MILLTHORPE RODNEY OF BALRYAN
" Rodney "

The day before Christmas Eve we brought home Rodney. Elliot and Dillon took to him immediately - we wondered if perhaps Dillon recognised smells from his mother.

While Rodney was young, Elliot played with him regularly, but Dillon soon took over. As puppies do, Rodney delighted in pestering whichever of them took his fancy, biting and pulling tails with those oh so sharp teeth. They soon moved out of his way. He had his own 'den', tucked in the corner behind the settee.

Although possibly frowned upon, we are quite happy that for part of the night Rodney sleeps in the corner of our bedroom. He never disturbs us and sometimes, usually if we've had a late night walk, he has a lie in on a morning!

When we visit Hamsterley Forest, Rodney is in his element and never fails to flush out pheasants. He lifts his head, sniffs the air and then, seemingly working as a team, he and Dillon bound off into the trees to stalk the pheasants. I'm pleased to say they never hurt any. Rodney must be the largest gundog around! He was taught by Dillon, Elliot's apprentice. When out with the other boys, Rodney covers twice as much ground as they, always doubling back to see if he can beg just one more treat.

He loves to be with us and praised. Although two years old he is still very "wide eyed and bushy tailed", happy with the world and friends with everything and everybody. I hope he never changes. He is larger than both Elliot and Dillon, very masculine and has a woof that seems to come from the deepest depths.

Rodney is a dream to take out on his own, trotting, head up and proud, with tail floating along behind. He takes notice of everything, though seeming so innocent and puppy like. During daytime walks he doesn't go too far away and keeps checking that I am ok and keeping up; if almost dusk he rarely ventures from my side. Rodney has not been trained in this respect he just does it.

Click here to see Rodney's Pedigree...