Dr Jeff Sampson, the Kennel Club's Genetics Co-ordinator, at Discover Dogs with Barbara Opitz, the 1000th member of the Accredited Breeder Scheme. Also pictured is Mrs Opitz's Wire Dachshund, "Altan".
Saturday 12TH November saw the Kennel Gazette Junior Warrant of the Year semi finals which is one of the main attractions at Discover Dogs each year; this year the judges of this important event were Mr Stuart Mallard and Miss Carol Harwood.
The dogs work hard to gain that all important JW status after their name, and then compete at regional heats to win their place here at Earls Court to compete in the Semi Finals with the Finals being held at Crufts. Several of these young dogs have already gained the Champion’s title too.
As with previous years the main events ring is split into 2 halves with Carol Harwood in Ring 1 and Stuart Mallard in Ring 2 working simultaneously. They both had their work cut out with almost 30 dogs each to go over and they did so with the thoroughness and dexterity one would expect from these two well known and well respected judges.
In each of the rings the judges took a good look at each of the exhibits again before deciding on their short-lists and they took the dogs down to 10 in each ring.
Each judge then took another look at each of the dogs before making their final decision on which 5 dogs they would each put through.
In Ring 1 Carol selected the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Kariskye Desperate Dougal JW, the Dalmatian Fincham Trade Wind, JW, the Rodesian Ridgeback Mirengo’s Maiya With Mutoko JW followed by the black Pomeranian Elmway Rebel After Dark ShCM JW and Bichon Frise Ch Bobander What A Performance as her representatives in the Grand Final.
In Ring 2 Stuart Mallard put through the Irish Terrier Ch Montelle Mi’Lady JW, the Beagle Ch Serenaker Devil Woman JW and Long Haired Dachsund Abydachs Oh What A Night, with the Border Terrier Kersfell Comet JW and the Siberian Huskey Shimani Call Me Minx JW.
With this quality of dog which these two eminent judges put through, we should be in for a very exciting Grand Final.
