The Kennel Club of Jersey has just hosted the 22nd Channel Islands Dog of the Year 2009 Competition. Dogs have had to qualify for this prestigious event during shows held last year in either Jersey or Guernsey. Around 70 dogs from both islands had qualified, including some from the UK.

Mrs Jane Lilley from the UK was the judge. The venue was the Royal Showground, Trinity and a circular ring surrounded by white posts and rails with an impressive display of the rosettes and trophies to be awarded set the scene for this special show. A lot of the general public came up to see the top dogs in the Channel Islands being put through their paces, and this helped to give it an extra special atmosphere.

First in the ring were the puppies for their semi-finals; two to be chosen from each group to go
forward to the final. The finalist were Collette Allen’s Rough Collie, Ribans Isle Toast It to Bubbly and Carol Pearce’s Border Collie, Tonkory Unforgettable at Shalimar from the Pastoral Group; Fiona Officer’s Chinese Crested, Shipstone Mister One And Only and Peter Walker’s Maltese, Zurmanik Delighted for Petwalk from the Toy Group; Sarah Cooper’s Shih Tzu, Forepaws Midnight Express And Peter Walker’s Lhasa Apso, Petwalk Prada from the Utility Group; Peter Walker’s Std Long Haired Dachshund, Owlery Sparticus with Petwalk and Stuart Mottershaw’s Whippet, Eeri Bhi Moonlight at Elangeni from the Hound Group; Andrew Baudain’s Labrador Retriever, Jancerie Country Caramel at Beauvoir and Debbie Houghton and Enid Le Gresley’s American Cocker Spaniel, Fielgar Snow Alert from the Gundog Group; Sally and Brian Rousseau’s Boxer, Norwatch Sunhawk Lucky Star at Dimkas and Margaret Baye’s Boxer, Docrema Champagne Charlie from the Working Group; Anna Pinto’s West Highland White Terrier, Greylord Captain Jack at Mckalay and Nikki Mourant’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dennis The Menace from the Terrier Group.

Then it was the semi-finals for Channel Island Dog Of The Year. Again two dogs were chosen from each Group and these were Bobby and Barbara Lawrence’s Alsatian (GSD), Penwartha Apache Arrow Pd’H and David and Carol Turner’s Australian Shepherd, Ch, Jsy and Am Ch Harmonyhillsatinfunnycideman at Chakona from the Pastoral Group; Thelma Alsford’s Pomeranian, Thelbern The Tangerine Man and Joyce Mcfarlane’s Japanese Chin, Sleepyhollow All That Jazz at Glendyke from the Toy Group; Peter Walker’s Lhasa Apso, Kutani Codebreaker for Zanamop and Sarah Cooper’s Shih Tzu, Debeaux Russia Wiv Love at Forepaws from the Utility Group; Marie-Claire Hannigan and Nikki Deen’s Afghan Hound, Jsy Ch Jangel’s Just A Gigolo at Jahera (imp Ned) And Peter Walker’s Std Long-Haired Dachshund, Owlery Sparticus with Petwalk from the Hound Group; Andrew Baudain’s Labrador Retriever, Rocheby Brigadoon at Beauvoir and Debbie Houghton and Enid Le Gresley’s American Cocker Spaniel, Fielgar Majestic Quest from the Gundog Group; Sue Warn’s Siberian Husky, Jsy Ch Lapatka Spirit Wolf and Margaret Baye’s Boxer, Docrema My Boy Madge from the Working Group; Peter Walker’s Kerry Blue Terrier, Arkama Rockafella at Kebulak and Nikki Mourant’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dennis The Menace from the Terrier Group.

The first of the finals was the oldies; a Veteran being a dog over seven years of age. All the finalists had gained top honours and had been awarded Best Veteran In Show During 2009. Valery Johnson’s Shetland Sheepdog, Myndoc Wytch Craft at Mohnesee JW; Bobby and Barbara Lawrence’s Alsatian (GSD), Penwartha Under Fire handled by Kevin Cochrane; Pat Dale and Pat Michel’s Pekingese, Jsy Ch Ksarina Designers Dream Pd’H; Ro and Nigel Cox’s Irish Setter, Tiroen Tourbillon; Lisa Goodall’s Wire Haired Dachshund, Gayteckels Seaexpectation at Renlott Pd’H were the finalists in the ring for the Veteran of the Year, showing the youngsters how it should be done! The Veteran of the Year went to the Wire Haired Dachshund and the Alsatian (GSD) was Reserve Veteran of the Year.

The Finals of the Brace came next. These pairs of dogs had won Best Brace in Show last year and it was Rob and Kath Gilluley’s Norwegian Elkhounds, Bowerhinton Bonanza at Gilkaro and Bowerhinton Bright N Early JW that were Channel Islands Brace of the Year and in the Reserve place was Bobby and Barbara Lawrence’s Alsatian (GSD)s Penwartha Under Fire and Penwartha Apache Arrow Pd’H handled by Kevin Cochrane.

The tension was mounting as the 14 puppy finalists came into the ring. Prior to selecting her Top Puppy and Reserve, Mrs Lilley made a short list consisting of the Border Collie, Maltese, Std L/H Dachshund, Boxer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. She then chose Channel Islands Puppy of the Year 2009 to be Peter Walker’s Std Long Haired Dachshund, Owlery Sparticus with PetwalK handled by Rachel Le Masurier and the Channel Islands Reserve Puppy of the Year went to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dennis The Menace owned by Nikki Mourant.

Finally, it was time to find out the Channel Islands Dog of the Year 2009. In came the 14 finalists, the judge moved them all again before selecting a short list of the Alsatian, Australian Shepherd, Pomeranian, Afghan Hound, Labrador Retriever, Kerry Blue Terrier. She finally
decided on the Australian Shepherd, CH, Jsy and Am CH Harmonyhillsatinfunnycideman at Chakona owned by David and Carol Turner as Channel Islands Dog of the Year 2009. The Reserve Channel Islands Dog of the Year went to Thelma Alsford’s Pomeranian, Thelbern The Tangerine Man.

This prestigious event was sponsored by Royal Canin and also Our Dogs covered the event, with the feature going into the Crufts edition of their weekly paper.

A gala dinner was has held at the Hotel Ambassador. The Kennel Club of Jersey President, Steven Edwards, congratulated all the winners and he expressed his thanks to all the sponsors, stewards, sub committees and helpers in both islands for their continued support throughout the year.

For further information on The Kennel Club of Jersey please go to www.kennelclub.org.je or phone the hotline 829363.

Ro Cox

View pictures from the show by clicking here

It was an honour indeed to be invited to judge such a prestigious and well-run event at the KC of Jersey’s own venue at the Royal Show Ground. Certainly the islands have a wealth of talent dogwise and my gratitude goes to all the judges who put up so many of the highest quality.
The venue is close to the ideal for dog shows and the committee and officers ensured that it looked its best, with a large white picketed fenced blue carpeted ring surrounded by comfortable chairs. Every exhibitor was given a free hot drink and a beautiful orchid corsage to make the occasion even more special.

There were 69 entries from the top winners of the previous year and these were divided into their respective groups for the semi-finals with two selected from each group to go through to the finals.

Puppy semi-finals

Pastoral: Rough Collie, Ribans Isle Roast It to Bubbly with lovely head and eye, well made all through with good layback of shoulder, so free and sound on the move. Border Collie Tonkory Unforgettable at Shalimar. Well named in excellent coat , so good for size, type, make and shape. Such a very sound mover, looking as if she could go all day with no trouble at all. Both champion bred and it shows.

Toys: Just two finalists; Chinese Crested, Shipstone Mister One and Only, lovely mobile ears, excellent mouth and eye. Can still firm a touch in topline and movement. Maltese, Zurmanik Delighted for Petwalk. Very smart and beautifully presented, a great showman who holds himself with justifiable pride. A pleasure to handle as he is so well made under his straight silky bright white coat. Charming head and expression, excellent pigment, topline and movement. Shortlisted but did not appreciate the change of handler as well as he might in the final assessment.
Utility: Shih Tzu, Forepaws Midnight Express. Black with well shaped head, good wide nostrils and a charming expression in his dark eyes. A steady willing mover with decent shoulder, excellent topline and well textured coat. Lhasa Apso, Petwalk Prada. Very glamorous with well shaped head and such a superior expression. Happy and enthusiastic on the move.

Hounds: L/h Dachs, Owlery Sparticus with Petwalk. Most impressive well balanced showman, immaculately presented in gleaming full mature coat, beautiful masculine head with dark expressive eyes, super sound and positive on the move reflecting the excellence of his confirmation. Most exciting. Whippet, Eeri BHI Moonlight at Elangeni, tall and elegant. She moved beautifully with no exaggerations.

Gundogs: Labrador, Country Caramel at Beauvoir. Feminine youngster in excellent coat with good layback of shoulder. Well shaped head with a most appealing expression. So good for make and shape, understandably still a touch babyish in movement at 14 months but the basics are all there. American Cocker, Fielgar Snow Alert. Beautifully made black with excellent topline, forechest, shoulder and feet. He moved soundly and steadily.

Working: Two Boxers: Docrema Champagne Charlie, super for size, type, make, shape, balance, bone, feet and substance. He has a well shaped head, in excellent coat and hard muscular condition. A very sound mover, driving from his hocks. Norwatch Sunhawk Lucky Star at Dimkas. Well made all through with good shoulders, bone and feet. Naughty youngster, full of devilment and determined to embarrass his handler. He even went as far as to lie down on his back with paws waving in the air, which cheered everyone up including the judge. Eventually
managed to prove he can move extremely well. The promise is all there.

Terriers: WHWT, Greylord Captain Jack at McKalay, smart showman with charming head and expression, lovely small ears, darkest of eyes and pigment, excellent topline and balance. A good mover, presented in the best of jackets and hard muscular condition. SBT Dennis the Menace. I simply lost my heart to this utterly delightful b/w dog. So well made with firm
compact body, good bone, well angulated shoulders and hindquarters. He comes all of a piece and moved with great soundness and enthusiasm in hard muscular condition. Such an alert, happy willing showman. He made me smile.

I shortlisted five: the Border Collie, Maltese, L/h Dachshund, Boxer Docrema Champagne Charlie and the SBT.

The Dachshund, Owlery Sparticus with Petwalk, showed his heart out to win the title with the mesmeristic SBT, Dennis the Menace, in the reserve spot

Open semi-finals

Pastoral: GSD, Penwartha Apache Arrow. Handsome, masculine, well balanced and
powerful with good bone and layback of shoulder, alert and willing with the best of temperaments, lovely head, eye and expression, so well conformed all through.. In excellent coat and hard muscular condition. So very sound and simply a pleasure to see gaiting around the big ring. Most impressive. Australian Shepherd Ch/Jsy/Am Ch Harmonyhillsatinfunnycideman at Chakona. Can there be enough superlatives to describe this gorgeous dog? I made him BIS in Guernsey in ’08 and could find nothing to beat him here. He is quite superb, being on top form on the day, in full adult coat and the hardest of muscular condition. He has the most charming expression and is constantly alert and eager to please, enjoying himself to the full. He is just as good as he looks to handle with every part fitting firmly and accurately into the whole. Simply a joy to watch on the move being so ultra sound yet apparently effortless, driving from his hocks and reaching out to cover ground. Yes, I envy his owners!

Toys: Pom, Thelbern the Tangerine Man. Delightful orange dog who, despite his diminutive size, was full of himself and his own importance with the most beautiful head, dark sparkling eyes, excellent mouth, pigment, shoulder, body and tailset, tiny well set ears and short back. So very typey and well balanced, he moved to match the excellence of his conformation. Most exciting. Japanese Chin, Sleepyhollow All that Jazz at Glendyke. Lovely for size and type with the typical white showing in the corner of both eyes. Firm, well made body and good layback of shoulder, in good coat and condition with well set and carried tail. He moved very soundly, the excellence of his naturally well balanced outline being emphasised when his handler loosened the lead.

Utility: Lhasa Apso, Kutani Codebreaker for Zanamop, tall and ultra glamorous, immaculately
presented in full coat A stylish mover. Shih Tzu, Debeaux Russia wiv Love at Forepaws, lovely for size and type, well shaped head with good wide nostrils, dark expressive eye, well laid shoulder and good bend of stifle. Friendly, alert and full of fun, he moved well.

Hounds: Afghan, Jsy Ch Jangel’s Just a Gigolo at Jahera (Imp Ned), Most impressive with lovely head, eye and expression – he looks right through you and beyond. So well made with excellent layback of shoulder, good feet, topline and ring tail. Typically smooth, light and springy on the move, in excellent coat and condition. L/h Dachs Owlery Sparticus with Petwalk, CI Puppy of the Year as above.

Gundogs: Labrador, Rocheby Brigadoon at Beauvoir. A truly beautiful dog, full of quality yet workmanlike and balanced. Well conformed all through with good layback of shoulder, strong level topline and excellent feet, in hard muscular condition and the best of coats. A very good mover and a great showman with non-stop wagging, well set and carried tail. American Cocker, Fielgar Magic Quest. Golden with good topline and shoulders, very good mover.

Working: Siberian Husky, Jsy Ch Lapatka Spirit Wolf. Charming bitch in the best of coat and condition, so well made all through with good layback of shoulder, so light on her feet with well set and carried tail, neat ears.. She went beautifully. Boxer, Docrema My Boy Madge. There must be a story behind his name but very definitely a powerful masculine dog, well balanced and strongly built with well shaped head, good bone, feet, depth through the heart and layback of shoulder.

Terriers: Kerry Blue, Naughty but Nice at Kopykats, super outline and balance short coupled with strong level topline. Excellent conformation, colour and movement, could have done with a just a touch more impulsion to put the icing on the cake. SBT Dennis the Menace, RCI Puppy of the Year as above So high was the quality that it was hard to shortlist six and these were: the Australian Shepherd, GSD, Pomeranian, Afghan, Labrador and Kerry, any of whom I would have been glad to have given the top awards .However, it was the Australian Shepherd Ch/Jsy/Am Ch Harmonyhillsatinfunnycideman at Chakona who conquered all in the final assessment. Such a happy, extrovert showman who obviously enjoys every moment. He made the big ring his own, moving with strong effortless soundness as if he could go all day.

Res. the exquisite orange Pom, Thelbern The Tangerine Man, tiny yet so very masculine. He made his preference for his owner over his handler abundantly clear when first asked to move but when she gallantly took him over again, he went like the proverbial dream and well deserved his place.
Veteran

CI Dog of the Year

Gayteckels Sea Expectation at Renlott. Very happy 9 year old W/h Dachs in splendid condition with harsh textured coat. Wonderful masculine head and alert expression. Super sound and
positive on the move with strong topline, well laid shoulder and deep keel.

Res. Penwartha Under Fire. Handsome GSD, making light of his nine years. So strong and well made all through with excellent bone. Steady, sound and powerful on the move.

Brace CI Dog of the Year

Only a hair’s breadth dividing four superb braces. A hard choice.
Finally the title went to the Elkhounds, Bowerhinton Bonanza at Gilkaro and his dam B. Bright N Early. So similar in type with almost identical expressions. They matched each other stride for stride in their sound positive movement, just like a double dog!

Res. GSD dogs: Penwartha Under Fire and P. Apache Arrow, both with the most charming
temperaments and of such excellent type. So impressive, particularly on the move, typifying the soundness, strength and endurance of the breed.

Jane Lilley

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