Our first time back in the rally ring for 2017 was today.  We were entered last week, but an injury by Louis put those plans on the backburner, and this week became our entry back in.

Our final trials in 2016 weren't the best, so I was pretty nervous, but Louis put on the charm, earning two qualifications at the Broadmeadows Dog Obedience Club's trial, both with scores of 92 under judges D Ayton and L Klecka, with the second gaining him a 2nd place.

We had some absolutely fantastic fun today, going along to the first ever ANKC sanctioned lure coursing trial in Victoria, held by the American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Victoria.  I've been waiting a while for this, having taken Louis along to a number of fun days before, and watching enviously as other States  commenced trials.

While sadly Louis is too old to now be using his body like that, at Christmas time, I'd given Baby a bit of a fun go to see how she liked it, and as the answer had been a resounding yes, we decided to give it a crack.  I also invited Nadia and Nath with Nugget (Armahani Goldstone Gonagas (AI)) and Brooke with Freya (Armahani Goldstone Geassi (AI)) as the two dogs had attended the same event at Christmas and had also had an absolute ball.

Of course, trial conditions, and  with a much longer course (650 m in this instance), I wasn't sure if any of the three would make the distance, particularly as Baby is only just getting back into condition after having babies.

Each dog has to pass two runs, both scored out of 100, with a total score of 150 for a JC (Junior Courser) qualification.  Baby went first and clearly had not forgotten how much fun it was. After her run she was pretty hysterical, wanting to go again!  She got a score of 80, so on track to qualify.  Both Freya and Nugget started fantastically, and I thought both would make it, but managed to get distracted half way through and then lost the lure.  That eliminated them from taking a second run, but they showed plenty of promise, so we'll give them another go soon.

With machine breakdowns delaying the trial, Baby's second run was a long time later.  She was clearly a little more tired, as her speed started to wane at the end.  But I'm told her course was much more accurate, and she scored 82 for her second run.  In the end, the delay meant not all dogs got their second runs, so qualification scores were based on double the morning score, giving Baby a total of 160 and her first JC qualification.  

​Can't wait for the next trial!

Tahvo (Am Grand Ch Can Grand Ch Armahani Diamond Davvenasti) has a MASSIVE weekend in Canada yet again. I haven't been posting up all of his results while he is there, which involve a heck of a lot of group placements, but this weekend was extra special.  

Not only did he earn two Group 1sts, three Group 2nds and a Group 3rd, but he also went on to earn his first two rally legs for his Rally Novice title!  Looks like he's determined to prove his brother and sister are not the only smart ones in the family!  Thanks to his comformation handler in Canada, Connie Krohn, who also handled him to his first rally pass, and Jade Unrau who handled him to his second.

Congratulations yet again to Tahvo's owners Kathy Knapp, Linda Marden and Gene Hayes!

Another Junior in Group for Slinky (Ch Armahani Iolite Ihana (AI)) and Shell today at the Dogs NSW Public Relations Committee - Dogs On Show event under Victorian judge Mrs J Campbell (VIC), who had very nice things to say about our little girl.
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We were also pretty pleased to hear that BOB and RUBOB at this show, with a big entry of 33  lappies went to a daughter and son respectively of Dolce (Ch Armahani Crystal Caibmat RA).  Big congratulations to Vadar and Erik's owners, and breeders Caleebra and Snofyre!

This weekend is traditionally a very big show weekend for us, with the Vic Working Dog Club Championship  and Open shows on Saturday, the FLCV Open show on Sunday and the Vic Spitz Breeds Club Championship show on Monday.  It was made extra special with the debut of the Kunzite boys Murphy (Armahani Kunzite Komea (AI)) and Leevi (Armahani Kunzite Kuutamo (AI)), and Taija's (Ch Armahani Crystal Cuovgat) first shows in the Neuter class.

Tortik (Ch Armahani Heliodorr Halu (AI)) was the Best of Breed winner at the Vic Working Dog Club Championship show with his son Uno (Armahani Jade Jalokivi) taking Best of Breed and daughter Violet (Armahani Jade Jumalatar) taking Best Bitch at the Open show.  Loki (Armahani Iolite Ilolas (AI)) was Runner up Best of Breed at the Open show.

We stuck to the youngsters at the FLCV Open show, and although none of the big wins were ours this year, Piper (Armahani Kunzite Kruunu (AI)) was Best Opposite Baby in Show, Violet Best Opposite Junior in Show, and Uno was second place in both Best Headed and Best Coated Dog.

Today's show was extra special, with Tonya Syme of Chimo Alaskan Malamutes, having donated a new perpetual trophy in memory of Vanessa Brotto, of Articmal Finnish Lapphunds, for the Best of Breed lappie winner.  I was very proud that Tortik became the first winner of this trophy.  He then went on to be shortlisted down to the final four dogs for Best in Show, showing his socks off.

Little Piper (Armahani Kunzite Kruunu (AI)) had her show debut today at the West Gippsland Kennel Association Championship Show,  There under M J Lobb of Canada, she also won her first fringie, taking Best Baby Puppy in Group.

Very proud, and a big congratulations to owner's Meagan and Simone!

Great news yet again from Canada, with this time Tahvo winning Best in Specialty Show at the Finnish Lapphund Club of Canada's National Specialty.

Couldn't be prouder of this fantastic young boy.  Congratulations to owner's Kathy Knapp, Linda Marden and Gene Hayes.  And a big thanks of course to Tahvo's handler in Canada, Connie Krohn, for the fantastic job she continues to do with him.