26 March 2010 - Our Dogs

It was lovely to get to DFS Crufts this year, and to meet up with everyone again, There certainly was a huge entry for Mrs Rosemary Ayris to judge and with so few absentees (possibly only 20 or so) she was kept busy all day. Her stewards kept things moving and also worked very hard.

The ringside was packed for most of the day with very few spare seats, many visitors had travelled from overseas to sit and watch the breed, I sat next to a chap from Japan and although conversation was difficult I established he was a student in dog grooming employed by one of the kennels in Japan. He watched every class and took down lots of notes; I would have loved to find out his impression of the breed and what he was writing about.

The classes were well filled and the Open Classes were really strong containing arguably, the best Papillons in the world. Open dog (entry19) had twelve Champions including six overseas Champions and Multi Champions as well as CC winners, and Open bitch ( entry 18) had eleven Champions and Multi Champions, five from overseas. These two classes were a real pleasure to watch and I am not surprised there was standing room only round the ring during judging.

The quality in the Open dog class must have proved a problem for the judge as she started to short-list and by time she had travelled round the ring she had short-listed 13 dogs. The buzz was quite expectant and Mrs Ayris gave the nod to an extremely flashy Phalene - AM/CAN CH ARKENO'S EARS TO YOU, who travelled over from the USA and was quite expertly handled by Mr J Oulton. I am not sure when the Kennel Club ceased placing dogs in the Open classes down to Highly Commended and Commended (6th and 7th) but I think if these quality entries are to continue, it needs to be re-instated. With just a short break for lunch Mrs Ayris continued with the bitches and here there some very beautiful bitches for her to go over. Again Open Bitch was full of quality and again the nod went to a classic Phalene bitch, INT/MULTI CH FREETAINS MY OH MY this time over from Norway. Records are not clear in our breed but I am sure this must have been the first time ever that both winners of the Open classes were Phalenes. It was much commented, the number of Phalenes in this years entry, I had started to count them all but got sidetracked, I wonder did anyone do that? I would love to know the total number. The Papillon breed council has, for several years asked the Kennel Club for dedicated classes at Crufts for Phalenes, I do feel after this years entry it will give us extra fuel to apply again, I do think it would have its place, several of the Clubs now schedule Special Phalene classes at their shows so I cannot see the problem with at least one class for each sex at Crufts. Naturally there will never be a Phalene BOB just from these classes, as any BOB Phalene will have to also be the BOB Papillon overall, but there would be no reason not to nominate a Best Phalene. Well finally the judging was over and BOB did go to the flashy Phalene for only the second time in the history of the breed at Crufts. The main winners were: DCC and BOB - AM/CAN CH ARKENO'S EARS TO YOU Ownesr: S, M J, K A, & M ALFADL, LOYE, MCKAY & BERG, RDCC - AM/CAN/FIN CH SILJANS TRI CONNECTION Owners: MRS E & MR J ABELOOS-DEVOS & ROOSENS, BCC - GETUPANDGO DE COSTALINA SUNIREN Owners: MRS I & MR G ROBB & MRS C ROE, RBCC- INT/MULTI CH FREETAINS MY OH MY Owner: MRS AG LYNGSTAD. Best Puppy - DENEMORE STORY'S ECHO AT TUSSALUD Owners: MRS K & MISS K STEWART & STEWART-KNIGHT. Interestingly both CC’s and both RCC’s went to overseas bred dogs, also from the Yearling classes both Yearling firsts came from overseas, they were litter brother and sister -UP AND DOWN'S ANTONIO AT MONDELISE and UP AND DOWN'S I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES owned by Miss C Rutten. Miss Rutten also brought the famous and past Crufts BOB - Multi Ch Antony over and he took first in Veteran, which he has done now for four years running, in total he has seven consecutive firsts at Crufts, quite a record.

I did hear some mutterings about the number of overseas entries and about their success in competition. I do feel that Crufts is and always has been the Greatest Dog Show on Earth and being so, one would expect the best of the best to compete, my own experience of the many overseas visitors is that they have always been most friendly and completely interested in the breed, I think we should all welcome them and recognise the quality of their breeding as they do ours. Well done to all this years winners.


Following from last weeks notes I now have some more information relating to the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club. Acting Secretary: Mr Kevin Arrowsmith asked me to include the following : “Since the sudden death of Carolyne Allward-Chebsey, the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club have co-opted Mr Kevin Arrowsmith as Acting Secretary.

Over the past few months there have been various rumours about the financial stability of the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club including its imminent fall. Please be assured that this is not the case and that the current committee are extremely positive to ensure the clubs success. We are extending the closing date of the April Championship Show entries, due to the recent unfortunate circumstances, entries should be sent to Mrs Pauline Coughlan, 9 Finchall Croft, The Oaks, Hampton Coppice, Solihull, West Midlands B92 9QP, tel 0121 705 5824 or they can be handed to either Pauline or myself at UK Toy Dog Show on Saturday 27th March, no entries received after this date will be accepted as we have a deadline with the printers. We are happy to confirm that all currently scheduled shows and events will continue as arranged including the Phalene workshop on Sunday 2nd May 2010 which is taking place after the AGM, we look forward to receiving your support - thank you.”


Sue Morrell sent the following to papnet for those wishing details about Carolyne’s funeral: “The Acting Secretary of the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club, has spoken to Carolyne`s family and they welcome anyone who would like to attend, and any donations to the Papillon (Butterfly dog) Club Benevolent Fund. Flowers may be sent to the funeral directors: Cutler Funeral Directors, Little Sutton Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, B75 6QV. If you are wishing to attend, please let Michelle Fisher know for catering purposes. ellmara@tiscali.co.uk or 01702 231368”

The funeral will be held on Tuesday 23rd March 12.00 noon at Sutton Coldfield crematorium, Tamworth Road, B75 6LG


Phil Shirley


Submitted: 26 May, 2010 (Edited 23 Jul, 2010)

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