I haven't posted much 'latest news' on this page of the website lately, but that is not because we don't have any.
Now that we have a Facebook page I am able to post updates in a much more immediate fashion.
On the Facebook page you will find lots of photos and news about our dogs as well as seeing a lot more about their day to day life with us.
I am now phasing out the latest news page here on the website, so please come and join us on Facebook at Espinay Pyrenean Mountain Dogs.
DNA test results are back from Pawprint Genetics for Missy (Espinay Cest la Vie). She is Normal (Clear) for Degenerative Myelopathy, Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia, and Canine Multifocal Retinopathy 1. She is also officially 'clear by parentage' for Neuronal Degeneration.
10 November 2018. Big congratulations to Sally on Pocket (Espinay Belle Epoque) gaining her final points for her Champion title at a show in Sydney today. We are very proud of them. No photo of them in the ring today, but Sally did send me a photo of Pocket taking a nap before her turn in the ring. ("Earn my Champion title? I can do it with my eyes closed!").
7 November 2018. Today we wish a big Happy 10th Birthday to our beautiful Grace (Ch Despreaux Amazing Grace). Grace is spending her birthday getting lots of treats and being thoroughly spoiled (so in reality not much different from a normal day for our Gracie Mae Pudding ;) ). Fun Fact: Grace is mother to our A-Litter, Grandmother to our B-Litter and Auntie to our C-Litter. Here she is pictured with her first special treat of the day.
09 September 2018. Congratulations to Gary Howley on Georgie (Ch Espinay Belle Amie) being awarded Best Junior in Group at the Murrumburrah Harden Show yesterday. Good work team!
Last night we welcomed our C-Litter to the world. Louise needed a caesarian section to deliver all 4 puppies as one very large (755 gram) puppy was causing a traffic jam. Louise has recovered well and puppies are doing well too.
We welcome 1 female and 3 males from Louise (Ch Despreaux la Chanteuse) and Kathare (Kathare des Sentiers du Roi (Belgium).
Follow us on our Facebook page to see regular photos and updates on the puppies.
Louise (Ch Despreaux la Chanteuse) has had an ultrasound confirming she is pregnant. Sire of the litter via frozen semen is Kathare Des Sentiers du Roi (Belgium) Kathare was also the sire of our B-litter. Puppies are due at the end of August.
On 06 July 18, Nena (CH Espinay Albine (AI) and our Saluki Sookie (CH Alshira la Sylphide (AI) JC) attended a heart clinic in Canberra with a veterinary cardiac specialist where they underwent an Echocardiogram. We are pleased to say both girls are now certified as having no echocardiographic evidence of cardiac disease.
Hugo also attended the clinic on 07 July 18. As he is still young, he only had a preliminary check via Auscultation (he will undergo an Echocardiogram when he is older). He was also cleared with no auscultory evidence of cardiac disease.
Our dogs generally undergo heart testing every couple of years throughout their lifetime. This helps us monitor for any changes, particularly as Pyreneans can be subject to later onset heart conditions such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy. You can read more about some of the heart conditions in the breed on our Health page.
Congratulations to Gary Howley and Espinay Belle Amie (Georgie). On 1 July 2018 Georgie earned her final points towards her Champion title (title subject to Dogs NSW approval). Very proud of both of them. They make a great team.
Hamish
(Ch Despreaux Highlander)
15 August 2006 - 19 June 2018
On 19 June 2018 we said goodbye to Hamish.
Words are hard right now and I feel like my tears will never stop.
What can I say about a dog who was my everything.
We had a saying which truly summed up his personality. “It’s all about Hamish”.
He believed the world revolved around him. The truth is that it really did.
Now he is gone and he has taken a large part of my heart with him.
Rest easy now my boy. I will always love you to the moon and back.