Visiting judges impressed by high quality of canines

The club held its spring show at Beau Sejour recently, which saw 72 animals entered into 188 different classes with judges from England and South Wales assessing the entrants.

Among those taking part was pug breeder Lynne Symphorien, who was having a good day with a family trio – Rienmour Oh My Gauche and her two offspring, Le Malefique and Gully Gauche, the latter of which had won the breeder open class and the former taking the first prize in the puppy group while ‘mum’ had earned the Best Toy title.

Miss Symphorien has been showing dogs for about 10 years and breeding them for about eight.

Success in the show could depend on various factors, she said: ‘It can vary depending on the judge on the day.’

Like many participants she often took dogs to the UK and had also shown at Crufts.

As well as the pugs, she had a dalmatian, which had come away with the best of breed award in the group 4 utility class.

Among those showing dogs were several entrants from Jersey, including Ro Cox, whose seven-month-old English springer spaniel Farrah had pulled off a hat-trick in the gundog group, taking top prizes for puppy, junior and novice.

‘She’s already done well in the UK at open shows and she won best puppy last week,’ said Mrs Cox.

Both visiting judges were impressed with the standard of entrants.

‘These dogs could win all over the world,’ said Caroline Friend-Rees from South Wales.

‘I’ve judged all over and the quality of these dogs is absolutely brilliant.’

Her comments were echoed by Sue Bird from Peterborough.

‘Numerically this might not be huge but there have been some absolutely beautiful dogs. For a smaller community, the quality is high.’

And both judges were just as impressed by the camaraderie among those showing: ‘Everyone here has been very friendly and sportsman-like,’ said Mrs Bird.

‘The way they are all clapping for each other and rooting for each other has been fantastic,’ said Mrs Friend-Rees.