The Junior Warrant winner of the year was the Pointer dog Pipeaway Kool Gold
at Caleta JW owned by Mrs Ward and bred by Mrs E Parsons

The Kennel Club Gazette Junior Warrant final is one of the most prestigious awards of the year. There were 60 dogs entered for this year’s event and the two semi-finals were judged by Mrs Anne McDonald in ring 1 and Mr Robin Searle in ring 2.

The man known as the voice of Crufts, Mr Brian Leonard did the commentary and it was most professionally done, just as one would expect with information about each of the breeds represented, what the judge is looking for and how they qualified.

In each of the two rings the judges put the exhibits through their paces after a thorough examination; after all the qualifiers had been seen, each judge short-listed 10 dogs before making their final selection of 5 to go through to the Grand Final.

Mrs McDonald put through the Bearded Collie dog Bustroc Drouthy Cronie JW, owned and bred by Mr R & Mrs S Ballantyne & Mr E B & Mrs J Burns, Fernwood Eclipse Over Seittor JW was one of two Rottweilers qualified for the heat by Mr and Mrs Lambert. The next one to go through was the Bulldog bitch Calibra Golden Jubilee JW, this was also one of two exhibits which were qualified for the semi finals by owner/breeder Mrs Martin. The fourth qualifier that Mrs MacDonald put through was Coldasice Auva JW, this was another owner/breeder who qualified two for this competition and the last of the finalists from Ring 1 was the only toy dog to qualify, Papillon Inixia Perfect Host for Shirando JW owned by Mesdames Stanbury and Colyer.

In Ring 2 Mr Robin Searle selected the Siberian Huskey dog Zarchenski Hong Kong Fuey JW, owner bred by Miss Ashenden, Kelham Hot Gossip JW, a Beardie bitch qualified by owners Mr G Atkins and Mrs C Charles, followed him. The third qualifier was Mrs F Minn’s Saluki bitch Sufeina Phantom JW followed by the Pointer dog Pipaway Kool Gold at Caleta JW qualified by Mrs Ward with the last spot in the Grand Final being won by Ravenrock Taz at Jezeve JW a Rottweiler dog qualified by Miss R Watts. After judging, Mr Searle said he was delighted with the quality of the exhibits, but particularly with the sportsmanship of the exhibitors.

We were treated to a wonderful exhibition of heelwork to music given by Mary Ray before the Grand Final was ready to be judged by Mr Martin Freeman.

Mr Freeman went over each of his 10 finalists with a gentle hand, but nonetheless thorough. He had 2 Rottweilers, 2 Bearded Collies, 2 Siberian Huskies, a Bulldog, a Papillon and a Pointer, 6 dogs and 4 bitches.

After a second look at each he had made up his mind. The Junior Warrant winner of the year was the Pointer dog Pipeaway Kool Gold at Caleta JW owned by Mrs Ward and bred by Mrs E Parsons. Mrs Ward lost her first two show dogs within two weeks of each other, that was only a few years ago, since then she now has three dogs, all are pets first and foremost, but they are also show dogs. It is really good to see that pets are show dogs too.

In reserve spot was the Bearded Collie dog of Mr & Mrs Ballantyne and Mr & Mrs Burns, Bustroc Drughthy Cronie JW.

The two dogs took a lap of honour with very happy looking owners.

KC Chairman Mr Ronnie Irvine presented the winner and runner up with beautiful Waterford Crystal clocks.