Breed Notes for February 2007

2nd February

Thank goodness all the Manchester exhibitors got home safely in that terrible weather, though it apparently took some people up to six hours longer than usual – due mainly to roads being closed because of accidents, vehicles blown over and blocking lanes.  The TV pictures showed how horrendous it was.  Paps were judged by Mrs Liz Stannard: her choice for DCC (and BOB) was Mr and Mrs Cooper’s Lynflyer Harry Zona, with RDCC going to the Bartrams’ Burghbridge Ur Classic Gold.  In bitches, the CC was won by Morrell and Teague’s Serenglade Shadow Dancer for Temelora; the RBCC went to a puppy, Magri’s Frasermar Fairy Tail of Rozamie (mentioned as doing well in the Notes a couple of weeks ago - how much better is this!), who was also Best Puppy.  Congratulations to all – there are some good pictures of the winners on Elizabeth Patrick’s blogspot (is that really the right word ?– I’m getting too old for all this technical stuff): www.scottishpapclub.com  .

Carole Hatch writes as follows: ‘Owners of Obedience dogs registered within the toy group will be delighted to learn that the foremost Toy Dog Society in the country, the United Kingdom T.D.S., plans to hold its second Obedience Show (limited to Toy Dogs) in conjunction with its Championship Show held at Bingley Hall in Stafford on 31 March (entries close 2 Feb.). The Competition will (subject to KC approval) consist of 5 classes: Pre-beginner, Beginner, Novice, A and B.  If you want to enter for this, get in touch with Carole on carole@macstrak.fsnet.co.uk - she will give you the details.

The Secretary of the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club, Carolyne Allward-Chebsey, sends the following message: ‘By the time you see these notes the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club’s AGM papers should have been received by all home members.  If not, please contact the Secretary and she will send out another set straight away’.  The AGM is on 4 March, at Napton Village Hall (near Coventry) and there is an educational video in the morning on ‘How to Raise a Litter of Puppies’; the AGM follows in the afternoon, and refreshments are available.  All members of the Club should really make the effort to attend their AGM – there is a full Agenda, and the important topic of Rescue, and the Guidelines for this, will be discussed: if the result of all this deliberation does not turn out as you wish (and it is of great importance – who knows, one day perhaps one of your own pups may land up in Rescue), you only have yourself to blame if you weren’t there to make your opinions heard.  Anyhow, it’s a chance to get together with friends (and without dogs!), meet your Committee, and have a fruitful discussion of important matters – perhaps even offer your services, who knows!

Please keep the news coming, and have a good week.

9th February

News of the week is Emma McLaughlin’s success, winning the Finals of the UK Junior Handling Association competition!  Sue says Emma has competed in this event every year since she was 9, determined to make it to the top – she almost made it in 2003, when she came Second.  She says ‘the whole day was absolutely magical – Austin the Pap went like a dream and the Standard Poodle Emma was given for the second round was a magnificent example (apparently he has 45 tickets and a Crufts Group to his name!): he was about as far removed from a Pap as you could get, but Emma really enjoyed the experience’.  After the competition Emma was treated like a celebrity, with photo shoots and interviews, she was presented with wonderful trophies, £150 in cash and £250 in Pedigree Chum vouchers (which she very philanthropically donated to Rottweiler Rescue, feeling that at the moment that breed can do with all the help they can get).  She is now looking forward to the International Finals (on the last day of Crufts – very conveniently, Toy day!), where she will be competing against Junior Handlers from 27 other countries.  Apparently she will be handicapped ‘to make it fair to the other competitors’ by not being allowed to show her own dog – sad for Austin, but no doubt no trouble to Emma!

Other successes include Sue Deamer’s Abbeyton Isle Be Willin to Tri at Bankshill, who won not only BPIB but Best Puppy in Show at the Annandale Canine Society’s Open Show on 28 January, and Mandy Thornton’s Shevid Up Town Girl who, at 9 months, took BPIB and the Puppy Group at Spennymoor & Dist. CS show on 28 December, and at the Northern Dog Club on 27 January took BOB, BPIB, won the Toy Group, Puppy Group and finally went Reserve Best Puppy in Show – what a day was that!  Our best wishes go to Mandy, who is about to go into hospital for surgery to her back – hope this will make showing (not to mention life!) easier in the future.

Since there is not a great deal of news this week, I will just add (because I know a lot of people favour the venue!) that the Sponsored Walk for Charity  for the South of England Papillon Club (this year we are donating to the fund to fight Breast Cancer) will be on the Berkshire Ridgeway, where we walked the first year.  This is a lovely walk, grassy, easy to walk, away from traffic so the Paps can run free - you can see for miles across Berkshire. The Club’s AGM will be in the afternoon, at Leckhampstead Village Hall (not far from the Walk), after the usual good lunch from Janet and Ian Chandler.  So do come and walk with us – it’s a lovely day out, and you will be supporting a charity (the date is 14 April, and we set off at 11 a.m. - for Sponsor Forms, please contact me!).

Any news you want to see in print, please send to me, phone or email

16th February

At the Annandale Canine Society Open show Sue Deamer's Bankshill Isle of Lewis ShCM took BOB and G3. There were no Breed Puppy classes scheduled but Sue's Abbeyton Isle B Willin To Tri at Bankshill took 1st in AV Toy Puppy and went on to take Best Puppy in Group and Best Puppy in Show

As there is little news around at the moment it gives me the opportunity to give some more information following the wonderful success of young Emma McLaughlin at the Junior Handler of the Year Finals. I am sure everyone read the report in Dog World and saw the photos of young Emma - looking I must say very grown up and sophisticated (am I the only one who suddenly feels so much older???). I thought I could do no better than to ask Sue to write something outlining Emma's path to success and after much persuasion she agreed to do so. I am sure everyone will find it interesting and hopefully it will help continue the encouragement of our juniors.

Sue writes "For her 8th birthday, we bought Emma a Border Collie pup of her own, as we were all into obedience. This was too ambitious, as Farley was too strong and boisterous for her to cope with. Emma's greatest wish was to have a little dog that she could manage, but it needed to be clever! The preliminary researched narrowed the choice to either a miniature poodle or a papillon! For her 9th birthday, the long suffering parents got out their cheque book and Emma became the proud owner of "Snort" (aka Pinelan Alpine Snow). Three weeks later, due to Ian's work commitments, we moved from Nottingham into a rented farmhouse in Fife, Scotland. Ian had a contract to work up there and the only landlord that would take us had the main contract to supply lamb for Asda!! The farm came complete with 150 acres of land and 2600 sheep!!! We (the new tenants) arrived with 3 Border Collies, Snort the 14 week old pap and Poppy the Lurcher (deerhound/beardie cross)!! Our nearest neighbour was 3 miles away and was a mink trapper (so it was more than a little rural!)

We paid a visit to Scottish "Discover Dogs"...went to see the pap stand...and met Liz Anderson and Angela Skelton. Liz invited us to visit with our pap one day. When she met him, she uttered the dreaded words "he's quite a nice pup actually, you could have a go at showing him!" I blame Liz for absolutely everything that has happened since!!! Emma got "the bug"! Qualified Snort for Crufts, joined local ringcraft, discovered Junior Handling and the KCJO (now YKC) and our lives changed forever.

In 1999, Emma qualified for the KCJO Obedience, Agility, Biathlon and Flyball Finals at Crufts with the Border Collie, and won the JHA Richmond semis (6-11 toys) at her first attempt. A double triumph for Pap kids, as Glenn Robb won the 12-16 toys. For Em, aged nine, this was incredible. Crufts 2000 saw Emma return triumphant, clutching the Gold Medals for Test of Obedience and Flyball, along with the Bronze medal for the overall KCJO Junior of the Year (all breeds/all disciplines). At the JHA Finals, Glenn was 3rd and Emma sixth. Since then, Emma has had the kind of success that we never thought possible. She has competed in handling here and abroad (she and Glenn went to the Eurodogshow without parents when Em was 12 and Glenn about 15. They borrowed dogs at the other end and competed in the European Champs...and had a ball!). Emma went back the following year, this time with Sophie Langdon (no parents again) and the girls took their own dogs (cost a fortune for pet passports!) If my memory serves correct, I think Sophie's dog actually won well in breed, as well as getting her through the handling.

Emma has taken our family on a real roller coaster of emotions throughout her Junior career. She has campaigned 2 dogs to their titles, won Papillon Junior of the Year, won Richmond semis 3 times and now she has finally won "the big one!" Emma has had the most phenomenal support from so many papillon folk: Caroline Lee-Farnsworth coached her and taught her to "think like a winner!" She also lent her Ch Graycaz Othello's "lucky show lead" to give her confidence at the 1999 JHA Finals!! Josie Mann spent hours scouring shops in her local area to find smart jackets small enough for Emma...and posted them to us! These are just 2 of the many examples of papillon people going out of their way to help a young person in the breed. If we were to list everyone, we would fill a book. "Thank you" seems so little to say to all of these people, but it has meant so much to Emma, and to us.

As UK Handler of the Year, Emma is now looking forward to the International Finals on the Sunday at Crufts. She will be bright eyed and bushy tailed, as she will be staying in a hotel for the duration, thanks to Pedigree, who sponsor the competition. They provide and pay for the accommodation for ALL the finalists! Although Emma is actually eligible to compete at Richmond this coming September, she will not be there!!! She is hoping, instead, to be serving in the Army as a Dog Trainer. She is currently working as an instructor at a local riding school, teaching young children the basics. I guess Ian and I should be grateful that she never caught the horse - showing bug, but confined herself to jumping!"

Apart from the dedication of Emma (and of Sue and Ian!!) one thig that comes across is the level of support from people in the breed in many different ways. It really is pleasing to see Sue write "No other breed shows as much support to it's juniors than ours and we should be proud." And certainly all our juniors have made us proud of their many successes over the years

I’m looking out this morning at a good eight inches of snow, which you can only just see through the same stuff falling from the sky at almost blizzard rates.  Not for me, but eight Papillons are shrieking with excitement and skating round the frozen pond, chasing each other round the snow-laden bushes, and also, of course, eating the stuff.  And refusing to come in!  So much for Toy Dogs, fit only for Laps.  I give you this local colour, because there does not seem to be much in the way of News.  No one has sent me anything and, though I’ve tried, there doesn’t seem to be much newsworthy around.

The Breed Council held its first meeting of the year, plus its AGM, on Sunday, in Doncaster.  Ted Whitehill, who is the Secretary, will send me the minutes, I expect, so the news of its doings had better wait till they are given in official form.  Emma McLaughlin (sorry I misspelt her name last week) thanks everyone who sent her congratulations on winning Junior Handler of the Year 2006.   She now looks forward to competing against representatives of 27 other countries for the International title, and I’m sure we all wish her the very best of luck.  This will take place on the Sunday of Crufts – the same day as Toys, so we will be able to watch and applaud – in between showing our dogs, of course!  At the Henley-on-Thames CS show on 28 January, Kirstie Miller won BOB with her Feorlig Midnight in Georgia (judge Sue Morrell (Temelora)), and then went on to Group 2 under Terry Purse (Tydemill): she repeated this success at the Hitchin & DCS last Sunday, winning BOB under Mrs E. McFadden from Jersey, who then also awarded her fourth in the Group.

Carolyne Allward-Chebsey (Pap Club Secretary) has had a brief stay in hospital: she was rushed in on the Monday after the Manchester Show.  She is waiting, I think, for the results of tests, and in the meantime we all wish her better. She is now back home and picking up on past emails, she says, so please be patient if you are waiting for ‘Proof of Entry’ for the Open Show next month.  She hopes all members have received their papers for the AGM, and that they will send off their votes for Judges, etc., as soon as possible.  Schedules for the Championship Show will be posted to members during the coming week (those coming to the Open Show will be able to pick theirs up then), and schedules can also be downloaded from the Club website.  Also, please can she have news for the Spring Newsletter by 27 February – so get writing.  (And I would also like some news for next week’s Breed Notes!)

23rd February

At Westminster in the USA BOB went to Chie Ejima's Ch Queen Bless JP Sun Shine Legend with BOS going to Ch Betlen Riegel She's A Lady owned by C Dennie & E Lemmon & M Petti & F M Macdonald & C Rings. Whilst bred in Japan Sun Shine Legend is three quarters British bred - his paternal grandsire is Blackpark King Gordon, his maternal grand sire is Glasafon Gordon's Lad (himself sired by Ch.Blackpark Gordon's) and his maternal grand dam Eng, Int & Jap Ch Gonmyn Inspiration. 

Sadly the news came through at Westminster that Am/Can/Dutch/Int Ch Loteki Supernatural Being had died at the age of 16 years. Kirby as he was known was I am sure the most successful papillon anywhere in the world and amongst his many many awards he was BIS at the USA's most prestigious show Westminster Kennel Club in 1999 at the age of 8 years old, having the year before taken BIS at the World Show in Helsinki and BIS at the Royal Invitational, Canada. He had some 31 all breed BIS awards to his credit as well as having been BIS at the PCA Specialty four times, the last time in 2005 at the age of 14 years 5 months. He also proved his worth as a sire becoming a Sire of Distinction in 2001. Unfortunately we never had the opportunity of seeing him shown over here - although his son Ch & Am Ch Cadaga's Civil Action was successfully campaigned here - had he been able to compete here I have no doubt he would have added to his impressive list of awards and titles. Whilst his ownership had been the subject of dispute - and those who have access to the computer may be interested to read the background on Lou Ann King's own web site at http://www.lotekipapillons.com/ (follow the link to the Loteki Story where you will find the story of Kirby - a sad story indeed ) I know he always had, and always will have, a special place in the heart of his clever breeder Lou Ann King.

There is a error in the Schedule for the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club Championship Show where the judges are show for the wrong sex. Michael Quinney is in fact judging bitches (he judged dogs of course only 6 years ago at the same show) and Claire Ahern is judging dogs.

I was sorry to hear that Jeanette Mackay had lost Jaylanjay Amasmasher recently in an accident - he was just four years old and it was only a few weeks ago that Jeanette lost his father Geanzger Avon Prince. Amasmasher had of course taken the Reserve CC at Border Union only last year when his sister Jaylanjay Amanother took the CC - hopefully such happy memories will give Jeanette some comfort.

At the Whitley Bay & District Canine Society Open Show Westwood's Dolcissimo Gangster Of Luv At Darlieair took BP and PG4 whilst Nigel and Terry Thurman's Lysandra's Ptol Ankh Esh took BOB & G3. And at the Plymouth & District Canine Society Sue Stanbury's Shirando Soldier Of Fortune took BP & PG3.

Sue Morrell writes "The Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club is to produce another Handbook which will be published in time for LKA (7th December) this year. Once again it will be an all colour production. Non members are welcome to advertise and are invited to become members of the Club. Details are available on the Club’s web site at http://www.papillonclub.co.uk/ All advertisements must be submitted to Sue Morrell by no later than 7th July, 2007. All members of the Club will be receiving a letter together with an order form and details on how to present their advertisement. Non-members should contact Sue Morrell at temelorapaps@onetel.com or tele. 01823 277722 for an order form or if you want any further information or assistance. Handbooks of the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club are sought after all over the world so your advertisement will reach a world wide audience."

An important note from Carolyne Allward-Chebsey to say that there was a mistake in the schedule for the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club’s Championship Show to be held on 8 April: Mr Quinney will judge Bitches and Mrs Ahern will judge Dogs, and not the other way round as stated.

It’s been a good week for show news. Successes are as follows: at Plymouth & Dist. C.S. Open Show on 10 Feb., Stanbury’s Inixia Wily Willum (JW, ShCM) took BOB; Reserve to him was Orchard & Stanbury’s Panspayon C’Est La Vie Inixia, and Best Puppy was Stanbury’s Shirando Soldier of Fortune, who then went on to take Group 3.  Congratulations to all of them!  At the Whitley Bay & Dist. C.S. Open Show, BOB was Thurman’s Lysandra Ptol Ankh Esh, who was also third in the Group, BOS was Thornton’s Shevid Uptown Girl and BP was a newcomer, I think, Westwood’s Dolcissimo Gangster of Luv at Darlieair, who then went on to Puppy Group 4: many congratulations here too.  In Scotland at the Rutherglen Canine Club’s ‘Valentine’ Show (10 Feb.), BOB was Savage’s Abbeyton Some Like It Hot, so well done to her; and at  Leigh, Keith Rimmer had a successfull day, with Shamal Misty Opal winning BPIB and Puppy Group 3, while Invergarick Lord of the Isle won BOB and was third in the final challenge for Best in Show – well done to them! At the Lancaster Limited Show, judged by Marion Kelsall,  Hobson’s Phimeen Tabitha Twitchit of Rosenjon won AV Toy Puppy and Best Puppy in Show – a great success - and Crawley’s Garbreisa Tarquin was awarded the cup for Best Toy at the same show.

Our numbers for Crufts are a massive 305: I do hope Ellis Hulme is feeling strong!  It’s only a rumour that he’s not well at the moment (and I hope it’s not true); if it is, we wish him better quickly – and not just because of the show! We start at 8 a.m., so by 6 p.m. there will be quite a few exhausted competitors – not to mention dogs.  Good news is that the organisers have moved the Special Events Ring away from our part of the Hall – so at least it will be a bit quieter this year. 

I continue to get emails from Phil which make one green with envy: ‘off to Madagascar tomorrow to see the Black Lemurs’ – perhaps he’ll bring one back to play with the Paps.

Lastly, it’s nice to note that our Puppy Register organiser, Margaret Unwin, is now computer-operative and is online and learning very fast.  If you want to give her information about puppies that you have, please be sure to give her all the details – age, colour and sex, your address and telephone number, etc.: she’s a very busy person and shouldn’t have to email back to get missing information from you.

Have a good week!