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Channel
Island Dog of the Year
and Puppy of the Year 2001
The
Jersey Kennel Club held the Channel Island Dog of the Year and
Puppy of the Year 2001 event on Saturday 16th February 2002
at the Jersey Cattle Centre, Jersey. This is a new venue which
provides indoor facilities of the highest order complete with
green carpet and outside, immaculate lawns just waiting for
the summer shows.
It was an honour to judge this prestigious event and the Jersey
hospitality was in full evidence especially the kindness of
the President, Brian Cummins who was our host throughout the
weekend. Spring has definitely arrived there with beautiful
sunshine and daffodils already in full bloom providing a delightful
backdrop to the occasion. With dogs present from both Jersey
and Guernsey, the puppies followed by the adults were judged
in their respective groups, two winners to go forward to each
final, the remainder being presented with a rosette to commemorate
the occasion.
The first final was the Brace of the Year won by Thoume's black
Miniature Poodles Jenetiere Enchanting Dream and Jenetiere Enchantress,
a beautifully matched pair, balanced in size and type,both with
good carriage and covering the ring in complete harmony. Second
was Ozanne's cocker spaniels and third Manners' Staffordshire
bull terriers.
This was followed by Veteran of the Year the win going to Mottershaw's
afghan Kazaba Annika at Elangeni, now 9 years old a bitch well
put together and in super condition for her age, commanding
attention, in excellent coat and body, lovely head and carriage
which she maintained while moving around the ring effortlessly.Second
was Thoume's Miniature poodle Minaret Custom Made and third
was Dale's Pekingese Ksarina Theme For a Dream.
The excitement intensified as the puppies gathered in the collecting
ring for the final and entered in group order. From the gundog
group Begg's Labrador Hathander Moon Raker and Feltham - Fletcher's
pointer Stonebridge Skywalker. The toy group was represented
by Dale and Michell's Pekingese Ksarina Designers Dream and
Jones' CKCS Raventrail One & Only.From the Hound group Mottershaw's
afghan Barjoni Secret Desire for Elangeni and Le Page's Min.
L/H Dachs Thelepees Miraculace Shock
Next came the Terriers, Fletcher & Seedhouses' Staffs. Bull
terrier Graniteangle Star Bug and Durey's Staffs Bull terrier
Maxpeps Too Hot To Handle. Lastly from the Working group Bayes'
boxer Docrema Atlantic Destiny and Allo Allen & Beaumont's
Dobermann Ribbons Polish'd Performance. Despite a creditable
performance from all the youngsters the star on the day was
the Pekingese who was a picture standing with correct action
on the move, showed quality in head and body with a super coat
and presentation and throughout was personality plus.Reserve
puppy was the pointer with so much to like and who scored in
head and general construction,good body and sound quarters and
once he settled showed promise in movement.
The climax of the day was the Dog of the Year award when once
again the dogs entered in group order.For the gundogs Houghton
& Le Gresley's American cocker Fielgar Tansation and Cox's
Irish Setter Sametsuz Mak'n Waves at Tiroen. The Toys were Dale
& Michell's Pekingese Ksarina Designers Dream and Alsford's
Pomeranian Thelbern Pompous Noir. The Hound group was represented
by Mottershaw's whippet Barnsmore Moon Spirit and their afghan
who had earlier won Veteran of the Year. From the terrier group
was Manners' SBT Maxpeps Hot Shot Homer and Laffoley & Edwards'
Scottish terrier Woodlands Tyrconnell of Potterpride. For the
Working group Warn's Siberian Husky Lapatka Misty Charmer and
Edwards' Newfoundland Merrybear Thumber and finally the Utility
representatives were Whithead's Tibetan Terrier Laughanne Star
Turn and Thoumes' Min. Poodle Idadown Black 'N Dreamy.
Competition was strong at this stage and each dog gave a good
account of themselves but I shortlisted four dogs the Scottish
terrier, the Siberian Husky.the Newfoundland and the Miniature
Poodle and after deliberation declared the Newfoundland to be
Dog of the Year with the Scottish terrier the Reserve.
The Newfoundland was so typical of the breed, beautifully balanced
throughout,well angled in quarters,good ribbing and depth of
body, level topline, well muscled and easy in action.
The Scottish terrier really impressed me, looking very much
the part, with good head and carriage,with a well set neck and
sound body with ribs well set back, a level topline with short
strong coupling and a lovely action on the move.
It had been a most enjoyable day with some lovely dogs and we
later gathered together for a superb dinner to celebrate, and
present the trophies to the worthy winners.
Bob Gregory
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