NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS
On the 25th January Brenda and Tony Bethell rose early and headed with 3 dogs to the National Show Centre, Cloghran Dublin for the Prestigious Navan Dog Show ‘Best of the Best Super Match’. There was an entry of 432 with 4 rings in operation. One for the adult males with over a hundred dogs entered, one for adult females again with over an hundred bitches entered and two rings for the 189 puppies, with the 24 veterans going into the finals ring. Many congratulations to Brenda and Tony for having 3 dogs qualified. The Top Dog and Top Bitch in each breed are invited to compete under top judges. Which unlike some matches the judges were know beforehand. All puppy and Veteran class winners were also invited with all taking part on a match basis.The draw will be made on the morning as to which judges will judge which qualifying rounds and then the Finals. There will be three judges in each of the finals and they will use the coloured paddles to indicate which dog they wish to qualify for the next round. Our judges are Jill Peak and Patsy Hollings from the UK, Gabriela Veiga from Portugal and our very Joy O’Connor.
Brenda kindly sent me a report on how the day went. ‘A great but busy day! The four judges were Patsy Hollings and Jill Peak from the UK with Gabriela Veiga from Portugal and Joy O’Connor from Ireland. ( Joy was the only judge who did not judge either of us). The four rings were run concurrently which gave us some logistical nightmares! Our puppy Franca (Cyrenesis Lucia Franca at Minforst(Imp It) was up first under the judge from Portugal. Franca had qualified as the best Cirneco dell’Etna in Ireland but as just 9 months old I entered her as a puppy. She won through the first round but was knocked out by a Boxer in the second.
Due to the first clash I showed Freddy (Ir/Int Zodiac’s Featuring Fredrik at Taevas of Minforst Ir Jun Ch CW19) (Imp US) he is by Am Ch Hundehaven’s Captain Voyger x Am Ch Zodiac’s Gracious Gretchen. It was the first time in almost two years since I had shown him, as Tony is now his handler. We were judged by Patsy Hollings and he beat a Samoyed! Tony then showed him in subsequent rounds making it to the third, when he was beaten by a Japanese Spitz who went out in the quarter final. I showed Ella Ir Ch Minforst Galadriel CW19 (she is by Freddy x Ir Ch/Int/Lux Ch Arnscroft Di Ola) under Jill Peak winning through to the next round, when again Tony handled (when the knees gave out!) she went out in round 3 to an Airedale Terrier. It was an interesting experience and raised money for the Rett Syndrome Charity in Ireland (which is a genetic brain disorder). Will we go again? It depends if we qualify. Freya will be a veteran this year so may be. Thanks to Paul Lawless, Paul Scanlon and their team for a super day.’ Thanks Brenda and congratulations again on qualifying the three. The overall winner was a 21 month old Black Russian Terrier; the veteran a Bichon Frise and the puppy a Mini Wire-Haired Dachshund.
The same day but back in the UK we headed off with Time and Fizz to Coalville & District CS show held at the KC building Stoneleigh Park. Where Time won the AVNSC junior class and was Res Best AVNSC and was 4th in AV Junior under Lennart Stahle. It was a very enjoyable day as there were Elkhound classes, so we were able to catch-up with our Elkhound friends and were there when the Elkhound was BIS, special for me as I gave him his first RCC a few years ago.
On 1st February Anne Smith took Ch Arnscroft Never Say Di (Oskar)to the Isle Ely Canine Society show at the Arena Uk Grantham, where under judge John Steele Oskar won the Open AVNSC class and was Res Best AVNSC.
The following day Sarah Stonton took Trelowen Andrea (Loxy) and Ch Arnscroft In Di Ana Jack, to Derby College at Alvaston for a Rally competition run by the United Spaniel Assoc. It was not Loxy’s day but Jack had a qualify score of 182 in Level 2, his second qualifying score at this level.
There may not have been any Ch shows but it is great to have owners going out and about doing various activities, which always helps to get the breed better known.
Margaret Deuchar margaretdeuchar@gmail.com
The 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.