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My name is Sian Gordon and I live in South Wales with my partner Mike, father Johnny, Five English Toy Terriers, TWO Bedlington Terriers a Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican Hairless dog) and TEN Miniature Shetland Ponies. Quite a menagerie!!
My association with Mr. Andy Leonard and Mr. Nick Gourley, the Witchstone Kennel, began in 2004 when I looking for a dog to show that was easier than a bedlington terrier!! Dr. Rebecca Phillips-Griffiths of Astri Whippets, a mutual friend, approached Andy and Nick for an English Toy Terrier on my behalf.
On the 18th December 2004 I bought Jack "Witchstone Changeofheart" he was bought as a pet/companion dog with potential to show and what a show dog he has turned out to be!
I regularly ran puppies on for the kennel. Witchstone Casting Spells was one puppy bitch that stayed with us. Daisy now lives in Norway with Liv Schjelderup and her family. We were all thrilled to learn that she had gained her Norwegian Champion Title in September 2007.
Witchstone Dandylion is another puppy that was exported from us. Dandylion now lives in Finland with Anne-Mari Suoniemi and her family. He has two Challenge Certificate and we have received news that he had commenced his stud duties at the end of 2007.
Anne-Mari has regularly updated us on Dandylion's show progress and we are delighted to learn that on the 27th/28th June 2009 he became an International, Nordic, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Champion. What a wonderful achievement.
When Ruben came to us we also had his brother Titch. Titch is now settled in a lovely home in Somerset
November 2007 - May 2008 we ran on two puppy dogs Edward "Witchstone Thank Heavens" and Apollo "Witchstone Tyme After Tyme". Both Edward and Apollo now live with Mrs. Jo Swift, her husband Morris and two daughters Helen and Claire in Loughborough. Apollo initially went to a family that did not understand the wants and needs of an ETT puppy. But the story has an exceptionally happy ending as both boys now live together and have a satisfying and fulfilling life. Below is a picture of The "Helaire" the family boat. I have regular updates of the boys progress or mischief from Helen and Claire and we do try to meet up ocassionally.
Edward's sisters, Millie (now called Minnie) and Molly (now called Bethan) also stayed with us for a while. Minnie now lives with Fiona Schofield at Jakarta Dobermanns. We also had Maggie "Witchstone Carry On Forever At Honeywand". Maggie went to Sue English in East Sussex and is enjoying a very successful show career.
In June 2008, Gordon, "Witchstone Its A Monopoly", came to us. We received an email at the end of August from Janet Proud who lives in North Somerset. Janet had recently lost her English Toy Terrier at the grand age of 15 years and was looking for a replacement. Gordon now called Tyndale fitted the bill perfectly and he set off to his new home on the 2nd September 2008.
On the 3rd July 2008 at 10 weeks of age Bryan, "Witchstone In Your Dreams With Rhythmtyme" and Bobby, "Witchstone Dream On With Rhythmtyme" came into our home. The litter had not actually been bred by Andy and Nick although their mother was a Witchstone bitch. Both boys have done exceptionally well in the show ring; Bobby was Best Puppy In Breed at Crufts and received Two Reserve Dog Challenge Certificates and Bryan gained his Champion title from Mr. Roy Wilson at our English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) Club Championship Show on the 3rd September 2009. Pat & Hugh Quinn from Northern Ireland, Schancho Show Dogs, asked Nick and Andy if they knew of a compatible boy for their two anglo American bitches Ir. Ch. Witchstone White Witch and Witchstone Black Witchstone. Having kept the two boys from the same litter it was decided that we would let Bobby go to them and on the 9th of October 2009 Pat & Hugh made the long journey across from Northern Ireland to pick up their "NEW BOY". It is hoped that Bobby, Abbi and Yoshi will produce some Schancho English Toy Terrier Champions!
In September 2009 we brought home another two puppy boys Witchstone Mark My Words and Witchstone Word of Honour. Witchstone Word of Honour went to live in London with Carl Karlsson on the 16th December 2009.
On the 9th January 2010 Witchstone Winter Daze and Witchstone Winter Knight joined our family they are out of Bryan and Bobby's sister Bambi by Ruben's father Ch Amalek I Got Rhythm.
On Friday 5th March 2010 Witchstone Mark My Words Its Rhythmtyme returned to the Witchstone Kennel. His new family picked him up from Newbury on the 5th June 2010 and he now lives in Switzerland!
On the 8th July 2010 Witchstone Winter Daze, Sonny, went to his new home in London with Bouke and Miles. It is their first puppy so we have no doubt that he will be totally spoilt. He is one pup that we are really sorry to see go. But as my father and Andy keep telling me "Sian you can't keep them all"! Perhaps I will when I win the lottery, or should I say when my father wins the lottery because he is the only one that does it. Ha Ha.
On Saturday 10th July 2010 two of Ruben's nephews joined us. Speedy, Witchstone Free Card Trick and Ollie, Witchstone Free Of Diamonds We are really looking forward to seeing how they develop.
At Ladies Kennel Association Champ Show on the 11th December 2010 Jo, Claire and Helen Swift came to watch the English Toy Terriers being shown and Jo fell in love with Robin, Witchstone Winter Knight. Consequently, on the 3rd January 2011 we all met up at a show being held at the Three Counties Show Ground in Malvern and they took him home to Loughborough to join Edward and Apollo. Needless to say he will have a very special home and I will see him regularly.
In October 2011 Ben and Anna were looking for a companion for their English Toy Terrier "Witchstone War Of Words" aka Rocco. Witchstone Free Card Trick fitted the bill perfectly so following several successful sleep overs he went to live in Maesteg at the beginning of November 2011.
An English Toy Terrier may look sweet and cute but they are terriers through and through and they need to have a regular routine, plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to live well balanced lives. If you are looking for something for decorative purposes the English Toy Terrier is NOT the dog for you!
The "Helaire"
Skipper, Morris, and his first mate Edward on board
On Sunday 21st August 2011 we heard the devastating news that Morris
had lost his battle with cancer. We send our deepest condolences to Jo, Helen and Claire.
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