Our dogs

Our first Dalmatian, Gatsby was such a happy, good-natured, liver-spotted dog. He was a part of our family even before the boys were born and established our love for the breed. Gatsby was a true Dalmatian with a huge appetite, not content with his own food he enjoyed the half-eaten sandwiches, a frozen chicken and a wedding ring (eventually returned heart-shaped).

Gatsby loved nothing better than to charge through the woods, with a dead squirrel in his mouth, or to roll on the smelliest dead fish he could find. When we lost him, it just had to be another Dalmatian. Gatsby's litter-brother Declan was great-grand sire to Sting and Peppy, so Gatsby would have been their great great uncle.

The breeder only had one puppy left. She couldn't keep another male but really felt he was good enough to show. And that's how we were drawn into the world of dog shows with Sting, Ch Dalmark the Entertainer. Click here for more.

As an 8-week old puppy arriving in her new home, it took Peppy no more than 5 minutes to put the older Sting in his place and assert her dominance. It hasn't changed much since - she still chooses the best bed first, and takes his bone away if he gives her the chance.

Having already committed to show Sting, we thought it was worth a try with Peppy too. As a young dog she was a great success, and had we been more experienced she may have won her Junior Warrant. She has qualified for Crufts regularly, and came 2nd in a class of 20 under Julia Swinburn in 2005. She's happiest on a long run in the woods or on a large beach.

Tina took Peppy back in the ring at Crufts with the North of England Dalmatian Club, to demonstrate the Bronze Good Citizen award scheme.