Foxbriar Malinois

21 December 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:13:00 +0000

Lily is 5 months old today. Time goes so quickly.

the pictures were taken on the golf course, one of their favourite places to play. All the dogs particularly like the bunkers and love to chase each other round and round.
We must be one of the few places in the country who don't have snow. It is just really cold here.

The video shows Lily , Milo and Daisy playing. Lily gets hold of Daisy's tennis ball and runs off with it. This is a favourite trick to make Daisy chase her.

21st November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:58:00 +0000

We went to Wilmslow Agility show today. Ruby did really well getting a 10th place in Combined 1-3 jumping.
Saffy enjoyed herself but we are still looking to get that elusive clear round with her. THe good news is she got her weave entries and did two sets of weaves correctly but she just knocked a couple of poles in each run.
Lily and Milo came along for the experience and had a great time. as there were lots of people to talk to .

17 November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:48:00 +0000

I took Lily and Milo for a walk on the golf course today. The sun was shining and it was really nice to be out. Milo wore his coat as it is still a bit chilly. He has nearly grown out of it.

The puppies love playing on the golf course as there is so much room to run and play. I like it because there is no mud.

It makes a really nice backdrop for photos. Here is Lily looking quite grown up.

03 November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:27:00 +0000

I am off work this week catching up on all the things I have been too busy to do. Yesterday and today I have been gardening and have taken down a couple of large conifers that made the garden look dark.
Of course the dogs love to help out.

Ruby absolutely loves stripping bark from wood. She eagerly waits for me to cut off a branch or dig up a stump, then strips the bark and adds the stick it to her collection. I do wonder if Ruby has beaver in her ancestry. She can strip the bark from a large log in just a few minutes
Lily is not really sure what her mum is doing but is willing to help.

Daisy, Milo and Lily all wondering what Ruy finds so interesting about sticks.

Lil getting rather caught up in the branches.

02 November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:10:00 +0000

I am way behind updating the blog. Life is pretty hectic at the moment. Chilli is still with us although he is now called Milo as it was a bit confusig having two dogs called Lily and Chilli. Daisy and Darcy is bad enough.
Here he is wanting to come in from the garden

And having a snooze with his mum Darcy.

Last weekend I went to Midland Counties breed show with Saffy. The first time We have been to a breed show for over a year. Saffy was rather puzzled as she couldn't find any agility equipment anywhere. She was very well behaved considering she is so out of practice. She came second to her sister in her class.

17 October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:12:00 +0000

The weather is still dry but getting colder. One of the big differences between the Malinois and the Bostons (well apart from the size, the colour, the length of the nose....) is the coat. Bostons have very short fine coats with no undercoat which means they feel the cold. Belgians don't seem to mind how cold it gets. Although the Malinois have short coats they have lots of thick undercoat to keep them warm on the coldest day.
So this morning I took Lily and Chilli on an expedition to the local petshop to look at coats. It took a while to get through town as Lily insists on stopping to talk to everyone. She loves people especially children. Chilli hadn't been to town before but soon decided it was fun to talk to all the people too.
We got to the petshop eventually and started trying coats on Chilli. Lily kept getting in the way but then she noticed the rabbit hopping round the shop out of its cage so that kept her attention long enough to find a coat to fit Chilli. Then it was Lilys turn. She doesn't need a coat but her body is similar in size to the Daisy so I could be fairly sure that if a coat fitted her it would fit Daisy, and we got the next size up for Darcy who is a bit bigger than Daisy. On the way home Chilli got lots of attention because he looked so smart in his new coat.
Don't they look nice all kitted out for the winter.

Lily wanting to get in on the action

Bostons don't like sitting on cold hard floors so Chilli often makes use of Lily as she is nice and warm and comfy to sit on!

10 October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000

We are still having some lovely dry weather so while we can still use the garden I decided to get some of the agility equipment out. I haven't had the tunnel out for ages. Saffy immediately claimed it as her own and stood in the entrance to stop anyone else going in it!

Lily and Chilli are both not really sure what it is but think it looks like fun. Once I persuaded Saffy to go through the tunnel properly they both followed her through several times.

09 October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:47:00 +0000

Poor Lily had a bad day today. we went for a little walk round the wooded area near the house. There is a little wooden bridge which goes over a very smelly stagnant pond. There is not much water in it and it is covered in duck weed. This can make it look like solid ground. Unfortunately I forgot that poor Lily had not been here before and she didn't realise that there was water under the green stuff so she stepped off the bridge and discovered the pond. She quickly scrambled up on to the nearest tuft of marsh grass and just sat there.
The water is not very deep but as I didn't have my wellies on I really didn't want to wade in and get her out. after a lot of calling and cajoling she finally manged to find her way back near enough to the bridge so I could reach her and pull her out.
Unfortunately for Lily when we got home I really didn't fancy carrying s smelly dripping puppy through the house to the bathroom so decided the quickest way to get her clean was to hose her down. She really didn't like that at all, but soon forgot about it once she was clean and dry again.

5 October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:37:00 +0000

Rosie (little Red) came to visit. she and Lily had great fun playing in the garden with Chilli. William tried to join in but can't run fast enough

I took the opportunity to take some pictures but they didn't really want to stand still.
Lily

Rosie

04 October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:21:00 +0000

I took Lily and Chilli with me to mums this morning. As soon as we went in the garden Lily discovered a mole hill. Her mum Ruby has an obsession with molehills and loves digging in them. Maybe it is hereditary?

Lily has never seen dogs with that much hair. At first I think she was not really sure they WERE dogs but soon discovered she could play with them

Lilly and Chilli discover giants really do exist!

03 October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Laurel has now left for her new home. I was very sad to see her go as she had been here such a long time but she has gone to live with a lovely couple so should be very happy. Her name is now Betty or Foxbriar American Dream.

30th September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Well the peace and quiet didn't last long. Due to an unexpected change of circumstances Hardy is back home. He will be staying until a suitable new home is found.

Laurel is not sure she wants him back as he does play rough.

Daisy is trying to work out how to place an advert on the internet for him

28th September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:21:00 +0000

Laurel seems to be very relaxed. Obviously enjoying the extra space now Hardy has gone.
Poor Lily has to sleep on the floor.

27 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:39:00 +0000

We went to Dashin dogs Agility show today. Ruby and Saffy were entered and Daisy and Lily came along for the ride and the socialisation. Ruby hasn't been to an agility show for several months as she has had time off while she had the puppies.
I think she was happy to be back as she jumped very well getting a clear round and being placed 10th in combined Grade 1&2 out of about 100 dogs.
Saffy is getting better but silly mistakes by her handler (me) are preventing her getting that clear round

Ruby with her reward

26 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Hardy has gone to his new home today. He will now be known as Chilli or Foxbriar Orlando Prince. Laurel is staying another week and will go next weekend.

24 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:37:00 +0000

video of the puppies playing. Hardy is one side of the gate having squeezed through. Laurel and Lily are he other side with Laurel sitting on top of Lily. Daisy is watching from the kitchen and when someone squeaks loudly she hurries in to make sure no-one is hurt.

in the second video Daisy seems to be trying to pull Hardy out from the other side of the gate and when she fails poor Lily gets the blame.

21 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:54:00 +0000

I took Lily to mums yesterday and the Boston Babies came too for their first car ride. They slept through the car ride and bounced into mums garden without turning a hair.

exploring

checking out the water feature

worn out

20th September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:23:00 +0000

It has been a really busy week. Although we are down to only three puppies life seems more hectic than ever. Lilly the Malinois started ringcraft on Monday night and then there is puppy class on Wednesdays. The other dogs still have their agility classes and then there are trips out to meet people, trips to the vet for vaccinations and on top of that I need to work to support them all.

Laurel the Boston has a new trick. She squeezes under the baby gate and then climbs the stairs. Then she sits at the top and yells until someone comes to rescue her. She can actually get down herself but I think she likes the attention.

Hardy follows her to see why she is making so much noise

And Darcy likes to keep an eye on them too.

Lily and the Boston puppies are great fun to watch playing. Much better than television.

14 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:28:00 +0000

we are down to Just one Malinois puppy now. Pink is the last puppy here and she will be staying. Her name is Foxbriar Naughty but Nice. She will be getting another name but for the moment she is staying Pink

Pink

Of course the Boston puppies are still here so Pink is not totally without anyone to play with.
Laurel and Hardy are big enough to make good playmates these days.

Hardy

Hardy

There is only one picture of Laurel as she refused to stay still long enough to take more than that.

13September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Turquoise
A Busy weekend Both Big Red and Turquoise went to their new homes on saturday. Big Red is now known as Ruby or Foxbriar Femme Fatale and is living near London. Turquoise is now known as Saxon or Foxbriar Dashing Desperado .
Sunday morning saw us all off in the van to meet up with Blue's new owners. As they live in the West Country we agreed to take him half way. Pink and Little red came along for the ride as did Ruby, Saffy and Casey.
Although it was the first time in the van for the puppies they settled down quickly and traveled very well. Thankfully no one was sick.
When we got to the meeting point all the puppies bounced out of the van to meet Blues new owners. They didn't seem phased at all by all the sights and sounds of the motorway.
Blue will probably be keeping his name but his registered name is Foxbriar Bold Brigand.

On the way back I called into pick up some bones from my butcher. He had saved me loads from a cow so the dogs had a good time this afternoon chewing those.

Little Red was the Last puppy to go to her new home. She will now be known as Rosie or Foxbriar Shady Lady. Rosie is staying in Crewe so we will see her very often.
Little Red

Little red

Little Red

11 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:24:00 +0000

I have to keep Ruby well away from the puppies when I feed her otherwise she refuses to eat her food and gives it to her babies. This morning I put her in the conservatory with her breakfast but she could see the puppies in the garden and so she wouldn't eat until she had given them a piece of tripe.

The puppies do like tripe. Usually I cut it up very small for them but they had a tug of war with the bit Ruby gave them.

Then they went back into the conservatory to see if there was any left.

Big Red found another piece, Pink wanted it too and the Bostons also want their share, so poor Big Red lost it to the others. I did give them all some more afterwards and Ruby finally sure her puppies had had enough to eat consented to eat something.
Sometimes it is like feeding the wolves at the zoo here!

The other puppies are settling in to their new homes well. Orange or Vaux as he is now known has also started a blog, with the help of his young owner Johnathan.
http://my-malinois-vaux.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow Turquoise and Big Red are off to their new homes and on Sunday Little Red and Blue go too so it will be a very sad weekend. Then we will just have Pink and the two Boston puppies. until they go at the end of the month. Pink is staying here with me.

10 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Another one has gone. this time Yellow or Blitz as she will be known has left for her new home. Registered name Foxbriar Pick pocket. Another one of the naughty ones gone. Life s much much quieter here now we are down to 5 Malinois puppies.
The Boston puppies are doing their best to fill the gap. I used to have to be so careful to watch the Mally puppies to make sure they did not hurt the Bostons but now they are mixing and playing together all the time. Quite often if I investigate a squealing puppy I find that it is a Boston chewing on a Belgian.
The Bostons do find the Belgians useful for other things apart from teething on.
Belgians make good matresses

Good Pillows

They are lovely and warm for snuggling up to as Bostons hate to be cold.

Belgians also like suggling up together. They have a very large bed that was big enough for 9 puppies but here are 3 of them squashed into one Boston bed.

09 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:51:00 +0000

well it has been a fairly sad couple of days as 3 of the puppies have now left for their new homes.
First to go was Green, who is now going to be known as Keegan. registered name Foxbriar Masked Marauder.

Purple went next and he is now called Zeke or Foxbriar Gorgeous Gunman. He has gone to live
with his great uncle Rubin and he has his own blog. http://www.moimalinois.blogspot.com

Orange went last night. We are still waiting for the final confirmation of his pet name but his registered name is Foxbriar Brave Buckaneer.

First reports are that they have all settled in really well.
The first night without them all was really strange, very quiet, I think the ones who have gone must be the noisiest liveliest ones as the rest are so quiet, but this morning they are back to their usual playful selves.

06 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:47:00 +0000

We had a visit from the girls and their babies today. The puppies took it all in their stride even when all the babies were crying at once.
Blue and green immediately claimed Ellies car seat as their new bed.

Orange preferred to sleep underneath her walker

When the other puppies abandoned the car seat Big Red took the opportunity to have a quick snooze

Yellow and the Bostons had their afternoon nap under the desk in Darcy's bed

05 September 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Foxbriar) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:07:00 +0000

Today is Casey's birthday. He is 9. We had a visit from Hilary today. Casey used to spend the day at Hilary's house while I was at work. he hasn't seen her for several years but he recognised her as soon as she walked in.

I finally managed to get more individual pictures of the puppies. these will be the last ones of them all as they are going to their new homes this week.

Blue, ears on their way up now but still not quite there. He is the darkest of the puppies

Blue

Big Red. She is the darkest girl

Big Red

Green

Green

Little Red

Little Red

Orange

Orange

Pink

Pink

Purple

Purple

Turquoise

Turquoise

Yellow

Yellow