(Updated 20/4/01)

Champion Hanafor Lady Wychbold

SAD NEWS from Australia - Ch Hanafor Lady Wychbold has passed away, marking the end of an era in Australian Vizslas. Bred by Faye Harris, “Wychbold”, or “Wych” was sired by Ch Gardenway Chekov [Imp. UK] out of Ch Hanafor Nyari Kincsem and would have been 12 this coming June.

Originally leased by Lyn & Carolyn Butler of NSW (Kazia), she started her show career with a flourish, winning 27 class in group and 12 class in show awards from 36 shows before she was yet 12 months old. Wych was still only 14 months of age when she took out her first BISS at our first Vizsla Specialty Show in Australia in 1990. She won her last BISS in 1996, bringing her total to 6 BISS & 4 R/U BISS. In 1991, Wych returned to her owner and breeder to whelp a litter to Anne Salisbury’s Dual Ch Hanafor Ashburton (Show/Obedience). This litter produced another dual champion for Anne (Dual Ch Hanafor Wychton Winston Show/Obedience) and two bench champions. Two later litters to Lorraine Webb’s Ch Hanafor Master Bentley produced the ‘Benbold’ litter , seven of which have obtained titles.

Wychbold’s show career was illustrious, and a great number of other superlatives. It is impossible to try to document all her achievements, for fear leaving some out. In brief, she won the Rozsda Catharina Memorial Trophy for best bitch in Australia from the first year the trophy was awarded in 1991, then each year through to 1994 when she was retired from the comp. From 1990 to 1993, Wychbold won the bitch challenge at the Royal Melbourne Show, took Reserve CC to Ch Hanafor Kytoff Egerszegi in 1994, and then won CC again in 1995. In all she won 16 ‘Royal’ Challenges. Judging at Yarra Glen All Breeds Championship Show in 1997, I wrote of Wychbold; “Rising 8 years, this bitch stood away for soundness and type. She has a lovely head and expression, a good length of neck into clean, well laid shoulders. Good body proportions with excellent depth and forechest, good rear angulation, she stands on very good feet and moved with drive. In marvellous condition for her age and one I could easily have taken home! Delighted to award her the CC and R/Up in Breed, I see she is a full sister to my BOB. I’m not surprised.” [BOB was Ch Hanafor Lord Stafford.] I’m told that after a win at a show, Wychie’s favourite treat was to eat a dim-sum on the way home. Vale, Wychie.

May you eat dim-sums every day across the Rainbow Bridge.

Jackie Perkins