Natsworthy Lakeland Terriers
Back in 1954 my father paid £8gns (£8.40) for a 7 month old Lakeland called Kelda Tea Rose who my brother and I named Lassie. This started for me a lifetime in the breed. In February 1955 we registered our first litter. I kept a bitch from that litter who I called Inchmore Beauty or Rosie to her friends! She and I were constant companions until she died aged 14 years. My only time without a Lakie was when I was working abroad. My dogs were primarily pets. They enjoyed nothing better than going out rabitting or following me and my horse on rides.
I had a go at showing on several occasions but did not really enjoy it. However, I started again in 1989 and applied for and got the affix Natsworthy. It is the name of the hamlet where we live. I have enjoyed my 18 years of showing but in 2007 decided to retire from showing and therefore breeding Lakelands. My dogs are still my pets and I like nothing better than watching them run free over our fields here on Dartmoor.
2005 saw a change for us. In March we said goodbye unexpectedly to our Muffin. Eleven years old and still full of fun. Her sister Poppy really missed her. Then in April in his 17th year we said a fond farewell to Pip. How can we repay him for all the love he gave us but also living with my father for 6 years and keeping him independant for that time.
Cody (seen above with her Gt Gt grandpups) sadly left us early in 2007 in her 17th year. We miss her so very much, she was one of those dogs who leaves her impression forever on a family. She was full of herself right up to the end and suffered a 'bleed' in her brain which affected her badly.
Poppy (Natsworthy Golden Dagger), now twelve, is Cody's daughter by Ch. Am. Ch. Auchenhove The Tin Man, who sadly died in 2003. Poppy did really well in the height of her showing by winning one Challenge Certificate (win three and your dog is a champion) and three Reserve Challenge Certificates. She is now the matriach of the family.
And now to the goofer in the family! Natsworthy Golden Bow (Rocky). He moved into the house late in 2005 and has become a delightful house dog. He comes with me to demonstrate dog training. He has his own skateboard and can do commando crawls amongst other tricks.
Natsworthy Golden Magic (Sophie) and Natsworthy The Charmer (Millie) are Rocky's nieces. They are by Aust. Ch. Lakeridge The Socerer out of Natsworthy Golden Dazzler (Tizzy). Tizzy now lives with the Owen Family and is a companion to Natsworthy The Dragon Slayer (George).
In January 2006 we made the decision that Sophie would be better off living on her own as she was not that keen on other dogs around her. We found a lovely home just 8 miles from us with an experienced Lakeland owner. So we still see her and she comes and visits but she has benefited greatly from having the undivided attention of her owner.
2005 saw the arrival of Millie's first litter with Ch. Lakeridge The Gambler. Two pups were born in January, one dog and one bitch. Lottie had a shaky start to her life having first gone to what we thought an ideal family. Sadly after 6 months she no longer fitted in with their lifestyle. After a fairly traumatic time trying to get her back and reassessing her we found a lovely home for her near Southampton. She has settled in well and is enjoying her walks in the New Forest and meeting all her canine friends. We gather these range from a Doberman down! We wish Joy and Alan and Lottie many happy years together. We kept the dog, Natsworthy Roll of the Dice, now Roly so we have got a Rocky and Roly!
Milly and Roly live out in kennels but these are no ordinary kennels - lighting and central heating. Roly was disappointed though to find that he had no mini bar in his! They are both great characters and no mole or mouse is safe from Milly's hunting exploits - though Alan does despair at the state of the garden!
