Born: 4th July 1995

Colour: Liver and white

Sire: FTW Cressett Crest

Dam: Webbswood Rumba

She is absolutely adorable with an ego the size of a house! Willful and game for anything, Independence Day was a good day for her to be born on!

We didn't have a choice regarding which pup we could have from Tipsy's litter. There were four dogs and two bitches and one bitch was already booked but hadn't been decided upon. We first saw Tips at 3 weeks old, what a sweet, little handful she wouldn't turn out to be!!

Anyone who has had a springer will know how much work they are. I do object, however, to the many people who say, "Oh yes, they're those crazy spaniels". Yes, she can be a bit of a looney but anyone who believes they are not intelligent may live to regret it!!

Tips went to puppy classes and passed her socialisation and behaviour tests. She passed her Kennel Club Good Citizen Award within eight weeks and went on to do obedience. If there's one thing that we've battled with all her life it is walking to heel. Anything else she would do (especially finding the scented tissue) but we decided after several weeks that obedience was not her thing.

Her pedigree is full of Field Trials Champions and her natural ability is obvious for anyone to see when we are out walking. We did try and take her to a Gundog Club, but we couldn't find a Club nearby so we decided to concentrate on something else to satisfy her enthusiasm for life.

Enter agility. Wow, what fun she had showing me up. It took us three years to get a clear round, mainly due to her thinking that weaving was a complete waste of time when there was more fun to be had! Since then we have never looked back with clear rounds and/or placings at every show we attend and the occasional trophy just to prove its not a fluke! During training sessions its obvious that her ten year's experience has a lot to do with our successes now.

Has she slowed down? Only just, this dog would give her last breath for just one more piece of the action!!

Unfortunately it looks like Tipsy's agility career will finally have to slow down as it is aggravating her arthritus. Her Vet has put her on synoquin to help her joints and, hopefully, she will continue to compete on warm days at local Shows. Whatever the outcome Tipsy has been a first class partner, pet, comedian, protector and companion to the Gilbert family and this is my tribute to her and her ability to face everything that life throws at her with true springer spaniel spirit.

We love ya Tips xxxx

Tipsy's Pedigree