Shaksper News

An aperiodic blog about Shaksper Norwich dogs - both mine and those in other homes. To see how the dogs are related, use the relationship feature of my pedigree database.

15 Dec
Al and Anne sent me a copy of their Chrismas card featuring their new dog Maddie ("Shaksper Lady Peggy Macduff").

14 Dec
Bob sent me this picture of Fergus ("Shaksper Petruchio") enjoying a chew underneath the Christmas tree.

12 Dec
Ian sent me this picture of Baxter ("Shaksper Fleance") meeting Santa Claus.

The human Baxter sent me a picture of Artie ("Shaksper Arthur Pole") modeling his Christmas collar. Baxter writes "Artie does not like the collar. Unfortunately, sometimes we must suffer for fashion."

9 Dec
Nancy tells me that Baerli ("Shaksper Henry Condell") earned his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title today. Congratulations!

2 Dec
My special needs boy "JC" ("Shaksper Jack Cade") earned his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title today. "JC" has a spinal cord lesion of unknown origin that causes him to walk funny and be fecal and urine incontinent.

28 Nov
Happy birthday to Gucci ("Shaksper General Chang") who is two-years old today. Jen sent me these pictures of the birthday boy:

Manny sent me this picture of Yoshi ("Shaksper Tom Snout") wondering if the turkey is all for him.

24 Nov
Susan and Curt sent me this picture of BB ("Shaksper Lady Judi Macbeth") tuckered out from all the Christmas decorating.

21 Nov
Ian sent me this picture of Baxter ("Shaksper Fleance") modeling what all the fashionable young men are wearing these days. Do you think the red cup makes Baxter attractive to the ladies?

18 Nov
Happy Birthday to Siri ("Shaksper Serena Mckellen") who is six-years old today. Carrie sent me the following pictures and says that Siri is settling nicely into her new home.

17 Nov
Happy Birthday to Freema ("Shaksper Freema Jones"), Billy ("Shaksper William Kempe"), Baerli ("Shaksper Henry Condell"), Ollie ("Shaksper Richard Burbage"), and Yahtzee ("Shaksper John Heminges") who are all one-year old today.

16 Nov
A belated congratulations to Elvis ("Shaksper Edmund Mortimer") for getting his Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number (back in July)! I somehow missed the announcement. Anne sent me this picture of Elvis resting after his annual dental cleaning.

8 Nov
Happy Birthday to Ophelia ("Shaksper Ophelia"), Valor ("Shaksper Rosencrantz") and Bear ("Shaksper Guildenstern") who are five years old today!

Congratulations to Yoshi ("Shaksper Tom Snout") who got his Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number today.

31 Oct
Maggie sent me these pictures of Porchie ("Shaksper Dick The Butcher") in his Halloween costume:

30 Oct
Congratulations to Reggie ("Shaksper Reginald Pole") who got his Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number today. Here is Dave holding Reggie and Reggie's CHIC certificate.

27 Oct
Happy Birthday to Boo ("Shaksper Guiderius") and Argus ("Shaksper Arvirargus") who are eight years old today!

21 Oct
Victoria says that Portia ("Shaksper Porcia Catonis") is a mighty hunter!

15 Oct
Jane sent me this picture of Yoshi ("Shaksper Tom Snout") modeling his Halloween costume.

14 Oct
Nellie ("Shaksper Helena Of Nottingham") earned her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title today and also earned her Novice Tricks title.

Kristy sent me this picture of Valor ("Shaksper Rosencrantz") watching a comet.

Karissa says that Winnie ("Shaksper Tamora Queen Of The Goths") is enjoying the cooler weather.

7 Oct
Ultrasound today showed that Gwynie ("Shaksper Gwyneth De Lesseps") is pregnant. I have started a puppy diary for her 2024 litter.

30 Sep - 6 Oct
Montgomery! The word has special meaning to terrier people, as it is short-hand meaning the terrier-only conformation show in eastern Pennsylvania at the beginning of October put on by the Montgomery County Kennel Club. Around Montgomery has grown up multiple terrier events. Mandy ("Shaksper Amanday Seyfried"), Gwynie ("Shaksper Gwyneth De Lesseps"), and I competed in the four days of terrier-only agility at the beginning of the week. Mandy earned two of those difficult to get "double-Qs". (A double-Q is where a team qualifies on both the Master Standard course and the Master Jumpers course on the same day.) Mandy also had qualifying runs on other days. Not bad for a 12 year old girl! Gwynie had two qualifying runs in Master Jumpers. Normally I would not have run Gwynie right now as she has been bred. But as Gwynie had been staying with the stud dog breeder in Maryland, the timing was just that it was easier to pick Gwynie up on my way to Montgomery. So as long as Gwynie was coming with us, I decided to take the chance and run her.

Also at the terrier agility cluster was Lynn with Polly ("Shaksper Hippolyta"). I believe Polly got three double-Qs running in the Preferred division. (In the Preferred division, a dog runs one jump height lower than they would in the Regular division.)

The decoration theme at the agility cluster this year was "Halloween". Here is a picture of myself and Lynn with Gwynie is on my lap, my hand on Mandy, and Polly with Lynn.

For me the later half of the week is devoted to Norwich Terrier Club of America events (a banquet, the annual member business meeting, and a board meeting). I skip the all-breed conformation shows that lead up to the terrier-only conformation show on Sunday which I will attend. I have attended the Montgomery show every year since 1997. (I even competed in Montgomery one year, although I much prefer agility.)

30 Sep
Baxter sent me this picture of Artie ("Shaksper Arthur Pole").

28 Sep
Sad news. Sandy informed me that Peanut ("Shaksper Victor Garcia") died today. He was only twelve years old. My heart goes out to his human family.

19 Sep
Today is the birthday of Ben ("Shaksper Soren Ben Miller"), Paige ("Shaksper Paige Morgan"), and Bentley ("Shaksper Prince Edvard Williams") who are fourteen years old today!

16 Sep
Sarah writes that Jimmy ("Shaksper Iago") is now a certified therapy dog.

Forewing sent me this picture of Joshua and Otto ("Shaksper Othello") at a Norwich and Norfolk meet-up in New York City.

12 Sep
Kristy while travelling says that Valor ("Shaksper Rosencrantz") found a big chair.

6 Sep
While I was judging an agility trial in Wisconsin, Terry, Anne, and Elvis ("Shaksper Edmund Mortimer") came and visited me.

3 Sep
Today is the birthday of Marian ("Shaksper Frances Flute"), Yoshi ("Shaksper Tom Snout"), and Watson ("Shaksper Peter Quince") who are two-years old today!

2 Sep
Today is the birthday of JC ("Shaksper Jack Cade"), Maggie ("Shaksper Margaret Jordan"), and Porchie ("Shaksper Dick The Butcher") who are one year old today!

31 Aug
Today is the birthday of Portia ("Shaksper Porcia Catonis"), Sayer ("Shaksper Soothsayer Of The Ides", and Tavi ("Shaksper Octavia Minor") who are nine years old today.

31 Aug
One of the hardest things that I have to do as a breeder is rehome dogs that are retired from showing and breeding. These are dogs that I have raised, trained, and who have slept in my bed with me. But I am either a breeder ... or I become a hoarder.

Today Siri ("Shaksper Serena Mckellen") left to go live with Carrie in Tennessee. Carrie and her mother were kind enough to come pick up Siri. Have a good life, my sweet girl.

22 Aug
Patrick sent me this picture of Bernard ("Shaksper Henry Pole").

20 Aug
Dylan took this picture of Ben and Billy ("Shaksper William Kempe") on the coast of California.

16 Aug
Happy birthday to HP ("Shaksper Harry Percy"), Elvis ("Shaksper Edmund Mortimer"), Boo ("Shaksper Lady Catrin Mortimer"), and Madeline ("Shaksper Lady Elizabeth Percy") who are four years old today.

12 Aug
Freema ("Shaksper Freema Jones") earned her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title today. Freema had previously earned her Trick Dog Novice (TKN) title.

10 Aug
I have long suspected from the size of holes in my yard that my nearest neighbor was a groundhog. Today Mr. Groundhog made the mistake of coming into my barn/garage. My dogs allerted me to the intruder by their furious barking, and I found that my dogs had cornered Mr. Groundhog. So that no one would get seriously hurt - either dog or groundhog - one by one I put my dogs in their crates and opened up all the garage door in the hopes the Mr. Groundhog would take the hint. Evidently he did, as my dogs settled down. I checked over my dogs, but no one had been hurt. Hopefully Mr. Groundhog has learned not to come into my barn/garage.

5 Aug
Kristy sent me this picture of Chris having to work on his laptop with one hand because Valor ("Shaksper Rosencrantz") was using the other hand as a pillow.

4 Aug
Sally sent me this picture of Wilson ("Shaksper Geoffrey Pole") claiming that he is the king of the mountain.

1 Aug
Sandy sent me this picture of Peanut ("Shaksper Victor Garcia") peeking out from underneath a bed.

30 Jul
My dogs captured a black snake who foolishly came into my yard. Fortunately black snakes are not poisonous. The snake ended up the worse for wear after my dogs grabbed the snake and thrrew it around. I finally got my dogs into their crates and then was able to transport the snake back to the nearby forest. Since the snake climbed out of the pail in which I was transporting him, I am guessing that the snake was not too badly hurt by my dogs.

26 Jul
Happy Birthday to Mandy ("Shaksper Amanda Seyfried"), Peanut ("Shaksper Victor Garcia"), and Sophie ("Shaksper Sophie Hall") who are twelve years old today!

25 Jul
Ultrasound today showed that Boo ("Shaksper Lady Catrin Mortimer") is pregnant. I have started a puppy diary for her 2024 litter.

17 Jul
Congratulations to Lynn S. and Polly ("Shaksper Hippolyta") who are the number one Norwich agility team in the United States from the preferred class. Lynn and Polly are eligible and plan to compete at the AKC Agility Invitational in Orlando Florida in December. The top five agility dogs of each breed from the regular classes are invited to the Invitational, plus the top preferred dog of each breed. Lynn sent me a recent picture of Polly.

13 Jul
One of the hardest things that I have to do as a breeder is rehome dogs that are retired from showing and breeding. These are dogs that I have raised, trained, and who have slept in my bed with me. But I am either a breeder ... or I become a hoarder.

Today I took Ophelia ("Shaksper Ophelia") to live with Sandi. Have a good life, my sweet girl.

7 Jul
I was able to visit Hunter and Whitney and Ollie ("Shaksper Richard Burbage") today. Here is a picture of Whitney holding Ollie.

4 Jul
Manny sends Happy Fourth of July wishes from Yoshi ("Shaksper Tom Snout").

1 Jul
Freema ("Shaksper Freema Jones") has earned her START puppy certificate"!

29 Jun
Winnie ("Shaksper Tamora Queen Of The Goths") has come to stay with me for a while while Tom and Karissa travel.

24 Jun
Maggie ("Shaksper Margaret Jordan") has earned her Canine Good Citizen title!

12 Jun
Congratulations to Baerli ("Shaksper Henry Condell") who has earned his Novice Tricks Title (TKN). Nancy sent me this recent picture of Baerli.

7 Jun
Freema ("Shaksper Freema Jones") does not understand why the turtle does not want to come out and play.

5 Jun
Boo ("Shaksper Lady Catrin Mortimer") - aka "the female Boo" or "Boo Boo" or "Boo2" - has come to stay with me for a couple of weeks while Ian and Terry travel. Here is Boo (in the pink harness) being greeted by my dogs.

4 Jun
Happy birthday to Fergus ("Shaksper Petruchio") who is one year old today! Bob sent me this picture of Fergus enjoying a birthday chew.

26 May
Happy birthday to Winnie ("Shaksper Tamora Queen Of The Goths") who is 10 years old today!

25 May
Claudia writes that Robin ("Shaksper Robin Goodfellow") is alwyas on alert.

24 May
Dylan and Ben visited today with Billy ("Shaksper William Kempe"). (Dylan is holding Billy.)

18 May
Josh and Forewing took Otto ("Shaksper Othello" to the annual New York City Norwich and Norfolk Meetup in Central Park. (Otto is just behind the lady in the front holding the child.)

17 May
Happy birthday to Estelle ("Shaksper Charmian") and Izzy ("Shaksper Iras") who are three years old today.

  • Griffin sent me this nice birthday picture of Estelle.
  • Izzy who just wants to get back into the field to chase those pesky rabbits.
  • 8 May
    Nancy sent me this picture of Baerli ("Shaksper Henry Condell") in a favorite spot.

    4 May
    Kristy and Valor ("Shaksper Rosencrantz") took a tour of Washington DC today.

    1 May
    Billy ("Shaksper William Kempe") and Ollie ("Shaksper Richard Burbage") had a play date. From left to right, Dylan and Ben holding Billy, and Hunter and Whitney with Ollie.

    26 Apr
    Mark, Nancy, and Bearli ("Shaksper Henry Condell") visited today.

    25 Apr
    Happy birthday to Polly ("Shaksper Hippolyta") and Robin ("Shaksper Robin Goodfellow") who are seven years old today!

    22 Apr
    Yoshi ("Shaksper Tom Snout") has come to stay with me for a week while Manny and Jane travel. I caught this picture of Yoshi while the dogs and I were out for a morning walk.

    24 Apr
    Watson ("Shaksper Peter Quince") and Wilson ("Shaksper Geoffrey Pole") had a play-date today. Doug sent me this picture of the two of them together. (Watson is on the left.)

    18 Apr
    Bob sent this picture of Fergus ("Shaksper Petruchio").

    16 Apr
    Lisa took Yahtzee ("Shaksper John Heminges") to the groomers. The groomer is also a Norwich breeder.

    7 Apr
    Watson ("Shaksper Peter Quince") has come to stay with me for a bit while Doug and Joan travel.

    Sally send me this picture of Wilson ("Shaksper Geoffrey Pole") streaking across a field.

    5 Apr
    My dogs surrounded a snake. Fortunately it was a black snake and not poisonous.

    31 Mar
    Nancy sent me this picture of Baerli ("Shaksper Henry Condell") in one of his favorite spots in the yard

    28 Mar
    Manny sent me this picture of Yoshi ("Shaksper Tom Snout") and his toy bear.

    20 Mar
    Jimmy ("Shaksper Iago") and Estelle ("Shaksper Charmian") had a play-date today. Sarah sent me this picture of the two of them together. Jimmy - being the younger - is jumping on Estelle, while Estelle just rolls her eyes.

    19 Mar
    Smedes holding Peanut ("Shaksper Victor Garcia")

    18 Mar
    Lisa sent me two pictures of Yahtzee ("Shaksper John Heminges") and Eddie:

    17 Mar
    Dylan and Ben introducing Billy ("Shaksper William Kempe") to Spring!

    15 Mar
    Ali's daughter, Piper, thinks that Siri ("Shaksper Serena Mckellen") - who was staying with them for the weekend - now identifies as a cat.

    10 Mar
    Maggie's daughter took Porchie ("Shaksper Dick The Butcher") for a stroll.

    8 Mar
    Happy birthday to Duffy ("Shaksper Thane Of Fife"), Percy ("Shaksper Thane Of Lennox"), and Rocco ("Shaksper Thane Of Ross") who are five years old today.

    5 Mar
    Irene says that HP ("Shaksper Harry Percy") is starting to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day early.

    4 Mar
    Claudia sent me this picture of Robin ("Shaksper Robin Goodfellow") investigating a stream during their neighborhood walk.

    25 Feb
    Doug sent me this picture of Watson ("Shaksper Peter Quince") enjoying the Spring sunshine.

    24 Feb
    Otto ("Shaksper Othello") has graduated from puppy class. Joshua and Forewing sent me these graduation photos:

    23 Feb
    Happy birthday to Artie ("Shaksper Arthur Pole"), Bernard ("Shaksper Henry Pole"), Reggie ("Shaksper Reginald Pole"), and Wilson ("Shaksper Geoffrey Pole") who are all two-years old today.

    22 Feb
    Jen B. sent me this picture of Gucci ("Shaksper General Chang") running at a full gallop.

    11 Feb
    Congratulation to Lynn S. and Polly ("Shaksper Hippolyta") on earning the PACH3 title!!! PACH stands for "Preferred Agility Champion" and the numeral three indicates that Lynn and Polly have satisfied the requirements for the title three times. Just like the corresponding MACH title, to earn a PACH a dog has to double-Q twenty times plus run under standard course time for a cummulative total of 750 seconds. Here is the picture of Lynn and Polly with the judge after earning the title.

    10 Feb
    Eddie with his new dog Yahtzee ("Shaksper John Heminges").

    Mandy ("Shaksper Amanda Seyfried") and Winnie ("Shaksper Tamora Queen Of The Goths") during a walk. (Winnie is closest to the camera.) Winnie is going home tomorrow after visiting for a week.

    9 Feb
    Mark took this nice picture of Baerli ("Shaksper Henry Condell")

    8 Feb
    Jane and Yoshi ("Shaksper Tom Snout") were out for a walk when Yoshi spotted a fox. ( Closer view of fox.) Jane reported that Yoshi and the fox looked at each other for a long time until the fox decided to leave.

    4 Feb
    Tom and Karissa dropped off Winnie ("Shaksper Tamora Queen Of The Goths") who will stay with me for a week while Tom and Karissa are traveling.

    3 Feb
    Jimmy ("Shaksper Iago") in therapy dog class with Sarah.

    25 Jan
    Valor ("Shaksper Rosencrantz") taking a last look at the lights of the Museum of Science in Abu Dhabi. This was during the car ride to the airport to catch a flight back to the United States. Valor's owners have finished their tour of duty in Abu Dhabi and have been transferred back to the US. I never imagined that one of my dogs would spend time in Abu Dhabi!

    21 Jan
    After letting my dogs out for an after-dinner run in the nearby field and woods, I heard furious barking which indicated that my dogs had captured something. Upon investigating, it turned out to be a possum (technically a Virgina opossum). My pack of dogs had Mr. Possum surrounded ... and Mr. Possum was not happy - and possum's have a lot of teeth! All I could do is pick one dog up at a time, carry the dog back to my fenced yard, before going back to get another dog. Eventually I had enough of my dogs out of harms way for Mr. Possum to make his escape.

    18 Jan
    Anne sent me these pictures of Elvis ("Shaksper Edmund Mortimer")"

    14 Jan, 16 Jan
    When Bob picked up Fergus ("Shaksper Petruchio"), Fergus screamed. As this was a very abnormal behavior, Bob and Christine took Fergus to ther vet. An x-ray revealed that Fergus had swallowed a solid object. (The vertical white object in the center bottom of the x-ray.) Unfortunately surgery was necessary to remove the object ... which turned out to be a piece of plastic. Now Fergus has to wear a donut cone so that Fergus does not bother his stitches.

    6 Jan
    Trish sent me this holiday picture of Paige ("Shaksper Paige Morgan").

    2 Jan
    Christine sent me this picture of Fergus ("Shaksper Petruchio") on Bob's shoulder headed up to bed.

    2023 Shaksper News