Flatcoat Profile - Steelriver Desert Wind from Linfernidh

I have been asked to write a little about my girl Sh Ch Steelriver Desert Wind from Linfernidh, otherwise known as Ghillie. Yes I do know most ghillies are male but not this one!
In January 2000 we lost our much loved Shandie who was a Granddaughter of my very first Flatcoat, Dusky. Shandie came to me to be re homed and was very well behaved and quiet. My son Roderick grew up with Shandie as she arrived when he was only a few weeks old.

It took us several months to get over Shandie's death and it was only when I heard that Sandra Stevenson's bitch Steelriver Catch The Breeze had produced a large litter and there just might be a chance of a pup we decided it was time! We duly went to look at the pups but as Sandra was thinking of keeping two bitches there looked like little chance of a pup for us. Fortunately Sandra decided to keep a dog and a bitch (Trader and Summer) so there was a pup for us. We had fallen in love with one particular pup (Summer) but when we went to pick up our pup Sandra told us that was the one she was keeping!! My son Roderick still does not know I came home with Ghillie and not Summer!!

Within a few days Roderick wanted me to take Ghillie back as she was too wild, he told me to go and get an old dog as he liked them better. I suppose at 8 years old a black bundle with rather chewy habits nipping at his heels was not much fun as a friend. Apart from being a typical playful pup Ghillie was perfect in the house and car, house trained in a few days and never sick, never chewed anything but people, if you know what I mean!

At our first show we got a third place in a large class and I was delighted with this as she was only six month's that day. At our first Championship show a few days later we were placed fourth and then fifth by judge Per Iverson. I was also given some handling advice by other exhibitors, so it looked like I had forgotten all the handling skills I had used when I first exhibited Dusky in 1978!

Ghillie's first CC came at Richmond Show from Mrs Jackie Lane. I was over the moon as I know my handling still left a lot to be desired! When I showed Ghillie our results were never consistent and it was then that I asked various people
to show her for me, she has actually had five other handlers and they all won rosettes with Ghillie.

At The Flatcoated Retriever Club of Scotland Open Show in 2003 Ghillie won her way to Best in Show, judges were Eddie Harrison and John Thirwell . It was at this show that Eddie Harrison told me how much he liked Ghillie and when I apologised for my poor handling he offered advice on how to bring out the best in Ghillie. Of course when you give a dog a top award you want to see this followed by many more awards and this is when I started asking other people to handle Ghillie.

Ghillie won her second CC at Border Union Show, Judge Linda Hughes and then her third and Best of Breed at Darlington under judge Jim Irvine - she was now made up! Thanks to Eddie Harrison for bringing out the best in my girl. I could now relax and start handling her myself.

In 2006 I mated Ghillie to Pajanbeck Forever Young and from his mating have one surviving pup, Glendaruel Going My Way JW. This pup was tiny as she was several days premature as she had to be delivered by an emergency operation. Ghillie was not a very good Mum to start with as she did not realise the pup was her's. For a week I slept in the welping box with Mum and pup and then moved to a chair beside the box - I was determined not to loose this precious pup, she was so special, what a fighter and just beautiful too.

With a new pup to show I decided to also show Ghiilie again and at SKC in May 2007 felt unwell and at the last minute asked Vicky Egginton to take her in and guess what, Dr June Squires gave her a fourth CC. Later in the year at August SKC I handled her myself and not only won the bitch CC but Best of Breed over Sh Ch Vbos The Kentuckian. I could not believe it, unfortunately by the time we went into the group ring she was so hungry she behaved appallingly! Jet would have made a much better job of things in the group ring.

Ghillie now also has three reserve CCs all when shown by me - but I don't think my handling has improved it's just Ghillie does it all herself! Ghillie has won numerous Best of Breed awards at Open Show level and even Best in Show at Clydebank Open Show. First BOB under Susan Patterson, Gundog Group under Harry Nelson and BIS under Liz Dunhill.

2008 saw Ghillie take first prize in very large class of veterans at Crufts, Judge Moray Armstrong. It was a fantastic experience to run round the ring in the Challenge as Ghillie did not put a foot wrong. It was also nice to have the Judge comment that he she looked better than she had when much, much younger! She really is proof that Flatties get better as they mature.

Later in 2008 at Gundog Society of Wales Ghillie won the Pedigree Veteran Stakes under judge Gordon Haran and just to round off a perfect day her daughter Kiszy won her first CC under Mrs Anne Youens! Ghillie and I had our pictures taken by the dog press, we felt like real celeberitity that day!

Ann with Ghillie after winning the Veteran Stakes at Gundog of Wales 2008

Ghillie has always been a joy to own and my only regret is that I have not tried to develop her working ability as I know she has such potenital, her sire Loch Na Keal of Glen Sheallag at Branchalwood, owned by Marina Mangham was a dog with great working ability and I am sure this has been handed down to Ghillie.

Ghillie is now almost nine and we still have two big events to look forward to, her last Crufts in March and The Pedigree Veteran Stakes final in January.

Thank you Ghillie, you have have given me so much pleasure as you are a joy to take anywhere and thanks of course to her breeder Sandra and her many handlers.

If you come and say hello to Ghillie in 2009 you will get the usual Flatcoat welcome including a face wash just as she does with our cat and even the sheep sleeping with her head on the fence next door.

Ann Danabie