2008 News from du Clos des Castagniers
Blackie (Cierán du Clos des Castagniers) won CAC, CACIB and BOB at Castres. Click on photo to enlarge.
Cierán du Clos des Castagniers (Blackie) won CAC, CACIB and BOB at Castres, a "Spécial Collie" show on the 9th November 2008. The judge was Mme Solange Roser. At this type of special show, collies are awarded points towards the Colley d'Or trophy of the collie club. After an unusually long rainy spell (for our region Languedoc Rousillon) the 9th dawned bright and beautiful. As the regional delegate had resigned at the last minute, Pãrn and I were called upon to arrange the aperitif given after the judging, and to distribute the cups won.
The good weather allowed Mme Roser to take the collies outside to run as the floor in the exhibition hall was particularly slippery and there was no carpet. We were pleased that everyone seemed to enjoy the snacks and drinks offered at the aperitif.
Cierán du Clos des Castagniers a emporté le CAC, CACIB and BOB à Castres le 9 novembre. Le temps faisait très beau et Mme Roser, le juge, à en profité de faire courir les colleys dehors comme le sol était particulièrement glissant dans l'intérieur de l'expo. Nous avons organisé un apéro que nous croyons était apprécié par les concourrents.
On the way back from Castres, we stopped at Gruissan Plage, where Blackie met a labrador on the beach and they had a lot of fun together (see the video clip on the right).
Sur le chemin de retour de l'expo de Castres nous nous arrétions à Gruissan Plage, où Blackie a rencontré une labrador...voir le clip à gauche!
Sadie on the beach at Le Barcarès on her 7th birthday
Sadie with her son Blackie and daughter 
Our dogs on the beach. Click to enlarge...On the way back home from the Perpignan expo we stopped on the beach at Le Barcarès on the Mediterranean to celebrate Sadie's 7th birthday (Sadie is CH Astrellita Gold Dust).
Sur le chemin de retour de l'expo de Perpignan nous avons passé deux jours à la plage de Le Barcarès afin de célébrer la septiéme anniversaire de Sadie.
Sadie is both French and International champion and won the Gold Trophy of the French Collie Club in 2003. She went on to win the Silver Trophy in 2004 and now for the period 2007-2008 she won the Silver Trophy as the Brood Bitch with the second highest number of points (thanks to the performance in the ring of her offspring Miss and Blackie). And as a result our kennel du Clos des Castagniers won the Silver Trophy as the second most successful breeder. For details see the links on the Colley Club site:
Sadie, champion Français et Internationale, a été Colley d'Or en 2003 et Colley d'Argent en 2004. Pour la périod 2007 /2008 elle a gagné le Colley d'Argent comme reproductrice poil court (grace aux points gagnés par Miss et Black). Le Clos des Castagniers a gagné le Colley d'Argent comme deuxième meilleur affixe entre les poil courts. Pour les détails, cliqué sur les links dessus.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Stella Clark of Astrellita — Sadie is the most wonderful kind and gentle dog and we are so grateful to Stella for letting us have her!
Nous aimerions prendre cette occasion pour remercier Stella Clark de Astrellita pour nous avoir confié notre merveilleuse Sadie sans qui, tous ces resultats n'auraient pas eu lieu.
The judge was M Senecat
Blackie in the Ring d'HonneurExposition Internationale de Perpignan on 19 October 2008, Judge: M Jacques Senecat (F)
Cierán du Clos des Castagniers (Blackie): 1-Exc, CAC, CACIB, BOB Classe Ouverte Mâles.
On Sunday 5th October, Blackie took part in a double test which was composed of the CSAU (Cetificate de Socialbility et d'Aptitude à l'Utilisation)and the CANT (Certificate d'Aptitudes Naturelles aux Troupeau). Briefly, the first test is designed to show if the dog is sociable and trainable so that he could be used as a working dog the second he has instinctive or inborn sheepherding qualities. Blackie had to contend not only with the test, but with the close presence of horses; during the CSAU, a horse was being lunged at close proximity and during the sheep herding test a game of catch was being played by riders on Camargue horses. (We live about 40 kilometres from the Camargue and local folklore is very much based on the riding of the white horses and games involving the black bulls of the region.)
Black passed his CSAU and did very well in the CANT - each time a sheep left the herd he brought it back, but otherwise watched the sheep from a distance. The judge preferred dogs who constantly circled the sheep and some of these dogs were fairly aggressive. The other smooth collie in the test was much like Black - taking a more relaxed attitude to the sheep. The result was that Black could try the test again - his result was "ajourned". But we think that our dog did enough and won't try the test again.
Samedi 5 octobre, Blackie a passé son CSAU (Certificat d'Aptitude à l'Utilisation) et a été ajourné dans le CANT (Certificat d'Aptitudes Naturelles aux Troupeau). Comme on peut voir dans les photos, Black a assez bien travaillé dans le CANT - nous sommes fière de lui et nous aimons son attitude détendu au troupeau - attentive sans harcéler. En plus des deux tests, Black a eu le présence des cheveaux et cavaliers (en train de jouer un jeux typique du Camarge près duquel nous habitons) juste en dehors du ring.
Blackie at Belcodène - click on the image aboveto view the album and slideshow
On Sunday, 7th September, Blackie, Cierán du Clos des Castagniers was confirmed and was judged 1st, Excellent in the Young Males class which followed. The judge was M Didier Dupont.
We had a wonderful day at this Régionale d'Elévage at Belcodène. Many thanks to M et Mme Pupin and their team for the fantastic job they made of the organization.
Centre: M Pupin and the judge, M Didier DupontThe site of the show was pleasant and shaded and the weather was kind. The meal at midday was enjoyed by all. We had great fun meeting Catherine Brisedou with Camaïl du Vent des Moissons and Foxearth Frosted Image and seeing old friends - Alain and MarieT Lacourt and Virginie with their smooths, Bonnie and Balthazar (Twinways) and Serge Armelin with his smooth, Q-cu Sona (Rauli) from Jack Mack's.
Dimanche le 7 septembre, Blackie, Cieran du Clos des Castagniers était confirmé et était 1er Excellent dans la classe jeunes males qui suivait. Merci au juge, M Didier Dupont.
Nous avons passé une merveilleuse journée à la Regionale d'Elevage à Belcodène grace à la bonne organisation de M et Mme Pupin et leur équipe.
Le venu de l'expo était très plaisant - il y avait de l'ombre et le temps faisait très beau. Le repas à midi était aprécié de tous. Nous nous sommes très amusé - nous avons rencontré Catherine Brisedou avec Camaïl du Vent des Moissons et Foxearth Frosted Image et nous avons rencontré les amis Alain et Marie T Lacourt et Virginie avec leurs smooths, Bonnie et Balthazar (Twinways) et Serge Armelin avec son smooth, Q-cu Sona (Rauli) de Jack Mack's.
Miss wins the Colley d'Or Trophy 2007-08We are very proud of Miss (CH Artemis Aurora du Clos des Castagniers) who has had her Spanish championship title confirmed this year and is the Colley d'Or 2007-08 of the French Colley Club. The Colley d'Or trophy was extended over two Nationale d'Elevage championship shows and includes show results from January 2007 to April 2008.
Nous sommes très fières de Miss (CH Artemis Aurora du Clos des Castagniers) qui a été homologué Championne Espagnol et qui a gagné le titre de Colley d'Or 2007-08 du Club des Amis du Colley Français.
Blackie won the Young Males class
Miss won the Breeders classLa Nationale d'Elévage at La Roche Posay on 19-20 April 2008, Judge: Christophe Dancoisne (F)
Artemis Aurora du Clos des Castagniers (Miss): 1-Exc, Classe Eléveur.
Cierán du Clos des Castagniers (Blackie): 1-Exc, Classe Jeune Mâles.
Blackie also passed the TAN test (Test des Aptitudes Naturelles) — at only 9 months.
To become Spanish champion, Miss had to win 5 CACs under 3 different judges, including one at the Colley Club show (the Monografica) and at the Spanish Kennel Club's Spring show held at Talavera de la Reina near Madrid. At this show all breed winners had to have a blood test to record their DNA (ADN)!
Amy von Sconau with her puppiesSadie's grand-daughter Amy von Sconau (Jack Mack's Fellow Felix X Velvet Vyvianne du Clos des Castagniers) had six puppies on 2nd April 2008. For more information and news please visit Margit Wendelin's website at www.von-sconau.at.tf.
Blackie striding out at the Poitiers Expo
Miss at the Poitiers ExpoSpéciale Colley at the Poitiers Expo on 9 March 2008, Judge: Didier Dupont (F)
Artemis Aurora du Clos des Castagniers (Miss): 1-Exc, CAC, CACIB, BOB.
Cierán du Clos des Castagniers (Blackie): TP (very promising) in Puppy Class.
Dianne with Blackie at the Toulouse ExpoSpéciale Colley at Toulouse on 24 Feb. 2008, Judge: Solange Roser (F)
Artemis Aurora du Clos des Castagniers (Miss): 2-Exc, RCAC, RCACIB in Open Class.
Cieran du Clos des Castagniers (Blackie): TP (very promising) in Puppy Class.
Miss at the Toulouse Expo
Miss (left) with Blackie at the Chalons ExpoSpéciale Colley at Chalons en Champagne on 3 February 2008, Judge: Philippe Lalanne de Jonquel (F)
Artemis Aurora du Clos des Castagniers (Miss): 1-Exc, CAC, CACIB, BOB.
Cieran du Clos des Castagniers (Blackie): TP (very promising) in Puppy Class.
The judge's comment on Blackie:
"Très joli chien, élegant, ciselé et bien proportionné."
Antony von Sconau (Jack Macks Fellow Felix x Velvet Vyvianne du Clos des Castagniers).
Amy von Sconau (Jack Macks Fellow Felix x Velvet Vyvianne du Clos des Castagniers).
Sadie's daughter Velvet Vyvianne du Clos des Castagniers (Velvet) had a litter of eight puppies in 2006. We are delighted to report the following news about four of them :
Amy von Sconau is now Junior Champion of Austria and lives at Margit Wendelin's and Hans Doppler's Von Sconau kennels with her mum Velvet.
Amos von Sconau (Floyd) lives with Claudine Gerard and Laurent Delheille in Belgium. At the last Brussels dog show, he was BOB and obtained the title Belgian Junior Winner.
Anthony von Sconau has qualified as an assistance dog with Partner Hunde in Austria (an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International).
Alva von Sconau (Siofra) is Junior Champion of Germany - see the previous news item below.
