This year we have bred just three litters. The first litter were by Pompous ‘15, a very good dog in his work who we haven’t used before, he is by our Woolem ‘09 out of Pocket ‘14, a very good young bitch who is by Spitfire ‘08. This was her first litter of seven pups with five dogs and two bitches who are looking good and enjoying their time out at walk.

Our next litter were by our own dog Alnwick ‘11 who is by Holderness Albion ‘07. This is a line that I’m very keen to keep going in our kennel as we had Holderness Albion here for some time and he was exceptional in his work, as are his pups. This litter is out of Lightning ‘12 who is one of our older bitches who has produced some very good pups in the past. Lightning also had seven pups, five dogs and two bitches.

Our final litter were by our own dog Porter ‘14. This was the first time this dog has been used as a stallion hound. He is also by Spitfire ‘08. This litter is out of Gaelic ‘10 who has hunted so well this season, despite getting on in years, that we felt we had to take a litter from her. Gaelic had five pups (four dogs and one bitch) by caesarean. Claire Riddell performed the operation and is now walking two of the pups.

This is the first time in a few years that we have used all our own dogs but I’m sure they will all nick in well.

Robert McCarthy

Huntsman