United Kingdom Toydog Society

All photos by Alan Seymour

Close on the heel of Crufts is the first of the U.K.’s group championships shows, and that is the United Kingdom Toydog Championship Show, held this year on March 25.

The chairman of Crufts is Tom Mather, who is also secretary and president of this show. He must have hardly got his breath back after such a busy time. The club is one of the very few that really encourages young people onto the committee, and in fact it’s quite usual to see all these dedicated youngsters arranging rings and collecting all the judging slips. It’s very heartwarming to see.

The showground is our usual Stafford County Show showground and is very popular with exhibitors, as there is plenty of room for everyone. It’s also very close to a major motorway, so very easy to drive.

There was a special event this year for the first time: Top Toy of the Year. The qualifiers were those that had been Best in Show as well as winners of the all-breed Toy dog club open shows throughout the year. The judge had been a closely guarded secret until the dogs were actually in the ring! The judge was then announced: the famous Bichon and Standard Poodle breeder Mr. Michael Coad of Pamplona fame. His choice was the Pekingese Ch. Lizlanmor Mr. Mercury, owners Lizzie Morley and Robert Hitchcock 

A feature we have had here in this country for a while now is to allow breed clubs to also hold their shows in conjunction with a major one, and here at this show many took advantage of that. Good venues for usage with dogs are becoming very hard to find, with some thinking that some sort of health issue could arise!

With the forthcoming coronation of our king, the main ring was bedecked in Union Jacks and set against a blue carpet; it was quite spectacular.

The Best in Show judge this year was the well-known Cavalier and Norfolk Terrier breeder from South Yorkshire, Mr. Bryan Claydon.

Best in Show was the Miniature Pinscher Hawksflight Hot Pursuit, owned by Ms. T. Watkins and Miss J. Bugden, pictured with Ben Ashcroft and chairman David Guy.

From his short list of nine, Brian selected as his BIS the young Miniature Pinscher male Hawkesflight Hot Pursuit, owned by Tereza Watkins and Jess Bugden and bred by Nicky Mackie. This young dog has caused quite a stir since his debut at last year at Ladies Kennel Club, when he took BOB from the puppy class. He was BPIS at Manchester.

Nicky was one of the co-owners of last year’s top dog, the Tervuren. Co-owner Tereza is probably better known for her gundogs, owning champion Gordon Setters and Hungarian Vizslas.

Nicky Mackie, his breeder, has been working on lines behind “Trevor” for some 20-plus years, having been to see the breed in New York in 2000 and 2010. His grandfather was an American import, as she sought to bring in the qualities that excited her in the U.S. stock.

Reserve Best in Show was the Japanese Chin Jaschin Hold That Thought, owned by Mr. Rooney and Mr. S.A. and Mrs. A. Green, pictured with group judge Mr. Brian Clayton.

Reserve Best in Show went to the Japanese Chin Jaschin Hold That Thought. “Milo” is another youngster, winning his first certificate from the Junior class for John and Amanda Green and Steve Rooney. This was fresh from his win as Welsh Puppy of the year the weekend before.

As the BIS was also a puppy, he was automatically Best Puppy in Show.

Reserve Best Puppy in Show was the Maltese Benton Jubilee Party, owned by Miss S. Jackson and Mrs. A. Wylie, pictured with group judge Mr. Brian Clayton and vice chairman Helen Lister.

Toy Group 3 was the Chinese Crested Ch. Habiba Hold My Purse, owned by Mr. R. Dunlop, pictured with group judge Mr. Brian Clayton.

Toy Group 4 was the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Ch. Ellemich American Express, owned by Mrs. M.A. Chapman and Miss T. Ireland, pictured with group judge Mr. Brian Clayton.

Best Veteran in Show was the Lowchen UK/Am Ch. Hollinsclose’s The Gambler (Re-Imp), owned by Mrs. D.A. and Miss Z.A. Richardson, pictured with show manager Miss Helen Rishworth and judge Ian Sidgwick.

Reserve Best Veteran in Show was the Affenpinscher Ch. Carmichan Heidi Hi, owned by Mr. D. and Mrs. L. Hick, pictured with show manager Miss Helen Rishworth and judge Ian Sidgwick.