Breed Notes for March 2007

02 March

The Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club held their Open Show on Sunday 18 February, where the Judge was Debbie Gornall. She awarded BD to Mason’s Thoughts of Stardom at Amsema, JW, and BB and BIS to Victor & McLaughlin’s Farleysbane Unsung Melody for Kingshaven. Reserve BIS went to the Reserve BB, Stevens’ Tawzan Eva Ellane, who also won Best Phalene.  Best Puppy was the bitch, Terry’s Babrees Mona Lisa, with the dog puppy, Temelora Sun Shadow, taking Reserve BP.  Best Veteran was Stewart & Stewart-Knight’s Jap.Ch Taramu Amores Parel at Tussalud, and Tidmarsh’s Creliatown Bakers-Tri won the Best Fringes competition.  Best Junior Handler was Amy Mason, who also of course showed Thoughts of Stardom at A.

Sue Morrell writes: ‘The Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club is to produce another Handbook  which will be published in time for LKA 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 website at http://www.papillonclub.co.uk

All advertisements must be submitted to Sue Morrell by no later than 7 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 telephone 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.’

Successes at Open Shows:  from Cornwall, on 17 Feb., Pearce’s Cofton Tickle-my-Fancy at Chypapom won BOB and Group 2, and Orchard’s Panspayon Dancetime was Best Puppy in Breed and then took Puppy Group 3 – very well done to them.  On the same day at the North-East England Toydog Soc. Open Show (Judge: Pauline Wilson), Olding & Munroe’s Papplewick Pumpkin Ridge was Best of Breed and their Papplewick Paper Dove took not only BPIB but also Reserve BPIS – what a day for them!  At the N. Wales Toydog Show (Judge: Pauline Sidgwick (Paulian)), Mrs Hobson again had a good day out, when her Phimeen Benjamin Bunny won, out of a very respectable entry,  BPIB and then BOB, with kennel-mate Rosenjon Coco Chanelle getting Reserve BOB.  Penny Robins was also well pleased when her Kazkell Chyna Dream by Jaroma won Best Puppy at Pontefract & DCS and then, this weekend, Reserve BOB at the Isle of Ely Open Show.  Congratulations to all winners.

May I take a few lines to remind all Papillon owners of the South of England Papillon Club’s Sponsored Walk for charity: this takes place on Saturday 14 April, and everyone is welcome to walk with us.  We are raising money for the fund to fight Breast Cancer, and we are walking on the Berkshire Ridgeway (scene of our very first sponsored walk and a lovely place to be in the spring!).  Sponsor forms are available from me (24 Wilberforce St., Headington, Oxford OX3 7AN) or you can collect them at Crufts, with a map of how to get there – very easy, off the A34 between Newbury and Oxford.  It’s a lovely day out for the dogs, and you are welcome to join us for lunch afterwards: the day will end with the SEPC’s AGM, starting at 2 p.m., followed by the usual Cream Tea!

09 March

I was sorry to hear that Ellis Hulme had been unwell as a result of which he has had to withdraw from judging the breed at Crufts.I am sure Ellis is very disappointed by this - he had drawn a super entry - howeverthe most important thing is that he gets well and I am sure everyone sends their best wishes for a speedy recovery.The breed will now be judged by David Roe who of course was scheduled to judge next year.

Some papillons doing well around the country. At the North East England Toydog Society Open Show Brendan Olding and Jerry Munroe's Papplewick Paper Dove took BPIB and went on to RBPIS they also took BOB with Papplewick Pumpkin Ridge. At the Llynfi Valley Canine Society Show Michael and Pauline Dembiniok's took BPIB and BOB, and wenton to top the Toy Groupand RBPIS. Of the seven times they have shown him he has apparently taken 6 BOB's. Finally at theBlackpool & Fylde Toy Dog Show BOB went to Mrs L Crawley's Garbreisa Periwinkle who went on to BIS3 with BPIB going to Mrs R Hobson's Phimeen Benjamin Bunny of Rosenjon who went on to RBPIS.

Diane Mooney sent details of the first championship show of the year in Ireland. The breed judge apparently judged 12 breeds in total with Papillons being the last breed. Exhibits were graded as will they will be at all future shows inIreland and Diane reports that a strange thing arose from this and she wonders ifthe committee had the rule wrong but as shesays time will tell. It appears that only Class Winners graded Excellent were allowed to compete for the Green Stars, and in dogs the judge did not grade anything in the lower classes excellent and although the dog who stood second to the GS winner in open was graded excellent he apparently couldnot be awarded the RGSD as he had not won his class! As a result no RGSD was awarded in dogs. I can understand a dog who does not attain an excellent grading not being allowed to compete for the GS or RGS - one would expect a dog winning such an award to be graded excellent - but it seems strange that the second in open could not complete for the Reserve even though he had been graded excellent and had only been beaten by the GS winner. Under such a system a Reserve Green Star could be won by a winner of another class provided it had receivedanexcellent grading but that dog may well be inferior to the second in open who cannot complete. Sounds most illogical maybe someone can explain it. Apparently the judge wasvery strict and withheld GS in a lot of the breeds he judged and where he with held both GS he would not award a BOB either - under our rules I believe a BOB has to be awarded even if both CC's are withheld. The Results were GSD went to the late Dolly Kavanagh's Ch Serenglade Special Design forDenemore,GSB and BOB to Dolly's Denemore Icons Butterfly and RGSB Mooney Conysluck Magic Flute .

At the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club's Open Show BIS went to Farleysbane Unsung Melody for Kingshaven owned and bred by Sue and Ian Victor and Emma McLaughlin.

As I am sure everyone knows young Emma McLaughlin will be competing in the  International Handling Finals at Crufts. There will be some 36 nations represented and competition will be extremely fierce - Emma will be flying two flags,  one for Papillons and of course the Union Jack. I don't think the UK has ever won the final so would it not be wonderful if the first time it did it was with  one of our own Juniors. The judge will be the well known professional handler from the US Bo Bengstrom from US . I am sure Emma knows that she has the support and good wishes of all papillon folk and that we all look forward to seeing her stand at the top of the rostrum. Mum and Dad are I understand in training for a long and stressful day - I am sure it will be harder for them watching than for Emma competing - I suggest Sue you make sure the flask is filled with something suitable to sustain you!!!

Diane Mooney writes with rather strange news of the first Ch. Show of the year in Ireland, where the Judge was H. Johanson of Sweden: ‘This gentleman did 12 breeds in total – Hounds, Terriers and Toys. Paps were the last for him to judge, and as far as we could see he didn’t have a break or a cup of tea all day.  We had grading, which will be the way now at all Ch. Shows. A strange thing arose from this and personally I think the committee had the rule wrong but time will tell, but it appears that only class winners grading Excellent can compete for the Green Stars.  In the case of Pap dogs he didn’t grade anything in the lower classes Excellent, and although the dog who stood second to the Green Star winner in Open was also Excellent, he couldn’t have the RGSD as he hadn’t won his class!  So no RGSD was awarded.  Mr Johanson was very strict and withheld completely all the Green Stars in a lot of breeds he judged, and where he withheld both Green Stars he wouldn’t award a BOB either.  Results were: the late Dolly Kavanagh’s Ch. Serenglade Special Design for Denemore won Green Star in dogs; in bitches Kavanagh’s Denemore Icons Butterfly won the Green Star and Mooney’s Conysluck Magic Flute won the Reserve GS.

Back on the mainland, at the Llynfi Valley CS show on Sunday, 25 Feb., Temelora Sun Dancer for Hollrexia won RBPIS and the adult group – many congratulations to him and owners Mike and Pauline Dembiniok.  Apparently, out of the seven times he has been shown, he has won BOB six times – what a record!

At the well attended (36 Papillons) Blackpool & Fylde Toy Dog Show, also on 25 Feb., Crawley’s Garbreisa Periwinkle won BOB and Group 3, while the now very well-known Phimeen Benjamin Bunny was Best Puppy in Breed and RBPIS – he is evidently on such a run!  I shall now have to stop reporting his successes, or be accused of favouritism! (Mrs Gillespie was the judge for Paps). At the Caernarvon & Dist. CS Open Show, Melanie Mann’s dogs won BOB and Best Puppy – Melangel Jaunty Justin was one of them (or possibly both, I’m not sure!) and went on to be pulled out in the last six for BIS, and won Best Toy – very well done.

Sophie Langdon was the judge at the South-East Counties Toydog open show at Woking, on 24 Feb., where her BOB was Tydeman’s Kingshaven Whodunnit at Karingal, and RBOB was Munn’s Jap.Ch. Smileline Cover Girl of Immortal Gene.  Best Puppy was McGivern and Melvin’s Ringlands You And Me by Jujohn: well done all these dogs!
At the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club’s AGM this coming Sunday, the question of registered Colours will be debated.  I will report the outcome next week. All the clubs will have to give their opinions on this at their AGMs, so it will be a while before all views are known.  It does seem to me that, since the Standard says ‘white with patches of any colour except Liver’, nothing really needs changing, as long as breeders registering their puppies include the word ‘white’.  There have been cases of people registering colours like ‘Red/Sable’ when the correct description should be ‘Red/Sable/White’: another case was ‘Tricolour and White’, where the ‘white’ is unnecessary, since Tricolour means ‘three colours’.

16 March 2005

Not much news around at the moment as no doubt as many are getting ready for Crufts. At Torquay & District Canine Society Sue Stanbury's Shirando Soldier Of Fortune for Inixia took BPIB & Puppy Group 2 with her Inixia Wily Willum JW ShCM taking BOB & Group 3. At the Papillon Club of Scotland Open Show BIS went to Sue Deamer's Bankshill Isle of Lewis.

Sue Allen who has taken over the postion of Newsletter Editor for the South Wales Papillon Club is looking for news and articles for the next issue which will be her second. Sue is also looking for photos of member's dogs to feature on the Winners Gallery of the South Wales Papillon Club Website. You can get in touch with Sue at tanglethyme@btinternet.com 

By the time these notes are read Crufts will be over and done with for another year. I understand this year there will be a fair number of folk from overseas both spectating and in some cases exhibiting and it will be interesting to see what they made of the show

23 March

Crufts 2007 will certainly be remembered by Emma McLaughlin and the family as Emma eventually ended up runner up in the International Junior Handling Finals. A simply fantastic achievement and understandably Sue and Ian are extremely proud of Emma's success. I can do no better than to use Sue's own words to report on Emma's day. "This morning, in the Crufts Best in Show ring (6000 seats and very swish!), Emma took her place alongside 35 other nations for the JHA International Handling Final. To try to make things fair for everyone, Emma was not allowed to handle her own dog, but was loaned one for the competition. Everyone chose the breed they wanted, Emma obviously chose a papillon. Emma was very fortunate to be loaned Int Ch Queen Bless Red Ideal (thank you to Chie of Queen Bless and the Banfields here in UK). "Santa" was a true star. He was so relaxed in the big ring that, whilst he waited for his turn on the table, he lay down and had a little snooze! The atmosphere was electric and it was very noisy, with a commentary and everyone being encouraged to cheer for their favourite! Nerves of steel were needed by both handlers and dogs!! Emma was sandwiched between Switzerland (greyhound) and USA (pointer) so little Santa looked very tiny indeed......but showed his socks off just as well as the big dogs.

For round two, Emma was given a pointer and the girl from USA had Santa the pap. Emma had to make a very quick change from ballet pumps to running shoes, but remained calm and relaxed throughout. Following a frantic swap back to their original dogs, the judge made a shortlist of his top 10....including our Emma!! He put the top ten through their paces one last time, called for the award boards and then came the announcement..Emma was thrilled to be awarded runner up, behind the very accomplished handler from Latvia!
We stamped, we cheered, there wasn't a dry eye in our part of the arena!! After presentations were made, Miss Latvia (sorry, can't spell her name) and Emma did a lap of honour round the ring to thunderous applause!

The whole Crufts weekend has been wonderful, we will remember all of it for ever. The only sad thing for us is that Emma will not compete in handling again as she has chosen to "retire" on a high! Am wondering how one goes about adoption (only kidding!). Thanks to everyone for all cards, emails and good luck messages - we really do appreciate it. Big congratulations to everyone who had a good day in breed today, sorry we missed most of it. " And a big thanks to Emma (and of course Sue and Ian) for making all of us in the reed so proud.

As if that were not enough excitement for the breed for one day I understand that  the Breed stand at Discover Dogs was given the award for the best stand for that day. The competition guidelines are "The Kennel Club offers awards to the six best booths which are deemed to best portray the philosophy of Discover Dogs. Whilst an effort should be made to dress the booth to attract the public, more attention is now given to the quality of the information and the manner in which it is given out. Members of the public should be given an honest appraisal of potential known health problems, temperament, suitability with young children, nutrition, exercise required, life expectancy etc. The judge also looks at the quality of the leaflets the clubs distribute, the manning of the booth and the number of dogs available." Congratulations to all those involved with the stand over the four days.

Now to the Breed Judging where for the second year in a row Bitch CC and BOB went  to  Ch/Int/Fin Connection Tri Symphony owned by Vesa Toivanen,  Mrs Abeloos-Devos & Jan Roosens and bred and handled by Vesa - she went on to be short listed in the Group. The BBC Crufts programme included a short piece on Tri Symphony who was filmed in her native Finland being prepared for Crufts by Vesa and it was good to see the paps playing out in the snow and running free. Dog CC went to Fin/Bel/Int Ch Siljans My Man again owed by Vesa Toivanen,  Mrs Abeloos-Devos & Jan Roosens and bred by Ulla Hanis in Sweden. He has I believe 2 Reserve CC's to his credit as well. Reserves went to John Turner's home bred Bodebi Rhythm Is A Dancer in dogs and Joe Magri's Frasermar Fairy Tale of Rozamie. Frasermar Fairy Tale of Rozamie also took BP.

 I believe the first time overseas dogs were exhibited at Crufts was 2002 and the countries eligible widened to include the US in 2003. Since 2003 four out of the five BOB's have come from overseas, this year both CC winners came from overseas (as did last year) and four of the seven placed dogs including the first three in Open Dog were from overseas. One has to say that the BOB's we have seen that have come from overseas have been top winning dogs from around the world.  But should we be asking why our UK paps are not having the success at what may consider the world's Top Show that we would wish them to have??? If anyone has any views as to why this is so I would be interested to hear them and if wished print them

I was sorry to hear that Helen Verity had lost her father tragically on the Saturday afternoon before Crufts. Having spent the morning bathing Helen's dogs for Crufts he suddenly became ill and was rushed to hospital having suffered a massive heart attack. His main concern was still that Helen should go to Crufts and exhibit the dogs especially Jasper who had qualified for the first time this year at 7 years old . The family persuaded Helen to go to Crufts and sadly she received a telephone call just after the Puppy Class telling her that her father had passed away. Helen took a third in Limit Class with Minuet which would have pleased her dad very much. The funeral will take place on 20 March - sadly before these notes are published. Our sympathies go to Helen and her family at this sad time.

Crufts of course is the main news this week. By now everyone, I’m sure, will know that we were overtaken again by ‘abroad’!  David Roe (standing in for Ellis Hulme, who was not well enough to judge) awarded top honours to Toivanen, Abeloos-Devos & Roosens’ Ch/Int/Fin Connection Tri Symphony (BCC and BOB); Dog CC was the same owners’ Fin/Bel/Int Ch Siljans My Man. But Reserves went to the English - Magri’s Frasermar Fairy Tale of Rozamie (RBCC and also Best Puppy), and Turner’s Ch. Bodebi Rhythm Is A Dancer, RDCC.  Rutten’s Ch Antony won Best Veteran Dog (hard to believe he’s a Veteran now!) and Allward-Chebsey’s Lorah’s Livin’ On The Run won Best Veteran Bitch.  Many congratulations to all the winners – and to class winners as well - with an entry of 277, any win was hard-earned!  David Roe kept up a smart pace all through the day, even managing to snatch a few minutes for lunch, and I think for once bitches got a similar amount of time as dogs, which I think doesn’t always happen.  But surely Crufts must now consider, after 3 years of entries in excess of 250 dogs, whether it is fair to ask just one judge to cope with these sorts of numbers?  The level of concentration is difficult to keep up, surely, and you have to think that, when an appointment to judge this prestigious show comes, it is at the peak of one’s judging career and not when one is in the first flush of youth: and it should surely be a pleasurable and memorable exercise, rather than a gruelling marathon. The 8 a.m. start was terrible for people coming long distances, when the finishing time was some 9 hours later! The ring was huge, though, and, thank goodness, Crufts had removed the Special Events Ring from the next-door space, so it was much quieter.  The only ones to suffer from this were the Breed Stands, as not so many people passed by to make purchases.

Next main news is of course the splendid achievement of Emma McLaughlin. With a line-up of 36 top Junior Handlers from all over the world, she was overall Runner-up to the winner (from Latvia).  It sounded, from Sue Victor’s report, as though this was all very pressured – Emma wasn’t allowed to show her own dog, but was lent one by the Queen Bless kennel, then had to change breeds to a Pointer – very different!  Sue says that in the ring Emma was sandwiched in between Switzerland (Greyhound) and the USA (Pointer) in the first round, which made the Pap look very tiny.  But she managed it all, and the lap of honour of Latvia and the UK was greeted with wild applause – as Sue says, ‘not a dry eye in the house’!  I hope Emma is now having a good rest – she is now retiring, as she says ‘on a high’!

Still in the success news – the Papillon ‘Discover Dogs’ Booth won First Prize for Best Booth!  I’m particularly please by this, as Eileen and Neil Clayton had produced a brilliantly professional display of all that Papillons can do – Obedience, Agility, Hill-Walking, Junior Handling, Pat Dogs, etc. – which everyone admired. They put it up last year on the Stand, and were congratulated on it by no less a person than the Crufts Vice-Chairman!  The Stand is judged not only on its appearance, but also on the information it gives about the breed and the helpfulness of the people manning the stand – so congratulations and thanks to all the people who gave up their time over the four days to work on behalf of our breed to show the public not only the Papillon’s endearing points, but also correct any misconceptions about them!

Our sympathy goes to Helen and Ian Verity, who had come to Crufts to show their dogs at the wish of Helen’s father, who was gravely ill.  Sadly he died that day, which was a terrible blow.  Helen and her mother thank everyone for their condolences: Mr Verity’s funeral will be on 20 March at Rawden Crematorium, Rawden, Leeds, at 11.40 a.m. – I don’t know whether these Notes will be out in time for this information to be of use.  Family flowers only, and there will be refreshments afterward at Orchard House, Guiseley, Leeds.  Another sad note is the passing of Ch Inixia Anthony (Tony to his friends), bred by Sue Stanbury, at nearly 16.  ‘Tony’ had come to live with Mary-Lou Duggan in his retirement and spent six happy years assisting her husband in his business, travelling round most of Yorkshire in Mr Duggan’s Land Rover – and, he says, was a great connoisseur of fish-and-chips.

I will keep the rest of the news till next week.

30 March