In his first full year of showing The Laird did quite well I have to say! Not wishing to show off – well I’m not – can’t say the same about him!! but here’s a photo of him I took last week with some of his prizes
This year I’m hoping he’ll do just as well ………………….
I took 4 of my Goldens to the CACIB show at Montlucon – boy that was hard work – but lots of fun!
Dickens showed off as usual – well he always does! He recieved a 3rd Excellent. I guess I would have liked a 1st -but as David tells me – we can’t always get a 1st!!
But then The Laird went in – and he did get a 1st Excellent – so I had the chance to tell David I still got a 1st!
My Sable was next in – didn’t disapoint – another 1st Excellent – she is a bit of a show-off and hasn’t been in the ring for a while as she had puppies not too long ago. But she really did enjoy her day out.
Our new puppy Thyme had a day out as well. It’s always a pleasure to show little ones as thay don’t really know what to expect, but she didn’t disapoint – receiving a ‘Prometteur’ I was very proud of her as it was a very busy show with lots going on.
Next week, 21st March, sees us at another show, this time at Montluçon.
This is an International show, which means there are CACIB’s on offer. This type of show always gets a good entry and for my sins I have entered 4 dogs;
Dickens in open dog;
Sable in open bitch;
The Laird in intermediaire dog; and
Thyme in puppy bitch.
For a variety of reasons, Dickens has not been shown for 3 years. The last time was at the Championnat at the same venue, he was placed 4th
So this week I have a lot of preparation to do. Each will – of course require a bath, and I have to say – of them all The Laird simply loves the attention – typical male! Then they each have a good grooming and their nails trimmed. On average it takes me about 5 hours to fully prepare each dog – so I’ll be very busy this week!
The 21st February saw the start of the showing year for us at the Bourges CACS dog show. The Laird was entered and Thyme was making her debut.
Now, having a sat nav has made finding the shows much easier. Bourges has always been like the Bermuda Triangle to me!
The Laird walked in to the show ground like he owned it, Thyme did not know what to make of all the different sorts of dogs, and they were not all golden! She did meet up with her brother (Enjoy Me de Hareswith) it was his 2nd show, so well experienced.
The Laird was first in the ring, in class Intermediaire. He won this and then competed with the other male class winners and was awarded the RCACS. Winning yet another cup and plaque to add to his mounting list!
Thyme, although a little overawed did very well and was graded Très Prometteur. She was given her first plaque – one of many I hope!
All in all – a great start to the 2010 show season.
Unlike the UK, there are no dog papers to see where and when the shows are. Here it is a web site that lists all of the shows. www.cedia.fr to enter your dogs on line you will need to have the microchip number, registration number date of birth and know the parents and breeder of your dog.
You can only enter your dog in one class. The different classes are listed below.
Bitches and dogs are always given separate classes and providing that your breed is recognised by the FCI, www.chiensderace.com/adresses/scc/fci.php even if it is the only one of its breed at the show it will be given a class of its own.
You will need to take with you your dog’s vaccination certificate and rabies certificate. At some shows this will need to be shown at the contrôle vétérinaire before you are allowed to enter the show ground.
Cages are provided, sometimes they are free, other times the society will charge 3-5 euros, check the schedule when you enter.
Also, you will not be allowed to leave the show, in most cases, before 16.30 – 17.30 as the paying public like to see dogs.
A few days before the show you will be sent a pass to get in.
My dogs have had many successes since we came here, gaining 1 CACIB, 1 RCACIB, 8 CACS, 6 RCACS, 7 BOB, 5 Best Junior, 1 Best Junior in Show and 1 Best Group 8 – to date!!
CLASSES D’ENGAGEMENT
C.PUP.M. / C.PUP.F. : Classe Pupille (Puppy) Mâle / Femelle
C.J.M. / C.J.F. : Classe Jeune Mâle / Femelle
C.O.M. / C.O.F. : Classe Ouverte Mâle / Femelle
C.T.M. / C.T.F. : Classe Travail Mâle / Femelle
C.CH.M. / C.CH.F. : Classe Champion Mâle / Femelle
C.V.M. / C.V.F. : Classe Vétéran Mâle / Femelle TITRES CACS : Certificat d’Aptitude à la Conformité au Standard
RCACS : Réserve de Certificat d’Aptitude à la Conformité au Standard
CACIB : Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté
RCACIB : Réserve de Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté
BOB / BOG : Meilleur de race (Best Of Breed) / Meilleur de groupe (Best Of Group)
BIS : Meilleur chien de l’exposition toutes races (Best In Show)
Ch.Int. ou CHIB : Champion International de beauté
Every dog will be given an individual critique with a grade shown below:
EXC : Excellent
TB : Très Bon
B : Bon
AB : Assez Bon
TP : Très Prometteur (uniquement conformité au standard)
P : Prometteur (uniquement conformité au standard)
AP : Assez Prometteur (uniquement conformité au standard)
Insuf : Insuffisant
If you’d like to follow the success of my Goldens in the show ring you will find their results posted on the Results page of my website
The Laird and I went off to the last show of the season. Here he secured a 3rd Excellent – but of even more importance he was confirmed. This means he is a real Golden Retriever!! French rules state that every pedigree dog has to be examined by a French judge to make sure they are up to their own breed standard. The Laird passed with no problem – so now he is available to selected bitches for stud. If you are interested in using him on your Golden retriever bitch, please contact me using the form below ….
at the Cressat (Ahun) show he got Best Juene, his 4th award, then went BOB. He was not old enough to be awarded the CACS, he needs to be 15 months for that.
The Laird then went into the big ring with all the other Best Jeunes (25 in all) and made the first cut. Then he made the second cut – then was awarded Best Jeune in Show – chuffed or what!!
The Laird then went back in to compete for Best In Group adults. Lo and behold he was chosen again (different judge) Best in Group! he went no further, which is not surprising as he in not 13 months old until tomorrow.
This is the 5th time I have owned, bred or handled the BOB.
But that’s not all – Today the postman arrived with his hip and elbow scores (The Laird’s – not the postman’s!)
Local show this week – so no long car rides for us all – Great! Different show – different judge and where Lace last week at the French Crufts won her class – this week the judge gave her a 2nd excellent, but she enjoyed herself and that’s the important thing.
The Laird did what he normally does and won a 1st Excellent. I’m really proud of him – he’s going to have the girls fighting over him when his hip score is back! He’s already had a number of enquires for stud I’m pleased to say.
This week I also took Rowan and Grace with me. Rowan scored an Excellent – I’m very happy with that as she could do with a little more coat. Grace – looking lovely in her ballgown pleased the judge; who said she is in perfect physical condition, giving her a 2nd Excellent – not bad for a 12 year old!!
Finally the day had arrived – Champoinnat de France – France’s Crufts. This year it was held in Paris, so i expected a few traffic issues! With only 5 minutes to spare we arrived. With no time to even brush her coat Lace and I entered the ring. It didn’t matter to Lace – she performed – winning her class! WONDERFUL!!
With a little time to gather our thoughts it was then The Laird’s turn. He wasn’t going to miss out and came second in his class! This was turning out to be a special day!
Next up it was Rowan’s turn and she rounded of the day with receiving an ‘Excellent’ grading!
It was a long way to go but was it worth it?
You bet it was!!
