Therefore, please be aware that Sunday 29th April will be our mock-test weekend and priority will be given to those dogs who are entered.

Becky xx

Really well done to you all, especially Dave and Shelby, the stars of Rother.

Phil

Dave and Shelby – Level 4 – GOLD

Bill and Kalisha - Level 3 -SILVER

Becky and Rufus – Level 2 ANOTHER BRONZE

Becky,s reaction to Shelby,s pass:-

“Oh man, we are thrilled…just so thrilled!!!

At 7yrs 11 months she must be one of the oldest dogs to pass 4 for the first time!

It was her last chance at it too! Really didn,t expect it but she deserved it and so did Dave. Its fantastic. We,re going to have a party to celebrate.

Pretty much sums up how everyone feels re the passing of Level 4.

Phil

Mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles plus hundreds of children of all ages and nationalities descended onto the snow covered hillsides surrounding the lake. Laughter, screams of excitement filled the air as everyone flew down the slopes on every contraption that could be utilised to propel them at speed down the hillside, from plastic bags to home made sleds to purpose built toboggans.

It had taken sometime and a lot of hard work by members of the Rother Valley Training Group to finalise the use of the lake at Lakeside Doncaster. We decided the previous training weekend that we would visit the new venue and show the rest of the Group its special attraction plus also do some Draught training around the lakes periphery. That changed dramatically. Not the visit, the training.

Doncaster had eventually received its share of snow that had hit the rest of the country. This had brought people and children from all over, to the hills to enjoy it presence. We pulled into the car park, waited a short while for the others to arrive, you could see every ones anticipation in joining in the fun that was surrounding us. I don’t know if it was the dogs reaction to getting together on the snow covered hills bounding about, rolling and frolicking around in the snow or Becky’s screams of excitement in getting everyone back to their school days, acting like big kids. Yes you had guessed, it did not take long before we where all also enjoying the thrill of rocketing down the hillside a stride a plastic bag. The dogs charging about joining us, running up and down the hill, greeting other dogs, their owners and the children. What is it with this super breed that they can be so big and powerful and yet when around children can be so gentle? The children, mums and dads greeted the dogs with big smiles and joy of seeing them also acting the fool in the snow, it all just seemed to fit together. Snow ball fights, more sledding and just enjoying each others company in the snow, the training of the dogs just seemed to disappear. We eventually regrouped and started to make an orderly and controlled walk around the lake. This did not last long, approximately 500yards as Dave and Becky broke the ranks and with a grin on their faces and a spring in their step they proceeded up the biggest hill in the area to follow in the footsteps of other mad men to descend on board their plastic bag sled. Dave came down first at a fare rate of knots, with an even bigger grin on his face he flew past the admiring crowd. Becky was fortunate enough to borrow a proper sled and unknown to us all young Shannon had sneaked up the hill with Becky, they where both hurtling down the hill together screams of enjoyment filling the air. We once again proceeded around the lake, discussing the area we would be using and highlighting how best to employ our equipment and resources. We continued the walk stopping and messing about as and when needed to fore fill our childish behaviour on this glorious snow covered day. Plus of course the obligatory photograph of the occasion. We returned to the hillsides that started the day, vacated by the children and parents now enjoying the warmth and comfort of home, the idea of revisiting our youth had also vacated the group, no one wanted to have one more last visit to the slopes they had earlier jumped at. Had we grown up on the walk round the lake, or was it a case of not pushing our luck any further. We dropped down to the car park, tending to the dogs, and saying good bye to people we did not know, but had been part of their days enjoyment on the slopes covered in snow.

The majority of us visited the local hostillery for food and drinks, plus to discuss the day’s events and the new venue. The warmth of the premises and the glow on our faces made the events of the day seem miles away, the new venue was a huge hit, was this due to the venue itself or the slopes covered in snow and the people and children we met or the dogs bounding about, rolling and frolicking in the snow?

[Show as slideshow]

Our first visit will be Sunday 5th February.

Further details can be found here.

Sebastian – Merrybear Valkerie – 09/11/09
True to his breed;  A Very Gentle Giant
Loves – in no particular order – Food / Walks / Adoration
Will find and fetch a named toy

Claim to faim: During a visit to Castle Howard, the Earl Of Carlisle sought us out.  He had spotted Sebastian walking through the grounds and wanted to meet him, as he has a black newfie!

Megan – Kernowdale Goldilocks Bear – D.O.B. 27th April 2010

Handled and trained by Phil.

Megan has come on in leaps and bounds since becoming part of the Rother Team. I feel she is a great little worker and has the ability to go far, I hope I can keep up with her. She is very quick on the up take and sometimes can be too clever for her own good, seeming to anticipate whats required of her before being told/shown. Megan loves the water, she has done really well in her first year with training and passing “A” and “B” tests. Thier is still much room for improvement and not only with Megan but myself as well, this is where the team at Rother come in with their expert help and guidance. Megan has also progressed well in the winter draught work, passing the Beginners Draught Test and we are working hard getting ready for Level 1 at Langold Country Park in March.

I will keep the site up dated with her progress through out 2012.

Troy – Kernowdale Mucky One – D.O.B. 19th April 2010

Handled and trained by Chris.

Troy seems to typify the breed as he is big, bold and beautiful and so laid back, its unreal. Troy seemed at first to find all the water training hard work and not so easy to take on board. But since passing his “A” test there is no holding him back. He not only looks like he is enjoying himself but with help of the Rother Team he is coming along really well. We feel 2012 is going to be agood year for Troy and Chris as they have both improved and moved forward with their training, its now time to put it all together. Troy has also progressed well in the winter draught work, passing the Beginners Draught Test, also training hard for Level 1 at Langold Country Park.

I will keep the site upto date with Troy’s progress through out 2012.

Kayna –  Abbeydore Sea Brezza of Tahyee –  D.O.B. 05 July 2002

Mum to a litter of 11 puppies.  Now retired from active working,  but can still do some light carting,  and is shown in Veteran classes at shows.  Kayna  still takes part in displays,  and took part in the 2011 mass Santa Jog in Sheffield City Centre on behalf of the British Heart Foundation.

Rother Valley Trophies 2011!

All of our dogs at Rother are fantastic, but the following dogs have been recognised for special achievement:

Best All Round Working Dog – Ellie, owned by Lynn and Vin.
Best Water Dog – Bell, owned by Andy Watson.
Best Draught Dog – Phoebe, owned by Lisa Slater.
Most Improved – Shelby, owned by Dave and Becky.
Most Improved Newcomer – Kalisha, owned by Bill Cairns.

Well done to all of our dogs and owners for a fun and successful year.

Cassie is the top water working Newfoundland in the UK.

John & Nadine have helped every dog and owner train at Rother, but none has been so pleasing to watch as Cassie. Anyone that has seen Cassie do a test will agree she is a very hard act to follow.

CASSIE’S ACHIVEMENTS
Level A   Sept 97……..Level B   May 98…..Level A July 98
Level C   May 99………Level C   July 99….Level D July 99
Level E   Aug 99         Level D   Aug 99 ….Level E Aug 99
Level E   Sept 99……..Level D   Sept 99….Level E Sept 99
Awarded Water Work Diploma Level E
Northern Newfoundland Club Keilder Trophy (Top working dog 1999)
Newfoundland Club Alain Nouvion Trophy(For exceptional working Achievement)
Level B May 00……..Level B June 00….Level B July 00
Level C July 00…….Level D July 00….Level C Aug 00
Level B Aug 00……..Level C Aug 00…..Level D Aug 00
Level B Sept 00…….Level C Sept 00….Level A May 01
Awarded Water Work Certificate of merit Level B
Awarded water work certificate of merit Level C
Awarded water work Certificate of merit Level D
Northern Newfoundland Club Elmo Memorial Trophy(top Water test Dog 2000)
Level B May 01….Level C May 01…Level D May 01
Level E May 01….Level C July 01..Level D July 01
Level E July 01…Level C Aug 01…Level D Aug 01
Level C Sept 01…Level C May 01…Level D May 02
Northern Newfoundland Club Elmo Memorial Trophy(Top water test dog 2001)
Level E May 02….Level D June 02…Level C Aug 02
Level D Aug 02….Level E Aug 02….Level E Sept 02
Level C Sept 02…Level C May 03….Level D July 03
Northern Newfoundland Club Elmo Memorial Trophy(Top water test dog 2002
the Newfoundland Club Alain Nouvion trophy(for exceptional working achievement)
Level E July 03…Level B Aug 03…..Level C Aug 03
Level E Aug 03….Level C Sept 03….Level D Sept 03
Level E Sept 03..Northern Newfoundland Club Elmo Memorial Trophy(top working test dog 2003)
Level D May 04…Level E May 04….Level D July 04
Level E July 04…Level CAug 04….Level D Sept 04
Level D Sept 04…Level E Sept 04…
Norther Newfoundland Club Elmo Memorial trophy(top water test dog 2004)

Raine is owned by Debbie, Marcus and Lewis.

River is owned by Debbie, Marcus and Lewis.

Topsy Turvy – Hovis
Born 9th August, 2004

Hovis was adopted by Andy Watson when she was aged 6months and started water training almost immediately. She is one of the smallest Newfoundlands you will meet, but, with paws and ears suitable for a newf twice her size. She has a big heart and just wants to be loved and cuddled by everyone she meets. Hovis loves to work though she doesn’t like to leave her dads side, which can make some of her waterwork both interesting and entertaining. She has however progressed to level D, but at the moment is working to attain her level C multi-pass award.

Hovis would be happy just jumping from boats and piers and has been known to jump and catch ropes before they hit the water. Despite a major operation for cancer in 2011 Hovis is fit, healthy and still running around like a 2 year old and looking forward to the water season.

Ordiefauld Annabel – Bell – Born 15th August, 2003

Bell started training at Rother Valley at 6 months old, since then she has progressed to level E. She enjoys her waterwork and will work with anyone.

Bell is currently The Northern Newfoundland Club, Elmo Trophy holder for most points accrued in the 2011 water tests and  Rother Valley Top Water Dog.

Bells excitement level when working can be measured by the water she drinks when waiting to start an exercise. Andy assures everyone that Bell is not trying to lower the water level so she can walk out to the boat. He does say he can tell how successful the day with Bell has been, by the number of toilet stops for her on the way back to the Yorkshire Dales.