Our earliest recollections of dogs in our families goes back to Beryl's paternal grandfather who owned a black Labrador and a Springer Spaniel, the latter of which went along with him and her grand-father to the pheasant "shoots" in the Abbeystead area of the Trough of Bowland, east of Lancaster.
Beryl's maternal grandfather also had a Springer Spaniel, and this love of Gundogs continued. Beryl 's mother and father co-owned a black Labrador and subsequently a golden Cocker Spaniel - Jill - who had a beautiful litter of puppies ranging in colour from golden to black to lemon & white to blue roans.
 
(1)The Springer Spaniel which belonged
to Beryl's mothers family. Photo taken
in 1926
(2) Beryl's mother and father
co-owned a black Labrador
Retriever
In this image Beryl is with her uncle who resided "next door"
From L to R is Beryl with Jill her golden Cocker Spaniel, Sammy BIS locally, and Sammy's dam - Gay.
The family also had two black and white Cockers - Sammy who took BIS locally and Gay.
At the same time, Beryl's aunt, Catherine Hodgson was a national and international judge of Cocker Spaniels and whippets. Bing, which she bred, achieved BOB at Crufts.
Photo of Bing. Lemon & white Cocker Spaniel owned and bred by Mrs. Catherine Hodgson of Morecambe.
Beryl's own family went on to own a Bull Mastiff called Trixie and two Pekingese, firstly a "lion" type and then a miniature peke.
This is a photo of Beryl with their Bull Mastiff, Trixie in 1948
 
Kuchens followed Peko. He was a
The first Pekingese that our family a miniature and was a gentle boy.
owned was a "lion" Peke. His call
name was Peko. When visitors or
relatives came to the house he
bounced against the door as they
left sometimes trapping their fingers!
Frank's thoughts go back also to a black Labrador called Prince, who was owned by his maternal grand-mother.
At home Frank's family had a Manchester Terrier called Micky, followed by an Airedale.
During Frank's years in Australia he owned Lucy - a blue roan Cocker Spaniel. He was told that Lucy was the only dog ever to have gone to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge Visitor Pylon.
Later, and concurrently he owned a Boxer called Cassius and another golden Cocker called Lucky.
This photo shows Cassius - Frank's Boxer with Lucky, golden Cocker
Spaniel and Topper, his Sulphur Crested Cockatoo.
What could the Cockatoo be saying to the two dogs ?
In 1982 Frank and Beryl came to own a golden Labrador, Ace, who was sired by an Australian Champion.
As far as breeds are concerned we have returned to our roots owning Gundogs and as the saying goes..........."The rest is history."
Anser of Howcreek - Ace - gave us years of sheer delight
and after him quickly followed Otterscroft Gruinard - Major. He was
our first Golden Retriever and a son of Sh Ch Jobeka Jasper of
Nortonwood. So began our love of Goldens.
| 
