CRUFTS 2019

Well it wasn’t to be for the Allsopps with the possibility of a hatrick of consecutive Crufts CC wins – their dog Ch Rubericla Trailbreaker wasn’t entered!!

The judges at this show were two Midlanders Colin Powell (affix Bowtman) judging the dogs, (left) and Andrew Westwood (affix Nethertonion) the bitches, (bottom right).

The entry was 351, drawn from all over the UK, Europe and beyond.

North West members always seem to feature in the line- ups one way and another so here goes for 2019 starting with Debbie Desmond and her Ch Elitebulls Challenger continuing his all conquering exploits from 2018 by winning the Yearling Dog class and going on to take the RCC.

Coming fourth in this class was Ann Preston with her Tillcarr Fire Starter, below

Another top winner from last year Ch Taraiel Ciara – Top winning veteran in 2017 and 2018 – she won her class, but no top veteran award – Crufts don’t do it for some obscure reason.

We missed the early classes, what with one thing and another – mainly a queue to get in – as veteran was on first there’s no photo so this one from last year will have to do.

North Westers gained five more first places; first of all another Elitebull – this time it was in Mid Limit Dog and Debbie (another one of them as well) McCarron-Tuer and her Elitebull Supermoon looking over the (super) moon with this win.

In Post Grad dog with Jane Roper handling and a first for Trawden Ice Cool out of an entry of 21 dogs, this dog is on a good run.

The next class in dogs – Limit – was won by team Tillcarr with Tillcarr Fire Coanda, pictured here with Karen Johnson handling (photo by Camilla Berger – thank you) – like those sensible shoes, Karen.

and second in this class was the Axe family’s Harley’s Choice – both these dogs have been consistent winners throughout their show careers so far.

Here is Harley’s Choice Crufts last year – photo by Brian Owen (thanks).

The Minor Puppy bitch class featured only two entries, both NW members – Karon & Wayne Jackson’s Jackabyte Bocouture and Paul & Liz Stanway’s Waystaff Honeymoon and that was the order that the judge placed them.

First placed – Jackabyte Bocouture

Second place – Waystaff Honeymoon

Last but not least and standing in First place once more in the Good Citizens bitch class was Gem Rowe and her CC winning bitch Illori Believe In Me, pictured below.

In the Good Citizens dog class we saw a second place for the Hardley’s Joemikeste Amor Dei and in fourth Gem, again, with Illori Akinlana.

Back to Team Tillcarr and the third member of the squad, Ch Tillcarr Baptism Of Fire who had to be happy with second place in Yearling bitch.

Another NW member Michel Moureu-Larrang was placed second with his French Ch I Need Your Money Du Clan’ Molotov – this time in the Open class behind the ultimate CC winner.

Competition is tough at Crufts with most classes well filled so being placed down the line isn’t necessarily a bad result.

Starting with the Puppy Dog class and a third place for Michaela Riley with her Hatson Come On Thunder –  this puppy is out of Michaela’s first litter.

New member Linda Hall (from the North East) was entered in the Under Graduate bitch class with her Spanish import Legendstaff Sweet Lady cum Geordiestaff and ran out third out of an entry of 22!

Here she is handled at Crufts by Julie Bibby.

Also coming in third was Jan Matthews with her Janjoma Boniwee Gurl, in the Mid Limit bitch class.

Moving back to the Open Bitch class and standing in fourth place was Steve & Julie Simpson’s Briganah Body And Soul – this in a class of 29, so a creditable performance for this habitual winner.

Whilst over in the dog ring, for the Open class and in third position was John Finney and his Ch Ballindona Crafty Copper at Sanguliano followed in fourth by Liz Stanway and her Australian Ch Mosstrooper Kentucky Moon.

And that leaves us with the VHC’s – two Stormfire dogs and owner Bruno Blanch Calonge – Sex Symbol in Junior and Lebron James in Yearling.

And in the Mid Limit bitch class the Waltham’s Dringshaw Boule De Neige, followed in Limit bitch with Michaela Riley and Molru Shine Ya Light and finally in Post Grad bitch, the Norton’s Tikkurilan Spot On – we have a picture of this last one.

With judging now complete and all the photo sessions over it was party time before the 4 o’clock exodus – just a few aficionados at play.