Hoogstraten held its 40th show this year. Usually held in January, but because the dog show in Gent that is only held every two years was not taking place this year, Hoogstraten moved to February as the shows did not clash.

However, on the closing date for entries, there was panic in the committee, as only 1,200 dogs were entered. That would have been a complete disaster, as last year the show had 1,764 entries. The organisers were forced to extend the closing date by a few extra days. At the end they had an entry  of 1,619 dogs. I wonder seriously where this evolution will end. Which show will have the courage to be the first to say “the closure date is the closure date, and every dog that is entered after the closure date will not be accepted”. That is, in my opinion, the only way to stop this evolution. 

Photo:  Jadranka Mijatovic

BIS at the International Dog Show Reggio Emilia on March 23, out of 2,800 dogs,  was Multi Ch.Multi Bis Bassjoy Night Of Love. Pictured with group judge Salvatore Tripoli and Best in Show judge Ferdinando Asnaghi.

HAVING received an exciting invitation to judge in Malta, it was a fortunate opportunity for Ann and myself to have a short winter break.

When you think of Malta, you think of warm weather. During my stay to judge the Malta Canine Society Championship Show held over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, the 9th and 10th of February, the weather was reminiscent of home, being cold, windy and showers with only the odd glimpse of sun.

At the 36th International Dogshow De Kempen, held on 1-3 February and located in Eindhoven, it was Nagant From Michel that stole the show and all the silver and gold coloured trophies for Best in Show.

After winning the Terrier Group, the small equivalent of the King of Terriers, this very special Welsh Terrier from P. M. J. Krautscheid made the difference in the grande finale, judged by Simon Oates. Runner-up was  the Italian Spinone, Novella dal Podere Antico, loved, bred and owned by Jenneke van Doorn and Trudie van Lieshout-Pennings. The third place went to the representative of a Belgian breed, the Schipperke, Monterrez Jingle Belle for Hantraved, owned by J. Lawless. 

As I waited to check in at Manchester Airport I noticed a chap with a heavy case, a couple of check in desks further down. He was struggling to put the luggage on the belt, and then withdrew his wallet. Ah, he is going to bribe the girl on the desk, I thought. Looking closer I realised it was none other than Vince Hogan, with a suitcase full of annuals, for Moscow! Not one to miss a chance, as we exchanged pleasantries and parted, he threw the line ‘Patsy, do me a bit on Porto, would love to be there but can’t be in two places at once’!