Page 97 - K9 News - Issue 15 - March2021

of things it just did not seem important. It might
have been nice to gain her title but on reflection
we have always been a small breeder who
would never influence the breed but we could if
we worked hard enough gain respect from our
peers for our stock. We also both agreed that if
we started to breed we should make sure that
when we left the breed we should leave it better
than when we found it, we both agree that on
both counts we have achieved our goals. We
also bred a couple of dogs that achieved letters
after their names within Working Trials. We
were more than content to know that many of
our puppies went to loving working homes. All of
this was achieved from just 14 litters.
Elaine and I have attended a number of Field
Trials since the early 1970’s and have a
great deal of respect for those who compete
in the discipline, there has never been a
huge fraternity but a strong nucleus that has
been dedicated, that is what is required in all
these disciplines. Working Trials, Field Trials,
Obedience, Agility and even Showing, the
Weimaraner has the intelligence and ability to
compete in any of these, unlike many other
gundog breeds. It is not easy to participate, then
switch the dog off and back on again when it is
your turn once more. When we work our dogs
in the field it is full on, or at least two hours
on, a short break for a drink and a snack, then
another three hours of work. On some shoots
there will be a duck flight so we and the dogs
Sh Ch Ryanstock Hallmark JW (Zeb)
K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MARCH 2021
Ryanstock Magic JW (Gracie) after
winning her first CC
get an hour break for a rest and a flask of tea,
coffee or soup and then set off once more to
get into our positions. The reason we have
always preferred this type of work is that you
are constantly moving with your dogs, if you
are fortunate there will be multiple points and
retrieves to enjoy with your dog. There is no
competition between handlers and dogs, we all
have a job to do and ‘Teamwork’ is the order of
the day. After completion of the day, we would
normally enjoy a meal with our fellow workers
and Elaine and I at least, go home healthy tired.
When Elaine’s mum became quite poorly it was
time that we considered cutting back on our
workload. We discussed moving to a smaller
property having less work and more free time.
This we did in 2016. We were not expecting
to suddenly lose Esme just before the move
and this hit us hard as she was still young
and we had her son and daughter as constant
reminders. We were covered for the work side
with Gracie, The Stig was our accomplished
water dog, but Vinnie was very poorly after a
problem on his spine he was finding walking
very difficult. We nursed him for a year before
we lost him also, the expectations of our move
were beginning to disintegrate.
It becomes difficult when writing about two
people through the eyes of one person. In my
heart I am clear that ‘Team’ is much more than
people can imagine. Elaine and I combine
almost in tune with each other, she is insistent
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