Beverley Mattias from Pennsylvania USA had always wanted to visit Crufts. With a lot of persuasion and to celebrate her 60th birthday she booked her ticket and packed her bag. Full of butterflies Beverley said not only is this her first Crufts but her first trip across the pond. I have sent her all the show information from the Our Dogs Crufts Classic magazine. In awe of all the activities in the main ring, the obedience ring, all the other rings, shops and Discovery Dogs not to mention the 18,000+ dogs entered Beverley said she is so excited she can hardly sleep. Please make a point of finding Beverley around the Chesapeake ring, come and say Hi or just Happy Birthday, I’m sure there will be many other people visiting from other countries, I hope they all enjoy the show.
One of the many seminars I have attended over the years, one in particular stands out and made the most impression on me. This was presented by the late Terry Thorn. Following a Parson Jack Russell seminar Terry spoke about the organising, running and venues used to show dogs and how this has changed over the years. He then went on defining what was a show dog saying that any dog that entered the show ring was “a show dog”. Explaining to all that when one advertised that a puppy is of show quality does not mean that it will win, only that you could show it. Many pet people start showing with their pet, it is only once your eyes have been opened that you will start to study your chosen breed before acquiring a “show puppy with potential.”
“Showing is a desease (sic) – a progressive and incurable decease (sic), and once the germ has invaded your system there is no turning aside – you are lost!” from Dogs and How To Show Them, 1967.
So, starting with the right puppy is everything. I picked up the afore mentioned book in the 70’s. Everyone thinking about showing dogs should read this book first. Much of this book is out of date, but even these bits are fascinating, especially the fees and costs. Almost everything about showing a dog is covered in this book. There could be and should be more on judges and the way they are trained and selected, plus the training thereof which is no longer on years of breeding or the selecting of top dogs but on seminars on line. How long will it be before we see dog shows judged online? What a sad thought.
Towards the end of this little book and something that really made me smile which I would really like to share with you – “Just occasionally an exhibitor is seen ostentatiously to tear up her Third prize card, with a furious gesture implying she felt she should have been placed First at least. (The feminine gender is used because so far no male has been observed in this practice!) It is a very rare occurrence and it is an offence which should be reported.”
Here is a Crufts quiz question for you. Apart from the war years, which other year was Crufts cancelled and why?
Look forward to seeing everyone at Crufts and hoping you all have a great show.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com