Another Successful Day

Luther and Palma

Yesterday we went to the Sporting Terrier of Yorkshire Open Show. Like all terrier group shows there was a high quality entry. Our breed judge was Roger Cruden, and he gave BOB to Sally Brown’s Lastarean Dufek, Reserve BOB to Palma and BP to Luther. Gloria was shown in the Veteran Stakes, judged by David Guy, and took a very nice 2nd place behind Harry Horn’s Champion Sealyham. David also judged BIS and BPIS and Luther finished off a lovely day by winning BPIS4.

So that’s 5 shows  and 5 BP awards – and three group placings as well! Not a bad record for my special little boy!

Good Citizens!

Good Citizens All

We started doing Good Citizen Training at our dog club in May, and last night was the culmination of our efforts.

During the summer Palma and Gloria, along with their friends Tommy, Frankie and Magic gained their Bronze Awards at various shows, but this was the first test night we had held.

As the trainer I am immensely proud of the fact that we had a 100% pass rate.

Huge congratulations to Graham and Betty (ETT), Chris and Portia (CKCS) and Cherrill and Bertie (CKCS) who passed their Bronze Award, and Marisa and Lidia (CKCS), Helen and Magic (Pug), Cherrill and Frankie (CKCS) as well as Gloria and Palma, who all gained the Silver Award – and thanks to our Examiner, Sue Holroyd who soothed the nerves and made it a very enjoyable evening for everyone.

Eso Bohemia Regent

Eso Bohemia Regent

One of the nice things about having a blog and a website is that sometimes I get contacted out of the blue by other Cesky Terrier owners.

Eso Bohemia Regent, who was imported to the UK by Jane Withers, lives with Sarah Woodhouse and her family. He was born in the Czech Republic on September 27th 1998, so has just celebrated his eleventh birthday.

Happy Birthday Eso!

Judging

Judging appointments are a bit like buses. I don’t have any for ages then three come along together. After judging Parson Russell Terriers in Finland and in the United States, it was up to Carlisle for the very first championship show held by the Northern Parson Russell Terrier Club.

To be asked to judge this inaugural show was a great honour, and the committee had really worked hard to make it a very special occasion. There were souvenir catalogues, special medallions for every winner, even cake and wine to toast the club. BIS went to Heythrop Tia and RBIS to Digaden Glamouruss who was also BP.

BIS & RBIS

SWKA

SWKA

At last!

Luther now has not one, but two rosettes that bear the name of the society that awarded them.

We went to South Wales Kennel Association Championship show and Luther came home with Best Puppy in Breed and third place in the Terrier Puppy Group as well.

MCKC

MCKC

Montgomery! To terrier enthusiasts around the world the name is as iconic as Crufts or Westminster. Held in Pennsylvania, USA, this is one of the most elegant events in the canine calendar.

I was very privileged to judge Parson Russell Terriers at this year’s show and gave BOB to Ch Brillwood Dress Blues, bred by Linda Edwards, and co-owned by the breeder with Mary Strom Bernard.

Of course, the downside of judging one breed is that it is impossible to watch what is going on in other rings, so there was no chance to see the Cesky Terriers entered at the show. However I did see meet up with most of the dogs at Devon Show the day before, and BOB on both occasions went to Lynne Kuczynski Veazle with Windrush Hailee’s Comet, bred by Charlene Ewen.

Windrush Hailee's Comet

It was good to meet up with the American Cesky Terrier folk. The breed can only be shown in Miscellaneous classes at AKC shows at present. It’s a long, hard road to full recognition – in the UK it took eleven years before the breed was moved from the Imported Register (our equivalent of miscellaneous) up to rare breed status – and looks like being at least as long again before we are granted challenge certificates, and thus the right to make breed champions.

Many British terrier enthusiasts make the pilgrimage over to Montgomery, and amongst those I saw this year was a very happy Sheila Stoddart whose Australian Terrier, Ch Millvalley Red Rufus can now add Am Ch to his titles. Congratulations to Sheila and to Rufus – probably the first Eng/Am Ch in the breed. Congratulations!

Compulsory Microchipping

I’m proud to be listed as a supporter of SOFA, who have been campaigning for compulsory microchipping.

Now it appears that their fabulous efforts have paid off, as the news comes today that both major political parties support this step.

Obviously it isn’t a done deal yet – but the signs are looking good, so huge congratulations to Sue Cole and the girls of Thorpe House School for their wonderful work.

Anonymous?

Rosettes - but which show?

Luther went to another show yesterday.

He went well, and came home with three more rosettes to add to his growing collection. Most shows award colourful rosettes - it’s usually the only thing dog exhibitors do win (we’re certainly not in it for the money!)  And usually they have the name of the club and perhaps a society logo to make the award that little bit special.

It’s quite nice, at the end of the year, to go back and look at all the rosettes and remember the days out with friends – but maybe you will notice that there is something missing this time? Yes, that’s right – no society name! Just how cheapskate can you get?

This was billed as a special event – a 75th Anniversary Show. The entry fee was £2 more than most of our local shows, the venue – not one I’ve been to before – was dusty and dirty, and then to cap it all the rosettes were decidedly cheap and cheerful.

Never mind! The judge was knowledgeable; BOB and Group 4 went to Gill Harris’ Seska, who was looking lovely – David has certainly mastered the art of grooming a Cesky Terrier – and Luther went really well, and won Puppy Group 2 in addition to his BP and RBOB. There were some super pups in the group so I was very pleased with this group place.

At the present time, when everyone is counting the pennies, societies are having to look for ways to attract – and keep – exhibitors. Will I be going to shows run by this society again? No, I think not. Will I be going to any other shows run at this dreadful venue? No, definitely not!

Driving With Dogs

Liz, Celia and Kyle on holiday in Dorset

Our dogs enjoy a change of scenery as much as we do, and for many of us a family holiday would be unthinkable if one member of the family had to be left behind.

 

It’s comparatively easy to find suitable places to stay with dogs – but what about the journey there and back? A very useful website is Driving With Dogs which gives you details of good dog walks and dog friendly pubs and cafes within 5 miles of motorway exits.

Uninvited Visitors

Responsible dog owners try to ensure that their dogs don’t bark unnecessarily and disturb their neighbours – but there are times when a barking dog is a welcome sound, and I suspect that last night was one of those occasions.

I woke up this morning to discover that both gates were open, and a few things had been moved around. The padlock on the outhouse was damaged, and two hanging baskets and my poo picker-up have vanished! The dogs were quite restless during the night and I told them to be quiet. I should have listened to what they were telling me, but they do seem to have done a good job, as my neighbour has had some stuff taken from his shed.

There are times when a Cesky Terrier’s loud and deep bark is a good deterrent.