Ever Elegant.
Phoenix takes time out from her hectic schedule of shows, training, running-on-the-beach, chasing pheasants, digging, swimming etc. etc. for a moment of quiet reflection.
Special Guest Appearance.
Todays special guest star on the Phoenix blog is Tulip, our calico coloured British Shorthair foundling cat-of-uncertain-origin…
Purrrrrr.
Tulip wandered into our lives a good while back when, as a pregnant & starving teenage runaway, she was attempting to survive on bony frogs in our London back yard. In no time at all she had birthed her 3 kittens on the bed (at 2AM ) and decided that, since the food was considerably easier to come by indoors, this was the place to raise her urchin waif family.
Now, many years and some 200-odd miles further on, Tulip has a pretty serene existence where all her concerns revolve around sleeping/eating/getting tickles – all skills in which she displays considerable mastery – together with the slaughter of untold hundreds of short-tailed field voles. She has recently taken to elbowing Phoenix away from her dog food at any and every opportunity and clearly has some form of internal clock which allows her to be pre-stationed at the dog bowl for Phoenix’ every meal.
She and Phoenix have a remarkably amicable relationship and have even taken to curling up on the sofa near one another on occasion. As anyone who gives housespace to one of these beasties must surely be aware, cats are continually plotting to overthrow us all, and invariably “run things” in any household. Although Tulip is very much the understudy (to our other cat, Midge) we are still convinced that she will outlive us all and will one day be found feasting upon our remains…
Richmond Championship Show.
After falling off the rails at the Birmingham show last weekend Phoenix was back on track today at the Richmond Championship Show, where, under Australian judge Kay Eldred, she was awarded Best Puppy Bitch and then clocked up her second Champ show Best Puppy in Breed.
Conditions were pretty much ideal for showing: cool and cloudy, but bright and dry. There was also a particularly friendly and even jolly atmosphere ringside, fueled in part by the judge herself who was extremely chipper, despite (or maybe because?) the HWV’s were the last of the 9 separate breeds that she had presided over during the three days of the show.
Even more important than the result, though, was the fact that Phoenix showed with real enthusiasm and animation and although her movement was still a bit “ragged” she was certainly very excited to be in the ring. We’ve determined that it definitely pays to keep her engaged and involved in other interesting things for as long as possible before hitting the ring, and then scoot in as close as possible to show time so she’s fresh and super buzzy.
Sadly no pics this time…
The judges critique read:
“1st Puppy Bitch & Best Puppy. Presented with good balance and correct size. Pleasing dry head and expression with harsh whiskers and good coat. Still young, so movement was a little awry, but should tighten to produce good reach and drive.”
Farlap Portraits.
All photos by: www.farlap-photography.com
Many thanks to Sam for taking these superb portraits of Phoenix at recent shows.
Quelle Horreur!
So today we rolled up to the double-whammy Birmingham championship Show and combined HWV Association Show feeling quite good about our prospects as well as greatly looking forward to meeting up with Phoenix’s Mother (Flo) and sister (Dolly) together with her breeders Jane & David, all for the first time since the big litter reunion back in May. OK so we’d had to get up at 5.00am on a Sunday, and ate breakfast out of Tupperware in a car park overlooking a rancid sheep shed, but we were, nevertheless, excited about plunging into a sea of 62 HWVs: all copper waves and russet ripples.
We’d taken a couple of radical steps beforehand: 1. no training for a week – the theory being that Phoenix would be effervescing and overflowing with puppy bounce and take to the ring “like she owns it” as “they” say. Secondly, following some experiments in pre-show warm-ups we thought that it would be a good idea to get the li’l lady all gee-d up prior to showing by taking her out for a play and a romp, and then – through the miracle of mobile telephony – simply swish into the auditorium just before she was due to go into the ring. This way she wouldn’t peak before she freaked. We knew it was a gamble but “chance is all we’re given/So chances we must take” as Sir Cliff would apparently put it…
HWVA Show - stacked.
All started well in the morning with everything more or less going to plan. Phoenix trotted round the ring faster and with more determination than the other puppies – like Naomi Campbell with a beard – but just as Naomi took a dive on those ten inch Vivienne Westwood shoes in 1993, so it was with Phoenix. At the very moment when the judge was doing her final comparisons and deciding between Phoenix and another pup for first and second places, Phoenix broke right out of her stand. So we got second place, which was pretty respectable, but left us considering what might have been had she only held that stand.
The judges critique was:
“Nine-month-old well-balanced youngster with deep russet colouring and wiry coat. Liked her head which had sufficient facial furnishings for age. Good hind angulation. Moved Well. Should change places with (1st placed puppy) many times.”
HWVA Show - the examination.
Birmingham Champ Show - stacked.
In the afternoon we were showing at the prestigious Birmingham Championship Show. This was the second show on the same day, and although it was in another part of the same venue, poor Phoenix was pretty tired out, mentally, and really not tuned in to the show at all. She’d had a snooze in the car for an hour or so but it clearly wasn’t enough. She moved very sluggishly and wouldn’t stand with any conviction. She just wanted her bed or to be doing something more rumbustuous and exciting like playing with her sister…. which is exactly what she did after the show and seemed very happy to do so.
Birmingham Champ Show - the examination.
We were awarded Reserve Best Puppy Bitch – which is a euphemism for fourth, and, in this case, last. After so many recent successes in the ring it was perhaps inevitable that we’d come a cropper at some point, but it has taught us a valuable lesson about Team Phoenix’s tolerance for long show days. From this day forth this disappointing effort will be referred to as our Naomi ’93 moment…
Result!!
Welsh Kennel Club - the examination.
Today we journeyed through the Black Mountains to arrive at the prestigious Welsh Kennel Club Championship show at Builth Wells. A great showground, and a good entry of HWV’s. Judging took place in a series of vast open-sided marquees, very light, cool and airy – perfect show conditions in fact.
Welsh Kennel Club - teeth examination.
Phoenix was in fine form today, and gave what was probably her all-round best show performance to date – consistently excellent stands and fairly fluid gaiting. Despite initially mistaking Phoenix for a male(!) Judge Margaret Holmes was swift and decisive and we were delighted to be awarded 1st Puppy Dog or Bitch, and Best Puppy in Breed…after two 3rd placings and one 2nd this was our first 1st place at a Championship Show, a real breakthrough!
The judges critique read:
“Nine month old bitch with good body length and balance. Head still needs to break but her eye and earset are good, furnishings and coat are good. She has straight forelegs. Topline, croup and rear angulation all please. Reasonably positive movement for age and stage of development. An attractive package. Best Puppy.”
Welsh Kennel Club - Standing as Best Puppy.
The Shows Must Go On.
Over the past 13 days we’ve been to 5 separate, and extremely differing shows with Phoenix. We’ve had some disappointments, some extraordinary success and have learned a huge amount about how best to show and make the most of our time in the ring.
What follows in this megapost are some impressions of each show in ascending order of how-well-we-showed, peppered with photos of differing quality:
Minehead Open Show
Way back on July 29th we all woke to torrential rain plus the news that all the local rivers were set to break their banks in general end-of-the-world-is-nigh type conditions. What better day, then, to head out to the Dunster Country Fair and associated Minehead Canine Society Show?
Upon arrival we found foot deep mud, a team of tractors towing vehicles into and out of the showground and wet-weather show tents that were flooded, hugely overcrowded and rapidly turning into quagmires of mud. Tim and Phoenix gamely trudged through said mud to do some practicing, but as time wore on Phoenix became increasingly frustrated and bored by the conditions and the lack of space.
When we finally hit the ring – virtually at the very end of the show – we gave a rather lacklustre performance and Phoenix made it clear that she’d really rather be somewhere else right about now. We managed to get a best Puppy Not Seperately Classified and then went on to get 4th best Gundog Puppy. The judge told us later that Phoenix had “rather thrown it away” in that Gundog Puppy Group, but under those conditions we were just happy when the whole thing was over and we could slide-and-spin back out of the mud and off into the still-torrential rain.
Bournemouth Champ Show
Bournemouth - first stack.
In total contrast Aug 8th was one of the few hot sunny days of the summer. Remembering back to her very first show back in the baking heat of May we realised that Phoenix would not show well if she was hot, so we kept her in the cool shade of an unused marquee and also kept damping her down with cold water. The previous breed over-ran by several hours and by the time we did get to the ring, despite our efforts at cooling, Phoenix was very sleepy and floppy. She stood nicely, but her gaiting was perfunctory and pretty unenthusiastic…not much Phoenix *sparkle* on view in the ring today and we were awarded 3rd Best Junior Bitch.
Bournemouth - the examination.
We’ve spent lots of time trying to calm Phoenix down at shows so that she can focus once in the ring, but it’s clear that she now “gets” the whole show hullabaloo and the future priority instead must be on allowing her to show off, rather than rein in, her personality.
Bournemouth - final stack.
National Gundog Championship
August 1st saw us head off to a drizzly Three Counties Showground, and an impeccably organised show. Sadly the superb outdoor rings were rendered out of bounds by the weather, and the dogs were instead judged in the giant hanger-cum-warehouses at the venue.
Puppy Bitch Class at Nat Gundog...we're in the middle!
Conditions for humans were hot and noisy, but Phoenix seemed very chipper, and, since everything ran to time, there was minimal waiting time and we hit the ring with Phoenix pretty fresh. She stood as asked and gaited OK, though dertainly not at her optimum full pace. We were in HWV Puppy Bitch class and managed to score a 2nd place, beaten only by an older and more mature dog on her final outing as a puppy.
The judges critique read:
“substantial puppy, yet to grow into herself. Good coat developing, balanced head, correct eye shape, very nice neck, strong boned forelegs, strong pasterns, good length & shape of ribs, correct loin, well muscled croup & 1 thigh, she will be able to hold herself together on the move when she matures.”
This was an extremely enjoyable and sociable show where we met many HWV friends, old and new. Much fun was had!
North Devon Open Show
The closest showground venue to our home also turned out to be the undoubted highlight of our short show career so far! In ideal, bright, breezy and fairly cool conditions we were awarded 1st Junior AVNSC Gundog – an achievement since Phoenix is only 8 months old and the class was for dogs up to 18 months – as well as best AVSNC Gundog Puppy.
Being Awarded 1st Junior at North Devon Show.
Then, almost immediately, we were up against all the other Gundog best-of-breed puppies and, to our complete delight, managed to win 1st Gundog puppy as well – our first 1st, following the two Gundog Puppy Group 2’s at Liskeard & Dorset. The judge was Dr. Monica Boggia-Black – one of the most senior dog judges in the country, and a multiple Crufts judge. She came up to Tim and said of Phoenix: “you’ve got a real star there!” – cue big smiles!
Being Awarded 1st Gundog Puppy at North Devon Show.
We didn’t have time to catch our breath though, and were immediately whisked off to the Best Puppy In Show ring where Tim & Phoenix, representing the Gundog Group, were up against the top puppy from each of the Terrier, Hound, Pastoral, Working, Utility & Toy groups.
Gundog Puppy Group 1, 2 & 3 at North Devon Show
Lined up for Best Puppy in Show.
The ring was hugely expanded and, for the first time since Liskeard, Phoenix gaited really beautifully, at full fast pace with her huge stride in full evidence. Judging was very quick and decisive and we were utterly thrilled to be awarded 2nd Best Puppy in Show, an incredible achievement at only the 7th ever show for either Tim or Phoenix. We also believe that, at just 8 months, Phoenix may well be the youngest HWV ever to have been awarded such a high placing at an all-group Open show in the UK.
The judges critique read:
Very pleasing head and eye, good shoulder placement and nice front and feet. Excellent mover. Best Gundog Puppy. Res BIS Puppy.
We’re so immensely proud of our little gal and all she’s managed to achieve in just 6 1/2 months since she came to live with us in Devon … and it’s now official – she truly is a real star!!
Sister Act.
Just a few days shy of their 9 month birthday, Phoenix met up with Thirza, her litter sister, along with Thirza’s human companions Sue and Henry. This was the first time that the two pups had met since they were 7 1/2 weeks old, as Thirza and family were away when the litter reunion took place back in May. As might be expected from the getting together of two exuberant 9 month-old’s, the meeting was conducted with a calm, quiet and dignified formality….as the pictures below will hopefully illustrate.
Show number 4…
So, out we all ventured once more, this time to the Dorset County Canine Society Open Show set in the sweeping parkland grounds of the Kingston Maurward College. Unlike virtually all other shows our class was right at the start of the day so we arrived bright and early to set up our virtual stall and settle Phoenix into the show surroundings.
Our class today was Any Variety Not Separately Classified Gundog Puppy. There were six of us in the class: A Curly-Coated Retriever, plus American Cocker, Clumber, Sussex & Irish Water Spaniels. Phoenix stood absolutely beautifully and moved as well as could be expected in the rather undersized ring….we were really pleased with how she showed today – definitely the best so far, very focused and controlled but with all the spirit and life that makes her movement so strong – hopefully indicative that she’s well and truly into her show groove.
Stacked at Dorset County show.
Judge Jill Holgate awarded us 1st Place in the class, and then, after the other classes had been judged, we came back into the ring and were awarded Best AVNSC Gundog Puppy.
Teeth exam.
Standing beautifully for The Examination.
At this point we had planned to head off to check out the Jurassic Coast beaches of Dorset, but now instead began the wait for all the other breed classes to be judged, a process that eventually took nearly 7 more hours…. at which point it started to pour with rain, so we all decamped into the wet-weather marquee where we lined up alongside all the other Best Puppies in Breed to compete for Best Gundog Puppy in Show.
This time we had a much larger area in which to move and do our stuff, and this allowed Phoenix to really stretch out properly and go at full pace – which, with her & Tim’s equally big strides is best described as fast.
A really spectacular and beautifully handled Pointer bitch won 1st place (and subsequently went on to win Best Puppy in Show) and then, after a hushed pause, Phoenix was awarded second (Gundog Puppy Group 2) which was another fantastic result against some really top dogs!
Phoenix & the Pointer stood perfectly, poised and symmetrical nose to nose whilst the judge wrote her critiques. The excitement then got a little too much for all concerned and the subsequent lap of honour is best described as “ragged”! but a great day was had, some new friends made and as a practice run for the upcoming Championship shows it could hardly have gone better.
The Judge’s critique report on Phoenix said:
“Good wire coat, deep rich colour. Lean head with a noble expression. Straight in front and good quarters for her age. Hocks well let down. Tight Feet. Was pleased to give her Puppy Group 2 where she settled better on the move.“
Belatarr Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. 