Snow business

My goodness, where has the time gone. I'm so behind with posts on the chaps' doings.
They're now 7 months old and my vet friend reckons they're just about fully grown. They're active, bustly, cheerful little souls. They're sometimes a bit loud, especially when there's a mop or brush in the vicinity, and they sing a lot at walk times, but they're extremely good natured and happy dogs.
Jack has learned how to open cupboard doors by pulling on the knob with his teeth. He is also strongly into fetching and bringing back the ball now. Pip still thinks that's a mug's game. If he catches the ball, he runs off with it and buries it! People said we might have trouble training them or that they might not live in harmony together because of being littermates - that one would always fight for dominance, but we have had none of that at all, and they have settled in together as well integrated, sociable individuals.
Since we've had some chilly weather of late, I thought I'd post a selection of photos of the boys in the cold. Click for larger images.



Attack!












Dashing through the snow!
A field in South Notts on a
snowy winter afternoon









ooerr!
Pip's 'ghost'.
This cloudy thing
wasn't visible to the
naked eye when I took
this shot.







Snowy nose!











Meanwhile senior dog
Taz takes the opportunity
to roll in the snow.










Pip among the
fallen leaves












Jack being serious
for a moment











Rabbit sighted!












Fun with my brother
























exploring by the river










Scenic shot.
The lights of
Nottingham twinkling
in the distance.
Taken from the cliffs
above the
Trent Valley










Almost home.

UPDATE

Sorry, I have been so busy that I haven't had time to update the blog in a while.
Jack and Pip are continuing to progress very well. Jack has discovered the joy of chasing squirrels and being a bright little dog, knows what that word is. 'Squirrel' makes him sit up, ears at full prick while he rises on his hind legs. 'Rabbit' however, will drop him to the ground and send him off hunting with his nose. Pip is less interested in these words but knows all about the importance of storing the things that are valuable to dogs and is the world's best ever digger. He has taken to running off with balls when on a walk and burying them through the gap in the pathway fence where only he can get at them. Jack, being very hunt orientated, doesn't get the idea of fetching the ball back from where Pip has buried it because it's not really important when measured against chasing edible furries and featheries.
Jack is the more obedience of the two. He hates being told off and will moan about it to himself like a smacked child. Not that we do smack him. The stern voice is enough to bring on the pouty mouth and the whimpers. Jack has wonderful control over his ears and is able to prick them fully erect. He has a narrower snout than Pip and has a head shape more like his dad I would say. Pip has his mum's head. Both of them have developed shiny but quite harsh fell coats, broken in places, but they are not fluffy or fuzzy. In height they are going to be bigger than short-legged Jack Russell's but not the size of Parson's. However, they are good, solid little dogs, full of fun and wild terrier energy. (although they sleep 12 hours from 9 at night until 9 in the morning!). Favourite game is chasing the mop. See below for an updated photo gallery from September until now - not in any particular order. Click to enlarge.

Roundup and photos

Here are some more photos of Jack and Pip from last month - not in any order, just as I uploaded them to Blogger.
They are still growing nicely and have just had new collars because their necks are now too big for their puppy collars!
They are fully housetrained now and walk very well on the lead. Both are very sociable with people and other dogs. They get very waggy and excited when they go for walks!
Jack is developing the most wonderful curly coat. It looks like wave ripples when the tide goes out. Pip's coat doesn't have any of that and is smooth but coarse. Jack is in charge. He's the alpha dog, but also the more highly strung. He's the most obedient when called, but Pip was housetrained faster, so they're an interesting mix as far as brains go. Both very intelligent, but in different ways. I've put a roundup of photos below. Click to enlarge.





Oh go on, let me on the bed!















Dogging the master's heels!














In the field at the top
of the world!









Walking like responsible
grown up dogs.













Waiting for the master
to come back at the
supermarket.












There is nothing
like a bone!













Lolling on a sunny landng











The human dogbed









Smug!













Pensive Pippy










Bliss











The prize of a
cottage cheese pot
to lick out

Another update.

Well, the boys have been growing and learning and growing some more. Jack is really a fruit bat in disguise and loves plums and apples. Both of them are omnivores, which is a bit different to Taz who thinks you are poisoning him if you offer him fruit. Jack likes runner beans too. The chaps have had their first run-in with the dreaded fleas but are now righteous again, having been to the vets for a dose of Frontline.
Jack is beginning to develop some lovely water-ripple kinks in his coat. Pip is getting a fluffy tail. Pip is the more laid back and outgoing of the two. Jack is more athletic and tighter-knit, but Pip was the first to suss how to get downstairs. Jack just sat at the top and screamed despite being the better runner and jumper. Pip has the better confidence which is what made the difference. They are well socialised with other dogs now. At home we are only having minor spats for dominance and a point and a hard stare is all it takes to keep order. All is motoring well at the moment. I've included some photos from the last fortnight. Click to enlarge.






Jack pondering life.













Pip in the garden








Exploring the border with Taz













'Helping to clear
the border











Jack supervises












Guarding the edging tool












Collar on
Handsome boy










Sunny summer evening







<

Update photos

Click to enlarge

Close up of Jack at The
Rising Sun pub at
Shackerstone. July
31st 2010













Pip and Jack at
The Rising Sun
Shackerstone
July 31st 2010









Pip thinking about
having a doze










The canal at Shackerstone
where we went for a family
walk










Rellies. Jack, Pip,
Auntie Tia and
Cousin Ellie
(mostly out of shot)





Auntie Tia, Cousin
Ellie and Jack
examine an interesting
smell. Pip prefers Roger's
shoe.









Auntie Tia,
Cousin Ellie
and Pip in
the garden







Walking nearer home
A pair of bums!












Scenery near home












Jack all gritty after
rolling in sand













Go, go, go!
Jack and Pip
by the banks of
the Trent








Dabbling and paddling











Digging for victory
while Taz supervises.












Cherry picking.











More cherries.














Desperate for dinner.
Roger was preparing
a rabbit









Hurry up.
Please!