Douai Dog Show 2014

Yes, we were there and a mighty fine weekend was had by all.

There will be a write up on the GB site, and I will post the results of the show. The good news is that there were 5 Barbets from the UK, and 3 Barbets from Holland

Anouk , Claude, Distel,Hector,Sade, Bisous,Martha and Hallie.

Novaforesta Eton was very well represented as Anouk, Distel, Hector and Hallie have him as their Father, and of course Martha is the daughter of Etons' sister Novaforesta Effie. It was a lovely sight to see so many offspring together and to see what beautiful dogs they all were.  

Barbets and French dog shows

We have just returned from Douai Dog Show in France and we are still smiling as Martha and Hallie were both amazing. It was a 2 day show, On Saturday it was a French Championship show and on the Sunday it was the International Show. Although Martha competed in both, due to her age she could not get a CAC or the CAIB but it was very good experience for her anyway. Hallie was in the open class both days and got the CAC on Saturday and on Sunday got the CACs and CAIB and title of Best Bitch. To say we were pleased is an understatement as she had stiff competition for the title. Martha and Hallie both received Excellent  from different judges over both days and that for me is important. Dear Martha managed to make all the judges speak a little English, they loved her expression so I think she batted her eyelashes at them rather than the WTF look, she made them smile anyway.
We heard afterwards that the Judge on Sunday had remarked that the British Barbet was of a high standard, so he will go down as being a good judge of the breed :)
We had a lot of fun over the weekend, the dog showing  is tiring but as it is such a different thing to do with the dogs, it is worth the effort and the travelling.

    

Dog shows in France and confirmation

This was Douai 2010, three barbets confirmed. Novaforesta Dudly (Ooli),Betsy and Novaforesta Dora (Bonnie). The dog show was the reason for being in Douai, but my memories are the fun we had, picnics in the carpark and this photo was on Sunday morning after coffee and a stroll round town.

This was Douai 2011, three barbets confirmed. Novaforesta Duplo,Novaforesta Eton and Ebene. I have been looking for the photo of us all in the evening with more bottles of wine than people or dogs, but I can't find it!!. Once again, the fun was back at the hotel or food establishments rather than the dog showing. A very good weekend with good company. Will we be back in Douai in 2012, I hope so......

French dog show Douai 2011

Novaforesta Duplo

Another country boy and another first timer in the show ring. Duplo was handled brilliantly by Charlotte, who is probably the most natural handler I have seen, she was fairly traumatised after the event, but lovely to watch in the ring, I so wish I had her nerves of steel. If Charlotte ever offers to handle your dog...say yes!

More later as work calls.....

French dog show Douai 2011

Novaforesta Eton

Eton is a bit of a country boy, so his first show under cover on carpet was probably a bit of a surprise.He is so full of fun, it almost seems sad to see him behave so well in the showring, he spends his spare time play bowing to other dogs regardless of sex. Having said that, Eton has his photo retrieving a bird in the July copy of Sporting Shooter along with his Mum.Betsy and his sister Esme. We have yet to translate his critique from the shows, but he had lots of Excellants, and of course he has now been confirmed.It was a fairly equal share of winners over the weekend, and with only the 3 barbets entered the competition side was non existant. This is the second year running that not a single French owner turned up at the show, at least two of the dogs entered were actually French,and hopefully the confirmations will help the stats in France. 

A French Dog show experience. Part 1

Starting with CONFIRMATION.
Two English Barbets and a Canadian barbet were confirmed by M. Dupas (see below) on Saturday 11th June 2011 at the French Championship show in Douai.Well done to Eton, Duplo and Ebene.The confirmation process was very easy, they check the dogs over,measure them, check teeth, tail set, coat quality, and check the movement.The support from the organisers of the show is worth a mention, the show secretary certainly was aware that a small group had arrived from the UK, but without fault our questions were dealt with and no problems with language barriers, just lots of smiling, we had such a good weekend.   

Jean Jacques Dupas (France)

An experienced and respected FCI Judge Mr Dupas has been an owner and handler of Afghans, Berger des Pyrenees and Shih Tsu. He has exhibited his dogs in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Italy, Portugal and many other countries of Europe.

He has held many positions of importance in the French canine world such as : Secretary of French Kennel Club in Paris; President of Club St Hubert du Nord (Kennel Club for the north of France); President of the Club du Caniche de France; Member of comite Club Français de l'Eurasier ; President of the Afghan and Saluki French Club; President of the Greyhound French Club; Secretary of the Berger des Pyrénées and Pyrenean Mountain Dog French Club.

He has judged in : France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Poland, Finland, Hungary, Sweden, Canada, Portugal, Slovakia, Lithuania, Monaco..

Dog Show in France.

Exposition de DOUAI les 2 JOURS  Samedi 11 et Dimanche 12 Juin 2011

I have finally booked dear Bepop for probably her final dog show in France.

Three/maybe four UK barbets will be confirmed at this show, all being well.

Bepop retrieving pheasant in water

Bepop is cut short, so for showing she will not look her best, but as most of you know I work Bepop, and long hair and working do not go hand in hand. I cannot  enter the working class in France as Bepop has not taken the BCE (the working test in France), hopefully one day the timing will be right so that she can take the test, as I am 99.9% confident she would pass.