Given that most of us have no idea how the world of dog showing works I will explain this as simply as I can. There are not many of us in the UK so we don’t get classes just of our breed at dogs shows. We are in what’s called the Working Breed Import Register. That means that we are shown with other breeds of dog who are also working breeds but who there are not many of. Sometimes so that numbers are higher we are included with the Pastoral Breed Import Register class too. Then it is all broken down by ages and sex for the individual classes. On Sunday Basil was at the Southern Counties Show and was up against Pastoral and Working dogs in his class. He won his class. That in itself is good, but then he was selected as best male – beating the males in all the other age categories. Then he beat the best girl too so was best out of the whole Pastoral and Working Dogs Import Group. He’s only 18 months old so it was an amazing achievement. The judge was from Norway and knows our breed quite well. He asked Basil’s owner where he was from and was very surprised when she said he was bred in the UK. The judge complimented the UK Club on the work we are doing to produce such beautiful dogs. Well done Shadow and of course his father Sami in Switzerland too. We are very proud of you Basil. (He was called Beethoven from Shadow’s second litter.) I’m sure his owner will not mind us showing you this lovely photo of him from the show.
Yesterday was a day of two halves. ‘Do you want a morning or an afternoon walk, Alfie?’ Now as you know, I’m not a morning dog and would normally select afternoon. However, I could tell there was trouble in the air so I said I’d take the morning slot. We had a lovely happy sunny walk and I was more than satisfied with the arrangement. Shadow took the afternoon slot. The rain started as my Mistress put her shoes on before they even got as far as the back door. I felt quite smug for the rest of the afternoon.
Alfie’s Diary – the Book is available at Amazon UK –https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00583ZGSA
You can find short stories to read at www.alfiedog.com
Fantastic news about Basil! A real landmark after all your hard work. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Love Mum and Dad P.
I knew you could do it Brother and you’ve pipped my results from last years Blackpool Ch. Show as I got beaten by the dog. Great points for our mum, Shadow.