Elaine Grummitt - Breed Notes 20/09/26

David Craig’s Richmond critique is now available online. Often when we read a critique, we go straight to our own dog, which we read in depth, and just skim over the rest. But David’s critiques are well worth reading from start to finish, particularly if you are new to judging and critique writing. Like an artist who can paint a picture with a few deft brushstrokes, David manages to capture the essence of each individual dog without the use of unnecessary hyperbole. I always learn something new from his critiques, and it always inspires me to strive to do better myself.

I took a puppy to the vet recently for her rabies vaccination. She showed every other dog in the waiting room total disdain, until another Labrador came in, she then positively lit up. A clear case of ‘breedism’ on her part. I’m sure many of you have also observed how your labradors recognise other labradors as kindred spirits, but at Richmond recently,  my bitch, Sally, was totally besotted by Dennis  McLellan’s enchanting cocker puppy. They played together for quite a while. It looks as though I may have to buy her a cocker of her own.

Congratulations to everyone for your wins and places at Darlington, where Andy Metcalfe was our judge for both sexes. It was lovely to see Becci Bills take BPIB with Rumhill Jaegermiester. Particularly as I understand that Claire Boulden very generously let Becci have the puppy that she had really been planning to keep for herself. That was very generous of you Claire. What a lovely gesture.

This brings me very neatly on to the subject of breeders who ‘gatekeep’ their stock. When good breeders won’t allow newcomers to have a good dog, the newcomer invariably ends up with a mediocre dog from a mediocre breeder. This in turn disheartens the newcomer as they have very limited success, and often just end up making up the numbers in a class, where they may pick up a VHC if there are only a few in the class. They often get SO disheartened that they give up. We are very lucky in labradors in that we have several good breeders who ARE willing to let a newcomer have something decent. Many of you started out with something nice from Marion and David’s Rocheby kennel, and they continue to let good puppies go to others. Many of us have also been lucky enough to be set on our journey in labradors by Penny Carpanini, including myself, and whilst we don’t see so much of Penny in the ring nowadays, the Carpenny  name lives on with news from Romania that Feri Szatz has a new champion in Rom Ch Carpenny Norah.  And look how successful Di Tulloch has been with dogs which Caroline Campbell has been generous enough to let her have. Di had some lovely dogs in the past. Who can forget the gorgeous Tullochmor Final Edition winning the Gundog Group at Crufts in 2004. But after bravely battling cancer, Di had to start again. And what a start it has been. Katrin Korff of Sense Of Pleasures labradors in Germany has also been very generous in sharing her good stock, and Pam Druggan and Maxine Woodley both have cause to thank her for UK Champions. All of you good people who are big-hearted enough to let newcomers, and other breeders have some of your best puppies, we salute your generosity.

Congratulations to Viv Findjan, who’s Salvators Hot Summer Rossacre has gained her JW. Viv sends her thanks to all the judges who have thought so highly of her.