CW I am so pleased for you. May you have many happy miles of trail riding.
Foxhunter, sounds like a good day for foxhunter pups at your house! Does puppy walker mean puppy breeder/trainer? or is it some other meaning such as exerciser? Not sure what the connection is to your own pups, but very curious! Please elaborate for those of us who don't know the hunt and kennel language and protocols!
I picked a pint of strawberries out of my patch this evening! Lovely, soft, red, sweet berries like I remember from my childhood. They don't crunch and they don't need tons of sugar to taste sweet. I am in heaven. God loves us and strawberries out of the garden and horses standing in green pastures are all the proof I need. I should remember that more often when I get riled up at work... Let Him sort it out who can make strawberries sweet ...
Puppy walkers are idiots like us that have the Foxhound pups from the hunt when they are around 8 - 10 weeks old until you can stand them no more - usually when they are about 6- 9 months old.
The reason for them going back to the kennels - where they are bred, is because they have the hunting instinct and go walk abouts, usually for several hours.
Each hunt will breed a certain amount of pups each year. They only breed from the best bitches, ones that are conformationally good and hunt well.
Members of the hunt will have them so that they get use to life in general. They get introduced to livestock, people, other dogs, cats, life in general.
It is always a relief when they go back but they are missed like a bad headache.
Foxhounds are probably the soundest and longest pedigree dogs in the world. Life is tough for them but they love it. No unsound hound is bred from, they have to prove their ability to do the job they are bred for and if they do not they are euthanised.
The hunting instinct is very strong in them and they have a mental blockage about the words 'NO' and 'DOWN' their stamina outweighs any humans and even when spanked they hold no grudge and continue with what they were doing with no guilt!
Last year because the hunt was short on walkers, we had four pups, the year before the normal two. The two we kept until they were about 9 months. Neither won anything at their puppy show, they were both 4th in their classes but they were a very late litter, being born in August and were backward compared to the others. The fact that Daphne was the best new entry in the hunting pack last winter means more than winning a 'showing' award at the puppy show.
The four we had went back when they were about 6 months - it was impossible to keep them on the place. Often three would be gone and one here, the three would come back and in a blink three, including the one that had stayed would go and only one remain.
They are also very destructive and will take anything they can and destroy it. I encourage them to stick to flowerpots! Doesn't really work. LOL
They are not allowed indoors from the off - nor the tackroom.
One couple of pups that were being walked at the riding school went into town and took a side of beef from a delivery wagon and were dragging up the High Street with a butcher trying to stop them.
Despite all the troubles they bring they are great fun. It is interesting to see them develop and their characters come out. The two here are very different. Raindrop is bold and into investigating. Rascal is shy. The other dogs will put them in their place, Rascal creeps to them, wanting to be accepted. Raindrop continues to pester until the older dog bowls he over and makes her realise they do mean it!
Quite funny as the terriers are all smaller than the pups and start off making sure they are going to be bosses over the incomers.
Once back at the kennels they forget about the fact that you have reared them for the first part of their life. They recognise you but their eyes and hearts are all for Michael, the kennelman who looks after them and trains them for actual hunting.
Must crack on. Heavy showers forecast for today and torrential rain for tomorrow.
Getting beyond a joke!
As for strawberries, mine were coming on well but have not even begun to flower. They are an old fashioned variety, not so many or as big berries but so sweet.
Take care one and all.