Bielcee

My family has had poodles since before I was born, right back in the late fifties. When I was born we already had a black miniature bitch called Mitzi, then when I was three we aquired a little white toy bitch , Tessa. She very quickly became my dog and my love affair with the poodle was born. When we lost Tessa at fifteen years old, an apricot miniature bitch, Lulu became part of our family. Lulu was with us all the time during the birth of my three daughters, Bernadette, Lucy and Claire eventually leaving us just before her fifteenth birthday. As I also had a small Jack Russel terrier at the time, I thought I would not have a poodle immediately. That thought lasted exactly three weeks, and my standard poodle Trudy came. Unfortunately, she developed leukaemia and passed away when she was only six years old. The next poodle I had was Emma, and this is where the showing began. By this time my youngest daughter was eight, and she joined me in the hobby with a Shetland sheepdog called Milo, whom we have to this day. Then I bought Oscar, a black miniature dog, and he did well at the shows, winning best puppy in show, reserve best puppy in show etc and also a best puppy in breed at Birmingham champ show under Liz Cartledge. I then mated Emma and kept a bitch, Sadie. Sadie was a very lively bich and despite all our property being fenced securely, she managed to escape and was sadly killed on the road. Sadie was a super show dog, taking many awards at Open show level, and two best puppy in breed at Champ shows. After this it took me some time to recover and I eventually bought Rachael, with whom I enjoyed many successes, incuding Bests in show at open shows, and always placed at Champ shows. When I mated Rachael, my friends Sue & Cara Thomas bought Charlie, who subsequently became the first champion I've bred, and Aimee, who herself has one Challenge certificate and five reserves. During this time, whilstr enjoying the company of my friend Ellen Jones and her Lhasa Apso at the shows, I decided to buy a Lhasa bitch called Pippa. I showed Pippa to some success, including Reserve best in show at open level, and now have two Lhasa puppies, DeeDee, and Millie. I hope to campaign them both this year, along with my latest addition to our family, Tommy, my little black toy poodle. I have started to travel to Ireland to shows, and am planning to continue this during this year. My first love is having the dogs as pets , I take them all out for regular walks in the forestry tracks near where I live, and they are my constant companions. As I'm lucky enough not to have to go out to work, they can have lots of freedom and fun at home without being confined. When I have puppies, I make sure that the parents are screened for the hereditary eye problem Progreesive Retinal atrophy, which could be a problem in toy and miniature poodles. They are wormed three times before they go to their new homes, and have their first vaccinations. They are registered with the Kennel Club. Prospective owners are questioned very carefully, no-one who does not meet my requirements will be allowed to have a puppy. Puppies are sent to their new homes with a contract, signed and understood by the new owner, detailing breeding and export restrictions, information on the PRA screening, and an agreement that if the puppy is no longer suitable then I must be informed so that I can take the puppy back if necessary. Needless to say, I am available for help and advice during the life of the puppy.