Dachshund Club 2010

BEST IN SHOW

Over the years I have spent many happy days with Dachshunds & their owners, both socially & at shows, so it was very special to me to be invited by the Dachshund Club to judge BIS at its championship show for my last appointment in the breeds. I shall of course whenever possible be ringside as usual. I know that it has been a difficult year for secretary Anne Moore, so it was pleasing to see her looking in good form & so welcoming & friendly to everyone. She works so hard for the club so I hope she was pleased with the way the show went. She had good people to help her, including chairman Helen Geeson, chief steward Bryan Dyson & the show manager Steve Williams who as a course designer for horses would probably find his work a doddle. I must also mention Jeff Crawford, without whom it is difficult to imagine a breed club event. The breed judges sent forward a quality selection for BIS which finally, after much movement, went to Thorn Andrews` Min Wire, Ch Drakesleat Win Alot. Apart from being a very good Dachshund he put his heart into showing & moving well. I had seen him before but thought he looked much more settled here & in better coat & condition. RBIS went to a beautiful Min Long-haired from Northern Ireland, McAlpine & Walsh`s Walpines Brandy Butter. I had watched some of the judging of the breed, although not the dogs or the BOB, so guessed that something special would appear, & I was not disappointed. Best of the puppies was Pughe & Fraser`s Wire, Bystock Pussy Galore, while reserve went to Blackburn-Bennett`s Stargang Serenity, who had also taken part in the BIS competition having won BOB in Min Smooths. BVIS was Gibson`s Wire, Allfreys Genevieve. It was a great pleasure to judge these lovely Dachshunds & I was sad when my day at the Kennel Club`s Stoneleigh Building came to an end.

Ferelith Somerfield