Kennel Gazette Crufts Special

Crufts

Crufts special

The official publication of the Kennel Club

Crufts 2017 - Kennel Gazette 1

Crufts

“TO BE THE BEST YOU HAVE TO FEED THE BEST ” ZENA THORN-ANDREWS DRAKESLEAT KENNELS

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Crufts

Miami Ink makes his mark!

Photo: by williammoores.com

Owners from Lancashire carry home the silver

By Bill Moores the crowd watching and was able to join in the final group photograph.

As a result of the win Jason Lynn is the first person in the 126-year history of Crufts to have won Best in Show with two dogs which he bred and owned. To add to this amazing achievement, he was the handler in both cases too.

The Reserve Best in Show was Frankie the Miniature Poodle dog, Ch Minarets Best Kept Secret, owned and bred

by Melanie Harwood from Blackburn, Lancashire, making it a superb double for the Red Rose county! More importantly what a way to celebrate your second birthday as Frankie did by going Reserve Best in Show at the world’s largest dog show.

His grandfather was Melanie’s famous Ch Minarets Secret Assignment, ‘Rodney’, which sadly passed away last year. Earlier this year Frankie won the Utility group at

Manchester Championship Show and in the same month was runner-up at the popular Poodle of the Year gala evening event. Just before the final judging on Sunday evening Melanie commented: “I am proud to be representing the group at this level. It is a dream come true.”

Representing the hounds from the first day of the show was ‘Frosty’ — Europ Ch Frosty Snowman, a two-year-old Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen dog, from Holland, owned by the Huikeshoven and Reid partnership. Frosty has done well on the continent with a Best in Show in Denmark, Reserve Best in Shows at Dortmund, and the Swedish Winners show as well as a group win at the European show last year held in Brussels. He was also Reserve Best in Show at the Hound Show last year and became a champion on the first day of Crufts gaining his

The fanfare team of The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood opens Crufts Best in Show 2017

Photo: by williammoores.com

S

o there it was before our very eyes — in glorious black and white — the line up for Best in Show at Crufts 2017! It was a show when ‘youth had its say’ as the barely two-year-old dog Sh Ch Afterglow Miami Ink, the black and white American Cocker Spaniel, took top honours under Mr Jeff Horswell.

In a packed 6,000-seat, sold-out Genting Arena, Miami and ace handler and co-owner Jason Lynn, from Westby, Lancashire, were cheered on to become the first of the breed ever to win Best in Show at Crufts. Jason is no stranger to success at Crufts, having won Best in Show with the Standard Poodle Ch/Am Ch Afterglow Maverick Sabre in 2014.

A delighted Jason commented: “I am absolutely thrilled, shocked and ecstatic.

The last time I was in this situation was with the dog I had shown for a couple of years and he was a seasoned showman. Miami is brand new to all this so it is really the beginning of his show days.

I just can’t believe it, it’s been like a dream sequence and this was an unbelievable ending to what has been a remarkable two days that I never expected in a million years.”

On the third day of the show, when the Gundog group breeds made up 24 per cent of the total Crufts entry, Miami had gone Best of Breed under Mr Ken Sinclair. The dog is co-owned with Mr Rui da Silva. Credit is also due to Miami’s co-breeder Mike Gadsby who was in

Gwen Huikeshoven with Europ Ch Frosty Snowman, a two-year-old Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen dog from Holland

third CC under Dianna Spavin.

Speaking on the final day, joint owner and handler Gwen Huikeshoven said: “We have had a dream show and naturally we were happy to delay our return to Holland for the best of reasons!”

Also on the first day, Terrier group winner was Lakeland Terrier Ch Saredon Enigma, ‘Alan’, another youngster of 20 months, handled by John Averis. Alan is owned by Johann Schembi and Tony Barker and was bred by John. Commenting after his win John said: “This is truly amazing. Alan is only 20 months old but you’ve got to go into the ring hoping to win and be optimistic. This dog has quite a history in his breeding — his grandfather, grandmother and mother were all Best of Breeds at Crufts so he had a lot to follow and I believe he excelled himself. We have spent a lot of time training and it has paid off. To me it is the highest honour to win the Terrier group at Crufts.” Earlier in the show the young dog had won Best of Breed under terrier specialist Mr Max King.

Representing the Toy group and adding once more to the international flavour of Crufts was the Japanese bred Yorkshire Terrier Int Ch My Precious JP Kagayaki, handled

by Chizuru Kadowaki.

Campaigned in Japan, she

Crufts 2017 - Kennel Gazette 3

Old English Sheepdog Int Ch Aryakas Pegasos from Greece, bred and handled by Nikolas Kanales

Photo by williammoores.com

last of the groups, the pastoral, assembled in the main ring under the watchful eye of Mr Robin Newhouse. From a shortlist of eight, which included the Bearded Collie, Tervueren Belgian Shepherd Dog, German Shepherd Dog, Hungarian Puli, Old English Sheepdog, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, and the Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis, his winner was the four-year-old Old English Sheepdog Kanales’s Int Ch Aryakas Pegasos, from Greece. Breeder Nikolas Kanales has been a regular exhibitor at Crufts for many years and back in 2013 won Group 4 under Jeff Luscott. Last year Pegasos was Best in Show at the European Old English Sheepdog Show held in Spain.

A brief analysis of the Best of Breeds at Crufts 2017 shows that just over 30 per cent went to dogs with ATC numbers.

Glancing at the CC lists and not including Reserve CCs over 80 CCs were awarded to dogs with ATC numbers. In the Working and Pastoral groups in particular overseas’ dogs enjoyed the most success. It was also interesting to note their prominence in the numerically small breeds. ● More reports, facts and figures in the May edition of the Kennel Gazette

The final seven await Best in Show judge Mr Jeff Horswell

Photo by williammoores.com

had won five overall Best in Shows in the last two years, was Best of Breed at the famous Westminster Kennel Club show in New York this year, and has also been campaigned in Sweden.

Proud owner Chizuru, commenting just before the final, said: “I’m so excited I can’t believe it. She is an amazing bitch and she has won her first Challenge Certificate here at Crufts. I am also thrilled to be competing here with a native British breed which had bloodlines that go back to this country.”

The fourth and final day saw huge crowds at the show to see the working and pastoral breeds on display. Topping the Working group, judged by Mrs Meg Purnell-Carpenter, was ‘Bentley’ the Newfoundland from Mansfield.

Three-year-old Bentley, Ch Merrybear D’Artagnan, is owned by Mrs L and Mr T Chapman and was handled at the show by Paddy Galvin.

Proud handler Paddy said: “To win the group is fantastic — we’ve come second, third, and fourth in the group before and we won the Breeders’ Stakes in 2004, but to top the Working group is an amazing feeling.”

As the evening drew on, the

Photo by williammoores.com

Crufts

The Crufts Best in Show Lynn and Da Silva's American Cocker d Sh Ch Afterglow Miami Ink and the Reserve Best in Show Harwood's Miniature Poodle d Minarets Best Kept Secret. Also pictured are Annaliese Reekie of Eukanuba, co-breeder Mr Mike Gadsby, Kennel Club Chairman Mr Simon Luxmoore, Mr Matthias Schiller Managing Director of Spectrum Brands Europe owner of Eukanuba, Best in Show judge Mr Jeff Horswell, Gundog group judge Mrs Fiona Coward-Scholes, co owner of Best in Show Mr Rui da Silva, Chairman of Crufts Committee Mr Gerald King, Melanie Harwood and Utility group judge Mr Derek Smith

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Crufts

Photo: ©onEdition

Photo by williammoores.com

Best in Show judge’s report — JEFF HORSWELL

Japanese bred Yorkshire Terrier Int Ch My Precious JP Kagayaki handled

by Chizuru Kadowaki

Photo by williammoores.com

Terrier group winner was Lakeland Terrier Ch Saredon Enigma, ‘Alan’ another youngster of 20 months handled by John Averis

a cute face, lovely short back, super tailset and carriage, lovely colours and texture to her immaculate coat.

Newfoundland, Ch Merrybear D’Artagnan, large male, beautifully boned, but light on his feet moving round.

Super coat presentation, and the correct texture.

Old English Sheepdog, Int Ch Aryakas Pegasos, the final one in the line-up; again such a super outline as I walked along the line. Lovely sized head, and such a super body.

The Miniature Poodle, Ch Minarets Best Kept Secret, presented and conditioned perfectly with a beautifully textured coat. Very pleasing to go over and carried himself so well on the move with head held high and correct tail carriage.

On the final run round he pulled out all the stops to steal Reserve Best in Show from the opposition.

Which leaves the ultimate Best in Show winner, the American Cocker, Sh Ch Afterglow Miami Ink, a beautiful dog, superbly presented and a flawless performance. Under that coat is a well made dog; he has forechest, big ribs, complementary angulation, and he is so beautifully muscled up.

Slightly sloping topline with excellent tailset, and he holds that hard topline on the move.

He was the dog on the night that excited me the most, and so the top spot was his.

Photo by williammoores.com

Photo by williammoores.com

Three-year-old Newfoundland, Bentley, Ch Merrybear D’Artagnan, handled at the show by Paddy Galvin

My thanks to the Crufts Committee and the Kennel Club Board for inviting me to judge Best in Show at Crufts. This really was the appointment of a lifetime.

When I first started showing and then judging I could never have even begun to imagine I would judge anything at Crufts, let alone Best in Show.

Congratulations to Gerald King, Vanessa McAlpine, and Simon Luxmoore and their teams for putting on a fantastic show.

My thanks also to all those who have encouraged and helped me over the years, the many show societies I have judged for, and a special thank you to the late Terry Thorn, who helped me and many others so much. Twenty years ago Terry made the same award; I am sure he was watching.

Seven dogs came into the Genting Arena on Sunday night and all put on a great performance.

The Lakeland Terrier, Ch Saredon Enigma, in beautiful coat and so very well presented, moved around the ring with such style holding a perfect topline.

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen’, Europ Ch Frosty Snowman, gave of his all, full of grand personality and another who went round the ring so well, level topline and tail held high.

The Yorkshire Terrier all the way from Japan, Int Ch My Precious JP Kagayaki, has such

Melanie Harwood with Frankie the Miniature Poodle Ch Minarets Best Kept Secret

Jason Lynn and Sh Ch Afterglow Miami Ink take to the floor with a rather pre-emptive background display

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Crufts

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Photo: ©onEdition

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Crufts 2017 in pictures

A general view of the International Junior Handling competition, more of which will be revealed in the May issue

Photo: ©onEdition

Pam St Clement on the National Therapy Dogs Stand

Winner of the Kennel Club Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition Final Trevor Hayward with Smooth Collie Ch Clingstone’s Hot Shot at Foxearth and runner-up David Alcorn with Gordon Setter Sh Ch Lourdace Fulcrum JW with judge Mr S Plane and Vince Hogan Our Dogs MD The competition, sponsored by Eukanuba and supported by the competition's media partner Our Dogs, raises awareness of Britain and Ireland’s rare native breeds and recognising those breeders and owners dedicated to ensuring their continued survival. After the competition, Robert Greaves spoke to an overjoyed Trevor and Birgit Hayward, who are from Wem in Shropshire. They said just how much the win meant to them after over 40 years showing dogs. They went on to say how the Smooth Collie had progressed over the years to be no longer overlooked in competitions be it against the Rough Collie or in groups. Trevor also mentioned that Birgit had top winning Smooths in her native Sweden and this is how they met.

Photo: ©onEdition

Display by obedience dog champion Ob Ch Beckim Surprise Surprise

Photo: ©Martin Hill/The Kennel Club

Photo: ©Martin Hill/The Kennel Club

Molly the one and only cat detective. The Kennel Gazette will be meeting Molly in an upcoming issue

Ashleigh Butler and Sullivan talking to Clare Balding after winning the agility singles final. She also completed an emotional last run with 11-year-old Pudsey before his retirement

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South Eastern Welsh Springer Spaniel Club winning Best Gundog Breed Club Stand.

More to come in the May printed issue

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Photo: ©onEdition

2016 Best in Show Marie Burns with Devon is presented with a painting by artist Anne Zoutsos. Also present is Tom Mather, Chairman of the Kennel Club Arts Foundation

The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme celebrating 25 years, pictured here with Crufts Show Manager Vanessa McAlpine also celebrating her 40th Crufts

Crufts

Photo: ©onEdition

‘Amazing’ was the verdict of 23-year-old Jodi Allen after she had piloted her parents’ Rottweiler, Jodipas Time JW, to the top spot in the Kennel Club Junior Warrant Winner of the Year final. It had been touch and go whether Jodi would be able to take part as she had broken her foot in November, running in high heels. John and Diane Allen had bred ‘Mabel’ specifically for Jodi to show so she had been determined that whatever it took, with painkillers and strapping, she would be the one to handle the bitch. The family have had previous Junior Warrant winners but this was their first in the final. Pictured here with judge Tom Mather.

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Photo: ©onEdition

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Winner of Scruffts Joshua King of Prestatyn, North Wales with his two-year-old dog Biscuit, being interviewed by Clare Balding

KCAI Trainer of the Year Martha Brindley

YKC Handling Competition, 6-11 years winner Georgia Maskell (8) and Fred the Smooth-haired Dachshund under judge Kirsty Miller

Photo: by williammoores.com

Photo: ©onEdition

Winner of the Gamekeepers class German Shorthaired Pointer Int Sh Ch Friarsbelle Marsh Mellow

Spotted in the Discover Dogs area was this year's Dalmatian judge Mr Rob Sansom seen here reviewing the front cover of the March Kennel Gazette, which featured the breed, with seven-year-old Casey

Proving that hard work and dedication does pay off, Liz Dunhill and Michaella Dunhill-Hall of the Vormund Japanese Shiba Inu topped the very strong Breeders Competition under Anne MacDonald on the third day. There were 52 entries and the winning team comprised of: Ch Vormund Norma Jean, handled by Liz Dunhill, Ch Vormund Jean Paul Gaultier, handled by Jean Cooper, Ch Vormund Imagine Dragon, handled

by Michaella Dunhill-Hall, and Ch Vormund Eva Green, handled by Charlotte Roskell. Speaking

to Liz after the event she said: “Winning the Breeders Competition was a great achievement for the kennel, having won both CCs the day before. Vormund has been top breeder in the Utility group for the last three years. To win among some of our great breeders was very humbling. To produce consistently over the years and create a type is indeed the focus of the quintessential British breeder, and to be able to achieve that by maintaining genetic diversity is the key.”

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Crufts

Crufts hosts tenth anniversary Eukanuba World Challenge

Italy was on top of the world!

By Bill Moores

Photo by williammoores.com

The flags of the hosts and those of all the competing countries assemble in the Genting Arena before the semi-finals

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Photo by williammoores.com

I

n a dramatic finale to the Eukanuba World Challenge (EWC) the Maltese from Italy, Cinecitta’ Ian Somerhalder owned by Franco Prosperi and handled

by Javier Gonzalez Mendikote was directed to the spotlight proudly followed by the Italian flag.

It was the culmination of the tenth EWC which took place for the first time at Crufts show. In second place was the Toy Poodle from Russia, Mankova and Stepkina’s Evak’s Watermark and third went to the Bulldog from South Korea, Koo’s Major League Pop-A-Top Roll Of The Dice.

The final took place on the eve of the second day before the groups and was introduced by Marina Scott from the ringside. After the judge of the final Laurent Pichard took to the centre of the ring, the competitor from Finland, American Cocker Spaniel Very Vigie Huluberlulu, sportingly did a lap of honour as the dog was bred by the

The Eukanuba World Challenge winners’ line-up, l to r, second place was the Russian Toy Poodle Mankova and Stepkina’s Evak’s Watermark, the overall winner the Italian Maltese Prosperi’s Cinecitta’ Ian Somerhalder handled by Javier Gonzalez Mendikote and in third place the Bulldog from South Korea Major League Pop-A-Top Roll Of The Dice owned by Ji-Sung Koo. Also pictured l to r are Mr Simon Luxmoore Chairman of the Kennel Club, judge Laurent Pichard, Johan van Rietschoten Vice President of Pet Europe Spectrum Brands owner of Eukanuba and Mr Rafael de Santiago President of the FCI

judge. Twelve finalists were now eleven.

The EWC started life in 2007 in Long Beach, California with support from the American Kennel Club. After four years it moved to Orlando, Florida, where this unique event continued to showcase the world of pedigree dogs for another three years.

In 2014, the EWC moved to Europe to the ‘Winner Show’ in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where it was held for two years with the support of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Commenting on the move to the United Kingdom Gerald King, Chairman of Crufts, said: “Crufts and the Kennel Club was pleased to host the tenth anniversary EWC. This was a fantastic opportunity for us and a great celebration for Crufts. This will throw the spotlight on the magnificence of pedigree dogs in one place and enhance the partnership the Kennel Club has with its principal sponsor Eukanuba supported by the FCI.” The United Kingdom won the EWC in 2013 when the Standard Poodle, Ch/Am Ch Afterglow Maverick Sabre, was victorious — a victory he replicated at Crufts the following year by winning Best in Show.

The initial draw for the three section rounds was done on the eve of the show in the Genting Arena by Jose Luis Ibanez the EWC Show Chairman. After welcoming the visitors and representatives from overseas the draw was streamed live on the internet.

On the first day of the show all the competitors were called to Hall 5 where the sections were pre-judged ahead of them appearing in the main ring before the group judging. A packed ringside welcomed the judges into the ring. Section 1 was judged by Jean-Jacques Dupas of France and included

Photo by williammoores.com

Crufts

. . . and the winner is — Italy — a popular win with the crowd, the Maltese Prosperi’s Cinecitta’ Ian Somerhalder handled by Javier Gonzalez Mendikote

Photo by williammoores.com

Photo by williammoores.com

The popular Jack Russell Terrier from Indonesia, Wijaya’s Sandy Diamond Arishem The Judge. The breed also enjoyed classes for the first time at Crufts this year

This year’s representative from Russia was the Toy Poodle Mankova and Stepkina’s Evak’s Watermark handled in the final by Natalia Mankova

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Photo by williammoores.com

The 12 finalists line up after the semi-finals

Photo: ©Yulia Titovets/The Kennel Club

Marina Scott introduces the competitors into the main ring for the section judging finals

Photo by williammoores.com

the dogs from Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden and the Euro Dog Show winner. Section 2, which was judged by Liz Cartledge, featured the dogs from Australia, Denmark, Hungary, Indonesia, Netherlands, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan and Thailand. Section 3 was judged by the Spanish all rounder Carmen Navarro and this section included China, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom and Crufts Best in Show from 2016.

With the judging over, the dogs and handlers were able to relax for a couple of hours before mustering in the collecting ring for the official opening ceremony and presentation in the Genting Arena. Jose Luis Ibanez, EWC Show Chairman, commented just before the semi-finals: “So many stories and wonderful memories have been created over the past nine years and we all believe it has been the right time to move to Crufts.

We are very grateful for the opportunity to showcase our event here in Birmingham.”

Rafael de Santiago, President of the FCI, who had the honour of judging last year’s Grand Final of the EWC, was in the audience and was looking forward to this key milestone. Commenting, he said: “The Eukanuba World Challenge is an extremely well-organised global event.

I’ve watched it grow from being held in the USA, to Amsterdam and now, coming to the United Kingdom and Crufts, which is a major achievement and one which we are proudly supporting. It’s also incredible to see the amount of backing from all of the national kennel clubs who send

Photo by williammoores.com

Crufts

Representing South Korea and eventually going through to the final 12 was the Bulldog Major League Pop-A-Top Roll Of The Dice owned by Ji-Sung Koo and handled by Jin-Woo Lee

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Section 1 was judged by Jean-Jacques Dupas and one of his four finalists included Stepanka Horakova’s Greyhound Jet’s Man In The Moon who represented Norway

Photo by williammoores.com

Crufts

representatives forward.”

Next, the flag-bearers, dogs and handlers swept into the Genting Arena in a flourish of colour. In the centre of the ring the flags of the Kennel Club, the FCI, Crufts and Eukanuba symbolically marked the four places which each of the section finalists would later occupy.

In section one French judge Jean-Jacques Dupas sent forward the representatives from Mexico, New Zealand, Norway and the Euro Dog Show. Section two judge Liz Cartledge chose the dogs from Indonesia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Russia as her four finalists.

Last in the main ring was section three judge Carmen Navarro of Spain. Her final four sent forward to the final were from Finland, Germany, Italy and South Korea.

International panel of judges The three section (semi-final) judges for the Eukanuba World Challenge were Liz Cartledge (UK), Carmen Navarro (Spain), and Jean-Jacques Dupas (France).

Laurent Pichard (Switzerland) had the honour of judging the grand final of the competition.

Liz Cartledge is one of the world’s leading all breed judges. Here in the UK, she awards Challenge Certificates (CCs) in more than 100 breeds and had the pleasure of judging Best in Show at Crufts in 1999. She has judged in almost every part of the world including memorable appointments at the Sydney Royal, Santa Barbara and Westminster.

Commenting at the show Mrs Cartledge said: “Having judged at Crufts several times in the past I felt comfortable being on ‘home soil’ so to speak. To be part of this new venture of the Eukanuba World

The quality of the dogs before the judges was exceptional and all seemed to cope well with the atmosphere and all moved well on the green carpet which can sometimes trouble the best.

Delighted with his win, after the photocalls owner Franco Prosperi must have pondered about two things that had happened that day.

One a Reserve CC card won earlier in the day in the breed classes and the other a cheque for 7500 euros handed to him as the owner of the EWC Winner 2017. The sponsors generosity didn’t end there with 3500 euros donated to the Italy Kennel Club, 2500 euros to the runner-up and 1500 euros to third place.

It had been a spectacular addition to the main ring activities at Crufts and one which we can only hope may become a permanent addition in future years.

Challenge coming to Crufts for the first time was truly special, a great honour for me and something about which I was very excited”.

Carmen Navarro the second of the semi-final judges has the distinction of being the first female all round breed judge in the history of the Spanish Kennel Club. She is a hugely successful breeder and exhibitor of Samoyeds, American Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies.

Mrs Navarro said: “I was very proud to be part of this prestigious, glamorous and great event. I know that behind every dog that is judged, there is a lot of work. Competing in the Eukanuba World Challenge was a triumph for each of the dogs that competed. It was a wonderful experience for me that I enjoyed!”

The third semi-final judge was Jean-Jacques Dupas, an international all

Flying the flag for Ireland was Irish Kennel Club President Mr Sean Delmar with Duggan’s Siberian Husky Bedarra Cold Paws Warm Heart for Leorient

breed judge from France. He has judged all over the world and he has been involved in many breeds including Afghan Hounds, Berger des Pyrénées and Shih Tzus, and has shown extensively across Europe.

Mr Dupas said: “For me it was a great honour to judge the 10th Eukanuba World Challenge at Crufts. I enjoyed judging some very nice dogs from several countries and did my best during my judgements.”

Judging the ‘best of the best final’ at the Eukanuba World Challenge at Crufts 2017 was Mr Laurent Pichard from Switzerland.

He has been involved in dog showing from an early age starting with Irish Setters.

After studying in the UK, he returned to Switzerland with four American Cocker Spaniels. His ‘Very Vigie’ kennel of American Cocker Spaniels has enjoyed huge success and has made up champions all around the world for himself and other owners. ●

Crufts 2017 - Kennel Gazette 11

Photo by williammoores.com

A moment of truth — section 2 judge Mrs Liz Cartledge choses the first of her four winners to go forward to the final

Crufts

Eukanuba Friends For Life final

Bowser beats them all

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Kellie Ceccarelli the veterinary training manager for Eukanuba with Olympic Gold Medal winner Crista Cullen visiting the Eukanuba stand with the Eukanuba Friends For Life 2017 finalists

Bobby and Charlie, the military English Springer Spaniel Photo: ©The Kennel Club

what lovely dogs they are. We have had a whirlwind of a day here but Bowser has taken it all in his stride.”

“Even with all the noise and cheering in the arena, he stayed calm,” adds Kieran.

Although, picking up on his owners’ reactions when he was announced the winner, the big dog could not resist a little bounce around on the green carpet.

Bowser’s close relationship with Sally enabled him to know she was pregnant before she did. Perplexed by his behaviour, she reassured the dog and an anxious Kieran that she felt absolutely fine. It was only later she realised what he was telling her — after ten years together, when they had given up hoping, she and Kieran were going to have a baby. With the confidence that Bowser has given her, Sally is looking forward to the arrival of the new family member. “I know it is all going to be fine,” she says: “Bowser is going to be a wonderful big brother.”

During the course of the Eukanuba Friends For Life competition, the four finalists became good friends: Sally and Bowser, 13-year-old Joel and Caddie the Labrador Retriever, Nathan and another Labrador Retriever Hudson, and Bobby and the military English Springer Spaniel Charlie all appreciated and admired each other’s dogs to the point where they thought anyone of them could win, so it is safe to say that when the winner was announced, nobody was more surprised than Sally. The voting public, however, was in no doubt and Bowser’s outstanding character and exuberant personality won the day. ●

Bowser, Sally and Kieran Eukanuba Friends For Life winners 2017 Photo: ©onEdition

t’s been an incredible journey,” said Sally Deegan, winner of the Eukanuba Friends For Life final at Crufts 2017.

“I cannot put into words — there are no words — to describe what Bowser means to me. He has saved my life so many times.”

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis had led Sally into a severely life-limiting clinical depression but after moving to Scunthorpe where she could access top quality medical care, she and her husband Kieran decided the time had come to adopt a dog. Two years ago, at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Brands Hatch, they met Bowser, a very large Bull Terrier, with a personality to match.

Kieran had previously owned Bull Terriers, his stepfather had been an exhibitor, and Sally did not need much convincing that he was the dog for them so Bowser became part of the family. A few months later, Sally had a relapse and, alerted by a frantic Bowser, Kieran found her unconscious on the sofa.

Since then, with no medical or assistance training, Bowser has correctly warned Sally that she needed a trip to hospital on several occasions, while his daily companionship has brought confidence and hope for the future.

While alone with Sally, Bowser is a calm, reassuring presence but when Kieran comes home from work, he unleashes his inner bounce to become the joyful clown, ready to play or entertain.

One of the best aspects of winning Eukanuba Friends For Life for the couple has been showing the breed, of which they are both now such fans, in such a positive light.

“Bull Terriers so often are misrepresented,” says Sally. “It’s great that Bowser can show

13-year old Joel and Caddie the Labrador Retriever assistance dog with Nick Brooks-Ward Nathan and Labrador Retriever guide dog Hudson

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By Gay Robertson

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