TRIP TO THE 49TH WINDSOR GENERAL CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW
Table of Contents
Introduction
Dog Shows in the United Kingdom
Windsor Dog Show Grounds
Judging and Handling
Special Classes and Awards
Windsor Dog Show Entry and Group
Winners
Photographs from the
Windsor Dog Show
Future Shows
More Information
On June 28, 1999, members of the Southeast Missouri Kennel Club and the Matoon, Illinois Kennel Club left on a trip to England. After a few days of sightseeing in London, we moved to Windsor for the championship dog show, licensed by the Kennel Club. The show was held in Home Park within walking distance of Windsor Castle. Her Majesty, the Queen is the patron of the show, but attended the opening of the Scottish Parliament during this time period.
Our arrangements were made through Fresh Pond. We enjoyed the trip tremendously and thank the Fresh Pond staff for such good arrangements.
Dog Shows in the United Kingdom
The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom licenses a large number of events each year, but only a certain number of championship shows. Only in the championship shows, a dog or bitch may win a challenge certificate (CC or "ticket") to apply to its championship title and to qualify for the Crufts Dog Show. Each year, the Kennel Club reviews the numbers of each breed and determines the number of championship shows at which that breed may earn a challenge certificate. Not every breed can earn at CC at every championship show, but may still compete for Best of Breed. If a dog wins three CCs from three different judges, it earns the title of Champion (Ch.) or Show Champion (Sh. Ch.). For some breeds, such as those in the Gundog Group, a dog or bitch will use the Sh. Ch. title until it has won a field trial certificate, when it is given the Ch. title. Border Collies also use this distinction. Breeds not bred for any working ability is automatically given the Ch. title.
For most breeds, there is one judge for both sexes. For some breeds with large entries, there is a judge for each sex. For example, at the Windsor show, there were two judges for Doberman Pinchers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Golden Retrievers. First, classes are divided by sex. Within each sex, there are classes according to the dog=s age or other requirements, such as the number of challenge certificates or first prizes that the dog has won. The open class is for all dogs of that breed, including those who already are champions. For each class, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, reserve, and VHC awards are given. After all of the dog classes, the first prize winners of the classes compete for the best dog. If a CC is offered, that dog earns the CC. The judge then awards a reserve challenge certificate (RCC) to the next best dog of the day. The dog who won second prize in the class of the CC winner competes in the RCC competition. The same procedures are used for bitches. The best dog and best bitch winners then compete for Best of Breed. If there are two judges (one for each sex), both judges must concur on the Best of Breed winner. If they cannot make a mutual decision, then a referee decides. The Best of Breed winner represents its breed in the group competition. As previously stated, champions must enter the open class and must win that class and the best of its sex before being considered for Best of Breed. Some champions have outstanding records in earning challenge certificates.
The Kennel Club classifies breeds in seven groups: Gundogs, Hounds, Pastoral, Terriers, Working, Toys, and Utility. The Gundog group is roughly equivalent to the American Kennel Club (AKC) Sporting group. The Pastoral group is the newest group and is roughly equivalent to the AKC Herding Group. There are 191 breeds currently eligible for registration with The Kennel Club. At the Windsor show, Gundogs and Utility were judged on Friday, July 2; Hounds and Toys were judged on Saturday, July 3; and Working, Pastoral, and Terriers were judged on Sunday, July 4. A list of breeds, number of entries, and group winners are attached to this document. At the end of the day, the best of breed winners compete for the four group placements. The group winners return on the last day of the show to compete for Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show.
Of interest to United States visitors are the Any Variety Not Classified Classes (for breeds for which no separate breed classes are scheduled) and the Any Variety Imported Register Breed classes (for those breeds whose registration is confined to the imported register and which consequently may only be entered in this class). For both of these classes, the dogs are divided by sex and then by age, etc., as the regular classes. The difference is that the breeds are combined. At the Windsor show, even the breeds for more than one group were combined. For example, on Sunday, when the Working, Pastoral, and Terrier Groups showed, the breeds in the Open Dog class were: Welsh Terrier, Irish Terrier, Siberian Husky, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Estrela Mountain Dog, Smooth Collie, Pinscher, Alaskan Malamute, and Bouvier des Flandres. The Best of Breed winner from the AV Not Classified Classes goes on to compete in Group. For this show, the Bouvier won the Best of Breed and went on to Reserve Best in Show. The Imported Register Breeds do not participate in Group, but the Best of Breed winner is introduced during the Group judging. These classes have some breeds that are familiar to United States dog fanciers, such as Australian Shepherd, Chow Chow, Ibizian Hound, Boston Terrier, and Chesapeake Bay Retriever. There are several other breeds that are not so familiar, such as Wirehaired Visla, Kooikerhondje, Basset Fauve de Bretagne, Grand Bleu de Gascogne, and Bergamasco. A complete list of breeds is attached, divided into groups as well as can be determined.
The show was held in Home Park, not far from Windsor Castle.
The grounds occupied a large, flat, grassy area of the park.
Exhibitors and visitors who were there for the day parked on the
grass. There was a charge for parking. Along one side, there was
a large area for caravans (motor homes); also there was a charge
for caravan parking. There was an elaborate entry gate attended
by greeters in bowlers. Then there was a tent for tickets, a
charge of 3L
daily. The next tent was for catalog sales. Each day
had a separate catalog, with a charge of 4L each.
This was a benched show, although dogs were permitted to leave the show after they were judged. There were large tents for benching around the main show site. There were small grooming areas outside each benching tent. Large signs reminded handlers that chalking was not permitted. Next to the benching tents, there were five smaller tents that could be used for judging during bad weather. Inside this ring of tents, there were many trade stands (vendor booths) selling all the variety of goods as found in U.S. shows. Of particular note were the stands for the large dog food companies. Some of these had tables and chairs for handlers= comfort as well as a large supply of products.
There was a large tent called "Buffet & Bar" near the entrance with seating inside and outside of the tent. Exhibitors and visitors could purchase hot breakfasts, hot lunches, cold sandwiches, and soft drinks (not particularly cold), as well as celebrate their wins or commiserate over their losses at a full-service bar. There was a second bar at the other end of the grounds and both were very popular. Other stands served a nice variety of foods, including ice cream, fresh donuts, and sandwiches on baguettes (long crusty buns).
There was a special tent for overseas visitors. Hostesses served tea, biscuits (cookies), and orange juice (again not particularly cold). This was a good meeting place and a welcome resting place for those of us who did not have chairs.
This show had the most elaborate restroom facilities that I have ever seen at an outdoor event. The facilities (called watercloset, W.C., or loo in the U.K.) were behind a discrete curtain. Attendants sat at a table under a small tent. In the tent, there were signs pointing to the ladies' and gentlemes' facilities. For the ladies, there were four large trailers, each containing several stalls. Each stall had solid door and flushing toilet. Sinks with running water were welcome conveniences when spending the day outdoors. There was a separate facility without stairs for disabled users. United States visitors should be alerted that most public restroom facilities have attendants who expects tips or have a gate requiring payment for entrance.
The main show tent was in the center of the grounds. It was big enough to hold one double-sized ring, two regular-sized rings, and a group/special events ring which was the size of more than two regular rings. The announcer was headquartered in this ring and was easily understood with the excellent public address system. There were twenty-five smaller rings on both sides of the main tent.
Exhibitors seated nearby told me that most judges are breeders, but there also are some all-arounders. This is a typical judging procedure. The handlers and dogs enter the ring and the judge walks around to evaluate them. Handlers stack their dogs either direction and some dogs end up face to face. I saw some handlers, mostly with large Gundogs, use extremely long chain collars that slip down to the chest when the dog is stacked. Also, each dog is examined individually, with smaller dogs put on a table. The judge asks the handler to do a triangle gaiting pattern. Most handlers made a rounded, sweeping triangle. Since most classes are large, the judge usually short-lists, which means pulling dogs for a cut. When evaluating the remaining dogs, the judge usually asks the handler to go down and back which also is a sweeping pattern, instead of on a straight line. At the end of each class, the ring steward announced the placements and winners, very helpful when marking the catalog. The Best of Breed and Reserve Best of Breed winners took a lap of honor (victory lap).
Shows are more informal than in the United States. Most handlers dress casually, with few women wearing dresses or skirts and even fewer men wearing suits or even a dress shirt and tie. Number cards are not worn on the arm, but are pinned to the front of the handler's clothing. The pins can be elaborate, some with a small statue of the handler's breed, and can have a clip on the bottom for the number card. Handlers do not always report to the ring at the start of the class, but enter whenever they want. During the judging of one special class, the judge was ready to make her final decision, when a handler entered late. The judge gave the same consideration to that dog as the others in the class. Of course, we must keep in mind that the classes are very large and the handlers and dogs may be in the ring for a long time while slowly progressing around the ring. Possibly, the handler was showing in a different ring. Even during group judging, the judging is not delayed until all breed judging is finished. For example, the Best of Breed Doberman Pinscher entered the group judging late because the breed judging finished after the start of the Working Group.
Only the group ring had fencing surrounding it. The remaining rings were marked with stakes and ropes. The handlers ducked under the ropes to enter and leave the rings, instead of using the gates.
Some dogs were eligible to enter two or more classes. When a dog had been judged in a previous class, the handler queued up at the end of the class to allow dogs who had not been seen by the judge go to the beginning of the line. The judge gave a thorough exam to the new dogs and a less-thorough exam to the dogs who had been in previous classes. The dogs from previous classes are eligible for placement in succeeding classes.
During group judging, the announcer gave grand introductions to the judges who made an entrance. Then the breed winners were introduced in alphabetical order by breed. The dogs were not gaited as a group. The handlers wore their blue and white Best of Breed rosettes pinned to the front of their clothing. If they also won a CC, the handlers wore their blue and white CC rosettes. In the Toy group, we enjoyed watching the Yorkshire Terrier handler carry her small table around the ring. Again, the dogs were short-listed (pulled) and the judge decided on the four placements. The winners took a lap of honor (victory lap) and photographs were taken.
Windsor Dog Show Entry and Group Winners
Attached to this document is a list of breeds and number of each breed entered in the 49th Windsor General Championship Show. Also noted are those breeds for which a Challenge Certificate (CC) was offered. After each group, there is a list of group winners. The Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show winners are given at the end of the document. To go to this document, click here:
Windsor Dog Show Entry and Group Winners
For more information on entry and winners, check the Higham Press, Ltd., Printers web page, as given below.
The dog food company Pedigree Chum offered awards for Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show, Group Winners, Best of Breed Winners, Best of Opposite Sex Winners, and Puppy Winners. Also, there were trophies and/or monetary awards for puppies, brace, team, and progeny and for veteran, champion, and junior stakes classes. The brace class was for two dogs, team was for three or four dogs, and progeny was for a sire or dam with his/her puppies. We especially enjoyed the Hound/Toy progeny class which was won by a champion beagle with thirteen of his puppies. Pedigree Chum sponsored the champion stakes and veteran stakes (seven years old or older) which will culminate in January 2000. The Pet Plan special junior stakes will culminate in October 1999. Also there were junior handling classes.
In the classes, rosettes were awarded to Best of Breed, Reserve Breed, and Challenge Certificate winners. For most placements, only cards were given to the winners. If someone wanted a ribbon or rosette instead of a card, he/she could purchase one at one of the trade booths. Actually, anyone could purchase a rosette with any award that he/she wanted.
Photographs from the Windsor Dog Show
The photographs are courtesy of members of the Southeast Missouri Kennel Club. To see the photographs, click on your choice below:
Windsor Championship Dog Show - General Photographs
Gundog Group
Utility Group
Hound Group
Toy Group
Working Group
Pastoral Group
Terrier Group
For anyone interested in attending the Windsor 50th Championship Show, the dates are: Friday, June 30, 2000 for Hounds and Toys; Saturday, July 1, 2000 for Working, Pastoral, and Terriers; and Sunday, July 2, 2000 for Gundogs and Utility.
Another show popular with American visitors is the Crufts Dog Show. For 2000, the Crufts schedule is: Thursday, March 9 for Toys and Utility; Friday, March 10 for Gundogs; Saturday, March 11 for Working and Pastoral; and Sunday, March 12 for Hounds, Terriers, and Best in Show.
More information about dog shows in the United Kingdom may be obtained from these resources:
1 Clarges Street
London, W1Y 8AB
UK
Telephone: (0171)493 6651 or (0171)629 5828
E-mail: info@the-kennel-club.org.uk
Web Pages: http://www.the-kennel-club-org.uk
http://www.discover-dogs.org.uk
http://www.crufts.org.ukThe journal of The Kennel Club is Kennel Gazette. The critiques by judges of the development of a breed, the dogs entered under them, and of individual dogs are of particular interest.
New Street
Shirland, Alfreton, Derbys, DE55 6BP
UK
Telephone: (01773)832390
E-mail: higham@globalnet.co.uk
Web Page: http://www.globalnet.co.uk/~highamThis company publishes catalogs and has show schedules and results on its web page.
5 Oxford Road Station Approach
Manchester, M60 1SX
UK
Telephone: (0161)228 1984
Web Page: http://www.ourdogs.co.ukThis tabloid format publication also contains candid critiques by judges.
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