Breed Notes for March 2006

03 March

Pearl Peacock has asked me to thank all her friends and the clubs that sent Cards, Flowers and Chocolates to cheer her up after her recent operation, they worked! Pearl is already feeling a lot better.

I was sorry to hear Hazel Fairall has not been to good either, I saw Hazel at the Christmas party last year and she looked then to be in good health having recently celebrated her Eighty something? Birthday, Im sure a card to Hazel would cheer her up.

I received the schedule for the Open Show of the South Wales Papillon Club this week, there is very good prize money on offer, do try to support this show, the Judge this year is Queenie Bruce (Tijuana) entries close 11th March. The club will hold its AGM after the show. Helen Wheeler Secretary of the club tells me they are hoping to hold a Stewarding Seminar in the summer, more details when this is finalised.

Dropping in on Ardingly this week for the Horley & Distric CS open show, It was good to see a large entry of Papillons and catch up with friends, the local exhibitors always support the shows so well at this venue, Helen Smith showed her 6 month old puppy Kazkel Just Dreaming of Lozek, he won BP and Toy Puppy Group 4 under Steve Goodwin, Mrs J Fieres judged the breed and awarded BOB to Jo Davidson-Postons, Ibstock Tululah for Spinillons , she took Toy Group 2.Congratulations.

News is a bit thin this week, following the recent problems relating to posting and delivery on Papnet, the Webmaster Kevin Allison has moved the site to Yahoo Groups

The site is now called Papnetgroup, you must go to: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/papnetgroup/ to register, Papnet at the old address will soon cease.

Driffield Championship show have chosen their new venue for their show this year, It is to be Wetherby racecourse, the date has altered from that advertised and will now be on Thusday 5th October for toy/utility and not the 15th October as previously listed.

Don’t be shy and keep your results and news coming in.

10 March

News from Steve and Karen Maskell: their puppy Kazkell Starlight Dream won BP at Coleville and Dist; Open show under P Sidgwick and went on to take Puppy group 2, this has been a very successful litter for them, both Mrs & Mrs Back and Helen Smiths puppies come form the same litter and have been winning well.

I went up to Woking last weekend to drop in on South Eastern Counties Toy Society open show. The breed was Judged by John Richardson, who had drawn a good entry of 36 dogs, BOB went to Anne Borgs: Elendil Tobermory and BP was Pat Munns: Feorlig Moonlight Shadow of Ringlands (a litter brother I think of Kirsty Millers young bitch that is also winning well), Mary Melvins Elendil College Boy for Shalandar ShCM  went RBOB, Mary was thrilled her young puppy passed her bronze good citizens test at the show as did I believe Pat Cox’s young bitch. The South of England Papillon Club give supported entry to this show and donate the special rosettes, from next year it is hoped to have more classes which this entry certainly deserves, many years ago there were 8 or 10 classes for Papillons at this show and all were well filled.

Carine Rutten in the Netherlands had a lovely weekend, she took her famous Multi Ch. Antony to the Top Dog of the year show, which is invitational, only the group placers 1,2 and 3 from the previous year are invited, Tony won the Toy Group and went on to RBIS and Reserve Top Dog of the year 2005 (all breeds), he also won the Eukanuba Top Toy Dog competition, well done Carine and Tony.

I had a nice chat with Sue Jones this week and am pleased to say Sue sounded in good spirits, although not finding it so easy to get around Sue's speech has improved tremendously and she sounded very clear, she told me her husband was also in better health which must be a blessing, I know her many friends in the breed wish Sue well.

Well it just remains for me to wish all exhibitors a very successful Crufts and a special welcome to our overseas visitors, don’t forget its an early start, it hardly seems possible it is here again so this time next week win or lose we shall all have one thing in common:  very sore feet! that’s for sure.

17 March 2005

Congratulations to Joyce and Kevin Allison on the birth of their first grand child Isabelle.

Continuing with the winning puppy theme, news this week from an excited Rosmary Hobson who took her 8 month old puppy Rosenjon Coco Channel to Barrow open show and not only won BP and BOB, Coco also won both adult and puppy groups and went on to Best Puppy in Show! that’s great news, congratulations, I do look forward to seeing these successful puppies during the year. Other puppies continuing to do well this week are Helen Smiths Kazkel Just Dreaming of Lozek, at Romford Open show winning BP and BOB and PG2. Anne Borg went to Swindon and district Open show, Ferelith Somerfield judged Papillons and Anne won BOB and G4 with Elendil Amaryllis and Best Puppy and PG2 with her new puppy Elendil Kismet, Anne said a special presentation was made to Sylvia Jones on her retirement from organising the Swindon shows, wait for it, Sylvia has been doing this for 40 years! So I think has more than earned her retirement, that really is a terrific commitment to a Society and I am sure Sylvia will be greatly missed. I had a nice chat with Liz Bartram this week, Liz and Alan have also had a good run lately: their Burghbridge Ur Classic Gold taking BOB at both Rugby and Sheffield shows and BOB and G4 at Sutton Coldfield, their Burghbridge Maestro was BP at Rugby and their Burghbridge Imperial Lady was BP at Sutton Coldfield and BP and PG2 at Hinkley & Dist.show.

I hear Liz is finally completing her required criteria for entry on to the A3 judging list,  Liz seems to have been breeding and showing Papillons for ages and has had some wonderful results over the years, She will be a great asset to the specialist Championship Show judging list. I do hope others will continue to progress through the lists, there are so many seminars available now where the required elements of the judging criteria can be gained, we can all help this process along by making sure the up and coming judges gain respectable entries at the shows they judge, we must encourage them and enable them to gain the required number of dogs and classes for their C.V. Specialist judges are of paramount importance to the breed their understanding and interpretation of our breed standard is what should help,  along with careful breeding, to maintain the true Papillon type.

I hope you all read the review in last weeks Our Dogs Crufts Classic supplement of Deirdre Ashdown and Mike Fosters “Complete Illustrated Standard for the Papillon and Phalene”, Tom Mather wrote the review and praised the publication very highly.

The result of the Papillon Club of Scotlands fun website competition for “Pup Idol”(the puppy picture with the most cute AH factor) has been announced, the winner is Jake aka Chappell Im Jack the Lad at Jaylanjay, he is owned by Mrs Janette Mackay of Inverness who wins an Amazon Gift Certificate, well done to Janette and Jake.

Staying in Scotland the results of their Open Show judged by Karen Farrell are as follows; BIS Ibstock Tululah for Spinillons, RBIS, Ch. Jaylanjay AmastunnerJW, RBD, Calajoy Dougal McShuggle, RBB, Tijuana Victoria, BPIS, Calajoy April Rose.

Irene Robb has announced the results of the UK Papillon Junior Handler of the Year 2005, points are gained throughout the year at the Junior handling events at all the Papillon Club shows. In the 6-11years age group First place went to Rebecca Thompson, Second was Francesca McWade, Third was Caitlin Leiper and Fourth was Zoe Bradford. In the 12-16 years age group First place went to Amy Mason, Second was Clare Butler, Third was Neil Leiper and Fourth was Vikki Loader. The result of the best improved handlers were: First Clare Butler, Second was Zoe Bradford and Third was Francesca McWade. The awards ceremony takes place at the Championship Show of the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club on the 9th of April. The standard of handing from our juniors is excellent as shown in the results of the JHA semi-finals where both age groups in the toy group were won by Papillon handlers: Rebecca Thompson and John Leiper.

24 March

Crufts this year had a good number of overseas visitors and exhibitors and it was certainly a good year for Overseas dogs as far as the placings were concerned. Of the four 'Green Cards' three went to overseas dogs, although the UK can claim some credit for the BOB winner. I suppose to be realistic one would expect the competition from Overseas to be strong, given the distances and logistic problems in bringing a dog to the UK to be campaigned, not to mention the expense, one would expect only the best to come. Since the quarantine rules were relaxed allowing overseas dogs to compete at Crufts for the first time in 2003 three different Overseas dogs have taken BOB. Does this raise any questions about the breed here in the UK?? If so our breed is not alone, watching the Group judging on TV it was noticeable that many of the placements went to Overseas dogs and of course this year's BIS was himself from overseas. Are the best of our UK papillons falling behind the best of the overseas competition in any way, are we losing some of the glamour that certainly the three overseas BOB's we have had have displayed?? Some food for thought perhaps.

Bitch CC and BOB went to Int., Fin., Est., Lux & Holl Ch Connection Tri Symphony jointly owned by Mrs E Abeloos-Devos, Jan Roosens and Vesa Toivanen and bred by Vesa in Finland and this was I beleive her second UK Challenge Certificate. As I mentioned the UK can claim a little credit in that her sire, Am Ch Queen Bless JP Pressentiment is three quarters UK bloodlines, whilst bred in Japan he has an English Sire, Blackpark King Gordon and an English maternal grand sire Glasafon Connor. The remaining quarter being American lines.  Dog CC was last year's BOB, Carine Rutten's famous Ch Antony who at seven years old was I am told looking as good as ever What a record he has at Crufts having taken the CC for the last two years and the Reserve CC the year before that. Reserves went in dogs to Int. Ch, Dk Ch, SCh, Fin Ch, Nord Ch Blicci's U Are My Universe owned by Mrs J & Mrs S Raemy & Thrysoe and bred by Jane and Sven in Denmark and in bitches to Irene and Glen Robb's home bred Ch Gleniren Scarlet Signature. BP went to Miss C Leiper's Amicae Hide and Seek bred by Mary Whitehill.

I understand that the South Wales Papillon Club won the Best Breed Club Stand on Toy day, I am told for the third year in a row, so congratulations to them. The Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club had a display featuring details and winners of the Internet Dog Show, and this attracted a great deal of interest both from Papillon folk and from the public and other breeds as well. As well as photographs of the winners on display the stand was decorated with the Rosettes and awards that had been donated. There was a great deal of interest in the Complete Illustrated Standard For The Papillon & Phalene from both UK and Overseas folk.

I am sure there will be plenty of comment in the papers over this year's TV coverage, it has over the year's become almost as good a talking point as the weather. Personally I still don't think the BBC has got it right, it seems to me to still fall down by trying to be all things to all people and not quite managing to be right for anyone. I am sure the BBC could do separate programmes, after all they have enough trouble it seems filling their schedules and have to put on endless repeats (and reality programmes!!!) so they must have the hours available. And since they have the cameras and everything at the show it would not surely cost them much more. It would be better in my view to have a programme to cover the show from the general public's point of view, maybe making even more of Discover dogs in that programme, another to cover perhaps Obedience and Agility etc and leave a programme for the breeder exhibitor who would like to see more of the actual showing, more of the groups and maybe who knows perhaps a little of some of the breed judging from different breed rings. Sadly I don't think the BBC have got the right commentators yet either, Ben Fogle is fine in Animal Park and even crossing the Atlantic in a rowing boat but here was clearly out of his depth. There is something deeply frustrating in having commentators expressing views about the quality of different dogs when one knows they clearly have no idea what they are talking about. What about having a link man on 'our programme' who knows something about dogs and dog showing??? I suppose one can always turn the sound down!!!  It was a little surprising to hear a good bit of publicity being given for 'designer' cross breeds, surely not something Crufts or the KC would encourage although did I hear that the KC was going to recognise the Labrador Poodle crosses used by Guide Dogs????.

As far as the Internet Dog Show is concerned the Club Secretary writes "The Committee would like to say a BIG thank all who entered and supported the Katrina Fund Charity and although final figures are not to hand, it is thought that £500 was raised. Not bad for a 'First' effort of this kind! At Crufts,  a display was made on two benches of the rosettes and prizes for those that had  won or been placed in the Internet Dog Show. (Those that won and were not at Crufts will get theirs via the post). A list of the winners had been printed out along side photo's of the main winners as was the 'class' placings for all to see. There was a lot of interested from the public and people from other breeds too. The top awards got 'special boxed rosettes', which I have to say where just lovely, as well as a prize. BIS went home with the framed print! We think those that won were highly delighted with their prizes!  As soon as photo's are downloaded you will be able to see them on the Club website along with the 'show results'. A lot of work has been done this week, the Judge of the 'normal' classes, Mike Foster and Carolyne Allward Chebsey who udged the Champions Classes, the webmaster for uploading and putting the class placements on the site, the Committee Members who were dashing around at Crufts giving out rosettes and getting the winners to come to the display to fetch their prizes and general support from others. All thanks must go to them."  

Well quite a lot to get through this week so lets start at Crufts: Malcolm Fowler had a wonderful entry of 242 dogs making 258 entries, which certainly kept him busy all day, with very few absentees and some huge classes to judge, Malcolm proceeded in a very gentle and thorough way giving every dog an equal assessment, even with the early start BOB was not declared until after 5.30pm. Papillons along with other coated breeds are not the easiest breed to judge and certainly require thorough hands-on examination. I really do think it is now time to consider having a separate ring and judge for each sex. There was the largest overseas contingent ever for our breed and one is inclined to add, “They came, they Showed, they Conquered” well certainly most of the top results speak for themselves. There were dogs from Australia, Belguim, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Sweden & The Netherlands.

BCC and BOB went to Multi CH. CONNECTION TRI SYMPHONY owned by (Mrs Lisa Abeloos-Devos, Mr Jan Roosens and Mr Vesa Toivanen). RBCC went to CH. GLENIREN STARLIGHT KISSES (MRS I & MR G ROBB). DCC and BOS went to Multi CH. ANTONY (Miss Carine Rutten) and RDCC went to Multi Ch. BLICCI'S U ARE MY UNIVERSE (MRS J & MR S RAEMY & THRYSOE) Best Puppy was AMICAE HIDE AND SEEK,(Miss C Leiper)

“Noriko” as C.Tri Symphony is known went on to a very creditable group 4 under Terry Thorn in a strong toy group which again contained many overseas BOB winners, she won her second CC on the day, her first coming at Richmond last year under David Roe, something tells me this wont be last we see of Noriko.

The open dog class had 20 entries and 13 of these had gained at least one Champion title, likewise in Open bitch with 16 entries there were 7 titled bitches. The largest class of the day was Mid Limit Dog with 26 entries and only 2 absent. The ringside looked packed all day, and this year there were three breed club stands dotted around the ring, all doing good business, The South Wales Papillon Club taking the award for Best Breed Stand on the day, they really deserved to win with the lovely array of items on sale combined with the fact the stall holders were dressed in Welsh Costume, well done South Wales.

The Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club had commandeered a few benches ringside and had a lovely display of rosettes for the winners of their Internet Dog Show. The event was well supported with I believe several hundred pounds raised for dog charities dealing with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, the main winners were: Best In Show Pyatshaw Aphrodite owned by Anne Macgregor, Res. Best In Show/Best Opp. Sex Pyatshaw White Heat owned by Anne Macgregor, Best Puppy In Show Burghbridge Maestro owned by Alan & Liz Bartram, Best Champion In Show Am. Can.  Ch Arkeno’s Everybodyz Talking owned by Kim A McKay, Reserve Best Bitch Lordsrake Sha Sha Adure owned by Kim A McKay, Reserve Best Dog Inixia Perfect Host for Shirando owned by Doug & Shirley Colyer, Reserve Best Puppy In Show Feorlig Midnight in Georgia owned by Kirsty Miller.

A very excited Amelia Whipps appeared while I watching the judging with her first place rosette for winning the JHA class 6-11years, Amelia later very professionally handled her bitch to second place in a very strong mid limit class. Sophie Langdon also had a good result taking second in the YKC stakes class. Congratulations to all the winners and a special mention must go to John and Gary Turner for allowing the BBC to follow them on their day at Crufts, that cannot have been easy for them, with all the usual Crufts pressures having to cope with TV cameras also, well done to them both, im not sure but was that a very glamorous Sue Victor acting as the model in Hair Salon scene?.

Discover Dogs at Crufts was as busy as ever and thanks must go to all the clubs and their helpers and of course their dogs, for covering the 4 days. On the final day Eileen and Neil Clayton along with their helpers prepared the booth with the new (made to measure) display material they have created which totally transforms the booth and makes it look very professional, the pictures and text, printed in very high quality encompass all the varied aspects of Papillon activities including: showing, agility, working, even the progress from a baby puppy to adulthood, it is intended to ask all the Papillon clubs to allow this to become the standard display for the duration of the event each year and Eileen and Neil have very kindly offered to take on the onerous task of erecting and dismantling the display, owing to he extremely professional nature of this display, it is hoped it may also be available for  future Papillon educational events and also the November Discover Dogs at Earls Court, Eileen and Neil were delighted when this year the Vice Chairman of the Kennel Club visited the stand and congratulated them on the quality of the display and how lively and alert the dogs were after such a long day. Well done Eileen and Neil, I know how much they both enjoy DD and this display is really a credit to them.

From Carolyne Allward-Chebsey, secretary of the Papillon (ButterflyDog) Club, comes the following: “The Committee are concerned and have received a number of phone calls from members who have not received their Championship Show schedule. We understand there may have been a postal problem at the dispatching office, which we use, therefore, although the entries closed last Thursday we feel it only fair to extend the closing date to 24th March. The schedule and entry form can be downloaded from the Club web site www.papillonclub.co.uk or you can get a copy by post from the Show Manager, telephone: 01926 813801. We apologise to our members who may have effected by this problem”. Also from Carolyne, a synopsis of the clubs recent AGM: “The accounts showed that the Club had suffered a deficit for the year and it was hoped this would not be a continuing trend. The Committee are very aware of this and stated they would be looking in to seeing where things could be improved. One of the biggest expenditures was the hire of venues for the shows and the Committee would be looking to find a cheaper, but suitable, venue to hold the Open shows. The Proposition to be added to the Club Rules, Rule 9 - that the wording “or by the most suitable means of communication” be added to this rule to bring the Club in line with technology now used to send out Agenda’s and Minutes of the meetings was passed unanimously, though the question was asked if it meant for the AGM papers as well. Rule 9 deals with 'Committee Meetings' and so AGM papers would be sent as usual. Agenda's and Committee minutes will now be able to be sent to the Committee Members by email thus saving postage costs to the Club. The results of the Judges’ Ballot for the 2008 Club Championship Show were: first, Mrs E Needham   with 69 votes (and she has accepted to judge the Bitches at this show), and, second, Mr M Billinghurst with 65 votes, who has been offered to judge Dogs. No new Members came forward for the vacant Committee space. Those standing Committee Members who were in an 'acting' position for the past year were formally accepted onto the Committee. They were: - Mrs B Wood-Davis (Benevolent Fund Administrator), Miss C Pougher (Stall Manager) Mrs S Victor (Cup Steward) and Mrs D Gornall (Committee position). Alan Bartram, a long serving committee member stepped down this year, the Committee offer their thanks for all the hard work he put in during his time on committee. The subject of the Code of Ethics (now called the 'Guide to Good Practice') raised at the previous AGM, and which was also presented to the Membership in the last issue of the Newsletter, the Secretary reported that she had not received any comments back.  The Chairman proposed to place the guidelines in the newsletter again and on the Club's website, giving the Membership another chance for the Committee to get the Members feedback. The Committee were in the process of finalising a set of guidelines for the Rescue co-ordinator to work from, and the results would be published for the Members feedback. The meeting ended at 3.35pm so Members were able to get home at a reasonable time”.

Following on from my recent report of winners at the South Eastern Toy Dog Society’s recent show, I missed a couple of good results, Best Veteran is show was Mr & Mrs Pearch, Shalandar Tinkerbelle, they also took best Brace in Show with their two Serenglade bitches: Amore and Cinderella.

Some very disturbing news has reached me concerning a Papillon that has been homed by the Parent Clubs rescue without the breeder being informed and asked if she would like to take the dog back herself (documentation giving breeding details was supplied at the time the dog was taken into rescue). This sounds a most unsatisfactory turn of events and I gather the Parent Club is in the process of laying down new guidelines for the rescue co-ordinator to follow, I am sure every responsible breeder out there will want to let their views be known on this subject to ensure this does not happen again. Send your comments to the Secretary, I am sure the committee of the Parent Club would welcome feed back from members which may help them prepare their guidelines. A personal opinion I have is every puppy you breed is your responsibility for life, not just until you sell or home it and if you are not prepared to take that puppy back if circumstances change then the question as to whether you should be breeding needs to be asked. Likewise if that dog ever needs to be homed I feel you should have the right of access and be able to take part in the homing procedure. Lets have some of your views on this most important subject

31 March

Two Breed Club Open Shows recently both of which were successful for Jo Davidson Poston. At the Papillon Club Of Scotland Show BIS went to Jo's Ibstock Tallulah For Spinillons bred by Rosemary Ayris and at the  Northern And Eastern Counties Papillon Club Show BIS went to Bankshill Isle of Lewis who I am told is co owned by Jo and Lewis' breeder Sue Deamer

Congratulations to Hilary and Steven Byers on the birth of their second son, Nathan who weighed in at 9 pounds. Mum and baby are doing well and no doubt proud grand father Jim Ness is doing his own celebrating.

News from Ireland where at the Celtic International Show there were I am told new titles on offer to celebrate the IKC becoming a full member of the FCI, these new titles being called apparently Celtic Winners and were only on offer on the day at that particular show. On offer were Celtic Junior Winner for dogs between nine months and eighteen months and Celtic Winner for the CACIB, one strange aspect was that if a puppy won the Junior title it could not then compete for best puppy in breed. The titles will apparently be 'added' to the dogs name in much the same was as the title of JW does after the name. With all the various titles we now see we are going to have dogs with strings of letters after their name much as we sometimes see from overseas dogs. Dog GS,CACIB, Celtic Winner and BOB went to Marion Sloan's Or Ch Austrene ImElectric, Bitch GS, CACIB and Celtic Winner went to Marion's Ir & UK Ch Sunshoo Imamovie Premiere at the grand ago of nine years old. This gave her her International Title and I suspect she must me the first ever UK bred phalene to achieve this, another first to add to her list of such awards. Many congratulation to Marion and of course Maxine's breeders Carolyn and David Roe. Res GS Dog and Res CACIB went to Sophie Langdon's Or Ch Graycaz Pantsonfire at Skyvana, bred of course by Carolyn Lee Farnsworth and Res GS Bitch and Res CACIB went to Dolly Kavanagh's Lindendale Lass for Serenglade bred by Brian Cox. The Junior Celtic Winners went to Diane Mooney's Omaonaig Grey Swallow in dogs and Diane's Omaonaig Gossamer Wings in bitches, BPIB was Dolly's Serenglade Special Design for Denemore, bred by Linda Greenslade, who went on to win Toy Puppy Group 1. Best Veteran was Diane's Omaonaig Polar Sun

The Secretary of the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club has asked me to include the following report of the Club's recent AGM "The Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club's AGM was held Sunday 5th March. It had been brought forward to the early date to bring it nearer to the Club's 'end of year' final accounts'. The accounts showed that the Club had suffered a deficit for the year and it was hoped this would not be a continuing trend. The Committee are very aware of this and stated they would be looking in to seeing where things could be improved. One of the biggest expenditures was the hire of venues for the shows and the Committee would be looking to find a cheaper, but suitable, venue to hold the Open shows. 

The Proposition to be added to the Club Rules, Rule 9 - that the wording “or by the most suitable means of communication” be added to this rule to bring the Club in line with technology now used to send out Agenda’s and Minutes of the meetings was passed unanimously, though the question was asked if it meant for the AGM papers as well. Rule 9 deals with 'Committee Meetings' and so AGM papers would be sent as usual. Agenda's and Committee minutes will now be able to be sent to the Committee Members by email thus saving postage costs to the Club.

The results  of the Judges’ Ballot for the 2008 Club Championship Show were: first, Mrs E Needham   with 69 votes (and she has accepted to judge the Bitches at this show), and, second,  Mr M Billinghurst   with 65 votes, who has been offered to judge Dogs.

No new Members come forward for the vacant Committee space. Those standing Committee Members who were in an 'Acting' position for the past year were formally accepted onto the Committee. They were:- Mrs B Wood-Davis (Benevolent Fund Administrator), Miss C Pougher (Stall Manager) Mrs S Victor (Cup Steward) and Mrs D Gornall (Committee position). One long serving committee member Alan  Bartram stepped down, to whom the Committee offer their thanks for the hard work he put in during his time.

The subject of the Code of Ethics (now called the 'Guide to Good Practice') raised at the previous AGM, and which was also presented to the Membership in the last issue of the Newsletter, the Secretary reported that she had not received any comments back.  The Chairman proposed to place the guidelines in the newsletter again and on the Club's website, giving the Membership another chance for the Committee to get the Member's feedback.

The Committee were in the process of finalising  a set of guidelines for the Rescue co-ordinator to work from, and the results would be published for the Members feedback. The meeting ended at 3.35pm so Members were able to get home at a reasonable time."

Unfortunately I was not able to attend the AGM but I was interested to note in the report the comment regarding the set of guidelines laid down for Rescue. There has been some discussion regarding the current guidelines on Papnet recently as it appears that the guidelines which were introduced in August last year included the decision that in future when dogs were taken into Rescue the breeder even if known to be a Member of this Club would not be advised,  It would appear that at least one Member has recently discovered that unbeknown to them a dog they had placed in a pet home was rehomed by Rescue when the owner suddenly and unexpectedly passed away, the breeder was not contacted even though it was known at the time who the breeder was. I am given to understand that following a number of people expressing their concern over this matter the Club web site has been updated and it has now been stated that in certain circumstances the breeder will be notified although it seems that this will not be the case if for example a 'carer', which I assume to mean perhaps someone from say Social Services, specifically requests the breeder should not be notified. Quite whether a 'carer' would be fully aware of what the owner's wishes would have been or indeed what agreement the owner may have had with the breeder I am not sure and perhaps these guidelines still need looking at. I would think most breeders would want to know whether a dog they had bred had been taken into Rescue, would not many of us wish to deal with the matter ourselves, at the very least be kept informed??? The recent problems that have occurred should encourage us all perhaps to make a little more effort to ensure that new owners do make family etc aware of any agreements in place and perhaps we should all also take a little more interest in the criteria under which our Rescue scheme operates and ensure we as Members of the Club are happy with those criteria. I am sure there are many like myself who will be dismayed to know that there are circumstances in which our Club Rescue will rehome dogs without even advising us. I am sure we will hear more about this matter in the weeks to come and since many members are not on Papnet the best way to disseminate such information is through the breed notes so if anyone has any views or thoughts I would be happy to pass them on, with or without accreditation.

With so much reporting on Crufts I just knew I would miss something: in the Agility ring, Dawn Weaver ran her Papillon, Dreamer in the Mini/Maxi pairs with a blue merle Collie called Kite, and they won the event so many congratulations to Dawn and Dreamer who enjoy much success in Agility throughout the year.

Congratulations also to Rosmary Hobsons puppy Rosenjon Coco Channel who continues to do well, this time winning Best Puppy and Puppy Group 3 at Bootle, Crosby and South Liverpool Open Show, congratulations also the Turner brothers and their young puppy Bodebi Rhythm is a Dancer, who had a good win recently at Newark taking BP and winning the toy puppy group under Brenda Taylor.

In Ireland the recent St Patricks Day show took place in Dublin which is now an International Show and in celebrating their full membership of the FCI the show is now called the Celtic International Show and inline with many European international shows they have introduce two new titles. Both the winners of the Junior classes will be entitled to carry the suffix JCW’06 (Junior Celtic Winner and the respective year) and both winners of the CACIB will take the suffix CW’06(Celtic Winner and the respective year)

The results were: Dog GS CACIB, Celtic Winner ’06 and BOB, Sloans Ch Austene Imelectric,Res Dog GS and Res CACIB, Langdons Ch Graycaz Pantson Fire at Skyvana, Bitch GS CACIB and Celtic Winner’06Sloans Gb Ch Ch Sunshoo Imamovie Premiere, Res Bitch GS and Res CACIB Kavanaghs Lindendale  for Serenglade, Dog Junior Celtic Winner ’06 Mooneys Omaonaig Grey Swallow, Bitch Junior Celtic Winner ’06 Mooneys Omaonaig Gossamer Wings, Best Puppy Kavanaghs Serenglade Special Design for Denemore who also won the Puppy Group. Best Veteran Mooneys Omaonaig Polar Sun. Many congratulations to David and Caroline Roe (the breeders) and Marian Sloan (the owner) of “Maxine Moth” who now becomes: International Champion, Champion & Irish Champion Sunshoo Imamovie Premiere CW’06, “Maxine” was the first British bitch Phalene champion and at the tender age of 9 years has somewhat extended her title. If these titles get much longer the entry forms will soon need to be extended too!.

The results of the Northern and Eastern Papillon Clubs Open show are as follows: BD & BIS Bankshill Isle of Lewis ShCM (Mesdames S & J Deamer & Davidson-Poston), BB and RBIS Sharjoy Tanzany Lady at Lafay Mr & Mrs Foynes & May, RBD / BPD and BPIS Frasermar Jack Frost (Mrs M Whitehill), RBB Amicae Star Time (Mrs M Whitehill), BPB Kazkell Starlight Dream (Mrs K Maskell). Viv Cotton (Aporia) judged the show, congratulations to all the winners. Karen Maskel has been having a good run with K. Starlight Dream, at Newton Aycliffe taking BP and PG2, Karen recently judged down in Cornwall at the Bodmin open show and had a very good entry of 34 Papillons. Stany Segers, a visitor to our shows from Belgium took Kingshaven Uptown Girl to a show in Tongeren (Belgium) won the CAC and BOB making her a Belgian Champion so congratulations to him and the breeders Jean and Roger Banfield.

The schedule for the Open Show of the South of England Papillon Club is now available and has been sent to all members. The breed judge this year is Joan Savage, judging the welfare classes is Ian Chandler and the JHA classes Erin Boal, again this year there is over £300 on offer in prize money for the breed classes, entries close 29th April.

The “Papillons Walk for Charity” takes place on Easter Saturday at Bradfield, starting at 11am. This will be followed by an Easter Egg hunt (and dog bone hunt), lunch will then be available prior to the AGM of the South of England PC, if you are coming to walk, please give Anne Borg a ring on 01865 762201 so she can get a rough idea of the numbers, if you cant make the walk but would like to contribute a donation to the “Dogs for the Disabled”, please contact myself or Anne and pledge your donation, I am sure you all saw the wonderful work these “Dogs for the Disabled” do as was highlighted in “Friends for Life” at Crufts this year, with your help we shall be able to make a substantial contribution to the Charity.