32:57+10:00Espinay falsetag:espinay.com,2005:Post/57384262019-05-01T17:31:36+10:002019-07-08T12:38:32+10:00See more news on Facebook<p>I haven't posted much 'latest news' on this page of the website lately, but that is not because we don't have any.</p>
<p>Now that we have a Facebook page I am able to post updates in a much more immediate fashion.</p>
<p>On the Facebook page you will find lots of photos and news about our dogs as well as seeing a lot more about their day to day life with us. </p>
<p>I am now phasing out the latest news page here on the website, so please come and join us on Facebook at <a contents="Espinay Pyrenean Mountain Dogs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/espinaypyrs/" target="_blank">Espinay Pyrenean Mountain Dogs</a>. </p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/espinaypyrs/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/c2f3a187af9a218891873d1a273644b2a754291e/original/fb.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/55176992018-11-17T20:00:28+11:002018-11-17T20:01:13+11:00Health Testing - DNA tests for Missy<p>DNA test results are back from Pawprint Genetics for Missy (Espinay Cest la Vie). She is Normal (Clear) for Degenerative Myelopathy, Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia, and Canine Multifocal Retinopathy 1. She is also officially 'clear by parentage' for Neuronal Degeneration.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/aba4ca1c8ee67651094f017f4811e530bf8b7cd6/original/dna-tests.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/55083082018-11-11T13:03:01+11:002018-11-11T13:03:01+11:00Another new B-Litter Champion!<p>10 November 2018. Big congratulations to Sally on Pocket (<a contents="Espinay Belle Epoque" data-link-label="Pocket" data-link-type="page" href="/pocket" target="_blank">Espinay Belle Epoque</a>) gaining her final points for her Champion title at a show in Sydney today. We are very proud of them. No photo of them in the ring today, but Sally did send me a photo of Pocket taking a nap before her turn in the ring. ("Earn my Champion title? I can do it with my eyes closed!"). </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/818849cba6d4dd30bc083cab77ce9aa1259bbb18/original/pocket-show-sleep-10-nov-18.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/55083052018-11-11T12:55:18+11:002018-11-11T12:56:29+11:00Happy 10th Birthday Grace!<p>7 November 2018. Today we wish a big Happy 10th Birthday to our beautiful Grace (<a contents="Ch Despreaux Amazing Grace" data-link-label="Grace" data-link-type="page" href="/grace" target="_blank">Ch Despreaux Amazing Grace</a>). Grace is spending her birthday getting lots of treats and being thoroughly spoiled (so in reality not much different from a normal day for our Gracie Mae Pudding ;) ). Fun Fact: Grace is mother to our A-Litter, Grandmother to our B-Litter and Auntie to our C-Litter. Here she is pictured with her first special treat of the day.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/4342b6720809bb1447cf53226cedcc780886e0d8/original/grace-10th-birthday3-07nov18.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/54210422018-09-09T14:31:15+10:002018-09-09T14:32:22+10:00Georgie Best Junior in Group<p>09 September 2018. Congratulations to Gary Howley on Georgie (Ch Espinay Belle Amie) being awarded Best Junior in Group at the Murrumburrah Harden Show yesterday. Good work team!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/caa6f0e4a84fd8fe36063c5862df0112d9d1b5bc/original/georgie-junior-in-group-8sep18.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/54039582018-08-28T12:43:10+10:002018-08-28T12:43:10+10:00Puppies! Welcome to the world little ones<p>Last night we welcomed our C-Litter to the world. Louise needed a caesarian section to deliver all 4 puppies as one very large (755 gram) puppy was causing a traffic jam. Louise has recovered well and puppies are doing well too. </p>
<p>We welcome 1 female and 3 males from Louise (Ch Despreaux la Chanteuse) and Kathare (Kathare des Sentiers du Roi (Belgium).</p>
<p>Follow us on our <a contents="Facebook page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/espinaypyrs/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> to see regular photos and updates on the puppies.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/c439db03e01e0ea0b6d7c209c71e1b018e6f3340/original/louise-and-pups-day-1.jpeg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/53659172018-07-29T09:08:37+10:002018-07-29T09:09:29+10:00We are expecting puppies!<p>Louise (Ch Despreaux la Chanteuse) has had an ultrasound confirming she is pregnant. Sire of the litter via frozen semen is Kathare Des Sentiers du Roi (Belgium) Kathare was also the sire of our B-litter. Puppies are due at the end of August.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/ff8bb80b2ab57f27720b2b343a3b6e8336bceba0/original/louise-ultrasound.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /> </p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/53382402018-07-10T10:42:14+10:002018-07-10T10:43:41+10:00Health Testing - Hearts<p>On 06 July 18, Nena (CH Espinay Albine (AI) and our Saluki Sookie (CH Alshira la Sylphide (AI) JC) attended a heart clinic in Canberra with a veterinary cardiac specialist where they underwent an Echocardiogram. We are pleased to say both girls are now certified as having no echocardiographic evidence of cardiac disease.</p>
<p>Hugo also attended the clinic on 07 July 18. As he is still young, he only had a preliminary check via Auscultation (he will undergo an Echocardiogram when he is older). He was also cleared with no auscultory evidence of cardiac disease.</p>
<p>Our dogs generally undergo heart testing every couple of years throughout their lifetime. This helps us monitor for any changes, particularly as Pyreneans can be subject to later onset heart conditions such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy. You can read more about some of the heart conditions in the breed on our <a contents="Health" data-link-label="Health Issues" data-link-type="page" href="/health-issues" target="_blank">Health</a> page.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/09b3da2d8ea6098062b5e1a09ac9fe60107e51db/original/nena-heart-jul18.jpeg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpeg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/3ea72a1dfadf8d5da68531111bb3a8988f6b3381/original/sookie-heart-jul18.jpeg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpeg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/177d87ed63efadec664b9ec5845b49e4ee19e2e9/original/hugo-heart-jul18.jpeg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpeg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/53289792018-07-03T13:17:03+10:002018-07-03T13:17:03+10:00New Champion!<p>Congratulations to Gary Howley and Espinay Belle Amie (Georgie). On 1 July 2018 Georgie earned her final points towards her Champion title (title subject to Dogs NSW approval). Very proud of both of them. They make a great team.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/f01af852bbd6c38fd6f735e5222a28425ae101ed/original/georgie-and-gary-1-july-18-new-ch-title.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/53077422018-06-21T09:38:38+10:002018-06-21T09:40:23+10:00Saying Goodbye<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/19c93eeac4a514ba1082d77cb547040e0b0341c5/original/hamish-11-years-oct17.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hamish </strong><br>(Ch Despreaux Highlander) <br>15 August 2006 - 19 June 2018 </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">On 19 June 2018 we said goodbye to Hamish.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Words are hard right now and I feel like my tears will never stop.<br>What can I say about a dog who was my everything. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We had a saying which truly summed up his personality. “It’s all about Hamish”.<br>He believed the world revolved around him. The truth is that it really did. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Now he is gone and he has taken a large part of my heart with him.<br>Rest easy now my boy. I will always love you to the moon and back.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/52241282018-05-09T15:14:35+10:002018-05-09T15:14:35+10:00Therapy Dog Albie<p>A big thank you to Albie's owner Mary-Anne for sending these great photos of Albie (Espinay Arvie) at work as a Therapy Dog. We knew as a puppy that Albie was destined to spread joy and smiles and we thank Mary-Anne and his family for helping him to show his full potential.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/0cbec36da0c2debb128c6778a8d30989b052174e/original/albie-5yrs-may18-2.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/004ea9da44bb1cd6214e8d487245bc85f0689508/original/albie-5yrs-may18-1.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/52241272018-05-09T15:08:26+10:002018-05-09T15:09:54+10:00Happy 5th Birthday A-Litter!<p>8 May 2018. Happy 5th Birthday to the A-litter 'puppies' BJ, Azure, Albie, Red, Elouise and Nena. I am so proud of all of them and their achievements. I am most proud, however, of the joy they all bring to their fantastic homes. It has been a pleasure to watch them blossom into adult dogs and I look forward to sharing many more years with them and their owners. A few recent 'happy snaps' here of each of them, but be sure to also go to our <a contents="A-litter page" data-link-label="A-Litter ~" data-link-type="page" href="/a-litter" target="_blank">A-litter page</a> where you can visit each of their individual pages for a lot more information and photos.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/1be8a7115dcc966de5324f3c709a6831b2dff5ef/original/bjandpiper2016.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/40f841544202d8f8f1fb21385ab0c3428ab418c6/original/azure-bacon.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/fbc4bf9ad2f08247af7d31829501768b7963bb40/original/albie-5yrs-may18-1.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/f3a1cdf08fdb1101c6e0e51792d6926109d4180e/original/red-5yrs-may18-edit.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/5540252d73c168c754b0e46b00d6b850b009a7ba/original/elouise-5yrs-may18-3.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/eec340c447aac0ebf039d69fdde381dee003f570/original/nena-yoghurt-24-april-18.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/52159672018-05-04T09:55:46+10:002018-05-04T09:56:52+10:00We are now on Facebook!<p>Espinay Pyrenean Mountain Dogs now has a Facebook page! Come and join us there to keep up to date with the latest news and information and to see great pictures of our dogs at home and out and about. Click the button below to take you to our page.</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/espinaypyrs" style="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/b25b658e76e6e4b31e563ec19b8e1ff50b7eb2d2/original/facebook-logo3.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></a></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/52090802018-04-30T14:05:02+10:002018-04-30T14:05:02+10:00Weekend Show Success<p>It was a good weekend for the girls this weekend. In Sydney on Saturday 28 April 18, Pocket (Espinay Belle Epoque) was having fun at the Ladies Kennel Club shows with her co-owner Sally. Pocket decided that as she had won Best of Breed, she should also get first dibs on sitting in the chair (picture below). On Sunday 29 April, Georgie, along with her brother Hugo had fun meeting people at the National Capital Kennel Club Show in Canberra, with Georgie beating her brother to win Best Junior and Best of Breed. She also went on to win Best Junior in Group under judge Mr Andrew Burt from Victoria. Georgie is pictured below in the ring with her co-owner Gary.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/844e3ae081a85cfb0604eccc3f28c2890f561636/original/pocket-28apr18-1.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 25px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/9b9d79885cd49c5965f6ad2bc22c3ae9ce63af58/original/georgie-junior-in-group-29apr18.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/51668382018-04-06T10:54:03+10:002018-04-06T10:54:03+10:00Happy First Birthday B-Litter!<p>6 April 2018 - A very Happy 1st Birthday to the puppies in the B-Litter. So very proud of all the puppies (Belle, Albus, Pocket, Georgie and Hugo) who are all so happy and well loved. As a breeder I could not ask for better homes. I am sure they will all be getting special treats today. I know Hugo is! You can read about the B-Litter by clicking on their page in the header above. From there you can read about the puppies from their conception until they went to their new homes, and visit each of their pages to see up to date photos of them with their families (you can also click on each of the photos below to visit their pages). </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="Pocket" data-link-type="page" href="/pocket" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/d4499adaa25f2849613879efd8f7154d2be8a3b6/small/pocket-5apr18.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_none" alt="Pocket" /></a> <a contents="" data-link-label="Albus" data-link-type="page" href="/albus" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/b3954bc0eb611497ffee5c47e05fa56b69a95b32/small/albus-reading-feb-18.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_none" alt="Albus" /></a> <a contents="" data-link-label="Belle" data-link-type="page" href="/belle" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/23b1076fe54467760ce2a8f27c2a98b321450c92/small/belle-with-karen-4apr18-1a.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_none" alt="Belle" /></a> <a contents="" data-link-label="Georgie" data-link-type="page" href="/georgie" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/ef98dcd9c660558bd578438eac7e78f25b553b54/small/georgie-2-jan-17-2.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_none" alt="Georgie" /></a> <a contents="" data-link-label="Hugo" data-link-type="page" href="/hugo" style="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/762f420b359bf6a3471a23e537c11f7d3fe984ef/small/hugo-cottage-cheese-dec-17-3.jpg" class="size_s justify_none border_none" alt="Hugo" /></a></p>
<p> </p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/51491482018-03-27T11:06:20+11:002018-03-27T11:06:20+11:00Sydney Royal Easter Show 2018<p>Sunday 25th of March was 'Pyrenean Day' at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The Royal is a big event for the dogs as unlike most other shows it is a 'benched' show where the dogs are assigned a 'bench' in the pavilion for the day rather than being in their own gazebo outside. A lot of people come through the pavilion during the day to see the dogs. The puppies Hugo, Georgie and Pocket had a great time at their first Royal. They loved talking to their 'fans' and getting lots of pats and cuddles. All three showed very well too though the star of the day was Georgie who was awarded Runner Up to Best of Breed. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/0d228e5d917f86ce4ceea45a9e53a80ab8a6c49d/medium/georgie-1.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/3eaf756671e7de601fae174d42cf05c6f582f8e2/medium/hugo-upside-down-1.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/2831227070de626c1a72ebdd02a5172d8375d6ab/medium/pocket-2.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/1e4c5f0600981ef35d46677dd4dadb8ed94e882a/medium/hugo-kiss-1a.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/50885422018-02-20T17:28:56+11:002018-02-20T17:28:56+11:00Great show weekend for Hugo and Georgie<p>Hugo and Georgie had a great weekend out and about in the show ring on the weekend. </p>
<p>On Saturday 17 February 2018 Gary and Georgie (Espinay Belle Amie) went to Gundagai where Georgie was Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Group.</p>
<p>On Sunday 18 February 2018, Georgie and Hugo (Espinay Bastille My Heart) attended Gunning show where Georgie was Runner up to Best of Breed, and Hugo (despite leaving his coat on the grooming room floor) was Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Group as well as being short listed for Best in Group.</p>
<p>Photos below of Hugo's Best Puppy in Group win as well as a recent photo of the two puppies together.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/f773b9ed6434209ee63b7017ed61d74fa67a3300/medium/hugo-bpig-gunning-18feb18.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/37ccc5f9b041fe8fb2f1b916d725c8d99c2050b9/medium/hugo-and-georgie-9mths-bungendore-jan-17.jpg" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 35px;" /></p>
<p> </p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/49327342017-11-15T10:55:03+11:002017-11-15T10:57:18+11:00Pyr Specialty Show in Victoria<p>On 11 November 2017 we attended the Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club of Victoria specialty show in Melbourne. This was a special event as our dogs were being judged by Alain Pecoult who is President of the RACP (French parent club for Pyrenean Breeds) and a well known and very respected judge of Pyreneans. Six dogs from Espinay attended the show. Nena, Azure and BJ from our A litter and Hugo, Georgie and Pocket from our B litter.</p>
<p>We had a great day and I was very pleased with the results and all the critiques given by M. Pecoult on our dogs (individual critiques and gradings were given on all the dogs as they are done in France). </p>
<p>I was particularly pleased with the puppies who showed very well, with Hugo (Espinay Bastille My Heart) winning Best Minor Puppy in Show and Georgie (Espinay Belle Amie) winning Best Opposite Minor Puppy in Show. BJ (Neut Ch Espinay Arrens) also won Best Neuter in Show.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/4a398f48474170d9051f90d52aa94435a82cf6c0/medium/hugo-mpis-pecoult-11nov17-1.jpg?1510703517" class="size_m justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/39317532a896d96fe4ee7ce7ea03c7b6755fba62/medium/georgie-opposite-mpis-pecoult-11nov17.jpg?1510703542" class="size_m justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/0bf143a6627d02cdd03fd6897abefe53339ac37d/medium/bj-bnis-pecoult-11nov17.jpg?1510703629" class="size_m justify_none border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/49202152017-11-06T10:23:23+11:002017-11-06T10:23:23+11:00Show News - Georgie wins Best Minor Puppy in Group<p>Congratulations to Gary Howley on Georgie (Espinay Belle Amie (AI) ) being awarded Best Minor Puppy in Group at the Goulburn DDT and KC Show on Sunday 5 November 17. Judge was Mr K Lee (Vic).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/811349c601c9321d49de22dfbeed375eaa7dd162/medium/georgie-goulburn-show-mpig-5nov-17.jpg?1509923622" class="size_m justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/1f2eba53469c7032ec93187ae995496f17e53e57/medium/georgie-goulburn-show-5nov-17-1.jpg?1509923636" class="size_m justify_none border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p> </p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/48418352017-09-08T18:31:17+10:002017-09-09T11:42:09+10:00Show News - Hugo wins Best Baby Puppy in Group at the Spring Fair!<p>So proud of my little man, Hugo (Espinay Bastille My Heart) who on Sunday 3 September 17 was awarded Best Baby Puppy in Group at the Royal Canin Spring Fair in Sydney. The Spring Fair is one of the bigger and more prestigious shows on our annual calendar. Hugo is such a pleasure to show and shows his happiness in the ring. Hugo is now the third B-Litter puppy to win a Best Baby Puppy in Group award.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/3fa8be46409abf4918b5b373173f93857b0997e3/medium/hugo5.jpg?1504859171" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="619" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/47972572017-07-31T14:44:27+10:002017-07-31T14:45:44+10:00Show News - Georgie debut success<p>29 July 2017 - Congratulations to Gary and Georgie for their success today at the Harden Murrumburrah Kennel Club Show. Georgie (Espinay Belle Amie) made her debut in the show ring today, and not to be out done by her sister Pocket, won Best Baby Puppy in Group. Very proud of all the puppies.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/d6803f14f2bf0c4b22d52d7888f5e4573dbea16b/medium/georgie-bpig-harden-show-29jun17.jpg?1501476152" class="size_m justify_center border_" /> </p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/47868262017-07-21T10:15:54+10:002017-07-21T10:15:54+10:00Show and Lure Coursing News - New titles for Sookie<p>On 16 July 17, Sookie gained her final points for her Champion title, winning Bitch Challenge and Runner Up to Best of Breed at the Bungendore and Palerang District All Breeds Championship Show. Once approved by Dogs NSW, Sookie will have titles at both ends of her name, having also gained her final pass for her Junior Courser title a few weeks before. Go Sookie!</p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/47724272017-07-09T16:34:12+10:002017-07-09T16:37:05+10:00Show News - First show success for Pocket!<p>Congratulations to Pocket (Espinay Belle Epoque) and her co-owner Sally McDowell on Pocket winning Best Baby Puppy in Group at her very first show in Sydney on 8 July 2017. Way to go girls!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/4f61badd0e069934ef36c51a6959dac27026e0b8/medium/pocket-bpig-first-show-8jul17-edited.jpg?1499581875" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/47724262017-07-09T16:27:13+10:002017-07-09T16:27:13+10:00Health Testing - Hearts<p>On Saturday 8 July 2017, Grace (CH Despreaux Amazing Grace - 8 1/2 years) and Louise (CH Despreaux la Chanteuse - 5 years) attended a cardiology clinic in Canberra with qualified Veterinary Cardiologist Dr Geoff Nicolson (from Cardiorespiratory Pet Referrals in Victoria). Both Grace and Louise showed no echcardiographic evidence of cardiac disease.</p>
<p>I am very pleased with these results. While both Grace and Louise have had clear heart tests previously (I generally test dogs every 2 years). Checking their hearts as they age is also important, as some heart conditions (such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy) may not be evident until later in their life.</p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/47641202017-07-02T13:18:41+10:002017-07-02T13:21:58+10:00Health Testing News - Eyes<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/a786f33c6922f57cd344dbb37f97a3c45b3abdae/small/aces-logo-v2-final-version.jpg?1498965668" class="size_s justify_right border_" />On 23 June 2014, I attended an eye clinic in Yass with visiting veterinary eye specialist Dr Bruce Robertson. Grace, Louise and Nena all had their eyes checked under the ACES eye scheme. While Grace, who is 8 1/2, has some lens sclerosis which is typical of dogs her age, all were declared healthy and cleared of genetic eye issues.</p>
<p>Also on eyes, B-Litter puppies Hugo, Pocket and Georgie have been DNA tested for Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (CMR1) and all are clear/normal.</p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/46886712017-04-28T16:28:04+10:002017-04-28T16:28:12+10:00Saluki show and Sookie's first Lure Coursing Trial14 April 2017. While I was at home with puppies, Sookie went on a trip to Sydney with her co-owner/breeder Anita Langford of Alshira Saluki's to attend the Saluki Club Inc (NSW) Specialty Show and Lure Coursing Trial. In the morning Sookie competed in the show, winning Junior in Show under judge Karin Hedberg (Sweden). She is pictured here (on the right of the picture) with her litter brother Auster who was best opposite.<br><br>In the afternoon, Sookie competed in the Saluki Club Inc (NSW) Lure Coursing trial. This was Sookie's first official trial. Sookie ran well achieving her first Junior Courser pass.<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/4be28102e4ef03d85d9dd47fb1927c86e291e062/medium/saluki-show-junior-in-show-apr17-with-brother-auster.jpg?1493360496" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></div>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/46631542017-04-08T14:16:47+10:002017-04-08T14:40:41+10:00Puppies are here!I am pleased to announce the safe arrival of Nena's litter on 6 April 2017. 3 girls and 2 boys. Mum and pups are all doing well. You can read more about Nena's litter on our <a contents="B-Litter" data-link-label="B-litter ~" data-link-type="page" href="/b-litter" target="_blank">B-Litter</a> page<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/7809a12eb9bbdf5de3c50618e0ac71954af7b35b/medium/nena-and-pups-8apr17.jpg?1491624645" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/46496802017-03-29T14:04:43+11:002017-03-29T14:29:25+11:00Recognition from the Great Pyrenees Club of America<br>(27 March 2017) Look what arrived in the Post today. A certificate from the Great Pyrenees Club of America for Azure (<a contents="Ch Espinay Azun" data-link-label="Azure" data-link-type="page" href="/azure" target="_blank">Ch Espinay Azun</a>) in recognition of the health testing that has been done for him. Azure now joins Nena, Hamish, Grace and Louise who also have similar awards.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/5cb8603c970dc69a70e76511bd181693521b4f4d/original/azure-gpca-certificate-march17.jpg?1490755371" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="411" style="width: 422px;" />Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/46193202017-03-07T13:37:36+11:002017-03-07T13:37:36+11:00Puppies on the way!Today (7 March 2017) Nena went to the vet for an ultrasound to confirm whether she was pregnant. A month ago she was inseminated using frozen semen from a dog that was born in Belgium, but lives in the USA (His name is Kathare des Sentiers du Roi ). I am happy to say that yes, Nena is having puppies! Gestation for a dog is around 63 days from the day of ovulation, so the puppies are expected around the first week of April.<br><br>Below is a picture of the ultrasound. You can see two puppies in the picture. They are the dark round blobs at the top of the picture. <br><br>This is our 'B' litter, so I will be posting more photos and information on a 'B-litter' page, similar to the one for our<a contents=" 'A-litter' " data-link-label="A-Litter ~" data-link-type="page" href="/a-litter" target="_blank"> 'A-Litter' </a>in the coming weeks and months. More information is also on our <a contents="'Puppies'" data-link-label="Puppies ~" data-link-type="page" href="/puppies" target="_blank">'Puppies'</a> page.<br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/31b7f42a986e7d9cbb9abe9c2fc8925597150e05/medium/nena-ultrasound-7-march-17.jpg?1488853686" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><br> Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/45711072017-02-01T09:53:00+11:002017-02-01T09:53:00+11:00Health Testing News - Hips, Elbows and PatellasNews from Faye Cartledge who owns 'Red' (Champion Espinay Assouste) that she now has the health testing results for Red's Hips, Elbows and Patellas. <br><br>Red's scores are Hips 1:1, Elbows 0:0 and Patellas Normal. I am very happy with these fantastic scores.<p>For more information on hip, elbow and patella scoring and conditions, visit our <a contents="Health Issues " data-link-label="Health Issues" data-link-type="page" href="/health-issues" target="_blank">Health Issues </a>page, which can be found by clicking the link or under 'About the Breed' in the top bar.<br><br>You can also see photos and read more information about Red, who is from our A litter, on her page<a contents=" here" data-link-label="Red" data-link-type="page" href="/red" target="_blank"> here</a>.</p>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/44601352016-11-10T18:24:26+11:002016-11-10T18:24:26+11:00Therapy Dog 'Albie'News from Victoria where Albie has been making his mark as a Therapy Dog. Albie and his owner regularly visit a nursing home where they sped a lot of time in the high needs dementia unit. From all reports he is doing a remarkable job and his achievements include getting one of the residents to smile for the first time in months. He is also very good at squeezing himself into tight spots so residents can pat him. He has learnt the command to back up which makes getting out of these spots very helpful. We are very proud of gentle Albie. Below is a photo of Albie while on the job. You can also see more photos of Albie (Espinay Arvie), who is one of our<a contents=" A-litter " data-link-label="A-Litter ~" data-link-type="page" href="/a-litter" target="_blank"> A-litter </a>puppies, on <a contents="his page" data-link-label="Albie" data-link-type="page" href="/albie" target="_blank">his page</a>.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/8c1116be4251227aa0dcc4ffe4c2b01a8d358647/original/img-0470.jpg?1478761735" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="390" style="width: 400px;" />Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/44537912016-11-06T08:09:25+11:002016-11-06T08:11:27+11:00Health Testing News - HeartsOn 05 November 2016, Hamish and Nena attended a heart clinic in Canberra with Dr Niek Beijerink DVM PhD Dipl. ECVIM-CA (Cardiology) from the University of Sydney.<br><br>Nena's heart was found to be clear on auscultation with no evidence of heart disease.<br><br>Hamish had an echocardiogram performed to check the progress of his asymptomatic Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). This condition was discovered by Niek during Hamish's heart exam in 2014. We were pleased to find that Hamish's condition is stable with no further development.<br><br>Our dogs generally attend heart clinics every 2 to 3 years. I consider continued testing as our dogs age to be important as some conditions, such as DCM, tend to have a late onset and may not be present in earlier examinations. You can read more information on the main heart conditions which may be found in Pyrs on my <a contents="Health Issues " data-link-label="Health Issues" data-link-type="page" href="/health-issues" target="_blank">Health Issues </a>page.Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/43320252016-08-19T13:34:24+10:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Eric Salas Handling and Grooming WorkshopOn 8 and 9 August 2016 we had fun attending a show handling and grooming workshop with Eric Salas, a former professional handler, now trainer and inventor of the Panagenics line of dog grooming products. Such a fun and intense two days with so much to take in and learn. <br><br>The first day was dedicated to handling with theory work in the morning and practical with our dogs in the afternoon. Some wonderful information and techniques and it was great to see the change in handlers and dogs even in that short time. I have certainly come home with lots to practice!!<br><br>The second day was grooming with lots to learn on topics such as hair structure and building a healthy coat from inside and out as well as grooming for best effect based on your dogs structure. I have been using the Panagenics products for a while now and truly love the quality of the dogs coats as a result. We had fun in the afternoon washing and blow drying our dogs and then getting help from Eric with techniques to take our grooming to the next level. My grooming partners for the day were Sookie and Nena with Sally also bringing Azure. Some photos below from the grooming workshop showing Azure and Sookie which I have included with permission from Eric.<br><br>You can check out Eric and the Panagenics products at <a href="http://www.panagenics.com/">http://www.panagenics.com/</a> . He has some great handling and grooming videos available and I can highly recommend attending if you ever get a chance to go to one of his workshops.<br><br> <div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/cd65bdd3e8419dcc70b04ee779a8bdd467a88fa3/medium/azure-and-eric.jpg?1471577318" class="size_m justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/8b68e5136a56cefea85d27660eb311655dce9908/medium/blow-dry2.jpg?1471577331" class="size_m justify_none border_" />
</div>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/42929582016-07-25T10:14:12+10:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Fun at Sydney Lure Coursing WorkshopOn Saturday 23 July 2016, Sookie and I attended a lure coursing workshop in Sydney run by the NSW Lure Coursing Association. Instructing us for the day were Jeff and Kathy Lipps from the United States. Kathy and Jeff are the breeders of Sookie's sire 'Vulcan' as well as many more coursing and show champions under the 'Windrush' prefix. Jeff is also a lure coursing judge and President of the American Sighthound Field Association. It was great to get the benefit of their vast knowledge and experience. It was also fun to catch up with some of the other puppies from the litter. Five pups were in attendance on the day and all did very well, showing of their keen natural instincts. Some photos here of Sookie taken on the day.<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/1622d7b799d66b410fabf2d3453acbe6f32b0841/medium/puppy-run-23jul16-1.jpg?1469405174" class="size_m justify_none border_" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/d9b627ec67f3d448d52dd5c58cdc21ffb8ac7779/medium/puppy-run-23jul16-2.jpg?1469405190" class="size_m justify_none border_" />
</div><br>On the Sunday we stayed around to help at the Lure Coursing Trial (Sookie is too young to compete yet) and the NSW Lure Coursing Association Annual General Meeting, at which I became a committee member of the Association.<br> Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/42842162016-07-19T09:30:38+10:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Health Testing News - Patellas<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/5930c45b8c4cba91919ea3076a39fd234c486ab0/medium/bj-gunning-feb15-1a.jpg?1468884319" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" height="279" style="width: 212px;" />When it comes to health testing, I like if possible and practical to have results for more than just those dogs we plan to breed from. This helps us have a better picture of the gene pool and the dogs in it. This is also one of the reasons I place great importance on keeping in touch with the owners of our puppies for the whole of the dogs life. Pet dogs and their owners are an important part of what we do as breeders.<br><br>This week while BJ (<a contents="Neuter Champion Espinay Arrens" data-link-label="BJ" data-link-type="page" href="/bj" target="_blank">Neuter Champion Espinay Arrens</a>) was at his annual veterinary health exam, his owner Gary had his vet do a patella examination to check for any patella luxation, and fill out the examination form for submission to <a contents="OFA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.offa.org" target="_blank">OFA</a>. I am happy to say that BJ's patellas are normal.<br><br>Many thanks to Gary for helping me out by getting the testing done. <br> Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/42306372016-06-15T13:19:44+10:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Show results for Azure and NenaOn Monday 13 June 2016, Sally (who co-owns Azure) and I attended the Utility Dog Club of NSW Championship Shows in Sydney with Azure (Ch Espinay Azun) and Nena (Ch Espinay Albine). The club ran 2 shows on the day. Despite being very out of coat after being in season, Nena was Best of Breed at the A-Z show. Azure was Best of Breed at the Z-A show. Overall it was a lovely sunny winters day and we enjoyed spending it with good friends and their dogs. We thank the club also for the lovely trophies. Nena also took home the perpetual shield for Best of Breed Pyrenean. This is her third year winning the shield. Here is a photo of 'naked' Nena in the line up for Best in Group.<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/ba86ea405bd48b239be18fdd3c4417d54a6afc38/original/nena-13jun16-3.jpg?1465960694" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="288" style="width: 401px;" /></div><br> Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/42306202016-06-15T13:03:37+10:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Show results from Gary and BJCongratulations to Gary Howley and 'BJ' <a contents="Neut Ch Espinay Arrens " data-link-label="BJ" data-link-type="page" href="/bj" target="_blank">Neuter Champion Espinay Arrens </a>who attended the Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club of Victoria Championship and Open shows on Saturday 11 June 2016. BJ was awarded Best Neuter in Show at both shows. Here is a photo of BJ being judged at the open show.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/e0a35dd6b043869be0206f1f91c733ff70dd6733/original/pyr-show-jun16-1-small.jpg?1465959542" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="347" style="width: 408px;" /><br>OnEspinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/42187332016-06-08T13:37:23+10:002016-06-08T13:40:06+10:00Health Testing News - Hips, Elbows and Patellas8 June 2016. Azure (Ch Espinay Azun) has now had his hip and elbow x-rays and scoring completed. I am pleased to say his results have come back as 1:3 for hips and 0:0 for elbows. His hip score is roughly equivalent to an OFA Excellent or FCI grade A1. His elbow score means they are normal with no sign of any abnormalities. <br><br>Azure has also had his veterinary examination and scoring done for his patellas (knees) in accordance with the OFA patella scoring scheme. He has been given a score of Normal. <br><br>For more information on hip, elbow and patella scoring and conditions, visit our <a contents="Health Issues" data-link-label="Health Issues" data-link-type="page" href="/health-issues" target="_blank">Health Issues</a> page, which can be found by clicking the link or under 'About the Breed' in the top bar.Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/41923122016-05-23T13:19:54+10:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Back from the USAFinally back from the United States though still unpacking suitcases. Boy did I do a lot of shopping! I had a lovely time over there attending the Great Pyrenees National Specialty Show in Pennsylvania and visiting friends in Virginia, New Jersey and New York. You can find a report on the trip with lots more pictures by clicking on 'Travels' in the top bar and selecting 'USA 2016'. While there you can also check out reports on previous trips too. Here is just a taste of some of the photos.<br> <div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/98689e8f40d5237076eeeaff4bc5d126fd29acbd/medium/img-2478-copy.jpg?1463967502" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="196" style="width: 152px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/f7095e82ee3a93fdc1b8d9106b64775a4bb55d90/medium/img-2417.jpg?1463967486" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="194" style="width: 279px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/bc74c7e61bd6050f54faba7d4ccd65e3cf16a8dc/medium/sonny1.jpg?1463966222" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="197" style="width: 190px;" /><br> </div>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/41406562016-04-18T10:02:49+10:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Off to the USA!Today (18 April 16) I head off on holiday to the United States to visit friends and attend the Great Pyrenees Club of America National Specialty Show. <br><br>Guaranteed to be a lot of fun, the show this year is being held once again in Matamoras, PA at the Best Western Inn at Hunts Landing. You can see an account of my previous visit when the show was last held in Matamoras in 2012<a contents=" here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.espinay.com/usa-2012" target="_blank"> here</a>. Also a bit about my last visit to the US for the show in 2014<a contents=" here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.espinay.com/usa-2014" target="_blank"> here</a>. I promise another report on my latest visit when I return.<br><br>For those sending me emails, note that I may not reply until after I return on 13 May 16.<br><br>In other news, Sookie had her second lure coursing puppy run yesterday at the NSW Lure Coursing Association Training Day held at Marchmont Park in Yass. She was very keen and ran really well. She is showing a lot of promise as a lure courser.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/4251b3ce9651c27dbe5fd380039c5beba1000e4f/original/champions-class2.jpg?0" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="159" style="width: 437px;" /><br><br><br><br> Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/41205962016-04-05T12:09:09+10:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Sookie's first Puppy RunNow owning a Saluki means an introduction to a number of new activities which I don't participate in with the Pyreneans. One of those is lure coursing. Lure coursing is a sport developed primarily for sighthounds which tests their natural instinct to 'course'. Saluki for instance were bred to chase (course) and catch game such as gazelle and hare in the deserts of the Middle East. In lure coursing the dogs chase a plastic bag around a long course which zig zags in a manner a hare or rabbit would run.<br><br>Lure coursing is a sport that interests me a lot as it is all about natural instinct. You can not train a dog to course, just like you can not train a Pyrenean to be a good livestock guardian. It is something that they need to be bred to do. Incidentally, lure coursing is not a sport I would ever do with a Pyrenean as it involves the instinct of 'prey drive'. In this respect Saluki and Pyreneans must be at the opposite ends of the chart. Saluki must have a high prey drive to hunt. A Pyrenean on the other hand must have a low prey drive to bond and live with sheep, goats, chickens and other livestock. Note that while the Pyreneans are around the chickens here, Sookie will NEVER be allowed with them as her natural instinct is to catch and kill them.<br><br>On Sunday 3 April 16, Sookie had her first lure coursing 'puppy run' to test her instinct and get her interested in chasing the lure. Sookie did very well and is showing a lot of promise. She will have a few more short puppy runs this year and will start to do longer courses as she matures. I am looking forward to having lots of fun with her on the lure coursing field. For more information on lure coursing you can visit the <a contents="NSW Lure Coursing Association Inc." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/New-South-Wales-Lure-Coursing-Association-INC-235288863474274/?fref=ts" target="_blank">NSW Lure Coursing Association Inc.</a> Facebook Page
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/6852f893b1c9629a59e80240c1981eca1cd3fb2e/medium/sookie-puppy-run-3apr16-2.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="175" style="width: 208px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/8e4d31cdf98d75c94c8cd32bf9d1a4afced28b23/medium/sookie-puppy-run-3apr16-3.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="155" style="width: 173px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/38e30b70c63dd735fa28bc5f3710b4f676cfdba1/medium/sookie-puppy-run-3apr16-6.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="152" style="width: 246px;" /><br><br> </div>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/41155312016-04-01T13:07:22+11:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Saluki Club of NSW Championship ShowThursday 24 March was 'Saluki Day' at the Sydney Royal Easter Dog Show. Also held on the same day in the same place was the Saluki Club of NSW Championship Specialty Show. While Sookie had not been entered in the Royal, she was entered in the Saluki Specialty so the two of us accompanied her Breeder, Anita Langford (and Bear Paintain) along with their Salukis for the day. Sookie was a very good girl for her first 'major' show and took all the new sights and sounds in her stride. She loved meeting people and was all fired up and eager for a big play by the time the Saluki specialty came around in the afternoon. While we waited outside the ring for her turn she had a great time playing with her toy rabbit. She was a very good girl in the ring too, and behaved very well for such a baby, being awarded Best Baby Puppy in Show. Needless to say she slept very well on the car ride home!<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/432df0e0fe9e29eaba788e216f8d2b329556dabb/medium/sookie-saluki-specialty-march2016-3-small.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="184" style="width: 271px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/79865d92241404eb7e28469f2ff9d4abe466a59f/medium/sookie-saluki-specialty-march2016-4.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="178" style="width: 158px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/6271701d0e92d9a8e21307d12a182f341aea50bc/medium/sookie-saluki-specialty-march2016-1a-small.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="150" style="width: 216px;" />
</div>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/40967022016-03-20T18:16:08+11:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Pyrenean day at Sydney Royal Easter Dog ShowYesterday (19 March 2016) was judging day for Pyreneans at the Sydney Royal Easter Dog Show. Sally (Azure's co-owner) and I took Nena and Azure who were entered in the Intermediate classes (for dogs from 18 months to 3 years of age). While the day was long and tiring, we had fun chatting to some of the thousands of people who came through the pavilion to see and learn about the dogs. The dogs love meeting the people too and received lots of pats and had their photos taken many times. <div style="text-align: center;"> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/b9947960ab393c314dcb23a4d574a013c6215dda/small/image.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_none border_" height="201" style="width: 146px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/001dc14886a9df2927548656225a3e2f7d0be663/small/image.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_none border_" height="180" style="width: 137px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/2156d0d61dc181862a62b201bce3b07d8f3b6150/small/image.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_none border_" height="152" style="width: 137px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/8366f954fe032b22256d7b72ed3b245c300418f3/small/image.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_none border_" height="169" style="width: 174px;" /> <br> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/4a9f63f826c2a454f2a63f9db93a8b8e9a7c58fe/small/image.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_none border_" height="172" style="width: 131px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/2bf720b10891e4eef169000e993c6d5c96c83946/small/image.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_none border_" height="175" style="width: 233px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/ff9d6dd2442c8dac069dd1ad1e438c4565db4680/small/image.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_none border_" height="173" style="width: 232px;" />
</div>Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/40408452016-02-14T17:48:40+11:002017-01-14T04:59:24+11:00Sookie's first showOn 6 February 2016 we attended the Crookwell A P & H Society inc All breeds Championship Show with Nena and Sookie. It was Sookie's first show as a Baby Puppy. Sookie had a great day meeting lots of people and dogs and took everything in her stride, winning Baby Puppy in Group. Nena also won Best of Breed. I love this photo as it shows how much fun we were having. It also shows that 1 second when Sookie was standing still for the photo (and was looking intently at a piece of chicken I had just thrown on the ground in front of her). <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/d1d212a606642c7ac82a75d8399a01a752e72bb3/medium/sookie-bpig-crookwell-6feb16-edited.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_center border_" /> Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/40258302016-02-05T12:17:18+11:002016-02-05T12:18:43+11:00Health Testing News - Neuronal DegenerationIn January 2016 we submitted DNA swabs to the University of Minnesota in the U.S. for testing for Neuronal Degeneration. The DNA test for Neuronal Degeneration is a new test which has been developed specifically for Pyreneans after the condition was identified in the breed in the U.S. (to date no affected dogs have been identified in Australia). We have tested three dogs: Louise (Ch Despreaux la Chanteuse), Nena (Ch Espinay Albine) and Azure (Ch Espinay Azun). All three have tested as clear (N/N), meaning they have two normal copies of the gene and don't carry the gene for Neuronal Degeneration.<br><br>Neuronal Degeneration is a lethal condition which causes widespread degeneration in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It causes symptoms such as muscular weakness and ataxia in the rear. They may also develop laryngeal paralysis. It first appears in pups at around 4 to 6 months of age and is a degenerative condition which means dogs who have the condition slowly get worse over time. The gene for Neuronal Degeneration is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, which means dogs need two copies of the gene to be affected by the condition. Dogs with one copy of the gene will not be affected, but will be able to pass the gene to their offspring. Testing enables those dogs identified as carriers (having one copy of the gene and one normal gene) to be bred to dogs identified as clear (having two normal genes) so that they do not produce puppies that are affected by Neuronal Degeneration and can safely remain in the gene pool. With careful breeding policies it is hoped that no more affected Pyreneans will be produced. <br> Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/39691732016-01-02T14:01:29+11:002017-01-14T04:59:23+11:00Welcome to a new family memberWelcome to the new member of our family, Sookie the Saluki! Sookie has joined us from<a contents=" Al-Shira Salukis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.alshirasalukis.com/" target="_blank"> </a><a contents="Alshira Salukis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.alshirasalukis.com/" target="_blank">Al-Shira Salukis</a> owned by my good friend Anita Langford. The little 'back sheep' of the family is settling in well, getting to know the Pyrs and learning about the cats and poultry. As a sighthound, Sookie will not be trusted around the poultry and will be taught to respect the cats (who know not to run around the dogs and are good at teaching pups to behave). Unlike Pyrs, Saluki's have a high prey drive and love to hunt and chase anything that moves. Sookie has been bred for this ability to 'course' so not only has a future in the show ring, but on the lure coursing field as well (where she will be chasing white plastic bags, NOT a live animal). I am looking forward to fun and adventures with Sookie.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/1d238a70900b38b387211cd9329c608710d7496c/medium/suki-8-weeks-3.jpg?1451703133" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="303" style="width: 263px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/b6524c7efdf32cb3466fae3457946380869524e7/medium/what-you-doing-1-jan-16.jpg?1451703157" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="219" style="width: 239px;" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/2a5f6f842e7c3e673ab98d6251fc40b0f19a5332/medium/tail-pull-2-jan-16.jpg?1451703401" class="size_m justify_none border_" height="216" style="width: 176px;" />Espinay tag:espinay.com,2005:Post/39593542015-12-11T08:41:46+11:002017-01-14T04:59:23+11:00Introducing our latest news feature<br>Welcome! While the website is updated frequently, there are so many things to share with you about life and happenings here at Espinay, and with Espinay dogs, that we simply don't have room on our normal pages. On this page I will be sharing the latest news on our dogs to keep you up to date. Feel free to check back regularly.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/62397/9fc3ac5a4bff747b2a13babd0de5ed5273048a6a/original/at-the-gate-apr-14.jpg?1449532907" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="254" style="width: 447px;" />Espinay