Maud's puppies are a month old and they are delighting us every day. They are learning, growing and taking new experiences in their stride.

The three girls took to solid food with enthusiasm and have been growing steadily. We are loving having them with us and we know their new families are very excited too.

After a summer holiday romance in Devon with Britains only Platinum health tested male dog (Boru's Fifty Mission Cap at Farlap Imp.Can.) Maud became pregnant.

Three little heartbeats were seen on a scan and we were delighted to welcome three little girls into the family on the 12th of August. One black and tan and two liver and tan.

Maud and the girls have been thriving.

Platinum Health Award

We are delighted to be awarded the Platinum level certificate from the joint Bloodhound committee. The highest of the awards.

Only three other hounds have this award, two of whom were awarded at the same time as Maud.

The scheme is run by the ABB and Bloodhound Club to promote health testing in the breed.

Maud has been on holiday.

First she came with us to the Isle of Tiree where she had fun playing on white sand beaches and exploring local attractions. It may have been May but the weather was perfect for a dog on holiday.

In June Maud made the journey down to Devon to visit family and collect a few new members. While away she supervised some DIY and explored botanical gardens in Exeter and some lovely scenery on Dartmoor.

We also collected two new chickens while in Devon who are now part of the family flock and Maud is enjoying watching them grow.

Gold Health Award

We were pleased to be awarded the gold level certificate from the joint Bloodhound committee. This scheme is run by the ABB and Bloodhound Club to promote health testing in the breed.

The basic vet check is the entry level testing and often carried out at Breed events. Silver level is for hounds that have attended an eye clinic. Gold for those with hip and elbow scores. Platinum demonstrates that the hound is true dual purpose by entering both Shows and Working Trials.

Maud will be working towards the platinum level. Her hips have been scored at 11 and elbow scores is 0.

Maud had a very exciting 4th Birthday at Discover Dogs held at Crufts.

The day started with her first ver train journey down to Birmingham in the snow before we made it to the bloodhound stand.

Maud spent the day enjoying the attention of everybody who visited as well as a few birthday treats. It was extra special as we got to meet up with Vulnerable Breed friends and make some new ones.

The next day she featured in Channel 4 Crufts footage from the Exmoor Bloodhound Club trials. A special feature by Frank Kane showing the bloodhound nature and legendary nose off.

Maud and Clara have been busy building their working relationship. Maud has competed in the spring trials held at Exmoor and the Cotswolds.

Clara and Maud made it around both times without assistance and Maud worked her little socks off having fun and coming in with huge amounts of energy and enthusiasm.

Silver Health Award

We were pleased to be awarded the silver level certificate from the joint Bloodhound committee. This scheme is run by the ABB and Bloodhound Club to promote health testing in the breed.

The basic vet check is the entry level testing and often carried out at Breed events. Silver level is for hounds that have attended an eye clinic. Gold for those with hip and elbow scores. Platinum demonstrates that the hound is true dual purpose by entering both Shows and Working Trials.

Maud will be working towards the Gold standard. Her hips have been scored at 11 and elbow scores is 0.

Maud and her handler entered their first ever senior stake trials, 3mile long on 2hr cold scent. They set off really well, the middle was interesting and came bounding in happily to the line walker. Great experience for them both, Maud enjoys working and howled while she waited to start and took lots of fuss at the end.

The ABB Bloodhound working trials were held in Chomondley in Cheshire.
Maud was entered in her first intermediate stake, 2.5 miles long with the human scent walked 1.5 hours earlier.
The land was challenging for all the hounds, line walkers and judges over the week with thick hedges, ditches, electric fences and cattle.

Maud worked hard with her handler Clara to overcome the assault course and bounded in very happy telling us where she had been.
She was awarded 1st place by judge Ian Henderson. Many thanks go to Kevin Sands, Rebecca Edney and Joy Cook for their support through the cattle.

It was a year and a day since she won in novice stake.

Maud has been on holiday (along with Mum and Dad) to Gigha where she swam, fetched sticks and then swam some more. We think she may have been the first bloodhound to ever visit.

The island was wonderfully welcoming and had plenty of space for Maud and the rest of us to enjoy. It was particularly wonderful that she could spend so much time off the lead and explore the beaches at her own speed.

Maud has had her BVA eye test done with the vet seeing no signs of hereditary eye disease or anything of concern at this point for her health.

This test was done as part of our on going commitment to health testing. We believe that health testing is an important tool in understanding not just our dogs health but the general well being of all the breed.

This was our second year attending the Westmorland Show. Last year representing vulnerable native breeds we met Princess Anne and Sophie Countess of Wessex. This year we strutted our stuff in the show ring and earned 4th in A.V.N.S.C. Hound.

We also took part in a Vulnerable Breed class but Maud decided to join in with the mouth organ nearby giving a wonderful duet. Maud brought many smiles to peoples faces as she explored the show. Her favorite exhibit was the pigs although she was also quite interested in all the tractors.

Bronze Health Award

We were pleased to be awarded the bronze level certificate from the joint Bloodhound committee. This scheme is run by the ABB and Bloodhound Club to promote health testing in the breed.

The basic vet check is the entry level testing and often carried out at Breed events. Silver level is for hounds that have attended an eye clinic. Gold for those with hip and elbow scores. Platinum demonstrates that the hound is true dual purpose by entering both Shows and Working Trials.

Maud will be working towards these once an eye clinic can be booked, these are few and far between at the moment. Her hips have been scored at 11 and elbow scores is 0.

Maud won first place on Junior day at Association of Bloodhound Breeders Spring Working Trials 2022 held at Tibthorpe.

Maud started her WorkingTrials in October 2021 when she competed in Novice Stake. She won 1st prize putting her up to Junior. She competed in Junior at Bloodhound Club trials at Grimsthope where sh was award a certificate of merit, a great achievement considering it was blowing a gale that day.

She did a magnificent two mile line in just over 30 mins, with her handler Clara. She was unfazed by the game on the line and was beautiful to watch. We are very proud of her (and Clara) for working so hard.