Westie Club

Caitlin had a busy time at the recent West Highland White Terrier Club Open Show in Polmont. Solo was 2nd in his puppy class, 1st in Junior and 1st in Special Beginners and Caitlin also handled the eventual Reserve Best In Show winner.

Well done Caitlin and Solo, all good practice for SKC!

Caitlin with Incheril Brigetta - RBIS

PDSA Companion Show

We couldn't have asked for better weather for our show at Roseisle on Sunday, the sun shone all day and a good crowd gathered to make the most of it.

Thanks to our judges, Jacquie Fraser, Jenny Taylor and Margaret Gray, to the stewards, to the hard working ladies in the kitchen, to all the committee and helpers, to all who donated raffles, food and money, and to everyone who turned up on the day. We couldn't have done it without you all!

It was a very successful day and we should have a profit of about £500 to send to the PDSA.Club members took many of the top places. Daveena's Inka, handled by Glenn, won the terrier class, Roseanne's Toby won the pastoral class, Joanne's Manfred took the junior class, Lesleys' Rommie was 1st in a large gundog class, Ria's Jasper won the toy class and Ailsa's Mookie won the utility class and then Best In Show. Caitlin took Best Junior Handler and also won the Triers obedience class with Solo. Margaret's Ellie won the Highers obedience class.

With three rings operating, there was a lot going on at the same time so not all classes could be photographed. Thanks to Nicky for sending me quite a few of the following photos.

The Open class winner


Ria and Jasper on their way to winning the toy class

Hound class winner and RBIS


Manfred - winner of the Junior class



BIS line up, part 1

BIS line up, part 2

Best in Show - Ailsa's Mookie
Reserve Best in Show - Rachel Cuthil's Vinnie

Best Puppy in Show - Charley Iason's Caeson

Best Veteran - Isobelle Morrison's Vince
Best Junior Handler - Caitlin

Triers Obedience
1st - Caitlin with Solo
2nd - Eve with Clare
3rd - Suki with Zac (not pictured)
4th -? with Poppy
5th - James with Maisie
6th - James with Murphy

Highers Obedience
1st- Margaret with Ellie
2nd - Heather with Skye
3rd - Jenny with Sadie
4th - Eve with Clare
5th - Ria with Jasper
6th - ? with Poppy

Fliers Obedience
1st - Alison with Cody
2nd - Jenny with Brint
3rd - Fran with Diesel
4th - Alison with Dash
5th - Eleanor with Misty
6th - Gladys with Danny

A few photos of the puppy class...






The Odd Couple class has really caught on, we had some great entries...

1st and 2nd

Around and about...

Doing it the French way

Linda Offen has sent in this interesting article on just how difficult it is to make up a French Champion. And we thought we had it hard!

"As I seem to have "been in dogs" for at least a century, you will appreciate that I have got to know a lot of people in a variety of breeds over the years. One of them is a lovely lady by the name of Avril Lacey. When I first met her in the late 1970s she was well known for her "Weetoneon" Afghan Hounds but then became just as famous for her Hungarian Pulis, which breed she is synonymous with today. She still has one Afghan and, in fact, judged that breed as well as Pulis at WELKS this year. She has also judged both breeds at Crufts. Along the way she also owned Komondors, which always seemed to take over the whole of the hall when she brought them to training classes!
A few years ago Avril and her partner Stan decided to decamp to France (sensible couple!) together with all the dogs. She still travels to the UK to attend Championship shows but, as expected, has also managed to make up some of her stock to French Champions. This process, I have discovered, is very different from what now appears to be an almost relaxed approach in the UK to making up a Champion. The process was explained recently by Avril in the canine press where she writes the Puli breed notes, and I have reproduced it here to give an insight into what dogs and owners have to go through following gaining the necessary show wins.

I have also included a photo of Avril in the pastoral group ring at Crufts 2010 with her latest Champion Puli who, I hope you will agree, is a worthy title holder.

I hope you find the article interesting - don't let it put you off exhibiting or even living in France!!"

Linda

FRENCH CHAMPION WEETONEON ARTIC STORM

Gaining a French Ch title is different to the UK. You have to apply to the French KC to claim the title and it takes quite some time to be confirmed, as there are several items to check. You have to submit the CACs that have been won at both National and International Shows, plus one won at a Speciality National Show, and also one won either at The Club National Show (CBEI) or at the Championnatt de France. You also have to provide hip score certification (top scores only), eye tests (pass) and the TAN test certificate (temperament test). This test is held the day before the Club's annual Championship Show, where over 350 dogs from Groups 1 and 2 take this test. This test is mandatory, as are the other previously mentioned items, to become a Champion. The TAN test now includes a Gun Test (previously Group 2 only). The TAN test is for correct social behaviour with individuals, in crowds, and with other dogs, reactions in unusual situations, trust and obeying the handler, e.g. in one part, handler and dog have to jump over a series of tapes placed across side to side (approximately 12" high) between an avenue of barriers approximately 4' wide apart and for a length of about 6 metres. If a dog tries to crawl under, it is failed. It is a long day but worthwhile, and interesting to see all the various breeds and their reactions. The breeds one thinks would be the boldest sadly sometimes fail.


Thanks for sharing this with us Linda!

The National

The National Championship show was held from Thursday to Sunday last week and for the few club members who made the trip down to Stafford. it was worth the effort.

Elaine's Zeta took one step nearer to becoming a champion when she won her class and then took the CC. Congratulations and good luck for the third!

As usual, whippet classes were very large so Liz must have been thrilled to bits when Poppy won her Post Grad class and sister Bunty took 3rd in Limit.

Katie's Lara is now out of Junior and competing with the 'big girls' but being on the young side didn't affect her consistant record at champ shows as she was placed 3rd in Graduate.

Sue's Kupah is another who has been consistantly in the cards at champ shows, he took 2nd in his Junior class.

Congratulatons everyone!

Open class at Sunday's show

Please note that there is an error on some of the entry forms for Sunday's show at Roseisle. The Any Variety Open class has been missed out in the pedigree section. There will be an Open class and it will be held after Utility.

Companion show

Don't forget our companion show at Rosiesle this coming Sunday. All proceeds will be going to PDSA so come along and support a good cause.

There will be pedigree, novelty and obedience classes, something to suit everyone. Refreshments will be available in the hall and a raffle will be held. Any donations for the raffle would be very welcome.

Dogs do not need to be Kennel Club registered but must be 6 months of age or over. Entries will be taken from 11am with judging starting at 12 noon.

Join us for a great day out!

Beagle judge change

For all owners of beagles entered in Banff, Moray and Nairn Canine Club's show at the end of the month, please note that the judge will be Fiona MacDonald and not as published in the schedule.

Success for the Sammys

Carol went down to Dumfries for the Samoyed Association's champ show on May 2nd and her two young pups did extremely well.

Kodi won his minor puppy dog class and Best Puppy Dog. Sister Chaos went one step further, she also won her minor puppy class, took Best Puppy Bitch and then Best Puppy In Show!

Congratulations Carol, Chaos and Kodi!

North of Scotland Toydog Society

The North of Scotland Toydog Society held their first group open show of the year in the usual venue of Arbroath community centre on Sunday, 2nd May.

It was a particularly successful day for Jill and the Chins, not only did puppy Cracker win his class and BPIB but Tiger won his class, BOB and topped it off with Best in Show! Congratulations! Jill's husband Bill hasn't been too well of late so it was great to see him back at the ringside and how nice that he was there to see Tiger take top spot.

There were a number of other wins. Sue's Rosa won her class. Ria's Jasper won his and also took BOB. Elizabeth and George had BOB and BPIB with their Bolognese but I'm not sure which of their dogs were the winners (further details would be appreciated).

Apologies for the quality of the photos, the hall's lighting is not the best.

Best of breed Bolognese

Jasper in the line up for BIS

Best Puppy in Breed

Tiger is awarded BIS

BIS and RBIS

A slightly better photo of Tiger