From BCDS

Reserve Carriage Dog Champion 2008

Fenris and his Mum Munin race ahead of Parker and Polo who are walking back in their carriage at the 12 mile mark during their 25 mile endurance run at the 2009 Trials.

Fenris and Parker in the speed exercise in 2008.

Fenris and Polo on the endurance course.

Fenris waits for Polo on the endurance course at the top of a steep hill - my groom Anna is behind pushing!

Fenris at 12 weeks wins Best Puppy at the local Club. What a cutie!

Fenris (foreground) and Munin alongside Nobel with Crosbie astride (for the first and possibly only time!) n.b. the BCDS encourages riders to wear a hard hat at all times and it is mandatory in competition.

Fenris is a joker. He makes me laugh every day. He is also a trailblazer. Not a particularly natural carriage dog in the modern sense, he prefers to run out front and 'clear the way'. This is a role some dogs would have played in the past, but is not encouraged in modern competition. Fenris doesn't know this. He will do anything to be out in front. Training hasn't been easy. But like all Dallies, he's an intelligent and biddable dog and his obedience is pretty good, and this has helped us so far to keep it together when it matters. We've managed good carriage dog tests - and some pretty good looking displays on behalf of the Society.

Fenris entered his first trial in 2008 when he qualified as a Silver Carriage Dog and was awarded Reserve Carriage Dog Champion. In 2009 he was entered Qualification Only in the Gold Carriage Dog class. He completed his endurance trial but due to scheduling problems was unable to take his obedience test. This was carried out by judge Alison Burgess at the 2009 SE Regional Trials to finalise his qualification as a Gold Carriage dog.

Fenris works regularly on the road with his sister Freya and Mum Munin, but has never done an endurance course off road before. He and Freya played for 9km before settling down behind their carriage to work for the remainder of the 20km course.

Fenris and Freya came 2nd at the Hereford show earlier in 2008.

In 2009 he was entered Qualification Only in the Gold Carriage Dog class. He completed his endurance trial but due to scheduling problems was unable to take his obedience test. This will be carried out by judge Alison Burgess prior to the 2009 SE Regional Trials.

One day we hope to train him to be a road dog too. Persuading him to stay alongside a horse will be no mean feat...