Moidart is now nearly 15 months old and yesterday she ran in the KSSLRC puppy test at Turner’s Hill. I was particularly pleased with the good heelwork she produced in the walk up and her marking of her retrieve, but just as she was about to pick the dummy there was an almighty hoot hoot from the steam train on the bluebell line next door, so she looked in all directions trying to find out what the noise was, before bringing me the dummy. She was also fascinated by the landowner riding round on his Segway.
Moidart did well, going where she was sent and stopping and handling when asked, so I felt she deserved the third place awarded.
The next good result came by post this morning, and was the outcome of her BVA hip and elbow scoring. I’m pleased to say that Moidart’s elbows are graded 0 and her hips are 2:2, so my next step is to DNA test her in readiness for her first litter in a couple of years time. Responsible breeders spend several hundred pounds on getting all these health checks carried out before mating, because even if both parents appear to be fit and healthy they could carry a devastating condition which could be passed on to the puppies, which is heartbreaking for their owners, but more importantly could lead to animal suffering, therefore I always advise that a puppy is purchased from a reputable breeder who has carried out a full set of health checks.
