Update September 2006
We have had another extremely busy spring/summer here at Lanton Hill, both in the kennels and with visitors to the Granary. Luckily after a cold spring, we have enjoyed an exceptionally sunny and warm summer, astounding visitors with the range of vegetables produced at home, including corn on the cob.
Our friends, the Stricklands are still in Gran’s old cottage, while they have a new home built for themselves. The Cottage will then revert once more to holiday accommodation, along with the very successful Granary Cottage.
Edward did three Game Fair demonstrations this spring and early summer, taking a team of twelve dogs and puppies on each occasion. The demos are well received and Edward is busy after each, conducting hands on help for people with problems with their own dog handling. We have regretfully decided to do no more of these events, for several reasons. In Particular the stamina required for the weekends is considerable and Edward also feels it time for another trainer have a go and show maybe a different aspect of the work involved. We have greatly enjoyed these excursions over the years and the meeting of many different gun-dog enthusiasts.
Our visitors in the Granary Cottage with gundogs often choose to have some training time on the farm, with Edward. Many would like the rabbitting facility also, though at times this is difficult to find. All other types of shooting can be hired locally, along with fishing, of course!
We have had several notable exports this year. A daughter of F.T.CH. Miss Alexandrovna and FT.CH. Sandford Black Mamba has gone to America, with Clients who live part of the year in Scotland.
Chyknell Sula, has also gone to America, this chocolate bitch is a super little shooting companion, very fast and efficient in all departments. Edward regretted he had not the time to trial her, which she was well capable of.
Sealpin Morocco, a son of Sealpin Amulet and in Hot Pursuit Of Mordor has gone to Belgium, a dummy-trained Labrador with huge potential and brilliant looking, great hips and elbows and clear eye certificate. His sister Sealpin Moquette is due to go to France at the end of the month, when she has had a little more experience on Grouse and Partridge.
Sealpin Enigma (Digby) has been retired from the picking up team, he is pretty fit still and has no stiffness about him at all…but there are other youngsters coming on, needing the experience. Digby is still active at stud, having super litters of ten and eleven, this year.
FT.CH. Willowbay Sandpiper (Bonus) has sadly gone infertile, so is no longer used at stud…but is a keen member of the team. We have acquired a replacement E.S.S. stud in his nephew, Bold Piper Boy (Piper) a son of FT.CH. Kilmerran Drummer and out of Megstone Skirl, with a heavily Rytex pedigree. Piper is very fast and stylish, with an action all his own but with quite a soft temperament and at the moment a very useful member of the team.
Other additions include Sealpin Clementine (Clemmie) a super daughter of Claus and Wanda 2, Edward thinks she should trial, whether he takes her there, is another matter! We shall breed with her next year. Young Sealpin Halo is the same mating a year later and coming along splendidly with her training. Both Amulet and Honesty will be bred from again, in due course.
The cockers (apart from Flex who will not be bred from again) are Figgy (who definitely will be!) and two youngsters. Edward thinks very highly of Sealpin Saltana Towser (Tana) a red gold daughter of the aforementioned Chyknell Sula and Prebenfield Towser. Tana will be a year old at the end of the month .She is very clever indeed and Edward has high hopes for her, she is very fast and not at all abashed at stepping over the line! We shall see!
The other young cocker is Sealpin Guinea (Ginnie) a black bitch, with the same father, out of Sealpin Mexico, (Lettie) a bit more manageable but pretty and quick at her work.
The training video’s and DVD’s continue to have their devotees, with many of our clients training their own dogs using Edwards’ methods. It is always gratifying to have visitors showing their dog off, doing it as Edward would approve!
We are off to Sweden at the end of October to Judge a Cocker trial and will re-new acquaintance with all the friends in that lovely country. And, into the new year we already have visitors from Norway and New Zealand booked into the Granary, for staying here for the Springer Championships, so we go on ,just trying to keep up with events!!
As you all know we are always pleased to hear from you, if rather tardy in our updates, usually run off our feet, is the excuse.
Update January 2006.
This is a brief resume of happenings here at Lanton Hill , during the past year. We have to apologies to all clients and friends for leaving this space for such a long time.
Elizabeth’s Mother, Gran, to all who knew and loved her ,suffered with increasing poor health during 2005 , eventually coming to live with them, until her demise , at the end of August. This certainly had a great effect on Elizabeth’s’ time and effort in the kennels.
The year began rather steadily with Edward suffering further surgery on his knee , handicapping his Trial ambitions and attendance at the Spaniel Championships ,in Yorkshire.
However during January , there was the usual rush on for Stud work with Sealpin Enigma, Sealpin Rondo and Sealpin Claus , the three resident black Labradors ,at stud, here at Sealpin. Digby and Rondo have produced some marvellous young progeny over the years . Digby , producing two litters of eleven and ten ,at the age of nine, last year. Put to a trial bred bitch he produces some stunningly effective gun-dogs.
The young pretender Claus , is being increasingly chosen by clients ,for his looks and eager ability .We used him on Wanda Two, (Sealpin Honesty) producing nine lovely puppies ,two of whom are still in the kennels ,pleasing Edward greatly , during their training. We also had puppies with Sealpin Amontillado and cocker F.T. CH. Miss Alexandrovna , her last litter. Flex, as she is known has had yet another fantastic shooting and picking up season with Edward, showing no sign of her eight years !
Also ,in January ,on a personal note, Elizabeth and Edward attended the third round of grand-son Joe’s School Public Speaking Competition, held at the Atheneaum in Liverpool , at the invitation of the English Speaking Union . Although his team did not win through to the National in London , it was a good experience and joy to be able to support Joe ,who spends so much of his holiday time at Lanton Hill ,with his Grand-father ,working with the dogs.
Danielle Brown ,our Kennel Maid ,of two years ,left us at Easter time , for pastures new. This put more work on to Elizabeth , just as her Mother was fading , the stalwart help of the part-timers, especially Alister , helped to fill the gap ,along with Becky, Rosemary and Lesley ,who continue to help in the kennels and out-side work ,when required.
In April we were pleased to welcome clients from Prince Albert , Saskatchewan ,with their Scottish nephew and family . The previous autumn , Sealpin Hurricane ,Cane for short , had been taken out to Canada by Elizabeth and Edward . It was good to catch up with them again , after their fantastic hospitality to us .
One of the Wanda / Claus puppies was sent out to Norway , in April , to Hayley Bird , a former Kennel Maid, who has made her home in Norway ,she already had a Sealpin bitch, whom she uses for tracking and other competitions and was ready for another, a male this time ,with a view to breeding.
At the end of April was the B.A.S.C. Northern Ireland Game Fair ,held at the Ballywalter Estate , to which Edward had been invited to do the Gundog Demonstrations
,all weekend. This was a good occasion to catch up with old friends and make new acquaintances . The gundog clinic at the end of each demonstration, which Edward encourages ,proves a useful help to owners with problems in their own training.
A repeat also , in May of the Cardross B.A.S.C. Fair ,with the same comments as above.
Edward had declined to go to Crufts for the major Gundog Demonstration on Gundog day, due to his knee problem earlier in the year, when it was unclear whether he would be fit enough to prepare the team, for the March date.. In the event the Kennel Club team were pleased with the joint effort of several handlers taking over the demonstrations on the ‘Dog Days Out’ stand.
We had Austrian Labrador owners to stay in the Granary in May , and to see the kennels and watch Edward at work with the retrievers. The Granary is proving to be very popular with dog owners, either just coming for a holiday for walking ,or to do some training ,with Edwards tuition . Dogs can stay in the kennels, or in the house, as the owners please.
At the end of May, Elizabeth and Edward , with Gran being taken care of , had a welcome break in France with their family in the Charente, after stopping off in London for Edward to attend a Field Trial Council meeting. A week of rest and recuperation was a marvellous start to a busy summer of visitors, both in the Granary and by the day!!
At the end of June, Sealpin Wandasphinx, Lola for short ,had her puppies to Claus, losing six ,to ‘stillbirth’, leaving a dog and two bitches alive and well. It was a salutary experience for Elizabeth, after thirty years of delivering puppies to have such a sad state of affairs ,still not properly understood.
Off to Scone Palace for the Scottish Game Fair ,at the beginning of July, with the team of demonstration dogs ,always great fun among pals and like minded folks, plenty of ‘blether’ and long queues of people awaiting Edwards’ words of wisdom , on their dog handling techniques ,after the demonstrations. At times it looked like the queue for ice-cream !
August spells grouse ,and our joining with the Bunting party at Balquidder ,staying at the foodie paradise of Monochyle Mhor and enjoying shooting the occasional elusive bird ,over pointers!
A somewhat difficult time followed for all the family, with the loss of Gran and a move into September and a new phase of life .
Later in the month ,it was a thrill to meet the Huntingdon Labrador owners, of Zimbabwe. You may remember that Sealpin Ringleader was made into the first Show and Field trial Champion ,in Zimbabwe for forty years ,quite an achievement!
During the latter part of September and October William stayed on to up-grade the Cottage , with a new bathroom ,electrics and heating ,plus a good sound utility and dog room on the out-side. This is currently on a long let and may be used for visitors in the future ,if the requirement is there.
At the end of September Edward and Elizabeth went to Norway ,on the invitation of a group of enthusiastic spaniel owners to judge a ‘private’ trial ,with comments and teaching through-out. A ghastly wet day, which was a terrible disappointment to the organisers but some good work was seen and a couple of good intensive work outs with the dogs, on the following two days.
Our generous host , Lawson Vallery , had gone to enormous trouble to make the visit enjoyable , with visits to Oslo and the surroundings and wonderful meals out with various doggy friends. A wonderful country, with truly friendly welcome.
A visit from the Belgian owners of Sealpin Ferrari Finish , for the weekend in October ,was good fun . Fin has been a great addition to the Lucifer’s Delight kennels , his owners were pleased to see the further youngsters coming on in the kennels.
The final overseas contact was to see yet another of our young black Labrador dogs go across to the continent . Puzzle , a son of Sealpin Enigma , by a nicely bred Northumbrian bitch , went to Switzerland in November . He is a young dog ,with plenty of potential
And should give his owner a lot of pleasure.
It is sad to report ,at the end of another shooting season , that Edward has not trialled again this year . After thirty five years , of having something to bring out most seasons ,it has been a source of irritation to him . A combination of happenings at home have contributed ,with the conversion of the Granary , a major disruption the year before and various other duties ,has meant that he has not had the time and enthusiasm required.
However, looking forward to this new year of 2006 ,with our usual optimism ,you should watch this space!
November 2004
Heres an excerpt from a lovely letter from Zimbabwe
Dear Edward and Elizabeth I just thought you would like to know that your Sealpin Ringleader has just won He is the first Dual Purpose Champion in Zimbabwe since the early 1970's!! . |
October 2004
Dog Days in Saskatchewan and Duchess County, New York.
After a rather busy summer here at Lanton Hill with puppies from Miss Alexandrovna (back to Rackateer again this time). Tullymoran Maid to Sealpin Enigma and Figgy of T.V. fame, to Sealpin Rolex. We began to look forward to our impending trip to Canada and the States.
Edward had been invited to judge a couple of Cocker Spaniel Field Trial Stakes, for the Cocker Spaniel Club of America, the first week in October. Firstly, asking Elizabeth if she was interested in going travelling!! Secondly a client in Saskatchewan, awaiting a trained black Labrador dog from the Sealpin Kennels, asked if Edward would be able to both deliver the dog and to stay a few days, in order to settle the dog in and to show the owner his handling techniques ……..Elizabeth, unquestioningly, said ‘Yes please!’
. 
First stop, after changing planes in Toronto for onward flight to Saskatoon, was to a lovely prairie town to the north. Our hosts kindly drove down to us, late one night and were duly introduced to Sealpin Hurricane, Cane, for short .He had travelled quite as well as the adults and was full of inquisitive excitement and tail wagging
He had a very sudden introduction to the households two Siamese cats, who were extremely interested in this big shiny black new-comer, definitely winning the first round, making free with his tail and paws!
After a couple of quiet days around the locality, Edward and the clients set off for their training ground, with the dog, feeling quite at home. As ever, a very stressful time for a new owner, wanting to do the right thing and the dog, not knowing quite whom he should be retrieving to! No game on the ground at all, dummies sufficed for these initial outings.
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As with many town dwellers in Canada our clients were lucky enough to have a super cabin home on the lakeside, some forty minutes from home. A truly superb setting and marvellous experience for Edward and Elizabeth, with the autumn colours just coming into their prime. Cane thoroughly enjoyed his swimming and retrieving from the lake, which will form a large part of his work, in this huge territory.
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The last outing, with Edward still talking and describing all aspects of his training and handling to the new owner, was to a small lake with duck and geese. Cane duly obliged by showing himself man enough to pick his first goose with ease and present it well.
It was obvious, with such a large country, that game is hard to find and we found no sharp tailed grouse, which would have been a treat. The long skeins of geese were always present in the wide-open skies, on their way south to their wintering grounds, with the wonderful evocative calling they do to each other.
Elizabeth was particularly fascinated by the old prairie steadings, both little farms and buildings, weathered and bent with many years’ hard winters behind them. Still standing proudly right out in the prairie. Along with some ancient churches, kept in good order to preserve the legacy and indomitable courage and faith of the early settlers. To see them one can just imagine the long lines of bullock, or horse drawn wagons streaming across the wild landscape of the new world.
We stopped on one of our outings to watch the farmer come across the end of a vast field of wheat to empty into the wagon, on the hard road. We were sorry to see so little of the harvest collected, due to a very wet summer, although we enjoyed hot, sunny and glorious days, for this trip to Saskatchewan. As we departed for the airport we were assured of the dogs comfort and enjoyment of his shooting career with his new owners.
Date : May 2004
Having practically exhausted ourselves with the conversion of our Granary building, have had very little time and energy for anything other than the actual dog work.. Will now try to redress the balance and get things up to date.
It was very good to see old friends and make new, at The Dog Days Out Stand , at Crufts this March. Our team of twelve dogs, did pretty well in the Main Ring demonstration , on Gun-dog Day , the little black cocker Lettie , causing a ripple of laughter around the arena , when she moved towards Edward , behind his back and then tried to retrieve the situation by moving back to the line out position , choosing to sit behind one of the Labradors for safety and having to reach up to see over him! With the sound of Edwards voice coming from the loud-speakers in every corner of the arena ,it is disconcerting for the dogs , to say the least and it is very impressive to watch the level of control for so many dogs at once , by one person.
Edward and the team were filmed at work by the B.B.C. for the Discovery channel, along with an interview outside the arena, with a group of dogs at heel. With so much to show for the home consumption , we never seem to make our own B.B.C. T.V.
However, our cocker bitch Figgy , featured in and was the star attraction for the production team , of the B.B.C. programme ‘My Week in The Real World’ with the M.P. for Liverpool , Mr Peter Kilfoyle. The programme showed the inner city M. P. hosting a shooting party for the week, staying at an hotel in the Borders. The whole production team came to Lanton Hill to film Mr Kilfoyle being introduced to a gun-dog and being shown by Edward how to handle her! She was fairly flying by the time of her return at the end of the week!
The next public outing was the demonstration on each day of the Scottish B.A.S.C. Fair near Stirling, a similar team to Crufts, with showing how to encourage and start off puppies and a youngster, before moving on to the adult team. It is always useful to be able to talk to the general public afterwards, to help answer any queries they may have with their own training.
In between times all the usual work at home goes on apace. There are several youngsters around , both cocker and Labradors , between the ages of ten months and eighteen months, all requiring practical work in the field. The Labradors all having been to have their eyes tested and hips scored, before proceeding with the next stage of training.
Our new kennel maid Danielle, who has been with us since the beginning of the summer last year, has proved a sensible and dedicated help about the kennels. She is very good at bringing the youngsters on and is always sad to see puppies go – but we have to live!
Having missed getting Tullymoran mated last fall, as we were in Sweden, she is in pup now, to Sealpin Enigma, these puppies are due at the end of the month. Messalina only had two puppies last autumn, which rather means we are short of Labrador puppies. We are rather hoping that Wanda’s lovely daughter Lola, will come into season soon, as we very much want to have a litter from her. She is the most lovely quiet and efficient bitch, being very fast at her work.
Both Flex, (F.T.CH. Miss Alexandrovna), and one of her grand-daughters are expecting puppies. Flex to Rackateer again and Folly to a nice son of F.T.C.H. Larford Cateran. As seems to be generally the case, we have a lot of clients wanting cocker puppies, especially now many of them are of a softer nature and a little more manageable.
We have had our fair share of visitors to the kennels and guess this will increase somewhat with the advent of “The Granary” holiday cottage. We probably try to fit too much into our busy lives, it is a question of picking out the best bits , if possible!
The next team outing will be to the Highland Show, at Edinburgh, in June, then comes the Scottish Game Fair at Scone and finally Edward is judging Spaniels at the national Game Fair at Blenhiem this year, where it will be good to see so many of you in the south.
Suddenly it will be August and Grouse again, it does hardly seem possible that we can be so far through the year already. We are making tentative plans for the Autumn, taking a trained Labrador dog out to Saskatchewan at the end of September and then judging some Cocker Trials in New York State .We would like to have gone to Sweden again this year but feel it is impractical with all that we shall have going on at home. There is always another year!
Date : October 2003
A month ago a client reminded us that our site had not been
up-dated since January. Our apologies to you all for being so busy with the
dogs and spending time with you, that we have no time to write about it! However,
we do value our contact out there with you all, so will endeavour to bring
you up to date.
Spring saw the usual rash of Stud work, mainly for Enigma, Rondo and Bonus,(FT.CH.
Willow-Bay Sandpiper) and increasingly for, Sealpin Rolex, the black Cocker.
All have produced some cracking litters to various bitches up and down the
country, including one of Enigma's of thirteen, all of whom were successfully
reared! We wish them all well in their various careers.
Edward had three major Demonstrations to prepare for this spring, starting
with Crufts, in March. Helping out on the Kennel Clubs 'Dog Days Out' Stand,
encouraging owners of working breeds to achieve more with their dogs to mutual
benefit and satisfaction. On Gun-dog day itself demonstrating in the main
arena with twelve dogs, varying from four month old puppies to members of
the 'A' picking up team, which was pretty impressive and well received.
Next was the Scottish B.A.S.C. Country Fair at Cardross, in May. Very wet,
on both days and not good for demonstrating but engendered a lot of interest
on an individual basis and we were able to talk to a lot of people about their
working dog aspirations.
Then came the three days of the Royal Highland Show, at Inglestone,
in June. This was a great success in brilliant weather, with mixed crowds
of onlookers, morning and afternoon, on each day. Edward sat the dogs out
in the centre of the arena, leaving under Elizabeth's watchful eye, while
he went around talking to the crowd individually, before starting the demonstration.
This was very useful in explaining to many people what the purpose of gundogs
was! In among the twelve dogs being demonstrated were a couple here in training
for clients, again a mixed bunch of Labradors Cockers and Springers.
It was good to be able to use the water for retrieves, right
through the crowds, watching from that side of the arena, much to everyone's
amazement. Along time was then spent with interested onlookers, back at the
dog trailer, for people to handle the dogs and to talk about their training
problems. A good moment for mentioning the excellent gundog training video
tapes, which Edward has made and which are available to any who get in touch.
Our summer crop of puppies began with Miss Alexandrovna's litter to FT.CH. Cataran, five of whom are currently still with us, for Edward to assess their potential. Next came a litter to Amber ,a sister to Messalina, by Rondo, she also had eight puppies, three of whom were chocolate,
We are keeping four of these, they look so good and very keen.
Messalina herself, only produced two bitches this time, severely
disappointing clients who were waiting for her puppies. Figgy, a cocker bitch
out of a Tawnyhill bitch, by Hillcrest Gilly, is in pup to our Rolex, we look
forward to seeing these puppies in December, the first of a different line
for us. Figgy herself has not been trialled but is a very clever and active
little bitch.
Tullymoran Maid will hopefully be the final mating at home this
year. We have toyed with the idea of a yellow dog for her, as she does not
produce yellow with Rondo-but the home bred progeny is proving such a hit
with our clients, being effective, easy to train and handle, it is compelling
to stick with what we know.
Of last years Labrador puppies, we have this selection for further
training and breeding. Claus (Tully/Rondo) and Cane, (Wanda/Digby) are two
very handsome and quiet young dogs, they are coming on in their training very
well, with much ability and plenty of go. Bertie, of their ilk, has already
gone to his new home, a little young but suited the owner very well and settling
into 'foreign ways'.
Lola, is a lovely young bitch, of the previous year, out of
Wanda, by Digby, she is good looking and has her Mothers fine working ability,
nose and mouth. She will join the breeding bitches another year. Maddy, (Tully/Rondo)
Cassie, (Linnet/Rondo) and WandaTwo, (Wanda/Digby) are three of last years
young bitches, all showing much potential, nice looking with laid back characters.
All these youngsters were kept to have hips and eyes checked, before proceeding
with training. We continue to try and ensure that our breeding is on the right
lines for producing the best practical and physical specimens. These youngsters
will all feature in our breeding and Stud pages in due course.
Our young Willowbay Sandpiper bitch, Belle, went to America,
in pup to a local working dog and has subsequently had a good litter of puppies
for her new owner. We have replaced her with a new puppy bought in to hopefully,
eventually mate with Bonus.
We have had some kennel maid changes this year and have been
pleased to welcome Danielle Brown, from Hawick, who is settling into our exacting
routine here at Sealpin. She is proving excellent with the dogs and especially
in the hand and obedience training of all the youngsters.
Edward is off to Judge the Swedish Spaniel Championship, in November. Needless to say Elizabeth will be with him, looking forward to seeing old friends and making new acquaintances and above all seeing some good dog work.
Last week at The Cocker Club, Scottish Trial at Castle Douglas, Edward made up Miss Alexandrovna. He knows she was worthy of the title, narrowly missing it on several occasions last season, a really excellent and consistant Cocker bitch. Her son Rolex, by Racketeer and her grandson Rastus, by FT.CH. Jenoren Dougal, are coming into the trialling season this year, with a second and fourth respectively in their early outings.
Apart from the dogs a major building project has been going on all year at
Lanton Hill, with the conversion of our old granary, which appropriately enough,
is situated at the bottom of Gran's garden! Along the drive from the kennels
and buildings .It is an ancient building and we have discovered many interesting
artefacts during the excavations etc.
William our eldest son, is in charge of the building work and
though Edward is not keen on the disturbance of it all, everyone has been
keen to see it happen!
It will be a two bedroomed house with a large kitchen/living room, with Rayburn
cooker, full central heating etc. and a very large upstairs Gallery Drawing
Room, useful for indoor games and large gatherings etc. Hopefully to be used
for both holidays and for clients to come and bring their dog to train under
Edwards supervision, while enjoying a holiday in the Borders. Exploring and
walking in the beautiful upland country, that surrounds us. To many, the idea
that you can walk straight onto the hill from the cottage door is fascinating!
It will also be available for fishermen and other local sporting events.
Full details of how we can help to enhance your enjoyment of country pursuits
available by e-mail or phoning us, here at Sealpin.
Visitors, as ever, have played a large part in weekly life here.
We meet such interesting people, from all walks of life and our dogs are great
levellers! We have visitors coming from America and Japan during November,
which is going to be another busy month. The news coming from home and abroad,
of all our dogs continues to inspire us and we thank you for keeping us in
touch. Solar is having a great career in America, as Bodhi is in Zimbabwe,
along with the Cockers and Labradors in Norway, Sweden, Austria, and France.
Best of luck to you all!
Date : February 20th 2003
