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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