Sorcha × Copper Beech, born 18 March 2024
Sorcha's first litter
We went to Shropshire for Copper Beech: a red tri with low scores, a clean DNA panel, clear MDR1 and a lovely temperament with sheep and people. Six puppies, all clear at the litter eye screen, all still with their first families except Lasair, who never left.
Five of six are scored, with a median hip total of 11 and every elbow 0. Iúr was neutered at fourteen months and his owners decided against sedating him for X-rays; we respect that, and we list him as not scored rather than leave him out.
The litter
Facts and outcomes
- Dam
- Ir Ch Mournevale Wild Sorrel at Fernhill (Sorcha) — blue merle, M/m
- Sire
- Ch Tamarisk Copper Beech JW (UK, outside stud, Shropshire) — red tri, m/m; hips 4:4 (8), elbows 0, eyes clear 2023, MDR1 N/N, HSF4, CEA, prcd-PRA and DM clear
- Born
- 18 March 2024 — 6 puppies: 3 dogs, 3 bitches
- Colours and tails
- 2 blue merle, 2 red merle, 1 black tri, 1 red tri; 3 natural bobtails, 3 full tails
- Litter COI (10 generations)
- 3.3%
- Litter eye screen
- All 6 clinically unaffected, 6 May 2024
- Hips scored (5 of 6)
- 8, 8, 11, 13, 17 — median 11
- Elbows scored (5 of 6)
- All grade 0
- MDR1
- 3 carriers, 3 clear
- Titles so far
- Ir Jun Ch (Lasair); IKC Agility Grade 3 (Rós)
Where they are now
Hips are BVA scores, left:right (total); lower is better. Elbows are graded 0 to 3. Updated as results come in.
| Puppy | Sex | Colour and tail | Hips | Elbows | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasair | Bitch | Red merle, full tail | 5:6 (11) | 0 | Stayed with us; Ir Jun Ch July 2025 |
| Rós | Bitch | Red merle, natural bobtail | 4:4 (8) | 0 | IKC Agility Grade 3 with her owner, Co. Cork |
| Fearn | Dog | Blue merle, natural bobtail | 6:7 (13) | 0 | Family dog and canicross, Co. Wicklow |
| Iúr | Dog | Blue merle, full tail | Not scored | Not scored | Neutered at 14 months; his owners chose not to sedate him for X-rays. Fit and sound |
| Dara | Dog | Black tri, natural bobtail | 3:5 (8) | 0 | Works suckler cattle, Co. Meath |
| Holly | Bitch | Red tri, full tail | 9:8 (17) | 0 | Family dog and obedience, Co. Kilkenny |
Five of six scored. Iúr's owners chose not to have him sedated for X-rays, and we list him rather than leave him out.
Milestones
- Mated (fresh semen, Shropshire)16 and 18 January 2024
- Born18 March 2024
- Litter eye screen, all clear6 May 2024
- Go-home days13–27 May 2024
- Hips and elbows scored (5 of 6)April – October 2025