Come join our next Entlebucher Walk at Kedleston Hall, Near Derby

Our next Entlebucher walk will be on 26 April at Kedleston Hall, Kedleston Road, Near Quarndon, Derby. DE22 5JH, meeting by the main entrance at 11.00am. Kedleston Hall is a National Trust property so there is an admission charge for non-members – see here for details https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/kedleston-hall

The walk is an easy one, on trails for the most part, through a mixture of woodland and meadow and about 3 miles long. Please note, dogs must be kept on leads at all times as there are livestock and nesting birds near the trail. If it’s been raining a lot, the last part of the walk is through a field by the lake, so walking boots are recommended. There’s a cafe at the end of the walk and plenty of tables for a picnic if you’d prefer. 

If you’d like to join us or have any questions, please let Lynn know by emailing her at lynngibbins@btinternet.com.

A very successful Fun Day

Sunday 16 March was our first fun day of the year and it was a good one, with 14 Entlebuchers taking part in the ball and spoon race, temptation alley, catch and many other games. Thank you to everyone who came and made it such a success and congratulations to all our winners.

Photo courtesy of Lawrence David Photography

Our events for 2025

Now that the days are starting to get longer again, our thoughts are turning to events for 2025. We’ve got lots of exciting things planned, with some happening over the next few weeks. We hope you are able to join us and meet some other Entlebuchers and their humans. Please check back here nearer to the dates shown for more information and watch out for emails in your inboxes.

  • 2 March: Daventry dog walk – join us at 10am for a walk through Daventry Country Park which is off Northern Way, Daventry, NN11 2JB
    https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/daventry-country-park.
  • 6-9 March: Once again we’ll have a stand in the Discover Dogs area at Crufts. If you’re planning on visiting the show, please be sure to come and say hello!
  • 16 March: Midlands Fun Day, Baginton, Warwickshire
  • 26 April: East Midlands Dog Walk, Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
  • 27 April: Annual General Meeting on Zoom
  • 10 May: Spring Ankӧrung
  • 25 May: Dutch Club Anniversary meeting
  • 31 May: Northern Fun Day, Tholthorpe, North Yorkshire
  • 24 August: Bernese Club Social Event, Northamptonshire
  • 7 September: Southern Fun Day, Agility
  • 13 September: Autumn Ankӧrung

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Avoiding the showers at Tittesworth Reservoir

Yesterday (7th April) saw the latest in our Entlebucher group walks, this time walking the 5 miles around the Tittesworth Reservoir, near Leek in Staffordshire. Amazingly, despite heavy showers all around, we managed our circumnavigation in the dry (with some sunshine too) and even avoided the rain for coffees and a chat afterwards. Big shout out to Dexter and his humans, Andy and Harley who joined us for part of the route. Dexter is originally from the United States and a lovely fella, we look forward to meeting him and his humans again. The photo below was taken at the halfway point of the walk where the dam crosses the reservoir (with thanks to David Gibbins). From R-L are Mike and Bella, Martin and Albert, Lynn, Salvo and Izzy, and Chris and Wilma.

Breeding Test (Ankörung) – Saturday 12th October

Norton Lindsey, Warwickshire, CV35 8JQ

If you are interested in breeding from your dog or in your dog becoming a stud dog then there are three parts to the testing. The health tests, a character test and a test of conformation to breed standard. The health tests we can guide you through but require veterinary bookings with appropriate specialists. The character and conformation tests are run by the Club and have to be passed in order for your dog to be given Club
approval for breeding. This is entirely modelled on the Swiss system and is designed to ensure that the breed remains fit for purpose, true to breed type and of good character going forward.

We offer the character and conformation tests twice a year in Spring and early Autumn, with the next one being on Saturday 12th October. To be entered for the Club Breeding Test your dog must be at least 18 months of age at the time of the test. The entry form must be returned and payment for the test made to the Club account by Thursday 12th September latest. The test will only run if we have entries and so that those running the tests have sufficient notice whether the test will be going ahead or not late entries will not be possible. The next test after this will be in Spring 2025 so bear this in mind if you are thinking of breeding from your dog and wanting to plan timings of when a first litter might take place.

Please email rosjkind@gmail.com for more information and an entry form.

Fun Day and 15th Birthday Celebrations

We will be holding our Summer Fun Day on 22nd June at Baginton Village Hall, Frances Road, Baginton, CV8 3AB, starting at 12.30pm. As always there will be lots of fun and games and a chance to meet up with other Entlebuchers and their humans. This year we will also be celebrating the Club’s 15th anniversary with something special – check back here for updates and more information about what is planned.

Midlands Entlebucher Walk – Daventry Country Park

Our next Entlebucher walk will be on 3rd March at Daventry Country Park, off Northern Way, Daventry, NN11 2JB. We’ll be meeting in the car park at 10.00am and following one or more of the marked trails around the park whilst talking all things Entlebucher for a couple of hours. There should also be an opportunity for some off lead time for the dogs. Here’s a link to the Country Park with some more information – https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/daventry-country-park

Please email rosjkind@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. We hope to see you there.

Breeding Test (Ankörung) – Saturday 27th April

Norton Lindsey, Warwickshire, CV35 8JQ

If you are interested in breeding from your dog or in your dog becoming a stud dog then there are three parts to the testing. The health tests, a character test and a test of conformation to breed standard. The health tests we can guide you through but require veterinary bookings with appropriate specialists. The character and conformation tests are run by the Club and have to be passed in order for your dog to be given Club
approval for breeding. This is entirely modelled on the Swiss system and is designed to ensure that the breed remains fit for purpose, true to breed type and of good character going forward.

We offer the character and conformation tests twice a year in Spring and early Autumn, with the next one being on Saturday 27th April. To be entered for the Club Breeding Test your dog must be at least 18 months of age at the time of the test. The entry form must be returned and payment for the test made to the Club account by Thursday 28th March latest. The test will only run if we have entries and so that those running the tests have sufficient notice whether the test will be going ahead or not late entries will not be possible. The next test after this will be in September 2024 so bear this in mind if you are thinking of breeding from your dog and wanting to plan timings of when a first litter might take place.

Please email rosjkind@gmail.com for more information and an entry form.

A Lovely Autumn Walk

23rd September saw another Entlebucher Club walk, this time in the beautiful setting of Tittesworth Reservoir, just outside Leek, Staffordshire. The weather was kind to us and the sun shone for all 5 miles of the walk, a welcome change from the wind and rain of the previous day. Arthur, Barli, Izzy and Salvo walked the 5 miles around the reservoir with their humans. Bella, at 4 1/2 months was a little too young to walk the whole route, but joined her Entlebucher friends, for the first and last half mile and lunch afterwards.

With thanks to Mike Scott for this photo of Bella (left), Arthur, Barli, Izzy and Salvo (Back-Front) and their humans, at the end of the walk.

We’ll be arranging more walks next year – check here or your inbox for details of where and when – we’d love to see you.

Brain Training and Fun in the Sun

On 29th July, the Club held a very successful Northern Fun Day in Tholthorpe North Yorkshire. 11 Entlebuchers enjoyed the early afternoon, running around in the sun, renewing old friendships and making new ones, followed by a couple of hours proving that they’re a pretty clever breed.

The training started with some exercises in the sun, with the Entlebuchers learning how to be more aware of different parts of their bodies – stepping through ladders, standing on boxes and jumping over poles. Then the fun moved inside, learning how to retrieve hidden treats, to impress our friends with our paw skills and even how to read. (I told you they were clever).

When the fun had finished, everyone had a well earned rest and Babeli was awarded the Alfie Dog Memorial Shield for all she’s done for the breed.

Thank you to Caroline Penistone for keeping everyone, dogs and owners, challenged and entertained. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it!

If you’d like to come to a future fun day, please look out for details which will be posted here and on our Facebook Page.