The Spaniels

Although my collies are my passion I grew up with Spaniels, my family always had Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and I lost my old rescue blenheim, Ben in March 2006, (he had just turned 16!), sadly they don't make Cavaliers like him any more, he was a really old fashioned tall athletic working type, strong, bold and outgoing, who would run, swim and retrieve all day long. He is very much missed.

Image: Ben, my old Cavalier and Oskar the young rescue springer

In 2001 I also took in a 5 month old springer pup needing a new home, Oskar was bred up near Cockermouth in Cumbria, he is all working breeding; he is an absolute joy to train and handle; he lives with my brother and his family and I race him on the weekends. See Oskar's flyball page on our team website.
** Oskar died at only 5 years old after a short and sudden illness on 14th November 2006...we are heart broken by the loss of this special little dog and have added his own tribute page to remember him by**

After losing Ben in the spring of 2006 I began looking around for another little spaniel to join Oskar, I really don't like most of the modern Cavaliers and after much debating I settled on a working cocker. Teal arrived in Sept 2006, she is from working parents and is such a pretty little girl, she is quite unusual because she is blue roan and tan. I was totally bowled over by this little dog, as well as simply being a pleasure to live with, her speed, power, intelligence and enthusiasm is just boundless! Following the loss of Oskar, Teal's arrival was closely followed by Drake, he is 3 months younger than her and had quite a lot to live up to but he is a fantastic character too! Drake has grown into a much bigger dog than Teal, he is incredibly fast and powerful which shows in his competing. As much as I don't like to compare them he reminds me so much of Oskar in his mannerisms and running style and is proving to be equal to the task!