Meet up on the Moors

 

Recently we met with a group of both past and prospective puppy owners for a walk across Whitchurch Common and up to Pew Tor, which felt like a lovely, natural way to bring everyone together.

I really value meeting prospective families like this, especially before there are any puppies on the ground. It gives everyone the chance to take things at a natural pace, without the pressure or excitement that can come once puppies arrive.

As a breeder, it’s important to me that people can see my dogs in their normal environment, interacting not just with me, but with unfamiliar people, other dogs, and even livestock where relevant. Those moments give a far more genuine picture of temperament, training, and everyday behaviour than any description ever could. It also allows families to ask questions, build a connection, and get a real sense of whether the breed, and my dogs specifically, are the right fit for their lifestyle.

Elsie has recently been mated and is hopefully expecting, so this feels like a particularly nice time for people to come and meet her and the rest of the dogs ahead of any potential litter.

Of course, I completely understand that not every family is in a position to visit in person. Distance, work, and general life commitments can all make that difficult. In those cases, I make a conscious effort to invest more time in getting to know people in other ways. That might mean longer phone calls, video chats, sharing more day-to-day updates, photos and videos of the dogs in different situations, and having open, honest conversations about expectations, routines, and experience. It’s important to me that the same level of understanding and trust is built, even if it looks a little different.

I also encourage prospective families to connect with previous puppy owners where possible. Hearing directly from people who already have one of my dogs gives a really honest, day-to-day perspective and offers the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and get a feel for what life is like beyond those early weeks.

Ultimately, I want the right match for both my puppies and the families. If, after going through that process, it turns out that it isn’t quite the right fit, that’s absolutely fine too. It’s far better to recognise that early on than to force something that isn’t quite right.

I find that people who are willing to invest the time to engage with the process in whichever way they can—whether in person or remotely—often demonstrate a real level of thought and commitment. That kind of dedication is something I place a lot of value on when considering future homes.

After the walk, we all headed to the pub for some lunch, dogs sprawled under tables and at our feet, tired in that contented way that only a good run can bring. It gave everyone a chance to chat more easily, swap stories, and ask the kind of questions that come up naturally once you’ve spent time around the dogs. There’s something about sitting down together afterwards that rounds the whole experience off nicely, turning it from just a walk into something more like a shared glimpse of what life with these dogs is really like.

Website

I'm a little late posting this, but I have finally gotten around to building a website.

Marcasitepoodles.co.uk

I've had some lovely feedback on it so far, which is nice because I have never built a website before!

Crufts

 

We’re back from Crufts and I still think I’m a bit in shock!

My little Margo won her class, which left me completely speechless and absolutely over the moon. We’ve had various placings at Crufts over the years, but never a 1st, so this really felt like a huge milestone. Even more special was the fact she won against a whole class of black and white poodles. For whatever reason, silvers rarely do as well as their black and white counterparts, so it was a huge achievement for us.

It was also lovely to have my Mum, Aunt, and several friends and puppy families there to watch it happen, which made it all the more memorable.

And speaking of puppy families, Mavis from my 2025 litter was there too with her owner Emily. She took a VHC in her Junior class, and it was such a joy to see her stepping onto that famous green carpet. A wonderful start to what I hope will be a brilliant show career. 

Goodbye Uncle Duncan

 

For the last 15 years we have been lucky enough to have had the most wonderful vet - Duncan MacWhirter of Roborough Vets near Plymouth.

Fifteen years is a long time in anyone’s life. In dog years, it is a whole dynasty. Puppies have grown into veterans. Grey muzzles have quietly appeared. There have been wagging tails in waiting rooms, anxious phone calls, routine appointments, emergency dashes, and those conversations where the air feels heavier than usual.

Through all of it, Duncan has been our constant.

There are vets who are clinically excellent. There are vets who are kind. Very occasionally, you find one who is both, and who also treats you as part of the process rather than an inconvenient bystander at the end of the lead. Duncan has always listened. Properly listened. He has respected my own knowledge of my dogs and worked with me, not over me. Appointments were never rushed transactions. They were conversations. Lessons. Reassurance wrapped in quiet competence.

He never saw “just another dog” or “a routine case.” He saw them for who they were - their individual quirks, their sensitivities, their dramatic flair, their stoicism. He remembered them. He understood that they are not simply animals who share our homes, but the family members who anchor our days.

Over the years he has stitched, scanned, medicated, reassured and, at times, gently guided us through the decisions no one ever wants to face. He has celebrated recoveries and carried the weight of heartbreak alongside us. That kind of care leaves a mark.

For my curly girls (And Stan!) a trip to the vets was never a fearful march into the unknown. It was a visit to see their Uncle Duncan. A familiar voice. A steady pair of hands. Someone to stroke their faces, tell them they were clever and beautiful. They'd drag me through the door, and when it was our turn to be seen, I'd let go of their lead and they'd trot off happily to see him in his room and jump on his examination table, as if they didn't need me with them at all.

What has always stood out most is Duncan's generosity. With time. With knowledge. With patience. Duncan is a teacher and really has taught me so much, often without fanfare, simply by explaining the why as well as the what. That gift of understanding is something I will always value.

It is the end of an era for us. Practices change, people move on, and life keeps turning its pages. I am genuinely happy for him as he steps into his next chapter. But I would be lying if I said we are not deeply sad for ourselves.

Vets like Duncan are rare. The kind who combine science and instinct, skill and empathy, professionalism and friendship. The kind who become woven into the story of your dogs’ lives.

Fifteen years of trust is no small thing. It is built appointment by appointment, concern by concern, tail wag by tail wag.

We have been incredibly lucky.

Thank you, Duncan, for being our rock, our teacher, and our friend. Whatever comes next, you will always be part of our story and we hope to stay in touch.

Enjoy your semi-retirement in South Africa. You truly do deserve it!

Peggy gets her Veteran Warrant

 

This past weekend my little Peggy Sue achieved her Veteran Warrant title, and I am absolutely thrilled.

I’ve never shown a veteran before and can honestly say it has been such a fun, relaxed experience. With no big hair to groom, no hairspray to wash out afterwards, and veteran classes usually scheduled around lunchtime, we’ve been able to arrive late, do our thing, and then head straight off for muddy Dartmoor walks - even when we've had to stay late for Best Veteran in Show!

Peggy is home bred, from my very first litter and she achieved her title in just eight shows. We’ve had an enormous amount of fun along the way, supported by some wonderful friends.

Subject to Royal Kennel Club approval, Peggy will now be known as:

🐩💖 Marcasite Love Is Begun VW 💖🐩

Poodles (and pals!) on Tor

January in the South West has been nothing short of brutal. Relentless rain, wild winds and an impressive amount of mud have seen more than a few of my plans washed away.

On some days, with local flooding widespread, simply getting out of the house felt like an adventure in its own right!

Despite all that, the girls and I have still managed to carve out a really lovely month packed with walkies, fresh air and even a few moments of sunshine inbetween downpours!

Getting out with Emma and the Magickaray Dalmatians is fast becoming a regular fixture, and this month we’ve ticked off several Dartmoor tors together.

Leather Tor, Lower Leather Tor, Sharpitor and Peek Hill have all been conquered, along with a 9km wander around the Killerton Estate, a National Trust beauty spot near Exeter.

We’ve affectionately dubbed these outings “Tea and Tors”, thanks to the ever-present flasks.

There’s something particularly special about working to scale a tor, before settling onto a big granite outcrop with a view for a well-earned cuppa ☕

Anyway, here are a few of my favourite photos from this month’s escapades, wet boots, windy tors and all.

Paws on the Moors

 

I was absolutely thrilled when Jude’s owner (from Peggy’s litter earlier this year) got in touch to say she’d be in Devon for Christmas and wanted to meet up with as many of Jude’s extended family as possible for a walk on Dartmoor.

Even though it was short notice, several of my local puppy owners were able to join us, along with a few honorary poodles, and we had the most wonderful walk — finishing with dinner at a cosy local pub.

We ended up with nine dogs in total: seven poodles, a dalmatian, and a Frenchie. They were all incredibly well-behaved and played so beautifully together — it truly made my heart sing.

While my own Christmas was a little quiet this year due to my work in the emergency services, this felt like Christmas to me: surrounded by the dogs I’ve bred, the families who have become lifelong friends, and walking in one of the most beautiful places imaginable.

Thank you to everyone who came — here’s to many more walks like this in the future!