26 July 2015

A great show for Kath's Dogs

Kath took her dogs Spice, Amber and Denby to socialise at a local Dog Show in Long Eaton, Notts.
Not only did they socialise but they came away with many prizes and Rosettes!
Obedience  -  Top Dogs  - Winner Denby!
Obedience -  Hopefuls - Winner Denby!
Breed - AV Pastural - 4th place Denby!
Novelty - Best Match Pair - Winners Amber and Denby!
Best Vintage (10 years or over) Winner Spice!!!   4th Place Amber!
Overall Best In Show - 5th Place   "Amber and Denby" 
Spice wasn't keen on being hidden behind the food ;-)

25 July 2015

Bonsall Carnival

A super Summer's Day in Bonsall, Derbyshire where Top Lodge Dancing Dogs entertained the huge crowd from the village and surrounding areas.
After a very rainy Friday, the team had doubts about the weather, however, the forecast was good and it stayed bright and sunny all day.
Lovely to see families enjoying the day and sitting out on the grass.
The Floats arrived into the arena, led by the one carrying the Carnival Queen for 2015
The very colourful Alice In Wonderland float - whoops someone should have proof read the banners!!
The Team assembled ready to be introduced
Lesley with Tedi, Dewy and Hamish
Kath with Spice, Denby and Amber
and Karen with Midge and Fly.
First to "dance" was Kath with Spice, now the oldest performing member of the group to Michael Jackson's "Rockin' Robin".   
This is when everyone appreciates the dry ground!!  What a very happy audience.
Well done Spice!!   Enjoying every minute of her time in the arena.
Following on was Karen and her youngster Midge.   This was Midge's first public performance and she did do well.
"Dancing" to 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' by Queen, they were obviously enjoying every minute.
The audience were captivated, No one wanting to leave their front row viewing point.
Now it was time for audience participation - four volunteers to work with four of the Team's dogs.  This lady chose to work with Hamish and she soon worked out how to get him weaving at top speed.
This young lady, Laura, chose to work with Spice, luckily Spice has been weaving a number of years so she taught Laura very well!
Midge was chosen by this lady, Emma - the two of them very elegantly moving!
And finally Amber was chosen by Richard.  Amber doesn't mess around - if Richard wasn't moving his legs - then she would just barge through!!
And the Winner of the Red Rosette - HAMISH!!!!   He has certainly won more weave races than any other dog on this team!
In second place was SPICE!!!   Her handler very proud to receive the blue rosette.
Third to cross the finish line was MIDGE - she is learning so well - she will soon be moving up the places in this race!
And in 4th place was AMBER - actually her handler coped very well on the first stretch but unfortunately, he couldn't get back into the rhythm after an about turn and he ran with Amber over the finish line forgetting that Amber should have been weaving through his legs! But he was happy with his 4th rosette and did a lap of honour!
To close the performances, it was the turn of Lesley with Dewy "dancing" to 'Puttin' On The Ritz'.
Once again, thanks to the good weather the ground was dry and safe for jumps and kept the handler's costumes in good order!
Well done Dewy making it through a super routine to the final pose.
There were one or two familiar faces in the audience!  Annette Lowe, fellow Heelwork To Music Competitor, had been invited by the Carnival Committee to judge the Dog Show taking part directly after Top Lodge finished their performance time.
And Joy Lowe also came to the Carnival to watch the proceedings!!
Three Classes for Annette to judge - Waggiest Tail, Best Behaved and Best Trick!
The Best Behaved class had a run off for second place between these brothers, very nice 15 week old Spaniels
And a super little Jack Russell performing his Best Trick!
A natural on hind legs - this little Chihuahua.
And this one year old Boxer performs a Roll Over - helped carefully by his owner.

Thank you Bonsall Carnival Organisers and Committee for inviting Top Lodge Dancing Dogs to entertain at the Bonsall Carnival 2015.

14 July 2015

Anglesey Sucesses

Kath and Denby (Stillmoor Extra Special) were very pleased this weekend as he was placed 4th in the Advanced HTM Class performing to Wings - Live and Let Die 
 then they WON the Advanced HTM Class on Sunday!
 Clever boy Denby!!!
  6th in the Advanced Freestyle Class on Saturday 
performing to a Top Hat Medley.

 Lesley and Dewy had a very successful Competition  at Anglesey. 

On the Saturday Lesley and Dewy qualified for the 2016 Crufts Semi Finals in the Heelwork  To Music division by gaining a 2nd place  with their brand new Heelwork routine and .......
 and  they qualified for the 2016 Crufts Semi Finals in the Freestyle Class with a 3rd place.  A double whammy!!
On the Sunday their success continued with a 4th in Heelwork and a 6th in Freestyle, well done Dewy, still only a baby at just 3 years old.
 
Midge is now in the Advanced Heelwork to Music Class and at 2 years old is taking the opportunity to work a training round to improve her skills.
 
Always an advantage to be able to reward in the ring for good work during a training round
Karen ensuring that Midge's position is perfect in one of those tricky behind positions.
Midge and Karen in the start pose of her Freestyle routine
 Cheeky faced Midge!
And the end pose!
After the competition, Lesley, Roger and their three boys, Hamish, Dewy and Tedi then went on to enjoy the rest of the week enjoying the delights of Anglesey.
 Having a great game on the beach
 And in the sea ....................
 with time for refreshments too!!!
Also extra holiday time before and after the competition for  Fly, Erin and Midge who certainly enjoyed their time in Anglesey
 Erin defying gravity, such is her joy at being at the beach.
Fly may be retired from competition, but being 14 and hard of hearing doesn't mean you are past catching a ball on the beach.