DECEMBER 2012

25/12

A Merry Christmas to everyone from all here at Fenrirkin. More of a wet than a white Christmas as rain persists, but the dogs and humans enjoy a day of rest, relaxation and indulgence!

22/12

A relentlessly rainy day meant that the 4th round of the Allerton Championship weightpull was relegated indoors but it was an enjoyable one all the same.
Very pleased with my Lucie who earned her 3rd WWPDX leg by pulling 1700lb - 23.61 times her bodyweight - to come third in the 71-80lb class and second to the fabulous Lilly Scott in highest body percentage pulled.
I also handled canine friend Womble in the chute on Joan's behalf who came 2nd in the 101lb+ class and pulled the second highest weight of the day, 2100lb!
Well done to everybody who's dogs did so well despite slippy conditions, and thanks as always to those who organise and assist in these pulls - especially for the much needed and very warming mulled wine!

15/12

Today marked the last Championship Show of 2012, LKA.

Sadly a very very naked Lucie isn't placed in her class, but we enjoy a nice day out with friends.

02/12

What a lovely day we have at Otley CS Open Show. The atmosphere and company ringside is fab, and I am delighted with Lucie taking 1st in a strong Open Dog or Bitch class (9 entries, 4 absent), and then going on to take Reserve Best of Breed under breed specialist judge Anna Ballington-Graham (Catua) - despite being completely naked!! A nice start to the month :)



NOVEMBER 2012

25/11

It was a dubious start at Round 3 of the Allerton championship, with heavy rain overnight and through the morning resulting in our usual chute area being completely flooded. But some ingenuity from our pull organisers meant everything  was moved into one of the nearby barns and all went ahead as normal, albeit with a bit more echo.

Lucie did me absolutely proud and pulled an equal personal best of 1800lb - 24.66 times her bodyweight, the second highest body percentage pull that day. This pull earned her not only 2nd in the 61-80 lb class for the day, but her 2nd WWPDX leg.

And as if that wasn't enough to have me floating on air, I also handled Womble in the chute for a still-on-crutches Joan, who did me just as proud and pulled a new personal best of 2300lb to come 2nd in the 101 lb & over class for the day - so well done Womble & Joan!

24/11

At Nottingham Sherwood Foresters Kennel Association Open Show, an increasingly naked Lucie takes VHC in Post Graduate Dog or Bitch (6 Entries, 1 Absent) under judge Tim Ball (Kaitak).

21/11



Today I would like to say happy birthday to my lovely Maya and to her littermates from the Malderston Blue x Indy pairing, who are 9 years young today.

18/11

Today at Bolsover & District CS Open Show, Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - takes 1st Post Graduate Dog or Bitch under judge Martin Sanders (Castellcoch).

11/11

2nd round of the Allerton Weightpull Championship and despite damp conditions the dogs are pulling well.

My own Lucie ultimately pulls 1500lb, earning her 2nd place in the 61-80lb class.

I also take Womble into the chute on Joan's behalf and am thrilled to see him pull 2100lb to come 2nd in the 101lb+ class - so well done Womble and Joan!

OCTOBER 2012

25/10

Today Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - and I venture out to Midland Counties Championship Show, with CCs for the first time in our breed. I am pleased to see her take 3rd in Post Graduate Bitch (7 Entries, 1 Absent) under judge Anthony Rees (Amical).

07/10

Today was the first weight pull in the Allerton Park Championship, and what a great start it was, with many new faces and old friends to catch up with.

Lucie starts the season well, pulling 1600lb in 15.29 seconds (22.5x her bodyweight) to come second in the 61-80lb class for the day - very proud of her on her first pull after a Summer of limited working opportunity! She even gave 1700lb - the weight needed for her 2nd WWPDX leg - a really good shot, but it was just a bit much today, so decided to have the chute handler push her through - there's always next month afterall.

Roll on November :)

06/10

At White Rose CS Open Show, I am pleased to see Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - take 1st Post Graduate Dog or Bitch.
My thanks to breed specialist Izabela Nawrocka (Monikoona) for thinking well of my girl.

SEPTEMBER 2012

29/09

A fantastic end to the month at the annual AMCUK Championship Show.

It was all set to be a quiet day handling only my own Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD.
First she is in Mid Limit Bitch where in a strong class of 11 entries (2 absent) she takes 3rd under our visiting Finnish judge Rainer Vuorinen.
I also take her into the Special Rescue Stakes Open Bitch class (15 entries, 9 absent) where under breed specialist Mike John (Cristakell) she takes Reserve.

I also had the pleasure of handling for the first time Nick Cornah & Joanne Cornah-Wades Denver - Inupiat's Qisuk Denver WWPD WTD WPD - in a huge Limit Dog Class of 22 entries, and then Kath & Walt Howarth's Casey - Hawkam's Illusion WWPD WTD - in a Veteran Bitch class of 14 entries. Sadly neither are placed against tough competition but both are a pleasure to handle and a credit to their owners.

In the final challenge, it is wonderful to see Lucie's Dad Bullit go Best Veteran in Speciality Show (from his first outing in Veteran class, no less) - so well done to breeder & owner Sharon, we are chuffed for you!

And final bonus of the day - Lucie has her eyes tested for Hereditary Cataracts and comes back as clear / unaffected for the second year running!

A fantastic day to catch up with friends and see so many lovely dogs in the ring, with many beautiful Malamutes going cardless.

20/09

Sad to have another local show missed this month by the way of Driffield Championship, but very excited to see that the AMCUK Alaskan Malamute Rescue Website has been revamped and relaunched!
And included in its new look is Success Stories for rehomed dogs, including one for my own rescue lady Maya! Go check it out HERE and then have a look around the website to view the dogs that are looking for homes, learn more about the hard working people dedicated to this cause in the UK - and what you can do to become one of them :)

15/09

Having missed a few shows as a result of Stan's recent illness, Lucie enjoyed a day out at Darlington Championship Show where, having CCs for the first time under judge Frank Kane, she took 3rd in a strong Post Graduate Bitch class (11 Entries, 2 Absent).

AUGUST 2012

27/08

Not a bad bank holiday weekend all in all!

Sunday took my Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - to SKC Championship Show where she got 1st in Post Graduate class and went on to take Reseve Best Bitch in breed. My thank you's to Breed Specialist judge Louise Forster (Kachemak) for thinking well of her.

And at Allerton Park practice weightpull today we had a nice chilled out warm up to the season, with Lucie pulling 1400lb before we decided to call it a day (no point making hard work of a fun day)! More thank you's to the Kaytoo / Arcticdawn team and all those who work hard to help to make these days happen - roll on the competitive season in October :)

13/08

We trek down to the Southern coast for Bournemouth Championship Show where in the largest breed class of the day, Post Graduate Bitch (12 entries, 3 absent) Lucie takes VHC under judge Zena Thorn-Andrews.

12/08

Having had a month out of the ring while her season (and lack of coat) passed, today Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD -  took a trip out to Ripley Agricultural & Horticultural Society CS Open Show, which went rather well.
First, she took 1st in Post Graduate Dog or Bitch (4 Entries, 0 Absent) against some lovely dogs. She then went on to take Best of Breed!
Sadly, as this show wasn't judged on the group system, a prior commitment meant I couldn't wait to challenge for Best In Show, but my sincere thanks go out to breed specialist judge Jenny Shorer-Wheeler (Koromandel) for thinking highly of my girl.

JULY 2012

29/07

As Lucie decides to come into season she gets out of attending our most local of Championship Shows, Leeds CS, but I go along nonetheless as both spectator and handler.

First I take in Joan & Jeff Sheehan's Kizzy - Powderhound's Sealed With A Kizz For Amaqqut - in her first Junior Bitch Class, where she has a lot of fun but just misses out on a placing.

I then get the pleasure of handling for the first time Louise & John Forster's beautiful Chena - Hawkam Kruzin On By To Kachemak WWPD WWPDX WTD WPD - who although unplaced in a very strong Open Bitch class moves an absolute dream and does her owners proud!

14/07



It was a dubious beginning at National Working & Pastoral Breeds Society Championship Show, with the car park flooded and outdoor rings (understandably) out of action. But despite this there was a good turn out for our judge Terry Munro and a lovely atmosphere around the ring.

I started by handling Joan and Jeff Sheehan's Womble - BJISS Hawkam Leading The Trail Via Amaqqut WTD WWPD WWPDA WWPDX - who was an absolute star and came 2nd in a tough Open Dog class (13 Entries, 2 Absent) and went on to get the Reserve CC! Thrilled for him and his proud owners :)

I then took my own Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - in the ring where I was chuffed to see her placed 1st in Graduate Bitch (6 Entries, 3 Absent) despite a continued lack of coat. So very pleased :)

And to top it off, my not so little boy Stan turned 5 today - so after a productive day in the ring I got to come home to birthday cuddles with my special boy - a good day already :)

JUNE 2012

28/06

In a month where two shows I was due to attend were cancelled due to the impact of heavy rain on the land, it was no surprise that in the last show of June - Windsor Championship - started warm but humid as yet more rain fell before judging began. By some miracle, however, not only did the rain stop, but a light breeze picked up enough to stop things from getting uncomfortably warm, and a great day soon unfolded.

Robin Searle was our judge for the day, and I started on handling duties with Joan & Jeff Sheehan's Womble - BJISS Hawkam Leading The Trail Via Amaqqut WTD WWPD WWPDA WWPDX - who got placed VHC in Open Dog.

Next I was in with their US import Kizzy - Powderhound's Sealed With A Kizz for Amaqqut - who I am thrilled to see take 3rd Puppy Bitch, Crufts qualifying her for 2013 - a fantastic achievment!

And last but not least was my own Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - who I was delighted to see take 2nd in Post Graduate Bitch (13 Entries, 3 Absent) behind the RCC winner no less - and all this despite a serious lack of coat! Not a bad days work :)

16/06

A terribly wet day at Border Union Championship show today which relegates us to the indoor rings. Nonetheless, an enjoyable day which sees Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - take Reserve in Post Graduate Bitch (9 entries, 2 absent) under Judge Jill Broadberry (Hyteton).

05/06

Lucie and I have a lovely evening out at Boston & District Canine Society's Annual Premier Open Show where under Breed Specialist Kimberley Jebson (Austmans) Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - takes 2nd in a nice Post Graduate Dog or Bitch class of 7 entries (2 absent). Well done to all today :)

03/06

In complete contrast to the heatwave of last week June starts very wet and soggy with a trip down to Southern Counties Championship Show where Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - earns VHC in Post Graduate Bitch (10 entries, 2 absent) under AKC Judge Ron Menaker.

MAY 2012

27/05

What a busy but fun weekend!

Saturday was the annual Alaskan Malamute Club of the UK Open Show. It proved to be a very warm day, but thankfully there was a good breeze in the air which helped keep the doggies cool.

I had a great time handling for others. I had my regulars in the form of Joan and Jeff Sheehan's Womble - BJISS Hawkam Leading The Trail Via Amaqqut WTD WWPD WWPDA WWPDX - who earned 3rd Stud Dog under Judge Sue Pollock-Yule (Bencleves) and Reserve in Special Rescue Stakes Open Dog under Judge Pauline Luxmoore; Paula Pyper & Gary Roach's Quin (Celticice Quinarius Nessie) who earned 3rd in Yearling Bitch under Judge Sue Pollock-Yule (Bencleves); and the lovely Noobie - Chayo Black Magic WPD WTD WWPD - who although unplaced in a strong Veteran Bitch (7-9 year) class had a lot of fun showing that the older ladies had more energy than some of the puppies!

I also had the pleasure of handling for the first time Jo Sugden's Taz - Snowolf GI Jane - who I was thrilled to see take 3rd in Special Veteran Bitch (10 years and over) under Judge Sue Pollock-Yule (Bencleves) after a 7 year absence from the ring!

I was then in with my own Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - who showed her socks off despite the heat and tough competition, and earned both 3rd in Post Graduate Bitch (15 entries, 3 absent) under Judge Sue Pollock-Yule (Bencleves) and 2nd Special Working Certified Bitch under judge Helen Burke (Dragonfire). Absolutely chuffed!

Lucie and I stayed overnight with friends Julie, Pixie and Noobie so that we could take part in the Sunday AMCUK Fun Day. This year I was on Committee assistanct duty and so didn't get to partake in as many activities as usual, but it was a great day for meeting new people (and Lucie especially liked getting some ice cream on account of the weather) and I am certain lots of money was raised by everyone who took part in this great annual event :)

20/05

At The Scottish Kennel Club Championship Show Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - earns VHC in Post Graduate bitch under Judge Sue Smith (Zeelukzak).

13/05

At Pudsey and District Canine Society Open show today, under Judge Steve McArdle, Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - takes 3rd in Post Graduate Dog or Bitch.

I also handle an out of coat Womble - BJISS Hawkam Leading The Trail Via Amaqqut WTD WWPD WWPDA WWPDX - to 2nd in Open Dog or Bitch, and an equally coatless Kizzy - Powderhound's Sealed With A Kizz For Amaqqut - to 1st in Puppy Dog or Bitch and then Best Puppy in Breed, so well done to Amaqqut!

11/05

Fun day at Birmingham National Championship Show today under Judge Steve Hall.

I started the day as Team Amaqquts elected handler, first by taking a very naked Womble - BJISS Hawkam Leading The Trail Via Amaqqut WTD WWPD WWPDA WWPDX - into Open Dog where he earns Reserve against tough competition (beaten by 3 Champions, nonetheless!) and then with the lovely Kizzy - Powderhound's Sealed With A Kizz For Amaqqut - who although unplaced enjoys her first showing experience and has a fun day out!

I finish by handling my own Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - who places 3rd in Post Graduate Bitch (10 Entries, 5 Absent), Crufts qualifying her for 2013 - most pleased!

And clearly she was pretty pleased with the result too :)

05/05

We start May with my most local of Open Shows, White Rose Canine Society, where between stewarding I find time to nip into the ring with Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - who is placed 3rd in Post Graduate Dog or Bitch under judge Laura Aitchison (Kaskae).

APRIL 2012

28/04

Not really a great start to show season weather wise as I head down to WELKS with friends in torrential rain. Sadly this means the now muddy (and slippery) outdoor ring is off limits and the wet weather facilities are in use instead.

I start by handling Gary Roach and Paula Pyper's beautiful homebred girl Quin - Celticice Quinarius Nessie - in Junior Bitch (the largest class of the day with 17 entries) where I am delighted to see Judge Barbara Stanier (Arcticrtrek) place her Reserve against tough competition.

I then handle my own Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - who although sadly unplaced in stiff competition looks quite happy to be back in the ring after a successful working season.

21/04

Wow - a truly wonderful end to the 2011-12 Weightpull season at Allerton Park, where Lucie went along to participate in the last pull of the season, the Awards Ceremony and of course the end of season BBQ (which was made typically British by a torrential downpour).

I was very proud to have the honour of collecting The Stormwinds Trophy for 3rd in the 61-80lb class in the Overall 2011/12 Championship on her behalf - quite an achievement for her first season of pulling.

And as if that wasn't enough, she decided she best end the season in style by going on to pull a new PB of 1800lb (over 24x her bodyweight), earning not just 2nd place in the competition for the day, but her first WWPDX leg! This is more than I ever could have asked from her at just gone two years of age and I am so very proud of all she has achieved. Roll on the 2012/13 season!

20/04

Big happy birthday wishes to Lucie and her fellow Windberg Bullit x Kirei littermates Nero and Star - hard to believe these pups are two years old already. Lucie will be celebrating her birthday with friends at Allerton tomorrow.

15/04

Today was the Alaskan Malamute Club of the UK AGM, which simultaneously marked the announcement of the Malamute of The Year Award results for 2011.

Big well dones to all the dogs (and our friends) who have done so well over the last year to appear in the Top 20 for each category, however a particularly big well done to Lucies Dad Bullit - Snowolf Canuck Bullit ShCM - who not only came in the Top 20 for Top Dogs, but also came 18th in Top Stud Dog, an award based on the achievements of a dogs progeny. I like to think my own Lucie played a strong role in this and am very pleased for him and breeder Sharon :)

06/04 

Today we travelled to Eastwood Kennel Association Open Show with friend Marina Page of Cedarcreek and her handsome Polish pup Austin (WayToGo Austin Sausimayok) who was out for his first show.

Was very pleased to see Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - moving out well to take 1st in Post Graduate Dog or Bitch under specialist judge Mrs J Sheehan (Amaqqut). Many congratulations to Marina and Austin too, on his Best Puppy in Breed and Working Puppy Group 1 - not a bad days work!

Here is a quick snap of the photo taken by Lewis Baucott following her win:

01/04

We had ice and snow in Round 6, mud and rain in Round 7, and as if turning a seasonal corner Round 8 of the Allerton Park Weightpull Championship saw blue skies and sunshine!

Despite the relative heat, the dogs were on form, and competition was tough.

Lucie did me more than proud by pullling an equal personal best of 1500lb (around 20x her bodyweight) to come 5th in the 61-80lb class for today. I was almost disappointed to see her miss out on a new personal best of 1600lb by all but a few CMs as once again the fatal error of stopping was made and there was no way she could get that trolley rolling again - but her smiley face and waggy tail soon stopped that!

As if this wasnt enough, this pull confirmed that in the 2011-12 Allerton Park Championship Lucie has won 3rd place overall in the 61-80lb class. What a star she is!

Roll on April 21st for the End of Season Weight Pull, BBQ and Award Ceremony where we will be collecting her trophy :) 

MARCH 2012

18/03

In contrast to the careful grooming of Crufts a week ago, it is rain and mud when we head up to Allerton for round 7 of the Allerton Park Weightpull Championship.

Despite the torrential downpour first thing (damp, slippery surfaces are never the best for this activity) the dogs are pulling well. Lucie pulls 1400lb - over 19x her own bodyweight! - to come 6th in her class (again, pulling 1500lb all but the last foot of the chute before making the fatal mistake of stopping and not being able to get the trolley rolling again).

On Sunday we head back for a 10.5 mile trek where I take out a three dog team of Joan and Jeff Sheehan's Womble and Kizzy, as well as my own Lucie, which I am thrilled to say sees the girls earn the first legs towards their AMCA WTD titles, and Womble the first leg towards his WLD title. V proud of the pupsicles!

10/03

The start of March and the unavoidable highlight of the UK show year - Crufts!

And this year was a busy one for me, handling 3 lovely girls!

First was Julie Botterill's lovely lady Noobie - Chayo Black Magic WPD WTD WWPD* - who although unplaced in a strong Veteran Bitch class was a joy to handle (and very vocal about the fun she was having)!

Next up was Gary Roach and Paula Pyper's homebred girl Quin - Celticice Quinarius Nessie - who did us all proud by getting a 3rd in Special Junior Bitch and Crufts qualifying her for 2013!

And last but not least was my own Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD* - who although not placed in a 16 strong Yearling Bitch class did me proud with her first time on the green carpet - and more to the point had a really fun day!

FEBRUARY 2012

19/02

The fates were against Lucie showing again as a result of her season starting earlier than expected, so with her absent I ventured to Ashton Under Lyne and District Canine Society Open Show to handle Womble (BJISS Hawkam Leading the Trail Via Amaqqut WWPD WTD). He has a great time and wins 1st AVNSC Working Open Dog or Bitch, Best AVNSC Working, and Working Group 1 - so big well dones to him and proud owner Joan Sheehan :)

12/02

Back up to Allerton today, this time to get out on the trail and trial out a new team consisting of my own Lucie - Windberg Paparazzi To Fenrirkin WWPD - and Joan & Jeff Sheehan at Amaqqut's Womble (BJISS Hawkam Leading The Trail Via Amaqqut WWPD WTD) and Kizzy (Powderhound's Sealed With A Kizz for Amaqqut).

It took a bit of position swapping at the start before we got going comfortably, but bar a few tangles along the way the dogs did great for their first time out together (and my first time with a 3 dog team), keeping the lines tight for the 4.5 mile trail we chose despite conditions still being tough-going in places with frozen snow and ice.

11/02

It was in the minuses and the ice / snow was still thick on the ground, but quite a few dedicated folk - myself included - still made it to round 6 of the Allerton WeightPull Championship. All the dogs did very well in the somewhat slippy conditions, including my own Lucie who managed 1400lb (indeed she pulled 1500lb all the way to the end of the carpet but made the fatal mistake of stopping and not getting the trolley over the last few CMs before time ran out) and a respectable 5th in her weight class.

Many thanks to Craig Richards of UntiedShoes Web Design for these pics (please see links).

05/02

Well, two Open Shows planned for this weekend, but alas, fortune (and the weather) had other plans. So instead, a relaxing weekend at home made a bit more special by the rare sight of English snow! Stan was his usual reluctant self but the girls had a blast, with Maya relishing the challenge of guarding her toys in the white stuff and Lucie not perturbed from her lack of coat to running and rolling around like a loon!

JANUARY 2012

28/01 

A trip to Huddersfield and District CS Open Show, today, where under Breed Specialist Mark Owen (Dakotamals) a more naked than ever Lucie manages a Reserve in Post-Graduate Dog or Bitch. I then have the pleasure of handling Joan and Jeff Sheehan's Womble - BJISS Hawkam Leading The Trail Via Amaqqut WWPD WTD - and gets 1st in Open Dog or Bitch and Best of Breed, and then goes on to get Working Group 1! What a star :)

15/01 

As the Allerton Weight Pull Championship continues to its 5th round, Lucie starts 2012 in style by pulling 1400lb, coming 3rd in the 61-80lb class and earning the fourth and final leg required to complete her AMCA WWPD title. 4 legs in 4 consecutive pulls - couldnt have asked for more and am so proud of my Small But Mighty moot :)

07/01

Lucie decided the best way to start the New Year would be to drop all her coat, but nonetheless we travelled down to Peterborough for Boston & District CS's Championship show where under judge Dianna Spaving she still manages a 3rd in Post Graduate Bitch (7 entries, 3 absent).