08 May 2015 – Dog World

Leading up to WELKS the weather had been glorious, were you hoping like me after hearing the weekend weather forecast of rain showers that they had got it completely wrong. Malvern is not the best of places when rain descends upon the terrain, well the wish was granted. Early on arrival yes it was windy even chilly bon-bon but dry. At that point too cold outside so ventured to the Severn Annexe where our inside ring was located. Min Pins were to be judged before Papillons and Papillons had been allocated after the conclusion of Min Pins a twin ring of 29/30. The ring was at one end of the hall so we had wall space for parking up. However the committee had also given space in the hall for a lovely grooming area as the benching was located in an adjacent area from the annexe. We were well situated in the Severn Annexe as the BIS / Stakes classes were at the other end of the hall from our ring so all was at hand including the toiletry conveniences which were immaculate.

Must give a compliment to the Min Pins exhibitors who were so pleasant and friendly, really enjoyed the company of the Min Pin folk around us, they were so nice. Can’t have been easy with our Papillon lot converging upon them, with our show trolleys and baggage to boot where as they have the ultimate delight and method of travelling light. I have tried to cut down on the bits and pieces needed but it still seemed double the amount of the Min Pin folk. Thank you for being such good company and delighted that the lady at the back of our trolley took the cc after I believe the cc at Crufts, congratulations.

A shopping delight in store for the professional shopaholics, lots to see and browse and I personally was delighted to put a face to Dennis’s voice behind the phone at Platinum Dog Food. Such a pleasant helpful company and nothing is ever too much trouble to ensure that the correct feeding is given to our canine friends.

Once the Min Pins had concluded the ring was opened up and we ‘Papillon’ folk were raring to go. Judging commenced at around 12 noon with breed specialist Miss Ann Summerfield (Annfield) arrival in the ring looking very smart and ready for the day with a lovely entry of 123/140. Miss Summerfield went over the dogs very calmly and gently on the table, nothing over stated just got on with the job in hand. Each dog and exhibitor was given time and a chance to put their four paws to the best advantage, so the day moved along at a smooth continual rate of knots.

Must pay a very big compliment to the stewards Bill Warren who I believe is from the well respected Copperfield affix for Bull Mastiffs and Amanda White. Amanda made sure with each commencement of a class that everyone was aware that the said class was starting, so no excuse for anyone missing their class. Whilst Bill worked away quietly making sure all the paperwork and placement cards were on hand instantly. Both were always so attentive to the judges’ needs and requirements at any point of the proceedings, always understated just working away in the background. They were brilliant all day; you were both a pleasure to watch and I hope you are stewarding again for Papillons soon.

As the day went on the sun put its hat on and standing outside in the sunshine was lovely, however in the hall it was fridge temperatures, it just got colder and colder as the day went on. It took me two days to warm up afterwards. No fault of the organisers we just needed an open roof for the sunshine to generate the heat.

Miss Summerfield’s principal winners for the day were as follows; DCC / BOB Irene & Glenn Robb’s Ch Gleniren Shootin Starmaker Sunshoo. We are so proud of Travis as this is his tenth cc and tenth BOB. He was also shortlisted in the TGP under Geoffrey Davies. The Champion Stakes also proved successful as he took a very creditable second placing under Derek Smith. BCC went to a delighted Jenny Scovell with Afterglow Papa Don’t Preach. For the RCC’s it was to be Sue Stanbury with Inixia Saucy Sam for the RDCC and for the RBCC Robb’s Ch Gleniren Kiss Me Kate Sunshoo. BP was the bitch Carol Lee’s youngster Lafford Kandy Floss handled by Caroline Lee- Slater.

Sue Stanbury had a good show at West Country Dog Club Open Show under Mrs V. William-Wegmann (Essvana) taking BOB & TGP2 with Inixia Saucy Sam and BP & TPGP2 with Inixia Saucy Sara. Well done Sue.

The Kennel Club have put forward the following announcement that may be of interest to exhibitors for the Kennel Club Good Citizens Dog Training Scheme regarding GCDS Supermatch.

Winners of Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme (GCDS) Breed Classes in 2014 and 2015 will have a new opportunity to go ‘head to head’ against each other this year with the introduction of a prestigious new competition – the GCDS Supermatch – to be held at the Kennel Club Building at Stoneleigh on 29th November 2015.

The GCDS Supermatch will only be open to dogs in the GCDS Breed Classes at General, Group or Single Breed Championship Shows. To be eligible, dogs must be: Winner of a GCDS Breed Specific Class (single or mixed sex) at a General or Group Championship show, or Winner of a GCDS Class (single or mixed sex) at a Breed Specific Championship Show, or Placed 1st – 5th on each day in the AV GCDS Stakes Classes held at General or Group Championship shows. The qualifying period will run from 1st November 2014 to 31st October 2015 so dogs can qualify retrospectively with awards won within this period. To enter GCDS Classes at Championship shows, all dogs must have achieved at least the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Bronze Award level. Maurice Cooke, GCDS Working Party Chairman, said: “For some years the Good Citizen Dog Scheme has been supporting breed shows through the GCDS Classes at Group and General Championship Shows. The GCDS Supermatch will introduce a new element of excitement and competition for Good Citizen dogs and help to highlight the role of the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme in providing training and welfare education to owners across the whole spectrum of dog activities.” The GCDS Supermatch itself will be held on Sunday 29th November 2015 at the Kennel Club Building at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. It will be limited to a maximum of 128 entries (64 dogs and 64 bitches) and places will be allocated in the order in which applications are received. The final closing date for entries will be Monday 2nd November 2015 (received by). Entry forms will be available from early September 2015. More information on the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dogtraining.

Well that’s your lot for this week, I am off to feed the doves who are impatiently stomping up and down the patio for their breakfast. Take care motoring to the shows and have fun with your little ones.

IRENE ROBB