Important Dates for your diary (members only)Coffee at Fron Goch, 2nd Monday of the month at 11:00:

13th March10th April8th May12th June10th July14th August

Good Citizen’s tests will be held on the following Thursdays. At the moment, it’s not possible to say which

levels will be held on which dates. Watch out for notices closer to the dates.

30th March29th June31st August30th November

The club AGM will be held on Tuesday 9th May (there will be no classes on that evening).

There will be a Spring Ringcraft competition. Date yet to be finalised.

Note, there will be no club sessions on the following dates:

4th April (Tuesday)9th May (Tuesday) - AGM

Subscriptions now due

Club subscriptions are now due. Membership is £5 per year (including juniors). Joint membership is £8.

Please renew your membership early to ensure you are covered by our insurance.

Class sessions remain unchanged at £1 for juniors and £2 for adults.

We had 267 members during 2016

AGM

The club AGM will he held at the Memorial Hall in Penygroes on Tuesday 9th May. (Note there will not be any

classes on that evening).

At last year’s AGM, it was agreed to reduce the size of the committee from twelve to ten. At the time of

writing, only eight places are filled, so there will be at least two vacancies. If you feel you would like to take

part in the running of the club, you will need a committee nomination form. These will be made available in

April. Completed forms should be returned not less than seven days before the date of the AGM.

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Nantlle Vale Dog Training Club Newsletter – February 2017

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Christmas Lunch

The Christmas lunch at Bistro y Felin on Sunday 11th December

was fairly well attended and enjoyed by all those present. Thanks

to Treasurer Pam Roe for organizing the event.

Two presentations were made by Chairman Jo McKenzie before

the food arrived.

Trainer, Ann Bean, was awarded honorary membership for 30

years of service to the club by the Chairman.

The Don Dart Memorial Shield is awarded by the Chairman to a

member for doing that something extra for the club. Ivy Bulled

was presented with this for her contribution to running the club

despite no longer having a dog.

Christmas Visit to Bron Seiont

On Tuesday 20th December, nine members of the

club visited Bryn Seiont Newydd nursing home

with their dogs and Heather Gordon with her dog,

Rhia, pushing a dumper truck with a sack of

goodies for the residents to take out. All dogs and

residents enjoyed the afternoon.

Members taking part were:

Megan with SabbaPam with DelJayne with MadogElly with PersephoneSandra with MystiJane with MiliSally and Tasmyn with BuddySue with Eddie

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Good Citizens Awards

Gold Awards

The following members passed their Good Citizen Gold award test

on 26th September:

Sally with Jepster, Jayne with Madog and Jo with Lola.

Thanks to examiner Heather Gordon.

Bronze Awards

The following members passed their Good Citizen Bronze award test on 30th November.

Thanks to examiner Sandra Clinch.

Scientists discover what we already knew

New research published in the journal Science by a team from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest has

revealed that dogs may understand human words, not just the tone in which they are said. They have shown

that dogs have separate areas of the brain dedicated to interpreting voice and distinguishing sounds. The

team also hope their findings will offer new insights into the origins of language in humans.

Thirteen family dogs from four different breeds (border collie, golden retriever, Chinese crested dogs and

German shepherds) were trained to lie motionless in a scanner while they listened to recordings of their

trainer’s voice. The dogs listened to meaningful words such as ‘well done’, and meaningless words such as

‘if’. All words were said in both a neutral tone and a praising tone.

From the resulting brain scans, the team were able to see that the dogs processed the meaningful words in

the left hemisphere, regardless of the tone used. This is similar to humans. But the dogs didn’t do this for the

meaningless words.3

Jayne with Mili Karen with Coco Lisa with Cadi

Team leader, Attila Andics said: “There is no acoustic reason for this difference. It shows that these words

have meaning to the dogs.”

The team also found that, like humans, the dogs processed intonation in the right hemisphere. When words

were said in a praising tone, another area of the brain was used - the reward area. Again, like humans, this

shows that they integrate meaning and tone to interpret what they heard.

They conclude that neural mechanisms to separately analyse and integrate word meaning and intonation in

dogs suggests this capacity can evolve in the absence of language, ie in non-human species.

Walkies! Biscuit. Bed. Dinner. Sit. Down. I think we all know they understand the meaning of our words.

From Sadness Came Happiness(July 2016)

At the beginning of March 2016, our dear dog, Bramble (Fern’s brother), somehow got poisoned and died

within nine hours. To say we were devastated is an understatement. He was only 8½. At the same time, we

thought we’d lose Fern as well. She pined so much for Bramble; she also developed Pyometra (a womb

infection) and needed emergency treatments and operations. We were back and forth to the vets every other

day for two weeks. Those two months were horrible. I’m sure my hair went white over night; Tony was

distraught.

Our thoughts turned to shall we get a pup? Perhaps in the Autumn, or maybe a rescue Goldie. “No, we aren’t

ready yet.” “How will Fern react?” The poor wee soul was so sad. How do you tell a dog her brother will never

come back. So we took each day as it came. Being miserable, then on Tuesday 10 th May we had a phone call

from out local Goldie rescue lady, to say they had a 10 month old Goldie in need of a home. “Oh my God,” I

thought, “now what do we do?”

Well, we went to see him the next day. Oh, he was lovely. Huge great thing. Although he’s still a puppy, he

looks like an adult dog weighing 33½ kilo, and strong. He hadn’t had much training and was kept in a flat; the

owner worked all day. So he didn’t have much exercise. He had been taught to ‘sit’, but not much else. We

said as long as Fern took to him, OK, we’ll home him. We named him Robbie.

He is very lovable, loves people and is a happy chappie. When we took him up to the field and let him loose,

he went rushing round like a mad thing, jumping up and down, like one of those trotting horses; front feet up,

then kicking up his back feet. Because he’d been left during the day, he’d developed some ‘boredom’ habits,

like chasing his tail and spinning round. He’s like a gangling teenage lad; all legs and clumsy. He’ll rush up to

you and forget to put the brakes on and crash into you. We have to watch Fern doesn’t get bowled over. But

he is good for her, lies beside her like she’s his big sister.

We’re working on him being left indoors. The first time we shut the door, he cried, so I spent a couple of

weeks going in and out of the doors, locking them and coming back, so gradually he realized we were coming

back. He isn’t being left for hours on end. We’ve got to one hour so far. Things progress slowly. Pulling on the

lead is coming slowly too. But he’s made this house a home, and we’re all happy now. We do miss dear

Bramble. This chap has some of Bramble’s habits, like he hates the wind and blow flies. He is a typical playful

daft boy Goldie and we love him to bits.

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Dogs Christmas PartyMany thanks to everyone who braved the damp weather to come along to the party on December 13 th at the

Memorial Hall in Penygroes. 22 dogs came along with their handlers.

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Fancy Dress – Lisa with Cadi

Musical Mats – Christine with Melys

Eat Cracker(handler), eat dog biscuit (dog) – Christine with Melys

AV Puppy over 6 months – Jane with Mili

AV Short Coat – Ann with Gel

AV Long Coat – Rowan withLili

AV Small Dog – Siân with Mili

AV Medium Dog – Jason with Broc

AV Large Dog – Sandra withEbony

Most Unusual Dog – April with Lili

Waggiest Tail – Christine with Melys

Best 6 Legs – Ann with Gel

Ringcraft – Results

The supporters of ringcraft had an amazing year with their dogs in the showring when you consider how few

of us attend regularly. Our dogs have done us proud, and much of this is down to the continued ringcraft

evenings which are held first and third Thursday every month. Our thanks go to our amazing supporters Ann

Bean and Ivy Bulled.

I will start with the German Shepherds, with no fewer than three of them gaining show certificate of merit,

which is quite an achievement.

Rhian Stanley’s "Blanik" show team have had a fantastic year in the show ring with both Loki and Sammi

gaining their ShCM (Show Certificate of Merit)

Lokean Of Blanik (Loki) has been placed in the first 4 at all his championship show, winning the class on 3

occasions and also short listed to the last 4 in the challenge. He has won numerous Best Of Breed’s at open

shows and on these occasions never been out of the group places. Loki has achieved Group 1 on two

occasions. Out of four companion shows entered over the Summer he came away with Best In Show 4 times.

I’m very proud of the boy, he never lets me down!

Blanik Ivana (Sammi) has also had a successful time in the ring, but took the second half of the year off for

maternal duties. She will be bringing her daughter “Kaiah” to the shows with her in 2017. Sammi was placed

at all her Championship shows classes and took Best Of Breed numerous times during the early half of the

year. Again never out of the cards in the group and taking Group 1 twice, once with Reserve Best In Show. I

do not compete with Sammi at Companion shows

Blanik Georgette (Asha) Now a veteran Asha has attended a few shows over the year. She has been RBIS at

a companion show and placed numerous times in veteran classes at open shows. I guess the highlight of the

year was when Asha won veteran bitch and then beat the champion male for best veteran in breed at a

championship show. Whilst she still loves her shows I will continue to take her.

Ian Turner’s Tuna Com Mit Tasella (Bella) also gained her Show Certificate of Merit in 2016 and Ian has listed

her wins below

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Sausage Race – Gillian withWatson

Best Routine – Lisa with Cadi

Many thanks to Elly Hale for compèring the evening,Sandra Clinch for judging the fancy dress, Sue Dookfor judging the Mini Show classes, and Jo McKenzieand Brian Horrocks for judging the Best Routine.

Also to Pam Roe and Ann Bean for helping with thesmooth running of the evening, to Elly Hale forsupplying the music, and Jo McKenzie for therefreshments.

The raffle was won by Becky Anderson.

Meirionydd Agricultural BOB judge M Thomas

Llandudno cainne society BOB and group 4 judge Jeanette Aday

Rhyl cainine society BOB and group3 judge Helen Burke

Wrexham and District BOB, group 1 and RBIS judges Cath Parker and Caroline Rees

Southport and Birkdale BOB group 3 judge Gary Clarke

Bella has also competed at Championship shows and has been in consistently in the cards. She also

won a BIS at a Companion show in the Summer.

Bethan and Darryl Hughes have had a fantastic year campaigning their Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)

Lorcan. (A Touch of Magic for Revloch Keren Shemesh)

Best in Show Rhyl Limit Show

Reserve CC Birmingham National Champ Show

Res CC Three Counties Champ Show

Res CC Paignton Champ Show

Res CC Driffield Champ Show

Res CC South Wales Champ Show

Many first places at Champ shows

2 x 1st at Breed speciality Shows, always graded Excellent

1 x Green Star and Best of Breed, Bull Breeds Champ Show

Passed breed temperament test with an Excellent

Dublin Ch Show green star and BOB

Alison Roberts has been campaigning her homebred Bull Terrier Teirwgwyn Top Gun (Fred) both here and

abroad. Fred has won

7 CC with BOB

CRUFTS BOB

CC in the Netherlands

Regent trophy

Top Winning Bull Terrier 2016

Madeleine Smith has been showing her Great Dane at open shows over the last year.

Axeford Cherokee Rose – Charley has won 7 BOB, two with group 3 and two group 2 at Merioneth and

Anglesey.

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Meg Roberts has had a wonderful first year in the show ring with her Cocker Spaniel Del

Vale of Clwyd open 1 cocker puppy -BPIB

Vale Clwyd. companion. 1 gundog puppy -Reserve BPS

NWAC. 1 cocker puppy

Merioneth Agriculture 1 junior cocker

Gundog club north wales. 1 cocker - BPIB

Wrexham open. 1 pg cocker

Anglesey companion. 1 av puppy bitch - Best novelty puppy

Wendy Jones has been successfully campaigning her Welsh Terrier’s Caio and Elsi. Wendy has listed their

Champ show wins only but both have also made their mark on the open show scene.

Felstead Caio Dyma Fi At Cwnogion - CAIO

Crufts March 2016 -Welsh Terrier Limit Dog – Very Highly Commended

Welsh Terrier Association Championship Show May 2016 - 1st Post Graduate Dog

Cwnogion Alaw Medi – ELSI

Blackpool Championship Show – June 2016 - 2nd – Welsh Terrier Puppy Bitch

WKC Championship Show – August 2016 - 1st Puppy Bitch + Best Puppy in Breed

Welsh Terrier Club Championship Show – September 2016 - 2nd Puppy Bitch

Glenys Hancock has had a bit of a break from showing this year but still attended a few shows with her Flat

Coated Retrievers.

Breeze got a second in Junior in Welsh Kennel and Indie a CC at Birmingham

National and BOB at Merioneth Show

Bethan Jones of Tremywyddfa Bernese Mountain Dog “have had three youngster out this year after a long

absence from the show ring and it has been lovely to catch up with old & new friends.

We have had five best puppy in breed at open shows and a couple of seconds.

One puppy group 1

two puppy group 2, two puppy group 3,

one group 3.

First & second at Welsh kennel Ch Show and Best Puppy in Breed. Qualified for Crufts 20017 and have

started the show season of 2017 at Manchester last week with a 3 & 4 in Junior”

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Tish Gaffey's CH Noya Sweet Vulcan. Noya.

In 2016 Noya became a Show Champion winning 5 Challenge Certificates and 4 Best Of Breeds.

The highlights being shortlisted in the Pastoral Group at Crufts under the well respected all rounder

Frank Kane.

Best In Show Belgian Shepherd Dog Association Championship Show

Best In Show Northern Belgian Shepherd Dog Club Open Show.

She ended the year by being awarded Top Malinois 2016.

The two Best In Show’s are very special to us as the Malinois is not usually considered for such

awards as they do not have the glamour of the coated varieties.

Noya never lets me down and has made a lot of friends in many breeds with her happy outgoing character.

Arwyn and Sian Ellis of Dolwen Labradors have also had a fantastic 12 months in the show ring.

“Dolwen Johnny Be Good delighted us gaining his Junior Warrant by winning at five championship

shows and placed in nearly every one. He has several best puppy wins and best of breeds. He has

also a group 4 and group 2.

Dolwen Starlight won Post Graduate bitch at Bath before taking time off to have her first litter.

Trenow Primrose at Dolwen won Open Bitch at Driffield

Our new pups both qualified for Crufts at the tender age of 6 months in huge classes of sixteen and

twenty one”

Paula George and her young GSD Yanna have also been showing this last 12 months.

Yanna Was RBOB at Anglesey C.S.

Gillian Charlesworth had continued success during the past year

“Ginnylands Criminal Mind (Morgan) qualified for Crufts 2016 and again for 2017.

5 Best Puppy in Breed

1 Pastoral Puppy Group 3

1 Pastoral Puppy Group 4

Ginnylands Back in Black (Jackson), although only sparingly shown due to Keith’s heart attack achieved 5

Best of Breeds and 1 Pastoral Group 4. Crufts qualified.

Bowshella Ring of Fire around Ginnylands (Lucas) was consistently placed at Championship shows and has

qualified for this year’s Crufts.

7 Best Puppy in Breed

4 Gundog Puppy Group 1

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2 Gundog Puppy Group 2

1 Gundog Puppy Group 4

Best Puppy in show at a Limit show

Bowshella Harbour Lights over Ginnylands (Watson), who competed in his first Rally competition gaining a

Level 1 Excellent qualifier with a score of 201 out of a possible 210 points. Well done, my special boy.”

There are many other exhibitors who regularly come to ring craft and have not informed us of their wins, and

some who come to support the club and are waiting to start again with new puppies. Thanks to all for their

support and to Ann and her team for always being there for us.

Dog Humour

Q: Why did the poor dog chase his own tail?

A: He was trying to make both ends meet!

Q: What kind of dog chases anything red?

A: A Bulldog.

Q: Why don’t blind people like to sky dive?

A: Because it scares the hell out of the dog.

Q: What kind of dog likes taking a bath?

A: a shampoodle!

Q: Why does the dog bring toilet paper to the party?

A: Because he is a party pooper.

Q: What happens when it rains cats and dogs?

A: You can step in a poodle!

Q: What do you call a dog with a Rolex?

A: A watch dog.

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Q: How does a dog stop a video?

A: By pressing the paws button.

Q: What happened to the dog that ate nothing but garlic?

A: His bark was much worse than his bite!

Q: Why wasn’t the dog a smooth talker?

A: Because all he ever said was “Rough, Rough”

Q: What do you call a dog with a surround sound system?

A: a Sub-woofer.

Q: What is it called when a cat wins a dog show?

A: A CAT-HAS-TROPHY!

Q: What do you call a dog magician?

A: A labracadabrador.

Q: What happened when the dog went to the flea circus?

A: He stole the show!

We’re not psychic!If you have some relevant news or items of interest you would like to share with the rest of the club, let us

know and we’ll do our best to include them in the next newsletter, on the blog or on Facebook. Or on all three.

Contact us at nantllevale.dogtrainingclub@gmail.com

The blog can be accessed at

nantllevaledogtrainingclub.wordpress.com

The electronic version of this newsletter can also be found there.

Search for Nantlle Vale Dog Training Club on Facebook.

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Bad Weather

In the event of bad weather causing the cancellation of classes, an email will be sent out to all members, and

a message will be posted on facebook and on the blog.

If you are not reading this newsletter via the emailed version (ie you’re reading the printed version or the one

on the blog), please check with us that we have your correct email address.

Any opinions expressed by members in items contributed to the newsletter are not necessarily the opinions of the Committee or the Club

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