Birmingham 2024

The Birmingham National Dog Show Society is one of a handful of shows in this country that are allocated Challenge Certificates for all breeds recognized by the Kennel Club. But the show has quite a history behind it.

Newcastle upon Tyne was the scene of the first organized dog show in June 1859, prior to which competitions of various sorts had been held in pubs and clubs up and down the country. The Birmingham show held in November 1859 was organized by Mr. Richard Brailsford, a gamekeeper. An organizing committee of eminent gentlemen and sportsmen insured the show, held in one of the galleries of the Horse and Carriage Repository. The inaugural Birmingham was a successful event for the 80 or so dogs entered in the 14 classes.

Inspired by the popularity of this show, the committee continued to make it an annual event, and some of the gentlemen involved became the founder members of the Kennel Club some 14 years later.

Modern-day exhibitors expect very high standards at dog shows — large rings, and a good layout and facilities. In the early days, sawdust was the norm for the floor; the dogs were paraded between the benches, and held by stewards while being judged. Lady exhibitors complained if there was too much wet floorcovering because of their flowing skirts; the exhibits were often dispatched by rail.

In 1859, Pointers and Setters were the only breeds on show, and there were three judges. Nowadays nearly 200 breeds are judged, and Challenge Certificates are on offer for every breed that has them. (For historical reasons, the National is a representative show, which entitles the Management Committee to elect a member of the Kennel Club Show Executive Committee and to have Challenge Certificates for all breeds, as at Crufts and the Welsh and Scottish kennel clubs.)

The National has been held at a number of venues over the years. The late 1980s saw a move from the National Agricultural Centre to Perry Park Birmingham, where the innovative “in and out” rings under marquees were first used and are now commonly seen at a number of major dog shows. After a succession of shows at this site, a move was made to Arbury Hall, Warwickshire, a lovely venue let down by the weather. Two good shows were then held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), where an “activity ring” was a new venture in which many breeds had an opportunity to show off their capabilities and historic origins. In 2002 the Society moved to the Bingley Hall, Stafford, which it is hoped will be its home for years to come.

Of course, I have mentioned this venue several times. Well, it’s used by several societies now, as more and more are being lost to our sport. But exhibitors do like it because of its location, size and accessibility.

This society is very well aware of bringing young people onto major committees, and this is certainly one where there are young people working in every facet.

At this year’s show, held May 9 to 12, there was a good sprinkling of overseas judges from Finland, Italy, Austria and the U.S.

Above: Best Veteran in Show Portuguese Water Dog Ch Belleville Anjo Negro. Below: Reserve Best Veteran in Show Pug Ch Rhodenash Gloria.

The Best in Show judge was Frank Kane, who is well known all over the world. He had seven really nice dogs to choose from for the top awards.

The first day was Gundogs; because of the huge entries they draw, they usually have the day to themselves. One of our top lady judges, famous for her Gunalt Weimaraners, was Patsy Hollings. Patsy's choice to win the group was the big-winning Clumber Spaniel, Lee Cox's Show Ch Vanitonia Soloist.

Second day, and again big groups for the Working and Herding breeds. Winning the Working group was a new name to big winning: the Bouvier Ch Bouvpilot Sullenburger. Herding was the only one of the group winners with any American connection, and that was the lovely Pembroke Corgi Ch Penliath Bill Me Later. Owners Chris and Nicki Blance are great friends of Bill Shelton and Steve Leyerley, and have a great working relationship. Several of the combinations have so well here over the past few years.

From the Toy Group was the big-winning Miniature Pinscher Ch Hawkerflight Hot Pursuit. He was the first of his breed to ever go Best in Show at a U.K. general championship show.

Reserve Best in Show Shiba Inu Ch Vormund Xmas Bonus.

The Non-Sporting Group winner came from one of this country’s highly successful kennels, the Shiba Inu Ch Vormund Xmas Bonus, owned by mother and daughter Liz Dunhill and Michaela Dunhill Hall. This kennel has produced so many top-quality Shibas over the years, as well as top Rottweilers and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, too.

And so to the final day, with Terriers and Hounds, plus Best in Show, of course. In Terriers, the Border Terriers were judged by Patrick Glover from the U.S., and had drawn a wonderful entry. The Terrier Group winner was a new face to group winning and was the choice of Ann Ingram from Ireland: the Parson Russell Terrier Ch Heythrop Taskmaster For Alncroft. In Hounds it was the Dutch-bred Whippet Ch Creme Anglaise's Just Julian with Silkridge.

Frank wasted no time in deciding Best in Show should be the Miniature Pinscher, with Reserve going to the Japanese Shiba Inu.

Best Puppy in Show Giant Schnauzer Sir Constantine De Barba Negra At Philoma.

Always on the final day at U.K. shows now is the award for Best Puppy in Show. This award was given to a very exciting puppy, and I'm sure one that we will hear so much more about in the coming months. Some years ago at Crufts, a Giant Schnauzer was Best in Show: Ch Jafrak Philippe Oliver, owned by Sandie and Kevin Cullen. They have now imported a male from Argentina from the Barba Negra kennel of Graciela Bermenjo. His sire is Multi Ch The Gran Houdini, who has a Skansen mother, with American and Spanish blood on his mother's side. Graciela imported his grandmother from Serbia, who has American and Spanish blood from the kennel of Sasa Jesic, who has some interesting dogs!

Remember, you heard it here first!

Reserve Best Puppy in Show Irish Water Spaniel Stanegate Standing Ovation.