Exhall Ringcraft Training Club is celebrating this week after some fantastic achievements by its members and their dogs at Crufts this year. The show took place over four days’ 8-11 March 2018 at the NEC Birmingham. It was not just in the show ring that our members excelled. A number represented their breed in the Discover Dogs section of Crufts meeting and greeting hundreds of visitors over the four days.
On Friday, Jean Walker’s Manchester Terrier Briar (Talanors Treat Me Good At Sizlin) came away with the highest breed award, the Bitch Challenge Certificate (CC). She was only beaten to Best of Breed by the dog placed fourth in the Terrier Group, Alfie (Digelsa Declaration). The first time this has ever been achieved by a Manchester Terrier.
Jean said of her win: “Briar achieved a long-held ambition for me at Crufts. She won the Bitch CC. To say I am thrilled is an understatement! When I came to Exhall Ringcraft I had never handled a table dog. So, I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the help and quality of instruction Briar and I have received.”
Sandra Lee also had a fabulous time on Saturday at Crufts. Her Yorkshire Terrier Tash (Camparis Countach) was award the Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate (RDCC).
Sandra said of her win: “So proud and happy! Helped by his breeder and my dear friend Beate Ackermann we had a most memorable day! Plus, the lovely support from our friends on the day that also made it all so special! I am sure that behind every good show dog there is an amazing training club just like EXHALL! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!”
Rebecca Nock and her mum Debbie Moore had a good time at Crufts. At just 14 months, their Schipperke, Luna (Ristine Lunar Eclipse For Blitzstan) won the junior bitch class and was then shortlisted to the final three for the Reserve Bitch CC. Rebecca also volunteered on the Young Kennel Club stand on Thursday. Both Rebecca and her mum also helped on the Schipperke breed stand on discover dogs with Luna and two more of their dogs, Finlay and Kia.
Karen Bugg, Club Treasurer, achieved a double win with her Schipperke litter brother and sister.
Karen said: “Our Schipperke judge Frank Kane made us run our little feet off. But nevertheless Blue (Komargo Frankie Falsetto) won a strong Limit Dog class and not wanting to be left out Florence (Komargo Fearless Florence) won Limit bitch! Our feet are sore but we’re happy as they are only 22 months old.”
Karen was also the Schipperke breed stand organiser and her dog Carat spent most days in discover dogs representing the breed. Karen was honoured when the breed stand received a visit from the Chelsea pensioners.
At 22 months, Maureen and Claudine Cookson’s White Toy Poodle Calvin (Tuttlebees Dream A Lil Magic With Claumaur) took a first place in a very strong Limit Dog class.
It was the first time at Crufts and a fabulous second place in the Good Citizen Dog Scheme class for Pam and Paul Cavendish and their Miniature Poodle Ebba (Zeldonis Ebony).
Jeanette Harrison’s Miniature Bull Terrier Mo (Jenkir Kallisto) was handled on Terrier day by fellow club member Jim Haggerty. At only 18 months Mo was placed second in a large Post graduate class.
Catherine Lee was exhibiting two breeds at Crufts this year. On Friday, her Dachshund (Wire Haired) Ruby (Roteleitung Red Corvette at Mutzlee) came second in the puppy bitch class. The following day her Miniature Schnauzer Darcey (Smartpaws China Girl at Mutzlee) came third in the yearling class. Her dogs also represented the Miniature Schnauzer breed in discover dogs.
Tina Beck’s German Spitz-Klein Holbain Honey Bunny was awarded a third in Limit Bitch and Nardik Tiger Woods was placed third in veteran dog.
Joy and David Hough were very proud of their little boy Alfie (Donocielo Alessandro at Strophair) who was awarded third place in Limit Dog. Alfie is a Bolognese.
It was Shetland Sheepdog Lottie (Sandwick Prima Donna) and Karin Walley’s first Crufts as exhibitors. Karen said: “I was delighted with our fifth place in the Graduate class. Lottie has been very reluctant on the table so much so I was thinking of not taking her. Thankfully, she was great on Thursday, thank you Exhall so much for your help, advice and gentle handling.”
Sue Pinkham, club secretary, orgnaised the Manchester Terrier breed stand in Discover Dogs. Her two dogs Lexi and daughter Katie, who is just 12 months, represented the breed on two of the busiest days that discover Dogs has seen. Manchester Terriers are a vulnerable native British breed with only 160 puppies born last year. Discover dogs is a fabulous way to reintroduce our native breeds back to British people.