It is with much sadness that we report the death of Doug Langley (Torpin). Doug died suddenly at his home in Devon on Thursday 12 October. He would have been 84 years old next month.

Doug and his wife, Hylda, have had a long, happy and very successful association with Miniature Pinschers, their first champion, Toykokep Music Man, gaining his crown in 1967. Music Man sired 10 British champions and became the breed record sire. Music Man was not to be the Langleys’ only record holder; on Christmas Day 1982 Torpin Christmas Cracker was born. Cracker amassed a total of 30 CCs, 28 with BOB, BIS at the Miniature Pinscher Club Championship Show, 4 reserve toy groups including Crufts, 5 group wins and RBIS at UK Toy. Cracker remains the breed record holder to this day. In all, there were more than 30 Torpin champions with almost 200 CCs between them.

As well as being successful in this country, the Langleys exported several dogs to friends in New Zealand where the success continued.

Doug and Hylda became members of the Miniature Pinscher Club in 1966. In 1992 Doug was honoured with life membership and in 1996 he was elected president, a role which he took very seriously and that he was proud to undertake on the Club’s behalf. He was at the Club's championship show just a few weeks ago and was always a keen supporter of the Club and its activities.

Doug first awarded CCs in the breed in 1974 and judged for the last time at Paignton in July this year. Doug served on the committee of Paignton for over 20 years and on his recent retirement from the committee was made a vice president. He was also actively involved with local canine societies and with his local dog training club.

For many people, Doug’s name and the Torpin affix are synonymous with Min Pins in this country. He had an enormous passion and enthusiasm for the breed he loved right to the end of his life and could always be relied upon to give an honest opinion on a dog.

Doug will be very much missed by many people in the dog world, and our thoughts are with Hylda at this sad time.

The funeral will take place at Exeter Crematorium at 1.00pm on Tuesday 24 October. Any donations in Doug's memory to be made to the Friends of Woodbury Surgery.