Elaine Grummitt - Breed Notes 04/10/26

Very sad news from Anthony Allen that his father Geoff, has sadly passed away. Geoff and Jean began showing their Allenie labradors in the 1970s, and the kennel continues today in the capable hands of Anthony. For many years, Geoff could be found sitting ringside supporting Jean, and later, proudly watching on as Anthony steered the Allenie dogs to their many victories. Who can forget the gorgeous Sh Ch Allenie’s Maverick, winner of 14 CC’s.  Geoff and Jean were enormously proud of Anthony, not only with the Labradors, but also the Springers, Setters and Weimaraners. My sincerest condolences to Anthony and Richard.

Margaret Brown tells us that Lesley Park has been taken ill whilst they are both in Seattle. Lesley developed a kidney infection, which turned even more serious as she then also tested positive for E Coli and Sepsis. At the time of writing, Lesley is still in hospital, but Margaret is confident that she will soon be given the OK to fly. A frightening thing to happen so far away from home, but thank goodness she wasn’t on her own. Margaret’s calming presence, and practical disposition will have been a great comfort and confidence giver . I’m  sure that you all join me in sending our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

In all the confusion of the change from Our Dogs to Online, I missed out the results from Darlington. My apologies. Andy Metcalfe was the judge for both sexes. He found his BOB in the DCC winner, Pam Druggan’s A Sense Of Pleasure’s Hey Jude For Balladoole. RDCC was Yo Shirtons Woolman Free And Easy. BCC went to Rich Stafford’s Sh Ch Farnfield Partridge. RBCC was Kirsty Gordon-Smith with Meadowline Whiz Bang At Bruxinho, co-owned with Kirsty’s wife Lisa, and her mum, Annette Bibby. BP was Becky Bills with Rumhill Jaegermeister and BV was Val Artingstalls Hightrevoron Forget Me Not.

Wednesday was the very popular, and well-supported Yellow Lab Club Championship show at Stoneleigh. Allison Rogers from America took on the bitches. It’s always interesting and educational to see how people from different countries judge our breed, and different methods can be challenging for our stewards to adapt to. This proved the case on Wednesday. Allison naturally followed the method she is used to, whereby dogs are presented in numerical order. This formula was carried throughout the classes, whereby seen dogs were not placed separately from unseen dogs, but placed in among the unseen dogs, in numerical order. This must have caused a major headache for the stewards, and led to several reverse placings. It could be that it is  usual in America for dogs to be entered in more than one class, so ‘seen dogs’ are not something that Allison was used to dealing with. However, everyone accepted the judges decisions with good grace.

Lisa Finney was judging dogs. It was her first CC appointment, and she made an excellent job of it. Her final line up was full of quality. DCC & BIS was Chris and Claire Mills’s Sh Ch Lembas Maui.  RDCC went to Maxine Woodley with Ch Alkhamhurst Moment Of Truth. BPD was Becky Bills with Rumhill Jaegermeister At Bourtonfox. BMPD was Gail Dodd’s Carrigame Oureus.  BCC, RBIS & BOS was Andy & Jo Metcalfes Sh Ch Baileydale Dizzy Miss Lizzy. BPB & BPIS was Miss Young’s Fourjays Harmonic Goddess. BMPB want to Lynda Miles with Llanstinan Gold Digger.

I see on social media that people on the left of the political spectrum consider black Labradors to be right wing. Apparently, if you like a pint in a country pub, and you own a black lab, you MUST be a supporter of Nigel Farage. This has led to country pubs up and down the country offering a free pint to anyone accompanied by a black Labrador. As a consequence, my black labs can be hired for a very modest fee.