Breed Notes for December 2007

07 December

Quite a bit to get through this week, so here goes: Sue Allen, says she would like to publish another South Wales Papillon Club Newsletter in time for Christmas, any news or articles for publication would be very much appreciated, you can contact Sue by e-mail : tanglethyme@btinternet .com .

Thanks to Marian Sloan for these results from Ireland: Mrs L Lythgoe judged Papillons and Phalenes at Portadown Ch. Show under IKC rules her winners were: Papillons, G.S.B & BOB, Sloan's Tedlyn Silver Star , Res G.S.B Carroll/Newman's Denemore Icon's Butterfly, G.S.D. Mooney's Omaonaig Grey Swallow.Phalenes, G.S.D & BOB, Sloan's Sunshoo Imawill Scarlet Gleniren, G.S.B.Mooney's Aporia Chiassoso. From the All Ireland Bull Breeds Ch Show, it is an all-breeds Ch show, not just bull breeds! The Judge was Mr A Mulcahy (Ireland), he found his winners in: Papillons, GSD and BOB Carroll/Newman Jap.Ir.Ch. Smileline Covergirl Immortal Gene, Res GSD Mooney's Omaonaig Fire Bird J.C.W. 06, GSB Mooney's Ch. Omaonaig Flame of Tara An.Ch 06, Res GSB Carroll/Newman's Denemore Icon's Butterfly. In Phalenes: GSD & BOB Sloan's, Neth.,Lux.,Bel.,Ger.,Fr., Int Ch Austrene Academy Award, Res GSD Mooney's Omaonaig Sea Bird , GSB Mooney's Aporia Chiassoso, res GSB Sloan's Sunshoo Imaspecial Edition Gleniren.

Viv Cotton was thrilled to hear of the success of Aporia Chiassoso which she bred and is shown in Ireland by Diane Mooney. Viv said: "we have this afternoon received some very exciting news from Ireland. It is the First year the Irish Kennel Club have adopted the FCI system and the First Phalene Irish Champion has today been 'made up' under F.C.I. rules (subject to IKC confirmation). Aporia Chiassoso aka Emma (Ringlands Treasures Son x Aporia Secret Love) has today gained her 7th Green Star. Emma was bred by my son Stuart and has been campaigned in Ireland by Diane Mooney. Emma has only been in Ireland for 6 months and has been very successful during that time. She has been awarded 7 Green Stars, 3 with BOB. Where no Phalene classes were scheduled she has taken 6 Best NSC Group 9. She has won 2 CACIB (halfway to her International title). Every time she has been shown she has been graded 'excellent'. We thank all the judges who thought so highly of Emma and we would like to send special thanks to Jimmy Simpson and Eilish Neally. Emma enjoys every moment in the ring and her enthusiasm makes handling her quite exhausting. Diane deserves a very big thank you for all the effort she has put in". Many congratulations to Viv and Stuart.

The first I.K.C. Champion Phalene was made up 7 years ago, she was Marian Sloans "Maxine" who won through the Papillon Classes to win her title, prior to Phalenes being given separate classes.

At Midland Counties Ch. Show, Mrs J Scovell had a very large entry of Papillons and found her winners in: DCC and BOB Multi CH. ANTONY (MISS C G M RUTTEN), RDCC CH. BODEBI RAY OF SUCCESS AT LAFFORD (MS C LEES), BCC RINGLANDS KENMILL TO POPPY TIME (MRS P MUNN), RBCC CH. WISH UPON A STAR OVER TRICIANBRI Sh.CM (LT CDR B & MRS P COX).

At Romsey C.S.Open Show, Miss S Jackson judged Papillons, BOB and Group 1 went to Spinillons Isadora J.W. (Mrs J Davidson-Poston) Best Puppy and Puppy Group 2 went to Spinillons Saffire ( Mrs J Davidson-Poston). Congratulations to all the winners this week.

Penny Robins asked me to include the following in the notes. The Northern & Eastern Counties Papillon Club are holding a Breed specific seminar on the 3rd February 2008 at Finningley Village hall (near Doncaster) would anyone interested in attending please contact: Jim Robins on 01909 479672 or by emailjaromapaps@btinternet.com for more information.

I received my schedule for the Open show of the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) of Scotland, to be held on 1st December, the judge will be Mrs T Collins (Colness), at Cochrane Hall, Alva. Entries close on 12th November, schedules can be ordered from Secretary, Mr E Whitehill

Mary Whitehill has let me know Elizabeth Cochrane has become a Granny for the first time, her Daughter Jane gave birth to a baby Girl who weighed in at 7lb 5oz, many congratulations to Elizabeth and all her family.

Chatting with Mary, I was pleased to hear Mary has a great Idea to collect donations for much needed equipment for a Hospice that specialises in Children suffering with Cancer. Like last year, Mary will not be sending Christmas cards this year, instead she will take a large Christmas Card to LKA and anyone wishing to help this much needed charity can sign the card and give a donation. If you are Christmas Card fan or not, please give what you can to assist Mary collect a substantial amount. I am sure it will be most appreciated by the Children at the Hospice especially at Christmas time.

Sue Stanbury tells me she recently attended a Seminar held at the Kennel Club in London, which dealt with the ins and outs of Dog rescue and Welfare. Sue said it was a very informative day and plans are for a follow up day where perhaps a generic "adoption" form can be composed to assist all the various clubs with the problems that can develop regarding the homing laws etc. Hopfully Sue will keep us updated. On the same subject, I believe the meeting of delegates of the Papillon Clubs that wish to combine and create a central rescue/welfare organisation is due to take place before the end of the year to draw up a general set of guidelines agreeable to all participating clubs.

I cannot believe how the time is flying, I am looking forward to Judging dogs next week at the Ch. Show of the Northern and Eastern Counties Papillon Club Ch. Show. Then I guess LKA will be on us, being the last Ch. show of the year. It has, as always been a very interesting year with Top honours being spread around several dogs. The final points count will be interesting to see.

14 December

At the Papillon Club of Scotland Open Show BIS went to Hazel Malcolm's Shamal Topaz, a lovely way for Topaz to celebrate his first birthday on the same day.

At LKA Dog CC and BOB went to James Newman and Pat Munn's Jap & Ir Ch Smileline Cover Girl Immortal Gene, this being his second CC. Bitch CC went to Elizabeth Cochrane's Tijuana Victoria, bred by Queenie Bruce this was her third CC thus giving her her title subject to KC confirmation. Reserves went to Irene Robb's UK Fin Bel Ch Siljans My Man in dogs and in bitches to Irene and Glenn's Ch Gleniren Starlight Kisses. BP went to Sean Carroll and James Newman's Denemore Iconsruben. LKA being the last show of the year means that top of the CC winning lists this year is Irene and Glenn's Ch Gleniren Starlight Kisses who has taken 8 CC's with 6 BOB's. Top male is John Turner's Ch Bodebi Rhythm Is A Dancer with 5 CC's and 4 BOB's, what a pity that John's brother Gary is no longer with us as I am sure he would have been very proud of this success. I will give a full report of the 2007 Results next week

The Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club's 2007 Handbook is now available and those folk who did not collect ordered copies at LKA will I understand have them posted shortly. I have yet to see my copy of the Handbook but already have heard some very good reports of it so like everyone else will be eagerly awaiting my copy. Those who have yet to order a copy should contact Sue Morrell.

I don't usually comment on judges critiques, whether good or bad, although sometimes it is difficult not to do so when one reads a poor critique. Whilst writing a critique is perhaps not always an indication of the judge's ability - some we know judge better than they write and some vice versa!! I do find those critiques which repeat the same qualities - the kind of report which constantly says, nice head, nice type, moved well - for every dog is a complete waste of time as it gives no indication as to why a judge preferred one dog over another. I sometimes get the impression that the judge concerned simply has no idea why he or she placed one dog above another. I also dislike the kind of report which praises a dog for a certain 'virtue' when that 'virtue' is clearly not one required in the breed standard, or worse praises something totally at odds with the standard. And some are simply a little too gushing, giving one the impression that every dog entered was perfection. Occasionally however a critique comes along which enables me to visualise the dogs and understand the judge's reasons for placing them in that order. I also enjoy reading, when given, the judge's overall view of their entry especially when it is written with a clear understanding of the breed standard - something not always apparent in some of them. I must say I enjoyed Phil Shirley's critique of the Northern and Eastern Counties Papillon Club Championship Show where he judged the dogs. As Phil says heads must attractive and of the correct shape and proportions, a papillon should have a good head. That is not to say that heads are the be all and end all of course but without a head of correct shape and proportions a papillon will have a poor head. Phil also makes an important point about ear shape. It is often those points of the standard that can be overlooked unless a proper examination is made on the table (ear shape and size hidden by fringing, fineness of bone disguised by trimming (sometimes overly so) and many other points that can be 'hidden' by a profuse coat) that make up a papillon and which can so easily be lost. It would seem that some are simply incapable of assessing a good head - I have lost count of the number of times on various lists I have seen folk send in photos of what I consider a poor head only for others to express compliments on it. I know a photo can and does lie but if folk are admiring what is clearly a plain head from a photo then they clearly don't understand what a good head should be.

I suspect these will be the last notes before Christmas so I will take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. My thanks to those folk who have throughout the year sent me news for these notes, hopefully those who have not will make a New Year Resolution to do so next year. Your input can help to make these notes as interesting and informative as possible

21 December

28 December