It’s been a strange couple of weeks without a dog in the house.  We knew we wanted a pup we just weren’t sure when but over the last week or so I just knew a pup would have to arrive soon.  I’m just the type of man who finds life happier with a dog in his life.

With Barney passing away we decided we would never be a 1 dog family again. It hurt too much and so the plan is now to get two or three dogs who would be a year or two apart in age.

Jane (my wife) wanted a Border Terrier, I wanted an Airedale Terrier and our eldest wanted an Irish Terrier. We also had mutterings around getting another Cairn Terrier at our family meeting. I guess we are just a Terrier family lol. To be fair back 14 years ago I picked and named Barney and so Jane won the toss for the first purchase and today we got our wee Border Terrier “Lola”.  I have to say I’ve fallen head over heals for the breed.

Lola (Glencarraig Marianne Mozart)

We’re based in the North of Ireland but couldn’t find any pups available round these parts. Eventually we found a breeder (Julie Bryan) in Dublin who had a bitch left from a litter of 8 and a 10 month old boy called Finn. Originally we wanted Finn as he’s a fantastic dog with an awesome temperament and personality but couldn’t find the window to travel down. We were hoping to get him this week but a retired couple took him early last week. Although we understood we were disappointed. Julie offered us the bitch but we really wanted a boy. We wanted a boy so that when our Airedale came we would get a girl. A girl Airedale we thought might be lighter, more of a home bird than a boy and generally easier to handle. However I asked Julie had she any pics of the girl pup and when we seen her the rest was history so to speak lol.

I have to say Julie (GlenCarraig Kennels) is the best breeder I have ever come across. Her pups are so well socialised its unbelievable and the support she gives is real and tangible without being interfering. We’ve never shown a dog but at this stage and its early days yet Julie thinks she should make a great girl for the ring if she continues to develop so well. She was last to be bought but actually to Julie’s eye there was very little between her and the bitch Julie kept. I have a good friend who breeds Irish Terriers and has done exceptionally well in the ring. He has seen her photos and has agreed she has all the potential for the ring. However as I say I have never shown and whilst I’m curious I’m undecided and under confident to say the least.

Lola’s Dad & Mum

The story goes now that the Airedale boy pup will arrive in 18 months and will be called Charlie. Have you ever seen the kids TV programme Charlie & Lola lol. Charlie is the big brother and has a good sense of humour – perfect for an Airedale me thinks.