English Golden Retrievers In France

The Laird is officially Ch Amilone The Laird to Hareswith

The Laird does it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off we went to Belgium to try our luck at getting his 2nd foreign CACIB. There were 9 in his class and he was shortlist to the last 4. Then he was chosen as first! Having to wait until the rest of the dogs were judged was very nerve racking. Eventually we went in to challenge for the CACIB. The judge picked him very quickly, and we were asked to stand in the corner whilst she chose the RCACIB. I said I didn’t care where we stood I was so happy.
After all the bitches were jugded and the CACIB was awarded, we went back in for Best of Breed. This was awarded to the bitch. I didn’t mind in the least!! I got what I came for. The Laird is now an International Show Champion (subject to confirmation by the FCI & SCC)

The winning team does it again!!
Lace won her class and also CACIB and CACS, Laird won his class CACIB, CACS and best of breed. Later he won the group. I did not return the next day but was told that the judge wanted to see him and award him another prize. C’est la vie!!

Being still without the car, I asked my sister to take me. We were going for 7 Best of Breeds in a row. Laird having won the group for last 2 years.
Thyme was in the open class for the first time and won 4th Excellent, Laird won his class and the CACS but was beaten by the junior winner for Best of Breed. It meant we had an early finish that I was quite please about as was still tired from the weekend before.

Paris was hosting the World this year in conjuction with the Championnat de France. The Laird and I were accompionied by Wendy and her adorable Toller, the bed bug, Yum Yum.
We travelled up the day before, and set off for the show. The Championnat on the Thursday. The Laird got Très Bon and Yum Yum Excellent and Best Junior. Friday was the World show, Laird did better getting an Excellent and Yum Yum très bon. C’est la vie!
After 3 ½ hours in a traffic jam, getting out of Paris, the car decided to break down, the clutch had gone. We managed to get to the services and called for assistance. Another night in a hotel. It was very hot and despite having the window open, Laird was puffing and panting all night. He did not appreciate having to get on the back seat of the hire car, but used Yum Yum as a pillow! We finally arrived home 24 hours later than when we set off.

Last weekend saw us at 2 shows. Saturday was the regional retriever club show in the Charante. Hazel in veteran, Thyme intermediate and Laird in open. All won their classes! Laird was then chosen as Best dog and after competing against the best bitch won Best of Breed. He was then up against the best of breeds for Labradors and Flat coats. The judges unanimously chose The Laird for Best in Show.
The following day was Cognac. Another early start, 5.30. This time it was Liam making his debut and The Laird. Liam was the only Irish Red & White setter there and was awarded Très Prommeteur. The Laird won his class and then best dog and then Best of Breed and then the group, and then 3rd Best in Show. He really showed his socks off, absolutely loving the BIG RING. It took us ages to get out if the ring at the end because everyone wanted to fuss him!!

I decided to go all the way to Monaco with the Laird to see if I could make up to be a Champion of Monaco. I needed to win the CACIB to be in with a chance.
It was a 9 hour journey, with us was a friends Toller, Paris. The boys behaved very well and we arrived at the first hotel about 6pm. A hours trip on the day of the show. GPS was plumbed in and all was well until we reached Monte Carlo. Through the tunnels, no signal! I asked someone the way and eventually found it. No room in the car park even though I had paid for a ticket, had to park in a space reserved for motorbikes.
When I found the ring, the judge was waiting for Paris so I dumped Laird with someone and went in with Paris. He won the CACIB and BOB. I knew his owners would be pleased.
Not long to wait for Laird’s turn. There was about 10 in his class and he delighted me by winning. Then he competed against the working class winner and was awarded the CACM. After that he went up with the champion winner and gained the coverted CACIB! The contest for Best of Breed came next and The Laird beat her as well!! In the group I had someone else to show Paris for me and in the Rind d’Honneur we went. The Laird was shortlisted but not placed. We ended up with 4 cups. Both the boys and I were very tired by the time we reached the hotel, I chose to drive for 3 hours from the show so as not to have too long a journey home the next day. We will be going back next year and if he does it again The Laird will be a Champion of Monaco. Watch this space………….;

Saturday saw the last show of the year for me, Poitiers. I did not think I would take The Laird because 2 weeks before, he had an operation on his eyelid to remove a foreign body. The lump was analysed but found to be nothing nasty. He had his eyelid shaved and just had 2 weeks growth. But I thought last show for a while might as well take him.

He won his class of 9 dogs, then competed for the CACIB and won that! His first. He went up against a really nice bitch and she took BOB. Thyme was entered as well but just managed to get Très Bon as the judge felt she was very immature and needed a lot more time, I have to agree with him.

Dickens has also been in the wars, having a haematoma on his leg. It was cleaned out by the vet who put a huge bandage on it and sent him home to return the next day for re dressing. The next day found the wound full up with blood again and the vet decided to open him up to see why he was bleeding. I had to go and get his sister, Rowan and daughter, Thyme for them to give blood as Dickens had lost a lot. They were very brave! Dickens has now resumed normal life and his fur is growing again on his leg.

Today started off with a bang as it always does on Bastille Day when they set off the canons in our community!
The weather was sunny but with the threat of thunderstorms later.

Of the 12 dogs entered for the show at Cressat, only one didn’t have connections with Hareswith. I took 3, Hazel in veteran, Thyme in jeune and The Laird in open.
Thyme won her class with Megan 2nd (cousin) Ellie (Hazel’s daughter) won her class and CACS, Ginny (Sable’s sister 2nd RCACS) Drax (Grace’s grandson) 1st. Megan’s brother Tindel won his class with Thyme’s brother 2nd & Hazel’s grandson 3rd. The Laird’s daughter Holly, Très Prometteur. Hazel 1st. Then The Laird won his class CACS, Best of Breed. Later in ring d’honneur, he won the group for the second year running! And then went on to get Reserve Best in Show!!

This is the 6th consecutive year that I have won Best of Breed!!!
What will happen next year?
And yes, the thunderstorm arrived just after the breed judging had finished and miraculously stopped in time for the group judging.

Was it going to rain on the day of the Regional Retriever Club show ? It was to be held outside with no wet weather facilities, if it rained you got wet!

We left home at 5.15 in the morning and no rain. After 2 ½ hour journey,The Laird, Hazel and I arrived. The grass had been cut short, the rings fairly close to the cars and still no rain.

The Laird was first in the ring, in his first open class as he had just had his 2nd birthday. I was not expecting too much as all the others were older and more mature and there was a champion entered. Well, he did his stuff again and the judge placed him 1st, saying he won it easily, the champion came 2nd.

Hazel’s turn in the ring. There were 2 entered in veteran. I think it is 2 years since she had an outing. Hazel thoroughly enjoyed herself, strutting round the ring. Her FIRST FIRST was gained at the age of 10 years old.

Ellie, Hazel’s daughter was there and got 3rd, 2 grand sons and a grand daughter also did well. Megan, Ellie’s daughter was Best Junior in Show.
As BEST in Show was being judged the heavens opened. Time to put the dogs in the car and go home, having spent the day meeting old friends and making new ones.