Blackvein Basset Hounds

Although not initially a "show dog" Christopher pictured above at 6 weeks, 6 years and just 9 days before his 15th birthday. Left: as he looked the very first time I saw him and right: a very loving and trusting character who was afraid of his own shadow, with love and perseverance we overcame this and he became a true extrovert, who loved everything and everyone he came in contact with, especially chocolate and coconut covered snowballs!!

Arthur pictured above at 20 months, 3 and in his last photo at just over 10 years. He was a supurb hound in every sense of the word, at home he was "my little soldier", who managed to get his own way whatever! However, not in the show ring - he was everything I could ask for, and more. He never let me down. He has a record to prove - winning himself out of Post Graduate in 5 straight shows he went on to win no less than 8 Limit Classes at Championship Shows. Limited at stud, he is the sire of Ch: Brackenacre Huntsman. Sadly Arthur died very suddenly just 6 short weeks after this last photograph was taken.

Left: at 12 weeks, right: 10 months and centre: 4 years. Anna, a beautiful type, superb temperament and character to boot! This is the one who should have been supplied with a parachute! After just three days we found her stood in the middle of the kitchen table needless to say no chairs were never left out after that! In the show ring she was a star qualifying for Crufts - first time out under Mrs Penny Fredrikson and at just 10 months we travelled to Southern Ireland to "do" the circuit at her very first show she won the Res. Green Starand continued her winning ways at 4 shows she came home with 2 Green Stars and 2 Reserves. Sadly she decided motherhood wasn't for her, although we did finally get her into whelp, mated to Arthur, she produced litter brother and sister Blackvein Druid and Dawn, after which she was spayed. She still keeps everyone on their toes especially me, she's not lost any of her vibrance or character, and is still even at 10as mischievious as ever, always on the wrong side of a gate or behind the door you've just closed! There may be a few white hair on her face but she's not changed and is still very simular to the way she looked at 4.

Alice - what a really special girl she turned out to be......at just over 8 months she won the RCC and Best Puppy in Show at the Basset Hound Club Championship Show 1999 under Judge: Mr Nick Frost. Then just 3 weeks later won Best Puppy in Show at the South of England Basset Hound Club Open Show under Judge Mrs. Storm McHardy Young. She proved herself time and time again in the show ring winning 7 Limit Classes, 4 CCs and 6 RCCs. She was retired from the show ring in 2004. At the age of 6 she produced a lovely litter by Ch: Brackenacre Huntsman, two of which I retained for the show ring - Blackvein Pilgrim and sister Piper and who were soon to follow in their mum's winning ways.

What a year 2005 has turned out to be with these two youngsters, only being shown lightly but they have never been out of the cards! It began with the long trip north to the Hadrian Basset Hound Club Championship Show in April where "Blackvein Piper" took Best Puppy in Show first time out at 8 months, soon followed by 3 x 1st, 2 x 2nds and 2 x 3rd places which included Best Puppy Bitch at SouthWales Kennel Association. Closely followed by Thomas who won 6 x 2nds and at Paignton my ambition for him was fulfilled, he won Best Puppy and Reserve Best Dog. We then went along to the South of England Basset Hound Club Open Show, where they both certainly followed in their mum's footsteps, winning both top puppy awards. Lily Best Puppy in Show and Thomas Reserve Best Puppy in Show. Thomas started his junior classes with a 1st from 10 at Birmingham in September. Both are wonderful people to live with, and are certainly full of vitality! I certainly look forward to the future with these two characters.

Betty - sadly because of campaigning Alice, Betty was left at home far more than she should have been. However the 6 times I did show her in rather large Limit classes, the judges all thought very highly of her and was never out of the cards winning 1 x 1st, 4 x 2nds and 1 x 3rd . A lovely type, very much like her mum, absolutely super temperament, she really is a "people person" at Leeds 03' her 1st show she decided she preferred to walk and sit with us exhibitors sat amongst our benches chatting than being on her bench, she stole some hearts that day and made many freinds. The photograph above was taken at Crufts 2004, and because of Alice's impending motherhood, that was the last time she was shown. It is hoped to have a litter from Betty sometime during 2006