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Thomas&Merete-Kennel Alvertoppen

47

Bergen

Norway

Profile Information:

How many Irish Setters do you have?: 3 - two red and whites and one red.
How long have you owned Irish Setters?: 5 years
About Me:: My fiance Thomas and I got our IRWS bitch named Toboggan's Amazing Skadi (Dalriach Highpoint x Dalriach Goshawk) from the norwegian breeder Thor Erik Pape in 2006. We live on the West Coast of Norway and we use our dog for hunting and field trials. We are very pleased with our dog and we would like to add another one with good hunting and field trial abilities to our little family during the next year. Norwegian field trials often take place in deep snow and up in the mountains on large plains (hunting grouse), where the dogs need to be tough, fast and have a very good "engine" to excel. Especially in the winners class, where the dogs compete against each others, finding birds first and most often being the number 1 criteria.

If you know of any upcoming litters that has the potensial to excel in norwegian field trials (good hunting desire, high intensity, among others), please let us know!

This february we got a red addition to our family. Her name is "US" Snoop Dogg" (Snoopy) (FTCH Valeheia's Killakee x "US" Lara) and she is from Elin Wittusens "US" kennel in Norway. She is from pure hunting lines and we are looking forward to see how the "pocket rocket" is doing in Field trials next year :)
We have not given up our hunt for a new IRWS pup, but we have realized that it will take some time to find just the right one :) It's a challenge to get an overview of the different lines when the breeders are spread all over the world :)

Comment Wall:

Myra Thomas-Rhodes

Welcome, Merete and Thomas. It looks very cold there!
Cheers, from Down Under.
Myra.

Aug 1, 2008
Laura Kolbach

hej, har kollat länken ovan (grattis!), och undrar om du vet vem pointern är. skulle behöva stamtavlenamn eller något som man kunde idetifiera honom med. tack på förhand!
laura

Aug 3, 2008
Laura Kolbach

japp, ser ut som Pluto :-) tack! min pointerkompis letar efter nytt blod och när jag fick se hanen, så tyckte jag att ser helt ok ut. vi får se hur det blir, Ungern är ju ganska långt borta...
ha en bra dag,
laura

Aug 3, 2008
Margaret Sierakowski

Thanks for the Norwegian breed programme, its ambitious and uncompromising, but if you stick to it, you will breed some real IRWS!
I love the photos of Skadi, she looks very like her sire Goshawk when he was younger
Merete, can you E mail me privately dalriach@aol.com?

Aug 3, 2008
Christiane Lohmann

Hello Merete and Thomas !

Yep, I am afraid, there is too much HD in the IRWS and it has to be taken care of. I was very happy to read the strict rules of NISK ! Congrats !
Will we meet in Dublin in september ?

Regards and Waidmannsheil
Christiane

Aug 5, 2008
Fiorella Mathis

Hi loved the photos. I am really wondering how versatile this IRWS has to be...running from the high heathers in Ireland to the burned plains in Italy and Argentina and the green ones in Poland and in the snowy scandinavian countries. I guess that - but this is my modest opinion - every country will have to train their IRWS in their own way, and it will be very hard to have them once running altogether in a European Trial.all at the same level...for sure some of them will be advantaged (depending on the grounds). Loved also your video.

Aug 7, 2008
Susan Stone

Hi Merete!
loved your videos and was interested to see the method of introducing a youngster. Look forward to seeing more!
all the best
Susan

Sep 10, 2008
Kristina

Hello.

Congratulations on your FT. Skadi really is amazing. ;) Are you or your boyfriend hunters?

Regards,
Kristina from Slovenia

Oct 1, 2008
Kristina

Hi.

Thank you on you complimnet. I dont use my bitch for hunting, she is more a pet. My boyfriend is a hunter, but he perfers his German Short-haired Pointing Dog for hunting.

All the best!
Kristina

Oct 1, 2008
Susan Stone

Hi Merete & Thomas,
very happy to make new friends! I look forward to learning more about the setter-scene in Norway, something I know nothing about. Also I love the photographs of the landscape & the dogs at work. I had a browse through the website but sadly do not udderstand a word... - but good to see 'Amazing Skadi' making breed history!
Can you tell me a bit about the 'US' setters that seem to be THE name in working irish in your part of the world?

Oct 1, 2008
Susan Stone

Hi Merete,
Thanks alot for telling me a bit about uS - I had come across the name on various occasions but did not know anythig about them. I also see they figure extensively on the records of the weblink nisk no. It looks as if she found the right mix for the ideal norwegian hunting setter, suited for your kind of mountains. With the high drive they have, are they still easy-going with other dogs?
I will have to look up the uS website - there must be one!
kind regards
Susan

Oct 4, 2008
Angie MacDonald

Thanks! I have a good subject:0) I must have 1000 or more pictures of her and she's only 16 months old! lol

Oct 23, 2008
Christiane Lohmann

Just wanted to tell you that on the CACIT trial yesterday also an IRWS started...DALRIACH GRAINNE. She got a 3rd price because her behaviour when birds flew up. Otherwise she would have been in for a second price. Nevertheless, as this is only an obedience problem, she has qualified for german breed program. Happy to hear that.

Oct 27, 2008
Christiane Lohmann

It was a CACIT-Field Trial (lowland) on pheasants and partridges.

And sure I remember Hilde ! They tried to scare us a lot the night before we were out judging together...telling about dreadfull Moskus Ox in Kolla Kaldvella and how dangerous and how to behave. Sadly I lost the knife she gave me, but the memories are not lost;-)
Send her regards please.

Oct 28, 2008
Christiane Lohmann

I remember that day judging with Hilde it was VERY foggy and we had some strange feeling of being watched. Moving ahead through the valley, climbing up and down the hills, we finally noticed that we have been supervised by the leading female moskus ox of the flock...standing across a small river on a hill, her gang behind. WOW ! And I thought it was a big joke when they told us at the judges meeting the night before, where to go. Only Hilde choked and spilt her Wiskey...should have been an alarming signal;-)))
The warning signs along the way up to Kolla Kaldvella how to behave when in contact with Moskus Ox (never get between them, lay down, call in all dogs, don't shoot, don't move...) gave me some idea.

Oct 28, 2008
Rhona, Bruce n Lil Lucy Skene x

lovely dog you have there
lovely markings and moves so smoothly
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Rhona, Lucy and Bruce

Dec 22, 2008
Frost

Thank you. Nice dogs you have...

Feb 4, 2009
Rita Haadem

Takk for tipset. Skal se nærmere på den etter hvert. Kanskje det dukker opp noen som vet om valper et eller annet sted. Hvis ikke får vi vente til Jenny får valper på Ripa. Hun skal jo til Østerrike og parre snart.

Rita og Sven

Mar 5, 2009
Susan Stone

Thanks for your comments, the videos were taken in the North of the Netherlands and it is a pheasant. I've since taken Glen to training in Scotland and took the small video camera with me. But I could not possible film him myself as I had to keep him under strict control... I did take photos and you can see these under
http://picasaweb.google.ch/Coppersheen/EdenmouthTrainingCourse2009Week2?feat=directlink (you may have to copy and paste)

Mar 6, 2009
Jean

We are doing very good. Our fields are in good condition and the dogs are doing great. We have pups both red & IRW so we are busy but it's all good.
jean

Mar 27, 2009
sammi pease

Hi Metete and Thomas, I am enjoying looking at your photos..I used to live in Bergen ( a long time ago) and have very fond memories of it...still have friends there..it's a beautiful place indeed. best wishes...sammi

Mar 28, 2009
Susan Stone

Hi Merete,
thanks for the invite to the R&W groups - but I'm actually already member of both;-))
Love your videos and look forward to seeing more of Skady and Snoopy!
best regards
Susan

May 6, 2009
Chris Olborg

Hei Meterete. Ja, dette var litt av en internettside. Her var det litt flere av oss med RHIS enn på andre sider ! Birk har nå rundet året, der han er i en alder som er noe utfordrende. Litt yr - kan vi vel si han er... men det roer seg vel litt med tiden får vi håpe. Ellers får jeg bare gratulere dere med prisen forrige helg. Veldig bra å se at rasen kan hevde seg på utstilling. Vi snakkes. mvh Chris

May 6, 2009
Deborah McNay

Thanks Merete,

Deborah.

May 6, 2009
Chris Olborg

Hei igjen og takk for din filmkommentar Merete. Kan vel si at også jeg er litt spent på hvordan Birk vil oppføre seg på Hjerkinn. Hans søk på Lifjell lover bra, så vi får se om han kan leve opp til våre forventninger. Var dette søket kun var et blaff, eller er det faktisk slik han er.....? " time vil sjå" Uansett lover det godt. =o)

mvh Chris

May 9, 2009
Polly

Hei
Det går fint med Polly. Såret i poten har grodd fint, så vi var på noen skiturer i påsken. Nå sykler vi en del. Hun er ei aktiv jente med mye energi som skal ut Vi er også med på avd 2 sitt dressurkurs og det trengs da hun er i "trassalderen" for tiden. Vi gleder osstil samlinga på Hjerkinn. Har dere tengt dere på Folldalsutstillinga i år?
Hilsen Fred Harald

May 10, 2009
Chris Olborg

Morsomt med filmen som er lagt ut på NISK sine hjemesider. Er det dere som er arkitekten bak den ?

May 11, 2009
Maggie Skene

Hello, ...very busy weekend...just catching up. Duncan is from Canada..his sire is Shireoak Caniscaeli Windsong and the dam is Caniscaeli Just One Look. To go back farther, I would need his paperwork...which I left at work!!
It looks wonderful where you live...Duncan can run for days!!!I am sure he would enjoy your countryside very much!!

Maggie & Duncan

May 11, 2009
Wendy Bockman

Yes, I've personally been to 3 Trials and there are two owners in CA and one in Ohio that have competed several times. No one has got a first place for points yet, but we have had several placements as high as second place.

May 12, 2009
Melanie

Hi...I'm not sure yet if I can come, it depends on the date of my exams at university..but I hope it will be possible :-)

May 15, 2009
Linn Cecilie Moen

Takk for kommentar! :D Kommer flere bilder etterhvert! :)

Jun 18, 2009
Ann Millington

Hello Merete
It was so good to meet you at the Festival ;o])) I am so pleased you enjoyed the weekend and have reported to Norway.
Would you be so kind as to send a few words about what you thought of the Festival weekend? We would like to have a page of comments from our visitors for the next GB Club Newsletter.
Many thanks
I love your page here!!

Jul 8, 2009
Pat

Hi Merete & Thomas,
Your video of your two Setters is smashing.
Thanks for your comments on my photos both at West Woods near Marlborough, Wiltshire where we spent over an hour walking in this large wood with carpet upon carpet of deep coloured bluebells - the scent was amazing.
The landscape photo was taken at my favourite haunt called The Gallops which is near Calne, Wiltshire and only about twenty minutes drive from my home. You can walk for a couple hours and my boy, Ray, loves it up there both quartering the vast fields and training.
Yes, we are into the working side of the breed and I am really pleased at how much we have achieved.
To answer your question on the Bronze, Silver and Gold Kennel Club Good Citizen's Tests. These are obedience Tests for owners of all dogs to show their handling skills and good manners in their dogs. If you go to the website of the United Kingdom's Kennel Club you can read up on the Tests.
It is a bit lengthy for me to type all of it up on here but if you email me privately I can send you more details. However, try the Kennel Club's website first.
I am hoping to enter Ray, my R/W boy, into the Silver in a short while and then have a go at the Gold Test.
I believe it is important to both exercise our dogs mentally as well as physically. I thoroughly enjoy training Ray on the working side of the breed and have made so many friends and close acquaintances since entering him into the different gundog events.
Hope to speak with you again soon.
Best wishes.
Pat

Jul 8, 2009
kristine thybo hansen

Heisann, og takk for det.. Flotte bilder hos dokker åsså, av vakre hunder og natur :) Nei det e en Breton det der.. Kvalpen Wambli kommer ifra Tintoramas Kennel, Tispa Nouit kommer ifra Snyfjellets-Red Kennel og Gamlingen han Loke kommer ifra Tømtlias Kennel.. En dokkers da? :) Ha en knaill uke me dokkers fire beinte :)

Jul 15, 2009
Thor Erik Pape

Hei Merete & Thomas. Angel er den tispa som kom på Lennigen forrige vinter. Hun var selvfølgelig alt for tykk og mannen trodde at hunden ble utlært av seg selv. Hun eies av Ann Jess som forteller at hun finner fugl og tar stand, hvis det er utgangspunktet så mener jeg resten er opp til eieren. Astor er en flott hund som jeg kommer til å bruke i avlen om 3-4 år. God apportør og går agillity. Emma, som eier han, liker ikke de metoder som brukes der hun bor så hun savner et godt miljø for fuglehundtrening.

Jul 15, 2009
Fiorella Mathis

Thanks so much...I am still bewildered myself...Never would i have imagined years ago when I first started to celebrate such a champion. Plus she is sooo sweet and loving. Thanks again. Fiorella

Aug 24, 2009
Margaret Sierakowski

Excellent result for Skadi! Congratulations! Now go, go, go in the Winners Stakes!

Two more IRWS puppies are arriving in Norway today, Dalriach Pink Pepper (Dalriach Auchindoun ex Pepperstown Polly) is going to Thor Erik Pape, and her brother Dalriach Philosopher is going to Kari Michelsen Einarsson

Nov 16, 2009
Christiane Lohmann

Many fugle for christmas;-)))

Nov 28, 2009
Catherine Carter

Hi Merete,
Thanks for adding your comment to the discussion...I have left the discussion because some of the comments directed at me became rather abusive. I have in the UK some extremely old lines of show dogs who actually are quite similar to some some working dogs lines. I quite apprecciate your comments about the coats...I have witnessed the same when I go on some field training sessions and I know that a lot of UK Show Champions carry far too much coat to be of any use in the field as a Gundogs! Regards, Catherine.

Dec 3, 2009
James Gregory Williams

Since I belong only to the United Kennel Club (UKC), I can only speak for the red and whites there.

The interesting thing about UKC is that all its trials are open to all breeds, so the IRWs compete with Brittanys, red setters, English setters, German shorthairs, pointers, and the like.

The UKC has one major champion that I know of now, Buzz O'Nichol. He is a dual-dog champion in show and the field. We have several others working their way up the ladder. UKC has several levels of field dogs from the beginning TAN title to champion with Hunting Dog and Gun Dog titles.

As to the AKC, I am not associated with that registry, so I don't know where their red and whites are in their quest for field champions. The AKC's trials I think are breed-specific and have different rules and regulations.

As I mostly hunt my dogs, I will be going to a UKC trial in March. I will see what dogs are progressing.

Greg

Jan 18, 2010
Marthe L.

Heihei :-)

Oscar er etter Skårgangen Troya og "US" Orkan. Har vel vært på kurs i irsksetterklubben med Skadi tror jeg? (Våren 2007?)

Ellers så lurer jeg litt på om neste hund skal være en rød og hvit, men det er neimen ikke lett å bli klok på ulike linjer og oppdrettere, så foreløpig er det nok mer en drøm enn en plan. Siden deres, irskrodoghvitsetter.no, er i hvert fall til god hjelp :-)

Marthe

Feb 17, 2010