From BCDS

[edit] Welcome to the British Carriage Dog Society

The Society exists to help preserve this working heritage of the Dalmatian as a coaching dog. In past centuries Dalmatians would often accompany horses and carriages on their travels. They acted as guards and decoration, protected the passengers, reassured the horses and killed vermin in the stables each night. The Dalmatian is an endurance dog and its efficient trot enables it to cover long distances without tiring.

The Society runs the annual national Carriage Dog Trials. The trials test and demonstrate the Dalmatian's traditional role as a companion to ridden and driven horses. The trials demand both control and fitness, as dogs are judged on their obedience and capacity for endurance. Our principal trials sponsor is Fenix Carriages and we are immensely grateful for their continued support.

STOP PRESS: DATE FOR 2010 NATIONALS ANNOUNCED - SATURDAY 3RD JULY

[edit] New carriage dog in training

Milo, owned by Donna Simmons, sits by his carriage at his first Club Drive at Friston Forest in East Sussex. Milo is the brother of Anne Dickens' Fenris and came to Donna via Dalmatian Welfare. Donna is starting to train him to compete in this year's truials.

Milo sits by his carriage waiting to set off on a BDS drive around Friston Forest.

[edit] Carriage dogs Christmas charity run

Parker and Polo, driven by Anne Dickens and with Gold Carriage Dog Fenris in attendance, reprise their roles as reindeer in a charity delivery on Christmas Day morning delivering presents to children in the local village in return for a donation to Driving for the Disabled group. The team raised £300 for the group which, thanks to Dalmatian owner Celia Gilbert, will be doubled by Barclays bank.

Polo and Parker with Brian King (Father Xmas) and Fenris waiting for the off.

[edit] Paws in the Park 2009 Carriage Dog Display - More pictures here

Splash behind Miranda Purves' Bennington carriage passing Fenris and Freya (left) with Anne Dickens driving Parker at the Paws in the Park carriage dog display 2009.

The Dashing Dalmatians line up in one of the routines to music from Abba.

To appreciative crowds at the two day 'canine extravaganza' Paws in the Park held at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood, Kent, five Dalmatians demonstrated their carriage dog work. Some of the carriage dogs had also strutted their stuff as part of this year's Dashing Dalmatian team where the Dalmatian held its own in the big ring against many other breed displays. Heather Leach and Louis also gained a 4th place in the agility competition and Gail Cotterill and Skittle a 2nd place in the spectacular Horse and Hound jumping.

Click here to view a video of the carriage dog display

Grateful thanks, as always, to Jim Guilfoyle for the pictures.

[edit] 2009 South East Carriage Dog Trials - Results and more pictures here

Celia Gilbert and her rescue Dalmatian Poppy pass their Instinct Test with flying colours at the 2009 SE Regional Carriage Dog Trials on 6th September at Cobham Manor Equestrian Centre, Maidstone, Kent.

Alison Burgess rides Danny with her young girl Tally qualifying as a Bronze Road Dog in the speed exercise at the SE Trials.

Poppy attended the trials training the day before and Celia was so inspired by her performance that she decided to return to enter Poppy the following day. Opting to run her on the lead, Poppy worked to such a high standard that had she done the same off the lead, she would have passed a Bronze Carriage Dog test. A dog on a lead does not necessarily mean that it will automatically work behind a carriage. Often a dog will lag, or weave, shy, or forge forward, or show discomfort at the proximity to the carriage and lean out on the lead. The fact that Poppy ran in a consistent position as if she were off a lead, showed that she has a strong coaching instinct and was enjoying herself. Thanks to Diana Burford and her horse Juno for helping Poppy and Celia to participate, despite just having completed the endurance course with another competitor.

[edit] Carriage Dogs display at Working Horse Trust Open Day

Ali Rummey rides Montana with her Silver Road Dogs Domino and Demi displaying in front of appreciative crowds at the Working Horse Trust Summer Open Day in July in Kent.

Gail Cotteril runs Skittle and Mike Cleland runs Fenris behind Anne Dickens' Percheron Nobel.

[edit] 2009 Fenix Trials results and photos here. Both Champions retain their titles. Photos courtesy of Jeff Jones

Wesley Evans (on spotted horse Jonas) on the endurance course with 2009 Road Dog Champion Molly (left) at the 2009 Fenix Carriage Dog Trials. Also riding out with Wes was Kelly Evans on Dice and Alex Cobb riding Kaspar (behind) with Maya who qualified as a Silver Road dog at the Trials.

Avril Pluck drives Louis with Carriage Dog Champion Spin behind on the obedience course.

Anna Gamble's Freya wins the Groom's Award (the equivalent of the Championship for groom handled dogs) with Anne Dickens driving Parker. Here she is on the obedience field.

Important - rule change announcement - here The Trials are made possible by the generosity of all our SPONSORS.