The Jersey Big Dog Club Festival 2014
The Festival week was set up so as to welcome visitors to come to our Island and enjoy its hospitality whilst taking part in whatever events they wished. The whole point was to make the event into a relaxing holiday sprinkled with a selection of activities connected to the large breed dogs that we all own and love. We were pleased to welcome over 40 dogs and their families from the UK and Ireland plus 20 local dogs and their owners. Each day was split into three parts, morning, afternoon and evening, with guests being given the option of attending or taking part whenever they wished.
Friday
The majority of the guests arrived into Jersey on the lunchtime ferry, and reported that the crossing had been smooth and trouble free. After assembling all the visitors vehicles in a holding area, we let the dogs out to stretch their legs and greet one another before setting off on the 4 mile drive to The Jersey Activity Centre, the base for the Festival. The Centre is where the Jersey Big Dog Club train and practice for Draft work and has the advantage of allowing guests to have their dogs stay in their rooms with them throughout their time at the Centre. Whilst not being a formal 'Camp Site' there are sufficient open fields that allow for visitors to camp if they so wish, either under canvas or with their motor home, whilst giving them wonderful views over Grouville Bay to the south.
Guests were welcomed at the centre in the afternoon, by various members of the JBDC and were each handed a Welcoming Pack containing lots of information about the Island and its visitor attractions. It also contained information about 'quirky' aspects relative to driving in Jersey plus a selection of 10 separate dog walks including maps, so that if visitors wished to 'do their own thing' they would hopefully not get lost! We also included a selection treats, poo bags and toys for every dog for which we would like to thank Royal Canin and Le Marquand Bros, our local pet store for their support.
Friday evening gave visitors the chance to explore their navigating skills with a drive from one side of the island to the other as they were invited to join us for an early evening walk along some wonderful open headland with views over the sea to St Helier, beforeheading off to enjoy a pub meal at The Smugglers, one of Jerseys oldest pubs. This gave our guests chance to meet other members of the Jersey Big Dog Club who had not been able to get to the Activity Centre during the afternoon.
Saturday
The day started off a little overcast and the morning had been left free for visitors to explore as they saw fit. Some guests chose to travel into St Helier whilst others explored the headland close to the Activity Centre.
The afternoon had been set aside for guests who wanted to try a water taster session for their dogs and arrangements were made to access the JBDC fresh-water lake in St. Ouens Bay. A convoy of vehicles made their way across the Island for an afternoon session that was blessed with slightly improved weather. Experience dogs were exercised in one area of the lake, whilst novices were exercised in an area that had gentler sloped access into the water. It was great to see the Leo owners and their dogs take to the water. Several guests were pleasantly surprised at the level of
equipment that the JBDC has acquired in its short history including floatation aides for guests and visitors, a couple of ribs with both electric and diesel power, plus a great array of toys and goodies for the dogs to retrieve.
Knowing that after the water work, most dogs (and people) would be a little exhausted, the evening was give over to free time with most guests getting together in small groups and seeking out a local hostelry for some well deserved refreshment and sustenance.
Sunday
A bright and sunny morning and our guests were invited to join us on a trip down to St Catherine's Breakwater about 1 mile away from the Activity Centre. It is a popular location for both visitors and locals alike, and is an excellent location for taking a gentle walk along the breakwater and back before enjoying a late breakfast or early lunch at the excellent family run cafe. Visitors can also view the award wining sand sculptures that are on display next to the Craft Market which is always popular with visitors taking lots of photographs of the excellent detailed work. But then add a host of Leonbergers and Newfoundlands to the scene and the number of photographs taken, rocketed. This particular morning, the VW owners club and the Harley Davidson Club were at the breakwater, which in their own right were causing a stir, but then add a dozen Leonbergers and a host of Newfoundlands parading around the area and our owners were inundated by the usual barrage of questions and requests for photographs. It took over an hour to get everyone together before we could leave.
The afternoon saw a convoy of vehicles travel to the centre of the Island, to the Pallot Steam Museum, where a display and taster session of 'scent work' by a couple of the Southern Newfoundland Club members had been arranged. Set in the centre of the oval railway track, the only one in Jersey, members chatted about their dogs and made arrangements for visits to various other Island attractions over the coming week. Guests were also invited to view the exhibits in the Steam Museum including a excellent selection of steam engines, vintage cars and items of general farming interest plus a selection of items from bye-gone years. This was then followed by an excellent Welcoming Buffet, with copious amounts of food reflecting much of the islands produce served from within the old Waiting Room on the station platform.
Bank Holiday Monday
What a change in the weather. Sunday night saw a torrential downpour which carried on into the day and whilst the morning had been given over to free time, the afternoons visit to the Jersey Horse Race meeting at Les Landes had to be abandoned as the ground was waterlogged and the rain looked like it was likely to continue into the afternoon.
But working dog owners being what they are, it did not stop the afternoon drafting tests taking place for Beginners and Level One. All of which proved to be successful for those who took part. Others took the opportunity to catch up on a little retail therapy in St Helier, where the sight of a handful of Newfoundlands and a selection of Leonbergers, once again stopped traffic in the town.
Tuesday
Tuesday saw basic training taking place for those who wanted to try their hand at scent work and it is true to say that those who took part, enjoyed the experience and hopefully will keep up with the basics with their dog.
The afternoon was given over to free time where some of our visitors took time out to undertake a good dog walk along one of our many fine beaches.
The evening saw attention turn to the 'lecture room' where a UK representative of well respected Veterinary practice came to explain the workings and structure of dogs with the emphasis on practical first aid. The event was well attended and explanations were given as to what treatment was feasible to help in emergency situations, should something happen to your dog whilst out on a walk or even around the house. The lecture then gave way to a Q&A section, which proved to be lively and varied with questions going on till later evening. Once completed, most people went away better informed as to the general health of their dogs together with an arsenal of solutions to some basic first aid treatments for use on the dog in case of an emergency.
Wednesday
The morning and afternoon were given over to Drafting Tests Level 2 & 3 and whilst the weather was a little on the damp side, it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of those taking part. There was an excellent turn out and under the watchful eye of the judges for the Southern Newfoundland Club, many entrants successfully attained pass marks for their respective tests. Once the Level 1 and 2 tests were completed, entrants who did not attend the Bank Holiday Monday tests were allowed to be judge for Beginners and Level One.
Thursday
In the morning and the better weather had returned in time for a trip to Durrell Wildlife Trust where we were met by Lea Durrell, wife of the late Gerald Durrell, who took the time to introduce what the Trust does by way of conservation of endangered species. For those that do not know, the Dodo is the emblem and symbol of the trust helping represent the hugely important work undertaken by the trust to save and protect some of the world's most endangered species especially in Madagascar.
Once again in the afternoon, training was provided for those that wished to undertake further scent work, whilst others took the opportunity to visit other attractions on the island or undertake further walks along the beach.
The evening seminar returned to the lecture theatre and a Veterinary talk with an emphasis on bone structure and the workings of large breed dogs. Once again the lecture was well attended with some very open discussion as to various types of treatment for large breeds ranging from cruciate problems to bloat, plus many, if not all the problems that can be encountered by large breeds with regards to weight and bone growth. The lecture was well detailed by some excellent quality x-rays and images of scans showing differing treatments for similar problems, and once again a very informative Q&A session followed.
Friday morning was scheduled as a further informative health lecture from a Chiropractor for animals. The talk was well attended and several of our visitors took advantage of the situation and had their dogs checked over and in some cases manipulated to help with balance and movement.
The remainder of the day was given over to free time with retail therapy seemingly high on the list. Sadly this was also the time when we had to say "Goodbye" to some of our guests who were booked on the afternoon ferry back to the UK.
Saturday was bright and sunny which was welcomed by all, as this was the first of the Water Rescue Test days with Level A and C being undertaken at the lake in St. Ouens Bay. The day turned out to be a very full one with a large number of dogs taking part, once again under the watchful eye of the Southern Newfoundland Judges. The results were particularly encouraging for the dogs based here on Jersey with a good level of passes for Level A.
The evening was kept clear so that drying off of the dogs and relaxation of the humans was able to take place. However the Local Ale Houses seemed to do a good business.
Sunday was to be the last day of the Festival and what a day it turned out to be. The lake was bathed in warm sunshine and provided ideal conditions for the Water Rescue Tests A B and D. Once again there were some encouraging results, but it was clear that all the animals that took part had a really fun time and enjoyed their last day in Jersey.
Testing finished around 5.00pm and then it was down to everyone to get back to the Adventure Centre, sort out the dogs, grab a shower and head on out to Les Ormes Country Club for the Festival Gala Dinner. The room had been laid out beautifully by some of the JBDC members with a wonderful array of raffle prizes and lovely table decorations. The evening allowed for Certificate presentations to those who had successfully competed at the various events during the week and had attained Passes. It also allowed for the Jersey Big Dog Club to raise £210.00 in the raffle which was divided equally between the Leonberger Welfare and the Newfoundland Welfare.
Steve Pallot, Jersey Big Dog Club
