NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS
Crufts Judge 2026 Camille Lambert.
‘Margaret has asked me to put a little piece about me together in the run up to my judging at Crufts 2026!
I am sure most of you know me by now, but some may not -so here are some facts! I went to my first dog show at 11 days old mum took 2 weeks off showing to have me, so you could say showing is in my blood. I grew up with, mainly Pyrenean and Estrela Mountain Dogs and we had kennels in those days in the New Forest (which interestingly has now been turned into an AirBnB!). My parents decided I could have my own dogs when I was 10 yrs old, and we eventually decided on Norwegian Buhunds which joined us at Sturtmoor in February 1983. My first two bitches came from Michael Quinney (Adoram) who was always very supportive of me, right up until the last time I saw him, before he was lost to the dog world. I have only been a small-time breeder, having only bred 6 litters of Buhunds (also 1 litter of Keeshonds in the USA.) I have always been more of an exhibitor, and although I have dabbled in other activities like obedience, agility and racing showing will always be my first love. From my 6 litters I have gained moderate success, having bred /owned 3 Champions as well as multiple CC & RCC winners. I had the honour of winning Best Of Breed at Crufts in 2016 with King (Ch Svartkonge as Sturmoor JW (Imp Nor) I had also won BOB at Crufts with our Estrela Mountain Dog Menna (Multi Ch Karabas Likande Lamenna Letta at Strutmoor), who achieved fantastic results throughout her show career. Over the years I have owned and /or handled over 50 different breeds of dogs, covering all groups. When I was Junior Handling, I made a point of taking in other people’s dogs, rather than my own, so I could gain extra experience which has stood me in good stead over the years. Particularly after I moved to USA in April 2001 where I learned a brand-new system and was showing against top handlers in a country where when you are old, ‘you will not win unless you hire a handler’!! Guess what, I did not hire a handler, I became one! In very limited showing, I finished Ch titles on 8 dogs, including my own dogs over five and a half years I was there. I also had the honour of working with the great Michael Kemp, who was best known for his Terriers and Bichon Frise. I was introduced to Michael by my very good friend, who I travelled to shows with, Susan Markley. Both handlers taught me so much I will forever be in their debt. My highlight was being asked to handle one of the top 5 invited Ch Parson Russell Terriers at Westminster in 2006, where we achieved a shortlist out of approximately 20 Champions. It was another dream I manged to realise. After a break of a few years from the Buhund ring, I finally imported King, then Foxy (Ch Bernegarden’s Reve Enka av Sturtmoor.) This started my current breeding line which I have achieved greater goals than I ever thought possible. Especially my current show boy, Gunna (Sturtmoor’s Gon’n Dun It JW) who at almost 2yrs old has achieved far more than any other dog I have owned. With a championship show Group 2 under his belt, gaining his JW then qualifying for the Junior Warrant Semi-Finals ,and already having won an Open Show and a Reserve Best In show at the only show he has attended in 2026.He is a dog that just keeps on giving .Although he keeps us on our toes, he is a darling who we adore .He lives here with us and his mother Ch Sturtmoor’s Free’n Eezee(Sheria)who is almost a veteran. She keeps everyone in their place, including us! The next chapter in my book is with Silken Windhounds, after 43 years with Buhunds, I have decided it is time for a quieter life. Being a lover of Borzois but not having the room for a dog of that size, the Silkens are perfect. From the time I met my first Silken to now (I currently have two of them), I am totally besotted by the breed. We are working towards RKC recognition, and when we hopefully attain that, I will be showing them along with Gunna. I am really looking forward to judging at Crufts this year, it is another of my dreams realised, having already judged at the Norwegian Buhund Club of America’s National Specialty in 2016, I have a small entry but have no doubt the quality will be top notch! .’Thank you Millie I hope you have a fabulous day .
Margaret Deuchar margretdeuchat@gmail.com
Any views expressed in Margaret’s Breed Notes are hers and hers alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Buhund Club of the UK