Sharing our love of Large Munsterlanders
We are John and Gerlind Lilley and our two sons Rob and Jonathan. John grew up in South Yorkshire and his family used to own a mad Springer Spaniel. Gerlind comes from Germany and has lived in England since 1986. We now live in the Northwest of England. Since 1994 we have had the pleasure of being entertained by several Große Münsterländer.
First came Frikkie, Ichbin Gerardelli, he was Gerlind’s first experience of living with a dog. I’m sure we made many mistakes and expected too much of him at times but he always came good and was the most loyal dog we could have asked for.
He was soon joined by Jägerreh Marina known as Missie, who taught us in three easy lessons how different one dog is from another. Unfortunately Missie only spent just over 12 months with us; we lost her in a freak accident on the day of the LMC AGM
Later in the same year the first real showgirl came to Bollerwagen. We bought Lottie, Bramwood Susie Weissbär von Bollerwagen, from Doris Bailey and both her parents (Ch. Ghyllbeck Holcus x Sh. Ch. Ichbin Modesty) were successful in the show ring and in the field.
Lottie had several wins and was just getting into her stride in the show ring when tragedy struck once more.
Lottie (Bramwood Susie Weissbar von Bollerwagen)
Frikkie was alone again and not very happy. He had always suffered from a certain amount of separation anxiety and now he was getting older and found it hard being left when we went out to work
Senta (Raycris Best of the Best von Bollerwagen)
Luckily Christine Ogle and Raymond Butler agreed to let us have the pick of litter bitch puppy from one of their litters and Senta, Raycris Best of the Best von Bollerwagen (Tarkanya Magic Master x Sh. Ch. Raycris Tip Top, both successful in the field as well as in the show ring) joined our family. Senta has had success in the show ring and is a happy, fun girl, who always aims to please.
Sadly, In the summer of 2003 we lost Frikkie to CD also known as CDRM. CD is a degenerative disease of the nerves in the lower part of the spine. The dog gradually loses feeling and therefore control in his back legs and can later become incontinent.
However, In November 2003
Roijul Red Hot Chilli Pepper, Millie, came to keep Senta company
What do we do with our dogs?
Gerlind enjoyed going to the shows with Senta and was a member of the committee of
the Large Munsterlander Club, but these days is pretty busy with her work. She is
also a Translator (German/English) and is able to help anyone who wishes to liaise
with Verein Großer Münsterländer if necessary. This service is also available -
We can’t claim to “work” or do “competitive obedience, agility or fly ball” with our dogs but they are a big part of our lives. Everything does not revolve around them but they are always taken into consideration, be it whether we come home in our lunch break or where to go for a holiday or weekend away. Without them our lives would sometimes be easier but not half as interesting and certainly less fun.
If you think that our experience may be of help to you, you can email us via blitzanmunsters@yahoo.co.uk (it will be forwarded)
John & Gerlind Lilley & their Large Munsterlanders