At this time of the year, several of my overseas friends send me pix. and also Xmas and New Year Greetings. Below are some pix. I recently received.
The above pix. came from my friend Felipe and his wife in Columbia. I have corresponded with them for quite a while now after they lost a Bouvier they were very attached to.
They now have a Giant Schnauzer which came to them as an adult and she has helped them with the lost of their Bouvier and here she is enjoying looking outside from her cozy spot 🙂
I believe the Bouvier is a rare breed in most of the South American countries.
Some years ago one of my Bouvier pups went to Venezuela and the owners used to come to Barbados usually once a year and let me know how he was doing.
Bouvier enjoying the snow
The above Bouvier lives in Ireland and is owned by Clare Burnett of Mon Cher kennels. Clare has Bouviers which are doing very well on the European show circuit.
I am told that Bouviers absolutely love to play in the snow.
Bouvier in Grenada with toy
And near at home and once lived in Barbados, is Oscar who is in Grenada and is described as “fun loving as ever” by his owner.
Oscar, I hope they plan on giving you a new toy for Xmas 🙂 🙂
Bouviers in Wales
And in Wales, Steve Dallow and his Lakeside Bouviers are having an enjoyable time in the show.
Bouv. pups in a garden
There are also lottery scams around which request your credit card information or bank account information. The objective is not to deposit money on your account but to achieve the means to withdraw what is on your account.
Some scams will offer puppies and dogs. So people need to be very careful buying a puppy or any other live animal over the internet. A scam could offer to give away an expensive puppy/dog and ask only for the shipping costs.
This is the link to the article about a puppy scam Nigerian Puppy Scam here
The stories there make interesting reading and I am sure that there would be other tales around.
There is also the scam where the person would try to purchase a puppy and then would deliberately overpay for the puppy (with some excuse like misunderstanding shipping costs etc.) in funds which would turn out to be fraudulent, the seller not knowing that the money received is not good, may send a refund of good money. The “scammer” then vanishes and the money sent will “bounce”. And I would hope that at this time the puppy/dog has not being shipped.
Besides the scams are the puppy mills who really don’t care where their puppies go and the puppies if they arrive at their destination may have all kinds of health and temperament problems.
People always seem to be more vulnerable at this time of the year and it makes good sense in today’s world to be cautious buying or even giving out personal information to strangers.
Puppy/dog scams can exist throughout the year and it can be easy for the “scammers” to send pix. of puppies/dogs they don’t own.
Season's Greetings
In keeping with the season, Best Wishes for Xmas 2009 and here is hoping for a Good, Healthy, Safe and Happy 2010 to my visitors from all over the world.
The flowers in the background of the Bouviers are red heliconias and they are seasonal flowers which will remain colorful for several months if left unpicked.
Below is a close up of one:
Red heliconia
Tags: Bouvier Des Flandres
These pix. came to me with a permission to cross post.
There are so many cameras around, it is better to dress sensibly in a public place like a show ring.
Person more on show than the dog
One of my male friends told me that if he were a judge and was in the ring with someone in the above outfit, he would give the person’s dog a Best of Breed to encourage making shows more fun loving for everyone. 🙂 🙂 However, my fun loving friend, the judge is supposed to judge the dog and not the handler and not the handler’s outfit but I agree in making dog shows more fun. 🙂 🙂
Can't miss seeing the handler
Yep, the world is going “green” 🙂
Dress to bend in a show ring
Well, at least the judge only got the view of the dog stacked 🙂
No happy gaiting
I don’t think that dog enjoys dog shows 🙂
As a general rule, the handler would wear a colour which would not hide a dog’s topline, especially if the top line is a good one. So with a black dog, do not wear black pants, or a black skirt.
The focus should be on the dog and not the handler. So although handlers with flashy or other kinds of outfits might be noticed and remembered by judges, other exhibitors and, of course, spectators, it might cost the dog a top place. A judge with a sense of humour may very well send the handler around again so he/she could admire everything 🙂
Don’t move off on a gait without knowing where your dog is, you want it to be right at your side, and on a loose lead. The judge is trying to assess the dog’s structure and movement by its gaiting.
Even if you have won and you are standing with the judge and the other dog which is the reserve in the show ring, don’t forget to watch your dog at all times.
Some years ago in Barbados a dog won Best in Show and had received the rosettes etc. and took a leap and I believe also a bite of the other dog which was in the ring. The dog’s handler was unaware of his dog about to make the leap because he was happy and relaxed that he had won and thought it was all over.
Tags: dog shows
Barbados has a variety of birds as bird lovers can testify.
In our gardens, the most common are sparrows, humming birds, yellow breasted birds and black birds (Quiscalus lugubris).
These black birds with their intelligent looking golden eyes are bold enough to enter open style restaurants for bread crumbs and scraps of food left on tables. They seem to travel in groups and eat a variety of foods. If they find a crushed Black African Snail on the road for example, lots of them will come and fight to take possession of anything they can eat from the dead snail.
Most people leave a bowl or two of water outside daily for their dogs to drink. Neighbours who do not have dogs but who have probems with rodents put out rat poison freely around their properties. Some of the popular rat poisons are in a small pellet form, some are in a thickish cube shape and some are in a roundish shape. Black birds, in their search for food, have the intelligence that if they pick up something to eat that needs to be softened, they drop it in water.
Black birds will fly with the rodent poison (the one in cubes or a round shape) in their beaks and drop it in the dogs’ water bowls. I have actually witnessed this happen.
The lesson to be learnt is to move the dogs’ water bowl to the far side of a garage or some place not readily frequented by the black birds. Black birds, unlike sparrows, do not usually come inside what to them is a “house” area. But they love the open spaces in gardens, walk ways and decks.
It is very possible that the birds themselves do not get poisoned as they cannot swallow the poisoned cube or round shaped rat bait but they are the carriers of the poison from one property to another.
Blackbirds in Barbados
Tags: Blackbirds in Barbados
B’dos. Kennel Club’s final All Breeds Championship Show for the year, 2009, gave Jeff Luscott only 54 dogs to go over. This is the poorest entry I have ever seen in Barbados and it has nothing to do with Jeff Luscott, the judge.
I don’t have pix. of all the group and reserve group winners. So I am sharing the pix. of the ones I have.
Fifty percent of the entries came from the Working Group. The number of breeds in the groups at this particular show are as follows:
Terrier Group – 1 breed
Toy Group – 1 breed
Utility Group – 3 breeds – Winner Min.Schnauzer, Reserve Boston Terrier – other breed Japanese Akita
Hound Group – 2 breeds- Winner Rhodesian Ridgeback, Reserve Beagle
Gundog Group – 3 breeds – Winner and Reserve Best in Show Labrador Retriever, Reserve Golden Retriever – other breed Flatcoated Retriever
Working Group – 7 breeds – Winner and Best in Show Rottweiler Reserve Bouvier Des Flandres – other breeds – Bull Mastiff, Dobermann, German Shepherd Dog, Dogue de Bordeaux and Boxer.
Below is Jeff Luscott’s critique of the dogs he judged in Barbados on November 29, 2009.
G R O U P I – T E R R I E R S
BULL TERRIERS – DOGS
CLASS 1 – JUNIOR
1st Mr. N. Harrison’s KINGDOM’S POWERS – Loved the type in head, balanced neck and shape, he is good overall in outline, has an alert ear, carries the bone and is maturing in body and muscle, he moves well. I would just prefer a better set to his bite, but does not detract from overall dog performance. CC. Only Terrier, so Group 1 as well.
One and only Terrier entered
G R O U P I I – T O Y S
PAPILLONS – DOGS
CLASS 2 – LIMIT
1st Miss E. Blanchard’s HOTHERSALL’S SUPER MAN – Good in shape and overall stature. Not quite on top of his game today, needed to settle, but is developing well in head and his coat is coming through.
CLASS 3 – OPEN
1st Miss E. Blanchard’s KINGSHAVEN YOU’RE MY SMIFFY AT HOTHERSALL – Good and carries typical ear set,
liked the head balance and body, nice through topline and has nice bone and muscle. He was certainly lively and moved easily over the ground. CC & Toy Group.
2nd Miss E. Blanchard’s HOTHERSALL’S APOLLO – Loved the action and style with a nice overall shape and balance,
had light free flowing movement at times but just not giving his all in overall performance, nice head, neck and body but not happy in tail set today. RCC & Reserve in Toy Group.
Mother and daughter showing Papillons
G R O U P I I I – G U N D O G S
RETRIEVERS (GOLDEN) – DOGS
CLASS 4 – MINOR PUPPY
1st Miss S. Blandford’s STORMY TIMBER WOLF -Good balance and strength for a youngster, excellent outline, bone and excites in head and body development at this stage, he has a lovely action with good drive and true front, coat is coming through and he has a lovely tail set. Most promising, RCC & BPIS.
CLASS 5 – OPEN
1st Mrs. L. Husbands’ THATCHERS STORMY KNIGHT C.D. – Good balance to head, neck and body, has the shape
standing and on the move, good chest, rib and loin, holds it well on sidegait, not quite the tail carriage but a happy dog, moves with gait required. CC & BOB.
2nd Mrs. J. Fields’ THATCHERS STORM CLOUD – Pleases in head and is quite well balanced just not quite the action
of 1 on the move and needs to tighten and strengthen in front. Good rear quarters and ok in muscle.
RETRIEVERS (GOLDEN) – BITCHES
CLASS 6 – OPEN
1st Mrs. J. Ray’s THATCHERS STORM IN A TEACUP C.D. -Loved her action with nice overall balance and efficiency on the move, good through head, neck and style, liked the bone and pleased with her expression, just not quite the condition in the challenge. CC.
RETRIEVERS (LABRADOR) – DOGS
CLASS 9 – OPEN
1st Mrs. S. Leacock’s SH.CH. BENATONE SECRET MISSION OF THEBERTON – Enthusiastic and solid, he attracts in head, he is alive and alert, strongly built, short coupled, I liked his broadness in skull, his body is mature and has the chest and ribs required, good level topline and correct tail, he moved covering the ground, and he is true in front and rear action. CC,Group and Best Gundog and Reserve Best in Show.
2nd Mrs. Z. Gray-Marshall’s LINTHWAITE CENTAURUS OF ZINZARA – Slightly taller and rangier at this stage of his growth, he has the head and the balance, is of good type and carries himself well on the move, not quite the maturity in body and muscle of 1 as yet, needs to work with his handler to produce the best. RCC.
Best in Gundog group, Labrador Retriever
RETRIEVERS (LABRADOR) – BITCHES
CLASS 10 – JUNIOR
1st Miss F. Arthur’s FOXRUSH SECRET LOVE – Nice youngster growing on well at this stage, I liked the shape and is
in good condition, but she is not carrying the muscle required or moving in co-ordination with the handler at this stage.
RETRIEVER (FLAT COATED) – BITCHES
CLASS 11 -OPEN
1st Mrs. B. Greenidge’s CH. BALLYRIVER TWEED IN PARADISE – Carries overall shape and balance but today decided not to show me the bright and active outlook, that she perhaps normally has, good flow through head, neck and topline but not the free flowing action or enthusiastic tail action required in this breed.
GROUP went to the on form Labrador with the Golden Retriever in Reserve.
G R O U P IV – H O U N D S
BEAGLES – DOGS
CLASS 12 – OPEN
1st Miss E. Blanchard’s CH. DIALYNNE STORM REFLECTION AT HOTHERSALL – So attractive in head, balance, body muscle and condition, good bone and chest, ok in front and rear angles, he has the style on the move and is good over the ground, carries tail well and has the muscled quarters to drive him all day. BOB on body and muscle maturity, although decided to play his handler up in the Group, when he found more interesting things on the ground so lost his enthusiasm for the show ring. CC & BOB.
BEAGLES – BITCHES
CLASS 13 – OPEN
1st Senator P. & Mrs. J. Gilkes’ KINOLA’S CALYSTA
2nd Senator P. & Mrs. J. Gilkes’ KINOLA’S CLEO
Loved the two bitches, but felt 1 was a little more feminine in head and had just the better balance on the move, she
has a good front, chest, rib and rear quarters, liked the topline and tail set, both were moving with the action required.
She was also RBOB and Best Locally Bred in Show. At this stage 2 is a little longer in loin than 1 but attracts in
head and overall balance, she is in good condition, has the neck and tail set and moves to do the job. RCC.
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACKS – DOGS
CLASS 14 – JUNIOR
1st Mr. P. Atkinson’s BALLYRIVER MILTON – Impressive young dog with a good outline standing and on the move, he
has the shape and co-ordination, angles front and rear, head to develop as he matures, he is in excellent condition of muscle and coat and this showed in his easily controlled movement, would certainly go on all day following the pride of lions, kept up his performance to take the Group when the Beagle played up on the move. CC, BOB and Group Winner.
Hound winner - Rhodesian Ridgeback
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACKS – BITCHES
CLASS 15 – JUNIOR
1st Mr. P. Atkinson’s ROTTZRIDGE CELTIC PRINCESS – Very attractive in head this young lady has the qualities, great overall shape and balance, good muscle tone in rear quarters, has the strength front and rear, a good neck and level topline, but today both standing and on the move showed the excess of weight over the loin to spoil the outline, and affect her action, such a shame as I loved her stamp, power and quality. RCC.
CLASS 16 – OPEN
1st Mrs. S. Hamilton-Outcalt’s CH. BROANI CHICKU AT CROWNRIDGE C.D. – Well built through head, neck, front,
chest and body, she has the substance, power and activity required, she carries herself well on the move, just would
prefer a better croup to give that symmetry in outline required. CC & RBOB.
GROUP to the young Rhodesian with his flowing action, Reserve Group to the Beagle Dog.
G R O U P V – UTILITY
AKITAS – DOGS
CLASS 17 – OPEN
1st Mr. R. White’s TONDAR TALISMAN – Has the power and substance needed with heavy bone, not quite the blunt head or ear set, but strong muscled neck, good front body and chest, good width and level back with muscled loin, but needs more work in rear quarters, hampered on the move as not using hock to drive, due to injury.
AKITAS – BITCHES
CLASS 18 – LIMIT
1st Mr. A. Taylor’s ELTHOR DREAM GIRL – Not the biggest, would like more of her in all respects but is good in front,
shoulder and rear, she moves easily, has the neck, head and ear set to please.
CLASS 19 – OPEN
1st Mr. A. Taylor’s CH. TOPAZ TABOO – Attracts in head shape and type, good erect carried forward ear set, she has the neck, power in her body, chest and rear quarters, could do with strengthening in topline and loin area to tighten her outline up, was moving well at this stage to take BOB, but not quite on the same form in the group. CC & BOB.
BOSTON TERRIERS – BITCHES
CLASS 21 – JUNIOR
1st Mr. S. & Mrs. P. Scott’s WILDAX ROMANTIC ROSETTI OF SPREA – Good animation and style, loved her shape,
attraction in head coming through, at 12 months she has more growing to do, she has the front, neck and easy
action required front and rear, handler needs to settle her, to get a more balanced picture but all the goods are there
to work with. CC & Reserve in Group.
MINIATURE SCHNAUZER – DOGS
CLASS 22 – OPEN
1st Mr. R. & Mrs. J. Anderson’s CH. RISEPARK PRETTY SMART GUY AT JAMROCK – Excellent quality in head and shape, loved the balance and sturdiness of the frame and muscle, good flow of neck, well laid shoulder, back and topline strong, good rear quarters well muscled and giving him the drive required behind, could be a little tighter in elbow, but has the harsh coat needed. CC, BOB and Group winner.
MINIATURE SCHNAUZER – BITCHES
CLASS 23 – JUNIOR
1st Mr. R. & Mrs. J. Anderson’s RISEPARK HIGH HOPES AT JAMROCK – Good youngster settling into the role with a nice balance in head and skull, has the shape in outline, and type, moves with the style and action, carries a good type coat, just needs to show off the attitude to push herself further.
GROUP to the Schnauzer pushing hard in the final challenge to nearly reach the RBIS slot, and Reserve in the Group
to the young Boston who was more sound than the Akita at this stage.
G R O U P V I – W O R K I N G
BOUVIERS DES FLANDRES – DOGS
CLASS 24 – LIMIT
1st Mrs. W. Kirton’s CALLIOPE RUPERT – Liked the dog under the coat, has good balance in head with strength in bone muscle and body, good chest and topline, he just loses the plot in coat, but can move to cover the ground.
Reserve Working Group Winner - Bouvier
BOUVIERS DES FLANDRES – BITCHES
CLASS 25 – LIMIT
1st Miss M. Ashby’s CALLIOPE RITA – Good overall size and power, she has the balance, head width and length, muscled neck and is well proportioned in body, chest, topline and rear quarters. She has the strength on the move, with that powerful free and easy action and went BOB on a better front action. CC & BOB.
CLASS 26 – OPEN
1st Miss M. Ashby’s CH. CALLIOPE RHAPSODY C.D. –
Strong with the structure and power, she has the balance of overall muscle, good in head, type, neck and topline,
probably a better coat than her sister, she has good muscle and moves well at the rear, but not quite the front action
today. RCC & RBB.
DOBERMANNS – DOGS
CLASS 27 – JUNIOR
1st Mr. J. Haynes’ MARKET HILL MUSKETEER – Pleasing youngster with a good wedge developing in head, good balance through neck, body and topline, he is well built in shoulder and back end, his handler just needs to get the action together with the dog to bring him more appeal as he has lots of promise. CC & BOB.
BULLMASTIFFS – DOGS
CLASS 28 – PUPPY
1st Mr. R. Gibson’s FORTESQUE BARGUNNER – This young man just needs some confidence to bring him forward, he has a lovely balance through head, neck and body, has the growth in overall shape expected at this age, with work should come through.
CLASS 29 – MAIDEN
1st Mr. B. Bascome’s FORTESQUE TIGER BLACKOUT – Nice head and expression, good power in body, not quite the co-ordination on the move yet, but has the reach in front, with developing chest and muscle.
CLASS 30 – OPEN
1st Mr. P.R.P. Evelyn Q.C. – BRAEAARON WALLACE AT ARDHUB TO HOTHERSALL – Good class won by a powerfully built brindle boy with the squareness in skull required, good circumference in skull, strong
muzzle and jaw, would prefer darker eye but other qualities in this boy far outweigh that, wide and deep chest, short straight back, strongly muscled rear quarters and he has the sense of purpose on the move. CC & BOB.
2nd Mr. P. Ashby’s FLANDERS COMMORAWY WOOD AT ZAHARA BULLS – Red dog again with a quality head, square and well balanced body, he has good strength and power, in body, chest and rear quarters, was moving ok but just not holding topline on the move or standing, maybe could strengthen in loin to improve. Good quality of colour and coat condition to finish picture. RCC.
BULLMASTIFFS – BITCHES
CLASS 31 – NOVICE
1st Mr. H. Leacock’s FORTESQUE AQUARIUS – Lighter in bones and structure she attracts in head features, has good topline and rear quarters, not quite the power and substance at present, maybe will improve as she matures, covers the ground on the move.
CLASS 32 – OPEN
1st Mr. P.R.P. Evelyn Q.C. – HOTHERSALL’S LADY GODIVA – Loved the power and strength through her frame, she has the attraction in head, skull, ear and eye set, well muscled in neck she has front, chest and rib length, good topline, loin and rear quarters give her power and action on the move, close in end decision but just preferred the dogs overall musculature. CC & RBOB.
DOGUES DE BORDEAUX – DOGS
CLASS 33 – OPEN
1st Mr. R. White’s WOLFRAM BEEZLEBUB SLUG VON BOLDHEART AT RICHELLE – Nice overall power and balance, powerful and stocky he has the bone, carries a typical head, strength in neck, chest, body and rear end, tends to lose his shape standing, but ok on the move. CC & BOB
DOGUES DE BORDEAUX – BITCHES
CLASS 41 – JUNIOR
1st Mr. R. White’s BOLDHEART’S FLASH FIRE AT RICHELLE – Loved the overall power and aspects, she has a typical but feminine head, good jaw, skin and folds, she has the balance of one still young so more development to come in body and muscle tone but unfortunately not moving as well in the rear today due to injury.
ROTTWEILERS – DOGS
CLASS 37 – NOVICE
1st Mr. R. Alleyne’s GUNI THE HEAT IS ON – Well balanced and powerful with good skull and muzzle proportions, he is good through topline, neck and rear quarters, he is ok on the move, but needs work with the handler to create that steady calm gaze and settled appearance needed.
Winner Working Group - Rottweiler
CLASS 39 – OPEN
1st Dr. W. Welch’s JUFFTHER DREAM LOVER – CC, BOB, WORKING GROUP & BEST IN SHOW .
Competitive class won by a quality and impressive dog who built from this class to go BIS, he possesses good attributes in head, skull to muzzle proportions, skull and jaw balance strong teeth, eye and ear set, he has a strong neck, good front and shoulder, chest and body will mature and develop even more, he is powerful in body, topline and loin, but his finest quality is the propulsion from a well built and strong rear end, he holds his topline on the move and got better each time he moved around to eventually take BEST IN SHOW.
2nd Mr. N. Braginton’s ELTHOR DARK BARRY Another of good quality in head, balance of outline and shape, he is carrying a good front chest and bone, not quite the topline of 1 but has the muscle power and goes well in profile. RCC & RBOB.
3rd Mr. S. Howell’s ELTHOR DARK CARL – Nice head proportions, good eye and jaw, has the body balance and holds the muscle in chest front and rear angles, not quite the rib length and topline needs to strengthen to hold on the move, front and rear action was ok.
ROTTWEILERS – BITCHES
CLASS 40 – PUPPY
1st Mr. S. Howell’s KEMROROCKS KASHMIR – Loved the easy action on the move, she has the balance and shape in outline, good neck, topline and is developing well in body at this stage, head has some growth to come in skull width, but she has a strong jaw and bite, she has good front bone and rear angles.
CLASS 41 – JUNIOR
1st Mr. L. Lavine’s ELTHOR DARK HELEN – 3 youngsters at a growing stage with lots of size and strength hopefully to develop yet, the winner had the best side action, with an attractive outline, type coming through in head, neck and front, balanced body and rear quarters, just needs to muscle and strengthen in frame.
2nd Dr. W. Welch’s ELTHOR DARK HEDY – Liked the side profile but loses topline on the move, she has head coming through, nice in neck, and rear quarters with good drive action. She carries good coat cover in good condition but again needs to mature and size up.
3rd Mr. S. Howell’s ELTHOR DARK HILMA – I felt the best of the 3 standing with a good head, shape and style, she has body, chest and topline coming through, just lacks the action in front and rear, more work in the handling department please
CLASS 42 – LIMIT
1st Mr. D. Saddler’s ELTHOR DARK MAGNA – Although carrying extra weight she is typical in head, front, chest, bone and balance. She has the structure, rear angles and drive but this is hindered by the body and cost her in any further consideration.
CLASS 43 – OPEN
1st Dr. W. Welch’s DEE DEE ROTTI KINGDOM – With her strength, power and balance she impresses standing and on the move, carrying good type in head, jaw, muzzle and teeth set on a strong round neck, she has the chest body and topline, good front angles, just tends to drop in rear, but has the power in her quarters to drive her round the ring. Close but not quite the action of the young dog today. CC & RBOB.
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS – DOGS
CLASS 44 – PUPPY
1st Mr. O. Holder’s MONIFA CHADOO – Nice young pup with good bone, rangy at this stage but has substance
coming through, needs to develop in shape, he is good over the ground with balance of action.
CLASS 45 – MAIDEN
1st Miss R. Johnson’s DANAMAN PURE TEMPTATION – Longer stronger and eventually a pleasing shape when he started working with his handler in the show stance, pleases in head, neck and body muscle, not quite the balance in outline but can be worked on, good action when he got into his stride but again needs to develop to pace with his handler, could be quite promising.
BOXERS – DOGS
CLASS 46 – JUNIOR
1st Miss J. Wilson’s WORTHINGTONS WISH ME LUCK – What a special young man this lad is. Head to break fully in skull yet, but he has the balance and width in jaw and muzzle, good underjaw, dark eye and alert ear set, good through neck, topline, loin and quarters, handles well in front, chest developing and he has a strong easy action. CC & BOB
CLASS 47 – OPEN
1st Miss J. Wilson’s STILLWELLS PRINCE OF FIRE – Attractive, strongly muscled honest dog with pleasing outlook and balance, good in profile with lots of power in his frame, has balance in head, eye and muzzle, not quite the underjaw of youngster, but moves with the required action and drive, he is alert and on his toes. RCC.
BOXERS – BITCHES
CLASS 48 – OPEN
1st Miss G. Leach’s CH. SEEFELD SEA GODDESS OF WORTHINGTON – ‘Quality’ and impressive she has the balance and shape, good overall size, substance and power, attracts in head, skull, jaw, eye and ear set, but just not quite bringing out the enthusiastic attitude to showing today, she has the front, rear and action on the move, worthy Champion, and good to go over. CC.
WORKING GROUP gave me some of the hardest decisions of the day but in the end the more I moved them the better the Rotty got so he got the nod. RESERVE eventually to the Bouvier with Bullmastiff, Boxer and Dobermann all pushing hard.
CLASS 50 – VETERAN
BEST VETERAN: Miss S. Blandford’s SH.CH. HOTHERSALL MALVOLIO C.D.X – Golden Retriever – 12.02.2003 – won over Miss A. Blanchard’s SH.CH. EASTONWOOD HIGHLAND LADDIE – Golden Retriever – 15.05.1999.
Interesting choice between the two Golden Retrievers, both of good quality shape, balance and style, they had moved well around the ring but in the end just felt 1 had the better balance, head and carriage, he was moving with purpose and action.
2: Impressive overall but not quite the tail carriage of 1 on the move but still holding the qualities in body, topline and muscle condition. Well done both.
Barbados celebrates Independence every year on November 30th.
We have always had close ties to the UK and sometimes over here, Barbados is referred to as “Little England”. We received our full independence from being a British colony in 1966 and we were first inhabited by the British in 1627.
Now the Independence flags are down along with the blue and yellow trimmings and the focus is on Xmas.
Instead of snow, some Barbados gardens have beautiful red and yellow poinsettia, and “snow on the mountain” plants start to bloom along with the cassia shrub know as the “candle” plant.
I came across this video and really liked it as it shows dogs getting into the spirit of Xmas as well. Also an excellent training job.
And the dogs share in the duties and work together so well. 🙂
It’s early December but as time flies so quickly, Xmas Day will soon be here.
Jeff Luscott in Barbados
On Tuesday, December 2, Jeff Luscott, the judge of The Barbados Kennel Club’s All Breed Championship Dog Show met with exhibitors at the show ground and gave a talk on judging dogs and what a judge looks for and then a talk on show handling.
As this judge had been very friendly towards all exhibitors in the ring, his presentations were well attended.
As several people brought their dogs, he then let them do some handling for comments from the people watching, and in some cases where he wanted to make a point, he took the dog and ran with it. In these cases the dog looked like a different dog which should have sent the message that a good handler can make such a difference to a dog’s appearance in the show ring.
He seemed to have enjoyed himself in Barbados. And it was also nice to see him enjoying the beer of Barbados – Banks.
He left behind his critique of all the dogs he judged in Barbados and that should soon be posted here.
Tags: Jeff Luscott
Bouviers with new friends
Rhapsody, Rita and Savoy enjoyed themselves at the B’dos. Kennel Club’s All Breeds Championship Dog show which was held on November 29th with UK judge Jeff Luscott.
The show was sponsored by Hanschell, Inniss Ltd. who are the local agents for Pedigree. I visited the Pedigree booth and Wayne, Selwyn and Richard were introduced to the Bouviers and posed for the pix.
The booth also had a vet, Carol Hull-Jackson from The Pet Health Centre, Porters, St. James and a veterinary assistant from Total Loving Care Veterinary Services, Brittons Hill Main Road, St. Michael who were both interesting to talk with. I purchased some canine dental tooth paste and a brush from the booth.
Yes, Bouviers consider that your Xmas present 🙂 instead of bones 🙂
Richard told me that Pedigree will soon be introducing 2 new products for dogs, these are:
PEDIGREE SMALL BREED® Nutrition Mini Crunchy Bites is specially formulated for small breeds of dogs. The Small Breed Nutrition recipe tastes great with more healthy whole grains and vegetable flavors. This recipe features smaller, easier to crunch kibble and has the great, meaty taste little dogs love in a big way. It has a minimum of 21percent protein guaranteed with Chicken as the main source of animal protein.
PEDIGREE HEALTHY MATURITY® is specially formulated for dogs, six years and older. As your canine ages, its dietary requirements changes and Healthy maturity supports the requirements of these dogs, being easier to chew and offering Omega 3 fatty acids to support joint health and sharp and accurate minds. Not only does this recipe include calcium to promote the health of his bones and teeth, it features easier-to-chew kibble for sensitive teeth and gums.
These products as well as the entire Pedigree line of Dog Chows are available from the Hanschell Inniss Sales Centre in Fontabelle and at leading Retail stores island wide.
Rita and a new friend
The usual friendly photographer Joanne Spencer was not at the show nor any of my friends who would take group and other pix.
Some pix. and results will be posted later in the week but it is always challenging when you have to be back in the ring for group judging to be organised to capture images with a camera.
When the critique is out, it will be posted on this blog.
Jeff Luscott withheld Challenge Certificates from several breeds and Reserve Challenge Certificates were also withheld.
I think it is important that UK judges although they may regard Barbados as a holiday destination, remember they are still on a judging assignment and it is important that the breed standards of judging be maintained.
In issuing a Challenge Certificate the judge is basically saying that the dog he judged on that day is of quality to be considered as “champion”. In the event that he has two dogs of the same sex of the same breed that he considers of champion quality, he issues a Reserve Challenge Certificate.
In the event that the first top dog if it is Best of Breed does not return to the ring for the group judging, the dog with the Reserve Challenge Certificate if it is the Reserve Best of Breed will return to the ring and the judge will know that he still has a good quality dog to judge in the group.
Cheap champions would compromise the value of the title Champion in front of a dog’s name.
Tags: Bouvier Des Flandres
Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies
However, the litter of Rhodesian Ridgebacks born about 11 weeks ago and owned by Sarah Hamilton of Crownridge Kennels made history here in Barbados as it was the first Barbados Kennel Club registered litter of puppies born through the AI process with frozen imported semen.
When I visited Sarah yesterday, only 3 puppies out of a litter, I think, of 9, were there. The others had gone to their new homes. They were really adorable. Extremely friendly, playful, and full of energy. Out of the three puppies, one male and two bitches, she was hoping to select the puppy she thought would do the best in the show ring and also one, a female, would be co-owned with another person and possibly also enter the show ring.
All looked very nice and my choice would have been the male puppy as the best potential for the show ring.
The above photo was taken when I was leaving as by then, they were finally tired and had retired to their bed 🙂
I had looked at the AI with frozen semen method several years ago, and had gone through the process with the Senior Veteninary Officer, Dr. Mark Trotman, who worked out the guidelines with the Barbados Kennel Club. This was over three years ago.
The local guidelines are based on The Kennel Club’s UK guidelines. Written approval must be received from the local Barbados Kennel Club and the form submitted to them has regulations that the proposed sire of the litter must has sired at least one litter naturally before approval and that the semen is from lines known clear of hereditary defects in the breed. Other conditions would be that the bitch is under 8 years at the time of whelping and has not had more than 6 litters.
The Barbados Ministry also has regulations and guidelines and an import licence must be obtained before frozen semen is imported, just as in the case of the importation of dogs. Frozen semen does not carry the taxes that the importation of puppies/dogs do but as the frozen semen is shipped in a container of liquid nitrogen there are other expenses involved. The container would be stored at the vet’s clinic until it is ready to be used.
Just as Barbados has restrictions and regulations as to countries dogs/puppies can be imported from without a six months’ quarantine, the same restrictions and regulations apply to the importation of frozen semen.
So it is important to look for frozen semen from dogs who can travel to the UK under the Pet Passport Scheme and/or live in the UK. Once a dog can enter the UK and be released from any quarantine applicable, it can enter Barbados.
At the time I had made the arrangements for a frozen semen collection from a top UK Bouvier, a poultry disease broke out in the UK and the same morning that the selected UK Bouvier was scheduled to go to the vet, the process was stopped as Barbados put a ban on poultry and its by products coming out of the UK. The frozen semen would have been set in egg yolk.
So I shelved the idea and instead imported a dog from the Netherlands who had a Pet Passport.
Ch. Rick Lois From The Dogsfarm at Calliope
Not shown much in the UK but getting a CC and Best of Breed from the bouvier specialist judge Mark James at The Ladies Kennel Association UK Championship Show, Rich competed against 30 something other Bouviers at that show. You can see his pages here. Rick Lois
At his local progeny’s first show, however, he was nearly beaten by his daughter, Rhapsody who was just 6 months and went Best Puppy in Show and at just 12 months, Rhapsody at her 2nd show beat her imported father and later on went on to win her first Best in Show.
You can see Rhapsody’s pages here. Rhapsody
But it is history created in the dog world in Barbados from the Crownridge Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder and it took a lot of planning, work and dedication.
Anyone trying it should remember that it involves working very closely with the Vet doing the AI with the frozen semen. Frozen semen does not last very long and retain mobility after it thaws so it is essential to do blood tests on the bitch to get her correct ovulation pattern.
The Central Veterinary Clinic at Lower Estate, St. Michael, headed by Dr. Gus Reader, was the first clinic in Barbados who should be credited with the first successful AI with frozen semen in dogs in Barbados.
Tags: AI frozen semen, Bouvier Des Flandres, Rhodesian Ridgebacks
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