What we have here (he says, adopting an Antiques Roadshow tone of voice for some reason) is a website devoted to a breeding kennel of cocker spaniels named after the highest hill in the Ochils. Strictly speaking, the dogs have the older one-word version of the name, Bencleuch, rather than the current Ben Cleuch, and none appear to use antiquated variants such as Ben Clach, Glenwhappen Rig, or Yon Big Lump Up Behind Alva. There are lots of them: the 'Our Dogs' page alone features Bencleuch Blind Date, Bencleuch Bella Rosa, Bencleuch Bellisima, Bencleuch Bella Lollita, Los Ombeus Victory at Bencleuch, Bencleuch Birdsong, Bencleuch Billionaire, Bencleuch Bella Beline and Bencleuch Bollinger. A strange and eclectic bunch of names, especially as the dogs all look much the same: four legs, two floppy ears, one stumpy tail (presumably shortened in puppyhood using some hellish surgical device). Various dogs have picked up prizes. We're told that Bencleuch Billionaire won 'Best Opposite Sex at Gundog Breeds of Scotland'. Best Opposite Sex? I've had that a few times over the years but no one ever pinned a rosette on me afterwards. (Well, not that I'm admitting.)
Bencleuch Billionaire
To be fair, it seems entirely reasonable to have some dogs named after hills, given that plenty of hills are named after dogs. Over east is Dog Hillocks; out west is Stob a'Choin (not that I claim any great understanding of the Gaelic); up north is Canis P (not that I claim any great understanding of the Latin).
I'm more of a cat person; after all, I edit a magazine that, written backwards, spells CAT rather than GOD. But I like dogs as well, just so long as they don't bite my balls off, crap on my carpet or - worst sin of all - snaffle my lunch on a hilltop. Generally, I prefer neat little terriers or big rangy hounds; I'm less keen on hearth-rug labrador things, or soppy-looking breeds such as spaniels. Which is a shame, given that every last waggy one of the Bencleuch dogs appears to be a spaniel.
Speaking of cats (AD: you weren't, but I might have known this would happen), a BBC news story from February 2007 reported that 30 cats were rescued from 'cramped and squalid' conditions in Aberdeen, with two of them, Little Pie and Mr Dawson, being adopted by Scott and Alison Robson of Glasgow. 'When we got them home', said Alison Robson, 'they initially hid behind furniture and would only come out for food. However, they have grown in confidence as we have got to know them.' This does indeed sound like the Mr Dawson I know, especially the bit about hiding behind furniture.
www.bencleuch-cockers.co.uk/ourdogs.htm
Mr Dawson settling in with Little Pie in their new home
