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10/03/2009 - Best of Breed 2009

I don't think these breed notes need anything other than the joy of Anne Stewart from Fasskoleys Hovawarts who won the Best of Breed with her black and gold boy at Crufts last Sunday. We were thrilled for her. We will write a full report on Crufts next week, but for now, we leave you to read the smashing letter she sent us after I asked her about her very special Crufts experience:

"Great seeing you at Crufts. I was very pleased to Gain the elusive best of breed at Crufts.

This year for probably the first time ever I managed to keep calm when showing my dogs at Crufts. This has been a long road for me, as those who knew me when I first began showing our beautiful breed have witnessed. Initially I was a nervous wreck in the show ring and could be seen visibly shaking with outright fear! But I had the calming and informative influence of Mrs. Min Inches to guide me through those trying times. Bless you Min for you patience and perseverance through those formative years. How you coped with me I will never know!

When Mr. M. Quinney pointed to me for that Best of Breed I was over joyed and felt that a great dream had finally come true. My dream to win at Crufts with a dog of my own breeding. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Of course winning was not the end of the whole wonderful experience. There are photo calls and details to be given over and over again to the various press and officials alike. Not to forget all those lovely hugs and kisses of congratulations from all my fellow exhibitors. Bless you all for your good will. We truly have a family spirit in our breed!

Then it was off down the long long walk through the halls to the collecting ring where more photos were taken and, yes you guessed it, more details given in triplicate or perhaps even more (Fatigue was setting in by this time and I just wanted to go and have a lie down for a while). Shady was very chilled about the whole thing! Such a fabulous boy! No time to catch a quick forty winks though, it was time to go into the BIG RING.

There I stood in line ready to go through the arch. I guess tiredness had numbed my wee blonde head because I was still as calm as you like (Double wow)!!

It was our turn to run out onto the glorious green carpet on the main ring at Crufts. Joy ran through both of our bodies as we ran across. I have to add at this point that I was so impressed with Shady. He is still a young dog and handled the atmosphere and pressure of the ring like an old pro. The calm assured attitude that he was exuding filled me with confidence and gave me the opportunity to enjoy our time under the spot light. Our judge Mr Searle was very thorough in his assessment of each of the dogs in the group and had a ready smile throughout. Shady's eyes were gazing up at me as I did my turn around the big ring and cheers could be heard from the small banned of fellow competitors who had managed to secure seats for the main ring to offer their support. I thank you all for the extra boost of knowing you were cheering me on! All too soon it was time for my judge to make his cut. I could almost feel the supporters going "Go on, Pick the hovie!" but alas it was not to be. And so I and those others who were unsuccessful had to way goodbye to our time in the spot light. But we did not leave without having our hands warmly shaken by our judge as he thanked us for the privilege of going over our dogs. A lovely touch I thought.

I very nearly did not make it down to Crufts at all this year as my bitch Minches Jaunty is pregnant and due on the 17th of march. I was concerned about leaving her so close to her due date. I did not want to miss that happy event! The father of her litter is Shady's half brother and I hope to have a beautiful bitch puppy to bring on for next year at Crufts. Fingers crossed!!

Now I am finally back home and it's all just starting to sink in. I have watched the footage on the Crufts web site. I look hideous (who likes to see themselves on screen?!), but shady looked lovely.

As a precaution I am keeping Solas and Shady quarantined from Jaunty just in case they have brought anything else back from their time at Crufts. You can't be too careful. I also had trouble getting his head through the door. There will be no living with him from now on!!! That's my Boy!!".

PS. If anyone has a nice picture of Anne and Shady, please send it to us and we will publish it with the next breed notes.

Read the previous breed notes