Amiryck

Finally some news...

2012-01-26T22:41:00.000Z

We are delighted to announce the arrival of Cezar and Apple's eight puppies. They are now the proud parents of 5 little girls and 3 boys.

I have also had a couple of lovely critiques written for Opal from her recent show. I am so pleased with her. They can be read here: http://amiryck.me.uk/cats.html#Opal

Finally I am delighted to announce Tennant now has his very own page on his owner Sam's website. What a gorgeous boy, click to see him here:

http://farlapbloodhounds.com/section63655_211049.html

Angus and Opal

2012-01-15T22:52:00.004Z

Having had a very busy weekend, I was delighted to come home to find some lovely pictures of Angus, one of Cally's litter from 2010.

Angus

Opal and I attended our first ever cat show and she did me proud!

Opal

Not long to go now and Pearl growing up

2012-01-13T16:17:00.001Z

Apple has around 2 weeks until her due date but is already piling on the pounds, I am not sure she will last that long...

Pearl is growing up into a pretty young lady, she managed to stay still just long enough for some photos today!

Mummy, Daddy and Baby

2012-01-05T21:49:00.001Z

All is looking good for new additions at the end of the month with Apple positively blooming. Cezar is looking pretty smug. Pearl is just looking pretty!

Cezar relaxing at the end of the shoot today

Apple with an expanding waistline

Pretty Pearl

Fingers Crossed!

2011-12-20T10:01:00.002Z

The weather has been so vile here I haven't had decent photos to post but I have taken a few this morning.

We are keeping our fingers crossed for puppies from Cezar and Apple at the end of January. We should know in a week or so if the matings have been successful.

Cezar

Apple

Meanwhile, Pearl demonstrates why white and mud don't mix!

Pointer mud wrestling

Ready to pounce on mum...

A spot of lunchtime training

2011-11-07T13:44:00.000Z

I wanted to spend some time with Cezar to bring him up to speed on our commands and work on his obedience training so I took him and Maggie out this lunchtime.

he is very keen on the birds!

sat to attention

sat watching the birds!

training to leave the ducks

who weren't the slightest bit bothered!

An extra hour with the family

2011-10-30T12:33:00.000Z

I wish the clocks went back more often since it has been lovely to spend some time with the family.

the wires

a rare photo of me with the dogs!

Isla and Cezar, best of friends

Isla with Cezar

Chris with Maggie

Cezar with the kids - he loves them <3

Isla with Cezar

Isla with Maggie and Cezar

Cally, 8 years old and looking good!

The puppies getting some fresh air in the garden - love them!

Isla and Chris - showing they can get on

Isla

Richard picking on his son ;)

The lovely Erica

and her lovely mum Ronnie

Isla feeding Ronnie

and Lu

Chris feeding Ambrose

Settling in

2011-10-21T18:19:00.000+01:00

Cezar has fitted in to our way of life well and is definitely one of the pack.

Testament to this breed's nature he runs happily with the alpacas

the other "main man" Herby!

Cezar and Herby

The pointer puppies are doing very well.

Diamond

Pearl

Prince

A big step for Amiryck

2011-10-16T18:34:00.001+01:00

We have had rather a tense and hectic last couple of weeks on top of our normal manic-ness! I have for some time been looking around for suitable husbands for Apple. I was concious that I didn't want to "get in a hole" with the gene pool over here since a large number of the wires we see in the UK are from only a handful of lines, which starts to make finding an unrelated male pretty difficult. I had seen a male I liked in Holland, whose progress I had been monitoring with the thought of possibly asking to use him.

However a couple of weeks ago I saw a male for sale in Hungary that stood out to me. Interestingly when I asked about his pedigree he was descended from the same lines as the male I had liked in Holland. However, despite the fact that we liked the look of him we wouldn't dream of importing a male without making sure we liked his temperament. So last weekend Richard went on a whistle stop trip to Hungary to make sure he was what he seemed. He was and the last week has seen some frantic planning to get him over here, thankfully he already had his pet passport.

He arrived home today and has settled really well. We know he will have a lot of differences to get used to but he has such a lovely nature we are sure it won't take him long to adjust.

So meet Fürdöházi Álnok (Cézár). Our thanks to Zsofia and Rita for their help getting him here!

Maggie, Daisy, Cezar, Apple, Cally and Herby

Chilled Sunday

2011-10-09T18:37:00.000+01:00

We enjoyed a lovely family walk with the dogs this afternoon.

Casting off

hunting

Maggie

we were being watched

On the way back through the alpaca paddock I took a couple of photos of this year's cria. We are so pleased with them.

Cinnie and Fennel

Coco and Filbert

Forget Me Not

Fuschia

For the cute factor a picture of Isla with Pearl.

Isla with Pearl

Last cria of the year

2011-10-04T10:16:00.000+01:00

Our last cria of the year was born on Saturday. In Coco's usual style we had to have the vet out to help ease out the second leg! However the young man and his mum are both doing well.

Coco's cria

Coco and her cria

We are pleased with our cria this year. Here are some of them. Followers will notice Cinnie at the front right with her brown cria moving away from her!

Our 3 younger fawn cria seem joined at the hip and aren't ever far behind each other...

Halo's cria Forget me not

Worth the wait!

2011-09-28T13:38:00.001+01:00

Warning - graphic pictures!

Cinnie has been keeping us waiting. She has been fidgeting for the past week but today, 12 months to the day since her last mating date she has given birth to a lovely brown girl.

Meeting Granny Coco

Mum - someone to lean on

Puppy pics

2011-09-18T18:35:00.002+01:00

Mum and pups continue to do well...

B-day

2011-09-16T15:16:00.001+01:00

Things didn't go quite as we had hoped with April's litter. We had only counted a few puppies on her scan and she wasn't huge so we were expecting a smallish litter. However, we didn't bank on it needing to be assisted! She went in for an emergency c-section this morning and has come home this aft with 3 lovely little puppies, 2 girls and a boy. Most importantly mum and babies are doing well.

Whilst April was at the vets, Halo decided to produce a cria in a much simpler fashion. A lovely brown girl, yet to be named.

newborn

starting to dry off and think about food

The young fawn cria have taken to staying together.

Ferula, Frosty and Fuschia

They even stick together at high speed, the rest can't work out what is going on!

Cinnie's cria from last year ED

Fagus and Fern

Not long to go now...

2011-09-13T18:44:00.000+01:00

April is putting on a bit of weight now, not long to the impending arrivals.

It was lovely to receive some photos of Obi from her first litter. Here he is enjoying an unusually sunny day. Very like his mum!

Hectic

2011-09-11T12:57:00.000+01:00

We have had a busy few days here so time for a catch up...

Thursday saw the birth of Monique's cria whilst I was at work. He is a very, big stocky, fawn boy. His mum is so protective Richard couldn't get near him to spray his umbilical cord so I had to do it when I got home (and came back in smothered in spit!)

Ferula with his big sister Moselle

The following day Monique's daughter Dahlia decided to produce her cria in double quick time. She must have coughed him out in less than 10 minutes flat! Thankfully he was up and walking in about the next 15 minutes and drinking shortly after that. What a relief when we were going away that that didn't need monitoring!

Fairfield Frost (a variety of Dahlia)

The rest of the cria appear to be doing well, here are a couple.

Fuschia, daughter of another Monique daughter Moselle

Fern and Foxglove

After Frosty was born on Friday we headed off to the HWVA working test. I had my camera in tow but was unfortunately not able to use it during the test since I was stewarding all day. However, there are a couple of pictures below from before the test.

Our wires trying to behave themselves!

Herby demonstrating his water retrieving

Maggie having a go at one of the puppy tests, whilst setting up

We have now seen four of the kittens go off to their new homes. We wish their owners every happiness with their new family members. We were thrilled that they went off in pairs...

Bajou and Angel, now known as Denzil and Twinkle

Twilight and Berry, now known as Luca and Gino

Dawn, who will be staying here, with mum Bella.

they get on OK most of the time!

Elmer has a sister!

2011-09-03T12:36:00.001+01:00

Elmer our young Jack-Moselle black boy who has done well for us this year at shows now has a full sister. Born this morning, a few days shy of 11 months she seems to be doing well so far.

Kitten update

2011-09-02T18:17:00.000+01:00

It won't be long now before the kittens go, so here is a photo update.

Angel

Bajou

Berry

Dawn

Twilight

Been a bit busy

2011-08-22T20:16:00.001+01:00

I haven't blogged recently since the weekend saw Isla and I living it up in London. Meanwhile all is good here...

schmoozing with the stars!

Spectacular skyline

Pomme

April looking a bit tubby - wonder why??!!!

Milk bar nozzles - primed and waiting

Foxglove is doing well

Happy days

2011-08-14T16:02:00.000+01:00

I am feeling very happy at the moment. The sun helps I guess but there are other factors - hopefully more on that another time.

Today has seen the addition of another female to our herd. Nearly black, I am thinking dark brown in colour. She was born two weeks early but very strong. We will have to think of a name for her now.

Erica looking lovely

Isla with Freesia

Does anything faze Maggie?

2011-08-10T17:42:00.000+01:00

Maggie went for her first trip to the beach today with Chris and I. Typically she took it all in her stride.

The kittens are proving increasingly more difficult to photograph since they are usually racing around, here they are in a rare moment of stillness.

There were 5 in the bed and the little one said...

Berry and Bajou

Full of it

2011-08-09T19:29:00.001+01:00

The dogs seem to be enjoying the brighter weather.

April looking serene

Steady hunting

but still wanting to have fun

Daisy

Herby

Herby, during a calm moment

Herby retrieving

Cally and Daisy hunting

Maggie is very loyal

Encore adds a little decoration to her fleece

as does Evie

Freesia

Long overdue update

2011-08-03T21:04:00.000+01:00

We managed to finally get away for a week, partly thanks to Tara who came to look after the animals. She did a great job and all the animals are doing well.

the dogs

Herby enjoying the sun

Herby

Maggie

Maggie retrieving

Maggie

Maggie training

Apple

April, who was recently mated and will hopefully have puppies next month :)

the girls

Dyer

Erica (Mark for your benefit!!!)

Fagus and Erinus

Fern and Fagus

Angel

Bajou

Berry

Dawn

Twilight

The poultry are also doing well

Appleyard duckling

Buff orpington

Call duck drake

Silver partridge pekin

An update in pictures

2011-07-09T22:04:00.002+01:00

All is well at Amiryck. The whirlwind of Milo and Cosmo have gone home and relative peace has been restored! During their visit Milo came to Windsor with me and qualified for Crufts with a 3rd place PGD (not bad for his 2nd ever show and with no practice!). Herby came home with a 1st place in LD. Cosmo decided he couldn't possibly be stacked and was left at home but his natural hunting prowess really impressed us.

Herby enjoying the peace

and proving he can work too... not sure about the retrieve!

Maggie can do that as well

Recall is coming on a treat

and we are practicing sit and wait as well

even when the alpacas try to distract us

the alpacas are doing well, here is little Fagus

The kittens have had their first taste of solid food...

Mum, Bella shows them how it's done

We get this

little Angel caught on well

it was a bit messy though and a clean afterwards was required

hmmm not a very effective clean up...

Visitors

2011-06-29T18:56:00.000+01:00

Milo and Cosmo have come to stay for a week whilst their owners are away. I decided to have a practice stacking Milo since the last time he did it was over a year ago...not bad

Not a chance with Cosmo...

Maggie shows him how it's done (her 2nd attempt here!!!)

We have lift off

2011-06-26T23:42:00.002+01:00

Today we spent an enjoyable day in the company of fellow wire owners, for a get together. The day involved Q&A's, training, BBQ and social and raised money for the HWVA welfare fund.

Whilst the dummy launcher was out I decided to give Maggie a go with it. Richard promised he wouldn't fire the dummy too far...

preparing Maggie

so much for that promise - it went quite some distance!

Maggie was up to the challenge though

Retrieving the dummy with minimal help

what a star

She also performed her first retrieve from water, the first time in water - not bad for a baby!

My sincere thanks to Sharon Newman for capturing the retrieve on camera.

Here's to the next one!

Shear delight!

2011-06-24T13:02:00.000+01:00

It is lovely to finally have the animals sheared. I am not sure the animals would currently agree having become accustomed to being toastily wrapped in fleece! However, they will be thanking us when the fabulous summer we will surely have finally arrives! It always takes a bit to get used to who is who when the fleece is gone. Some of them look better and some just plain strange!

the lovely Amiryck Erinus

Amiryck Eucalyptus

Amiryck Eaglewood

Fern and Ronnie

Fagus and Lu

Amiryck Elderflower - looks like we have rain on the way...

Fagus

The kittens are also doing well

Our latest arrivals some more ducklings :)

Pre-shearing

2011-06-19T20:07:00.000+01:00

We have had a busy few days with a family wedding. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Mitchell!. This afternoon proved a good time to wind down afterwards and take some snaps of the alpaca before they lose their fleece!

Chris and Richard with the dogs

Amiryck Cinnamon

Amiryck Elderflower

the new boy Amiryck Fagus

Fagus with his right way round ears - no action necessary!

Amiryck Fern, our lovely Columbus girl

Day 5 for the kittens

2011-06-17T16:20:00.000+01:00

We had to make the tough decision today to have one of the kittens put to sleep. He wasn't putting on weight and was likely to have problems in the future and we didn't want him to suffer. We had tried what we could but it wasn't to be, unfortunately, one of the downsides of breeding animals. I am pleased to report the other five are doing well, as is Bella. I am amazed that at 5 days all some of them are already opening their eyes!

Get together for HWV owners in South West

2011-06-16T09:38:00.002+01:00

We are holding a get together for all HWVs and their owners on Sunday 26 June 2011, in Nether Stowey, Somerset. The idea is for it to be an informal gathering with chance to meet other HWV and their owners.

The format will be similar to previously with "activity" followed by a bbq. Suggestions are welcomed for activities to cover.

The proposed timetable of events is:

10:30              assemble.

11:00 - 1:00    activities

1:00 - 3:00      bbq and social

There will be no charge for attendance but people are invited to make a donation towards the HWVA welfare fund. Please bring food for the bbq.

For further information or to register your interest in coming please contact Richard or Karen: info@amiryck.co.uk

A brown boy

2011-06-15T11:07:00.000+01:00

It was lovely to wake up this morning to a newborn cria. He is a very sweet brown boy. A real dinky size with an inside out ear but strong and seeming to be doing very well.

Feline Happy!

2011-06-12T21:35:00.001+01:00

We have been awaiting the arrival of our first kittens here. Bella was due on Friday/Saturday but she kept us waiting until today. We now have 6 beautiful kittens and both mum and kitties seem to be doing fine so far.

Bella waiting

Still waiting...

even Maggie was waiting patiently

first there were four

and then there were 6. Now time for a doze

The Bath and West show

2011-06-06T00:55:00.000+01:00

We have had a busy half term week this week. Several days were spent camping at the Bath and West show, where we were showing alpacas. I decided to take Maggie with us since her 2nd vaccination had been a week previous and it was a good place for her to experience lots. In fact there is so much going on there that I wouldn't have taken a puppy normally but Maggie is so confident that I was sure she would cope. She was an absolute superstar. Took all the people, dogs, loud noises etc in her stride. Slept beautifully in the tent. Snoozed when I was busy and enjoyed her short occasional ventures around the show (so as not to over exercise her).

Maggie, lying beautifully next to our alpaca pen

The children were also very good and very helpful. They were in charge of showing our animals so I could concentrate on Inca ones where needed.

Chris with Elmer, who picked up 2nd place

Isla winning the younger junior handling class

Isla with Euci in the junior handling class

... and proving she can do it for real!

Chris winning 2nd place in the junior handling class

It is always great to see friends doing well with their animals.

EP Cambridge's champion Litigator (they also got supreme with Lawbreaker - fabulous!)

The mighty Patou family with Qjori who picked up Reserve Champion Adult Male - some achievement for a brown !

Patou's Reeya picking up first place intermediate brown female - here is the photo you missed Mark!

Amiryck Danica, now owned by Inca Alpaca

Relaxing in the sunshine

2011-05-24T14:41:00.000+01:00

After the busy week last week it has been good to do some relaxing in the garden in the sun.

Daisy, Herby and Maggie

Herby

Apple

Maggie and April playing

Maggie practicing her retrieving

....and with a dummy

Phew what a week!

2011-05-22T23:08:00.001+01:00

This week has been manic, particularly the latter end. Thursday and Friday was spent showing alpacas at the Devon County Show. A lovely show, with a great atmosphere, the alpaca section was very well organised. Our young boys did us proud with Amiryck Eucalyptus following up his Futurity placing with a 4th junior fawn male and Elmer who has been awarded a 2nd and 3rd place at his 2 previous shows picking up another 2nd place (junior black male). Unfortunately I couldn't watch the final judging on the Saturday since I was travelling up to Scotland for a dog show (I know - complete madness!). The trip was worthwhile though with Herby bringing home the reserve CC. This made the drive home straight afterwards slightly more bearable!

Amiryck Eucalyptus

Amiryck Elmer following his mum Moselle

Herby, who in his wisdom decided a paddle in the dirty banks of the lake was a good idea just prior to the show!

Making Friends

2011-05-18T12:51:00.000+01:00

Fern is so strong and doing so well she went out in the field with the rest of the girls today. As usual everyone was keen to meet the new addition.

Fern

Elmer checking out the new girl

...very interesting!

Brilliant!

2011-05-17T19:20:00.000+01:00

Ronnie has struck gold (or should I say brown) for us again with a gorgeous brown girl. Born today, strong and healthy. Well done to Ronnie and Patou's "Clump"

Fern

I was delighted to also receive some photos of Dizzy from our last litter. What a pretty girl she is!

Dizzy in front with her pal Maddie behind

Dizzy

Herby pups

2011-05-15T22:26:00.000+01:00

A visit to the Midlands allowed us a quick sneak peek at Darcy and Herby's babies. Looking lovely...

Count to ten...

2011-05-11T15:28:00.000+01:00

Maggie continues to keep us busy and is usually on the go! We are very pleased our animals here are very tolerant, as can be seen below.

Maggie on the go

Pausing for a second

my goodness, she has stopped!

Playing with Auntie April

and kissing (or is it attacking?) her

Daisy being very tolerant!

the cat, just out of reach

Granny Apple!!!

The pitter patter of little paws

2011-05-10T14:31:00.000+01:00

After a single visit by Darcy, Herby is now a proud daddy of 10 little gingers, 5 boys and 5 girls. We wish them all well and will watch them grow up with great interest and pride. We know they are in the most capable hands with competant mum Darcy and Rachel and Neil overseeing: http://moricroft.com/view.aspx?item=36

The proud dad

the babies!

Manic puppy!

2011-05-04T09:14:00.000+01:00

Maggie continues to be a lovely addition to the family but she is keeping us busy. Either full on or crashed out! Her confidence was one of the things that caused us to pick her so we aren't complaining, we hope it will bode well for the future! Meanwhile we are sleeping well...

Maggie checking out the garden

Relaxing on the long suffering Jasper (who turned 14 last month)

April showing Maggie how to behave serenely like a lady ;)

Another puppy update!

2011-05-02T22:37:00.002+01:00

Isla and I spent today showing alpacas for Inca at the North Somerset Show. Congratulations to them who won Champion Black Female and Male!

Whilst we were there Scrumpy, a puppy from Apple's litter 2 years ago came to introduce herself! What a happy soul she is! Happy 2nd Birthday to them all for tomorrow!

We also had a message from Sian who has Jeanie from Cally's last litter to say that she had been placed 5th at her first ever working test - well done to them!

Since our last post we have also had photos from two other siblings from Cally's litter. Bailey and Holly. It is always lovely to see and hear how they are progressing.

Herby's sister Scrumpy

Sian with Jeanie

Bailey

Holly

Meet Maggie!

2011-05-01T18:03:00.000+01:00

The excitement has been building here for a bit waiting for our new puppy and here she is - Maggie! (you guessed right Jenny!). Maggie comes from Rachel and Neil at Moricroft and we couldn't be more thrilled with her. She has bags of character, has taken everything in her stride on her first afternoon here (as seen in the photos) and looks very pretty as well. We are so proud that she is joining our gang here.

Maggie

Meeting alpacas

Being carried back after a "pootle" in our field

with mummy!

and daddy - being carried out to meet the alpaca

with the gang

Freesia - doing well

the pekin with her foster ducklings!

Puppy Progress

2011-04-27T16:48:00.003+01:00

This week has been a good week to follow the progress of our puppies. On Saturday at the HWVA's first ever Championship Show we got to see Jeannie of the first time since she left us last summer. She really reminded us of her mother in more than just her looks as she larked around the ring. It was great to hear how much her new owners were enjoying her even if she is keeping them on their toes!

The following Monday we received news that Tennant had been placed Best of Breed and shortlisted for Best in Show at Cornwall Gundog Society Show - I am promised there will be a picture to follow. Needless to say we are very proud of Cally's son/ Daisy's brother.

Yesterday we received some photos of Milo (Apple's son/ Herby's brother) and his uncle Cosmo (Cally's son from her final litter last year and Jeannie's brother). What a smart pair of wires. Like Jeannie I think Cosmo is keeping his owners on their toes. Pictures of them below.

Milo and Cosmo
(Milo struggling to keep his eyes open)

Milo and Cosmo

Lastly we are very pleased to announce Herby is going to be a daddy. http://amiryck.co.uk/herbylitter.html.

Well actually that wasn't quite our last bit of news - there is some other very exciting news but you will have to wait next week for that :).

Freesia the cria... or is it a puppy?

2011-04-19T10:39:00.004+01:00

Freesia continues to do well and can be seen here running around with the dogs and I!

SWAG Spring Show

2011-04-11T10:53:00.003+01:00

We had a lovely time at the SWAG Spring Show this weekend. Amiryck Elmer picked up a third prize (Junior Black Male) and Amiryck Evening Primrose a fourth (Junior Brown Female) both in very large classes. I obviously wasn't able to photograph that happening so the photos below are of the children doing me proud in Junior Handling and Marks big moment with Qjori.

Isla entering the ring with Amiryck Eucalyptus

Competent leading by Isla

Careful leading through the chairs

Chris playing it cool with Amiryck Elmer

More careful navigation through the chairs

The Junior Handling Class

Isla with her first place rosette, Chris picked up the second place

Mark and Qjori proving they are perfectly in tune with each other!

Sweet talking...

Mark with Qjori, keeping an eye on Gary handling his Roger!

Mark with Qjori, Reserve Champion Brown Male Huacaya
(looking VERY serious!)

The big outdoors

2011-04-06T15:20:00.000+01:00

With the weather forecast for a warm sunny day I decided to let Freesia stretch her legs. Once outside in the garden mum Annie decided she would quite like to get out in the field so they were let out to meet the others. As you can see the rest were keen to meet her and it was all rather tiring but I am wondering how keen they will be to come in again this evening for me!

Still in the garden

Meeting the others

Being sociable is soooo tiring

What a few days!

2011-04-03T19:21:00.000+01:00

We have had a rather eventful last few days.

On thursday morning Richard went into the paddock to find a cold, lifeless cria on the ground. Annie had given birth at 10 1/2 months pregnant. She can't have been born long but she was clearly very poorly. We called the vet out who didn't fancy her chances at all. Her temperature wouldn't even register on the thermometer. Thankfully my clinic for the day had been cancelled earlier in the week and I was on hand to try to do what I could. I spent quite a while warming her with a hairdryer and eventually, when she was warm enough, we tube fed her. She was clearly extremely weak but we had at least been able to warm her up. She could hold her head swaying it around for brief periods now.

By her third feed she was able to take it very successfully from the bottle, if I steadied her head. She spent her first night in the house with us, where I could monitor her carefully and carry on feeding her. From then on she continued to make progress. Despite her limbs being very wobbly and knock knee'd we were able to stand her for short periods the following day. If we held her she was able to feed from her mum for short periods. We had expressed what we could up until then so that she got what we could give her but her feed had mainly been powdered colostrum.

She is now able to stand herself up and feed herself - a vast improvement. We hope she continues to do well. We have named her Freesia. She is extra special to us since she is the first girl Annie has given birth to here (she has had 4 boys for us prior to that) and she is a very pretty fawn.

In addition Saturday saw the birth of 2 call ducks. I had to leave them in the care of the family whilst I had a night off in Newquay on a hen night. I came back to find another here today. Rather late hatchers - being call ducks they normally hatch after 26-27 days. These have been born on day 28 and 29! As you can see the two that have dried out are very sweet!

Busy weekend now blue skies

2011-03-15T17:10:00.000Z

I was away for a good few days last week. On thursday we manned the discover dogs stand with Herby at Crufts. I went straight from there to the British Alpaca Futurity.

Unfortunately I haven't any photos from there. It is very difficult to take them from in the ring! However, the Amiryck alpacas there did well. Amiryck Danica, who now lives at Inca Alpaca won Champion Black Female Huacaya, Amiryck Elmer 2nd place Junior Black Male Huacaya and Amiryck Eucalyptus 5th place Junior Fawn Male Huacaya (some achievement for an alpaca sired by a black male!).

Today we enjoyed some blue skies...

Amiryck Cinnamon

Amiryck Edelweiss

Amiryck Elderflower

Amiryck Elderflower, again (well she is pretty!)

Amiryck Evening Primrose

Another lovely photo

2011-03-05T14:52:00.001Z

I was sent this photo yesterday of Ruby from Cally's last litter. Just proving that she knows how to point!

Also, below, from the same litter, a picture of Holly retrieving.

Gorgeous boys

2011-03-02T14:51:00.000Z

Milo and Cosmo

I had a lovely photo sent to me today of Milo and Cosmo. No Cosmo hasn't shrunk, it was an old photo they just had printed off. I had to post it on here because I am very proud of these two handsome young men.

Why all children should grow up with dogs...

2011-03-02T10:25:00.003Z

Enough said! :)

Woody

2011-02-28T19:33:00.000Z

We have just had a jam packed but lovely weekend. Friday and Saturday took Richard and I to Dublin for an entertaining night in good company. We arrived back Saturday evening in time for me to leave first thing Sunday morning to go to a Field Training Day run by the pointer club. There is certainly a steep learning curve for me but it was very interesting and a great day out. I arrived home to see one of Cally's puppies from last year Woody. Who is an energetic, sociable little chap. Now for a relatively calm week before the bedlam of next...

Woody proving he can retrieve

Woody

The wires seeing off Woody!

Pointer training!

Settled?

2011-02-19T21:06:00.000Z

When we first got our new cat Bella we weren't sure how she would get along with all our dogs since she had only ever met one on one occasion in her 8 months. As you can see below she gets on with them just fine and has a special thing for Cally, who is very long suffering with her.

Apple training

2011-02-19T19:13:00.000Z

We made the most of some welcome sunshine this afternoon. Apple was proving she is capable of working.

Mark...

Retrieve...

Present

Herby proving he can concentrate

Richard with April, Herby and Apple

Isla's new duck Daphne

Milo and Cosmo

2011-02-13T11:52:00.001Z

I am so glad Milo and Cosmo's owners have worked out how to send photos via email. It means I can get regular photographic updates, as well as the descriptive ones! Both boys are looking very well and I hope to be able to check them out in person soon :) Thank you Barry and Sandy!

Halter Training 2011

2011-02-11T18:03:00.000Z

Another year, another group of cria to halter train! Elmer and Euci have had their first go on the halter today and I have to say I was really impressed with them - so calm. Must be their daddy Jack's influence. It was getting dark so the photos aren't that good but you can get the gist:

Dog posing this time!

2011-02-06T20:28:00.000Z

Last post was dedicated to the alpacas, so now it's the dogs turn to pose!

Herby

Daisy

April

Show offs!

2011-02-01T19:36:00.001Z

We are rather pleased with the alpaca we have here. We have some rather lovely ones, even if we do say so ourselves! We are pretty sure they realise it as well and we don't half have some show-offs! It all seems catching and even some of the young ones are strutting their stuff...

Amiryck Bonsai

Amiryck Cinnamon

"The proteges"

Amiryck Elderflower

Amiryck Elmer

So Proud...

2011-01-17T16:33:00.000Z

It is absolutely wonderful to receive photos of animals you have bred in their new homes. I have been really thrilled over the last couple of days to see some fabulous pictures.

Below is a picture of Tennant, Amiryck Atlas at Farlap. We have always had a soft spot for him. Luckily his owner is Sam of Farlap Photography, which means we get to see some super photos of him. But this photo really blew me away - it is stunning. I am very proud of him and Sam is extremely good at catching animals in their best light. I can't recommend her photography highly enough.

Tennant

Below is one of our puppies from this year, who has gone to live with Herby's brother Milo. Milo has already proved his good looks (http://amiryck.blogspot.com/2010/04/another-busy-weekend.html) now Cosmo is showing off his. We are thrilled with him and look forward to watching him grow up. He is very reminiscent of Tennant as a puppy.

Cosmo

Our new feline addition!

2011-01-08T15:48:00.000Z

Bella

On a recent visit to choose a kitten (for someone else) Chris fell in love with a colourpoint. I have to say I was quite taken and began a search for a colourpoint female british shorthair. Quite amazingly the perfect one was available pretty quickly and we now have a third cat called Bella. She is 7 1/2 months old and is such a friendly sole we are thrilled. She has to get used to the dogs yet but she will get there.

Finally some updated cria shots!

2010-12-08T20:23:00.000Z

I have finally been able to get some photos of this year's cria, who we are rather pleased with.

The girls:

Erinus, Moniques daughter who has a real presence

The lovely Erica, our first cria of the year

The pipsqueak that is ED, Cinnies cria

The rather lovely Evie

The striking Effy

Evie and Effy are partners in crime

Evie follows Effy around

The boys:

Elmer, lets play guess the dad!

Eucy, who has the softest fleece and plenty of it

The lovely Woody...

who can look impressive too....

Frosty!

2010-12-08T10:15:00.001Z

My goodness isn't it cold, I don't know how people are coping with the even colder weather in Scotland. However, at least it's dry, and pretty, by all accounts! The dogs have to race around to keep themselves warm but are having a great time.

Daisy

April

Herby had to sit since I had to get one shot without blurring!

Darkness descends

2010-12-05T17:00:00.000Z

Don't panic, it's nothing as dramatic as it sounds...

I am struggling at the moment to get out and take some photos due to the short days we are having. I managed to get out today but even at 3:30 we were losing the light, which doesn't do anything for my photos. However, given that we won't start seeing the evenings draw out again for some weeks yet. The photos will have to do!

As you can see the animals are well. Cally was delighted to get out on her first shoot this weekend, with Herby, who despite having been out much more was completely outshone by her!

Effy

Evie

Richard with Herby and Apple

Richard with the Wires

Daisy

Herby

The swamp monster!

Puppy updates

2010-11-29T12:09:00.000Z

It has been lovely having a progress update on some of our latest puppies this weekend. They are all doing well and growing fast, as you can see below.

Holly

Holly, still just fitting on laps...

Woody enjoying the snow...

but keeping warm

Ruby, being an attentive wire

but occassionally getting distracted (who wouldn't with that scenery)

Photos

2010-11-03T15:31:00.000Z

I have no news but to avoid having up to date posts I thought I would post some pictures instead!

Isla and April

Isla and April again!

Christopher with the dogs

Christopher and Daisy

Christopher, Herby and the ducks

Children, dogs and alpaca!

Christopher and Elma

Christopher and Isla

Cinnie

Coco and Effy

Effy and Woody

Elmer

Erica

More Off

2010-10-03T22:33:00.000+01:00

Today saw the departure of Mercedes and Zonda to their new homes.

I received this photo today of Jazz during her long trip back to Scotland...taking it all in her stride...

The long journey home

Meanwhile Zonda has made himself at home in Devon

Gardening...

What a tiring day

Mercedes is getting a lot of love in Kent

Mercedes with her new best friends Matthew and Anna

Fast asleep after her busy day (can you see a common theme here!)

Brighter day

2010-10-02T22:36:00.000+01:00

The brighter weather today has meant that the puppies have been able to get back outside, having had to spend the last couple of days in the house. I think they enjoyed it...!

Porsche

Rover

Zonda

Chris with the puppies

They're Off

2010-10-02T21:10:00.000+01:00

Today saw the first two puppies leave us to start their new adventure in the big, wide world. Jazz made the long journey up to Scotland and Romeo, now known as Woody, is now living in Warwickshire. He seems to be doing very well and making himself at home already.

Woody

What a tiring day!

Week 7

2010-09-26T12:25:00.000+01:00

Today's puppy fix...

2010-09-24T15:01:00.000+01:00

Puppies in the Garden

2010-09-22T11:55:00.001+01:00

Cria round up

2010-09-21T13:12:00.000+01:00

Now we have had our final cria of the year I thought it would be nice to summarise our new additions. We are very pleased with all of them.

The Girls

Coco and Navigator's cria

Cinnie and Jack's cria

Halo and Jack's cria

Monique and Mirage's cria

Ronnie and Columbus's cria

The Boys

Moselle and Jack's cria

Ambrose and Imposing's cria

Clover and Jack's cria

and for Oliver's benefit, here is a picture of Inca Dolly who has come to live with us

Last but not least

2010-09-20T20:02:00.000+01:00

Today saw the arrival of our last cria of the year. We have been desperately hoping for a girl from Halo, who has given us boys the last two years. Lo and behold she has delighted us with a big brown girl, we are thrilled!

Halo's cria

"E.D." - Cinnie's cria

Effy and Coco, her mum

Effy

Headshots week 6

2010-09-19T17:55:00.000+01:00

Growing all the time...

Puppies in the Garden

2010-09-16T15:05:00.001+01:00

At long last I have found some time to take some snaps of the puppies enjoying the garden. Enjoy...

A brown boy

2010-09-16T13:49:00.000+01:00

Our penultimate cria of the year has arrived. This time a boy, he is by EP Cambridge Imposing of Furze Park. We look forward to watching him grow up.

The new, yet to be named cria

With mum, Ambrose

Effy

Elmer

Hello Dolly!

2010-09-15T17:48:00.000+01:00

Today saw us saying goodbye to Danika, who has gone to live with the mighty Inca herd and "Hello Dolly", who has come to live with us.

Dolly

Dolly meeting the others

She should enjoy it here since the cria have lots of fun, including doing a bit of "gundog" training!!!

Running

and Retrieving!

Effy (Elderflower) looking slightly more composed

The gorgeous Elmer

Bingo!

2010-09-11T18:07:00.000+01:00

I am sat here grinning from ear to ear at the arrival of Coco's cria, sired by the wonderful Navigator. A dk fawn/lt brown girl - yippeeeee!

Coco's cria

Coco and her cria

Cinnie and "E.D."

Isla and Elmer

Erica

Week 5 Headshots

2010-09-10T18:36:00.001+01:00

Cinnie's little girl

2010-09-05T00:10:00.000+01:00

Cinnie has delighted us today by giving birth to a little black girl

As you can see below the other cria from this week are doing well

Cria running

Euci

Erin

4 weeks old!

2010-09-02T21:03:00.000+01:00

4 week head shots

Puppy update

2010-09-01T23:14:00.000+01:00

With all the alpaca action you could be forgiven for thinking we had forgotten the pups. Well, no, it has been all action on that front as well. They have now been evicted from the quiet of the "tub room" into the hubbub of the dining room and made their first visit outside today. They have also now started on solids and seem to be very much enjoying it.

Puppy bundle

in bed, Zonda at the front

Romeo and Capri

Mini, trying to catch up

Mercedes

Rover

Monique makes it 3 in a row!

2010-09-01T22:51:00.000+01:00

Monique has done us proud and produced another girl for us. That's 3 girls in a row for her and all 3 are here!

Monique and Erin

Erin meeting her sister, Dahlia

Monday's cria, Euci is doing well...

Euci

Euci with his mum, Clover

Elmer checking out Euci

and the first cria of the year, the lovely Erica!

New Arrival!

2010-08-30T18:42:00.000+01:00

Call me impatient but I have been willing for the birth of another cria so that Elmer who was born 3 1/2 weeks ago had someone his age to play with. Erica is now several months old and quite a lot larger than him and it is always nice to watch the cria play together.

I had been on a trip to Incaland today to celebrate my mums **th (cough, splutter) birthday with a surprise party. Having had a lovely time and enjoying the spread laid on by Tracey and Tim I dashed back to check on the animals. I was very excited to arrive back to find Clover had given birth to a little boy, presumably just after I had left since he was pretty dry. Both are doing really well and she has taken to motherhood brilliantly. I didn't have to wait long to see him drinking, which is always the most tense part of the whole process for me!

Below are some pics...

The new addition

Meeting the others

Elmer, who now has a friend close to his age

Cally and Apple

Headshots and Nail Cutting

2010-08-28T15:52:00.000+01:00

Headshots week 3

It was also time to cut their nails, which were getting pretty long. As seen below, it was a very stressful process!!! Unfortunately not all the pups were snapped but here are a selection.

Nailcutting

Headshots Week 2

2010-08-20T15:26:00.000+01:00

Puppy update

2010-08-18T17:46:00.000+01:00

The pups are doing fine. It won't be long until their eyes are fully open. It may be more easy to see if they stop sleeping once in a while though!

Over 1 week gone already!

2010-08-14T12:52:00.000+01:00

Well it's over a week since the pups were born now and they are doing well. Below are their one week old headshots.

1 week head shots

As you can see it's a tough life being a puppy.

It's a hard life!

...a very hard life!