The Northern Classic

Photos by Ruth Dalrymple

The first of the U.K.’s large championship shows is Manchester, sometimes called the Northern Classic. Manchester is a major city in the northwest of England, and in its heyday a major city in the cotton industry.

This was actually the first major show I ever attended. In those days the show was held close to Manchester — in fact, next door to the famous zoo at that time. The venue was called Belle Vue, and back then a colder place to have a show would have been hard to find. The grooming areas had sawdust on the floor and were freezing first thing in the morning.

In those days l showed just my own West Highland Whites, and it was here that l saw this young pretty young girl who was helping the famous Scottish Terrier breeder Mrs. Elsa Meyer of the Reanda kennel. I found out this young girl was from then-Czechoslovakia; she was showing her West Highland Terrier Int Ch Monsieur Aus der Flerlage. (I think l have spelled it correctly.) He gained his British title and was also a Best in Show winner in Northern Ireland.

Her name was Bergit, and you have probably guessed by now that that young lady was Bergit Coady Kabel. Famous the world over today, and highly respected. So my early memories of this show are very good ones, and we have remained friends for many years.

The show, like so many, has had to move out of the city, as suitable venues are not available, and is yet another to move to the Stafford Showground, home to so many of our large shows now. Because it is the first of our general championship shows, it draws large entries, and so the show is held over four days. The total entry this year was 8,803 dogs!

Our largest group, Gundogs, was on the first day, and there were 2,000 entered. So a busy day. The winner of the group was a new face to group winning, the (English) Cocker Spaniel Show Ch. Zeridons Blanche.

The second and another busy day, with Working and Non-Sporting on together. Again a new face to group winning in the Bernese Mountain Dog Ch Carraigben Noble Heart of Rodiveco. The Non-Sporting Group was won by the particolored Shih Tzu Ch Santosha Silhouette. This is a very famous kennel in the breed that bred so many good ones over the years, started by David and Susan Crossley and now their son and daughter-in-law, the latter of whom is now handling.

Another busy day on day three for the Hound and Herding breeds, with nearly 1,500 dogs. The winner was the Italian owned and bred Greyhound Ch Sobers Geraldine. Not the first group for her in the U.K.; she previously did well at a show in 2023, where she also won Reserve Best in Show. Another traveler, this time from Norway, took second place: the young Pharoah Hound Bazinga One For All and All For Me. The previous time he made the same journey and took his first Challenge Certificate from the puppy class.

The Herding Group was again won by a very famous kennel in Shetland Sheepdogs: breeder-owner Debbie Pearson’s red-and-white Ch Edglonian Golden Glow. Another kennel that has produced some lovely dogs over the years, first started by Debbie's father, and now carried on by herself, who is doing an amazing job.

Finals day was the turn of the Terriers and Toys, with just over 1,000 dogs. As you can see, a win in the U.K. is done among amazing competition.

First group in was Terrier, which was won by last year’s top dog all breeds, the Welsh Terrier Ch Perrisblu the Phantom, here winning his tenth Group 1st. He was bred by Phil Davies from Wales, who is probably better known for his Kerry Blues.

Last up were the Toys, a group which for many years has been so strong in so many of its breeds. The winner was the top-winning red Miniature Pinscher Ch Hawkesflight Hot Pursuit — again, like the Welsh Terrier, winning his ninth Group 1st.

And so to Best in Show, and quite a line-up for judge and convenor of the Scottish Kennel Club Mr. Stuart Payne. His choice was the Shih Tzu, with the Italian owned and bred Greyhound Reserve.