French Club Show and Pontoise International Show

We had a lovely weekend with beautiful weather the weekend before showing in Pontoise just outside Paris for the French Club Show. Dogs were entered from as far affield as Norway and Russia. The judge was Rosemary Green from Australia of the Chilolo affix.

From a class of 17 in Open Dog her 1st and CAC winner was Ch. Ukukhanya Scout the Red Baron from Norway with the 2nd with RCAC going to Ch. Shangani Pansa Dafina, third was Dunn's Flametrees Obeche at Khananga. The Best Dog came from the Champion Dog Class and was won by Craigie's Ch. Imbali Kipenzi JW.

The Open Bitch class comprised of a huge entry of 30, English ridgebacks did well here also with the 1st place and also the CAC winner being Slater & Young's Flametrees Shirani of Shabani 2nd and RCAC going to Craigie's Imbali Azzizi with Barnes' Diamondridge Deja vu completing the trio. Best in Show was the winner of the Ch Bitch Class, Petrova's Milady from Russia with Cunningham's Walamadengie Conquisidor taking 2nd Place.

You may be asking why the Best Dog and Bitch did not win the CAC. This is because under the French system if a dog is entered in the Champion class it cannot compete for CACs, even though it may not have the French Title. This results in huge Open Class where the other classes only have 3 or 4 dogs in each.

To become a French Champion a dog has to win a CAC from either a Club Show or the major show at Longchamps, so not being entered in the correct class was very disappointing for the winners.

Once the judging had finished the club provided champagne and nibbles, the Belgians brought chocolates and the Russians brought Russian sweets. We did the things that most dog people love, talked about dogs and relaxed until all exhibitors were called into the main ring of the General Show for a parade of honour and the Best Dog and Bitch were called into the centre to be shown off.

It helps when you know someone who knows the system when in a Foreign country and we were lucky to meet up with Margot, an American lady who has lived in France. Margot has been showing her Pekes there for a number of years and she managed to persuade the Secretary to change I. Kipenzi into the Open Class for the International show held at the same venue the next day.

The President of the Club Mme Marcellot-Carbo was judging the bitches and the winners from the Open Class were again F Shirani of S (CAC) and Reserve Best Bitch (RCACIB) and I Azzizi (RCAC). The winner of the Ch. Class was again Milady who took the CACIB but as she was already an International Ch. This apparently made F Shirani of S's RCACIB count as a CACIB. Confused? We still have a lot to learn about foreign systems.

The dogs were judged by another French judge M. Medard-Ringuet and this time I. Kipenzi won OD and the CAC and RCACIB with U Scout the Red Baron taking 2nd and RCAC. The Best Dog came from the Ch. Class and was Ezop (I think) and won CACIB again as he was already an International Ch this made Kipenzi’s RCACIB count as a CACIB.

The BOB winner was Milady but unfortunately as Group 6 was judged the day before she could not compete in the Group and had to settle for a lap of honour in the main ring.

We rounded off the weekend that evening with a wonderful meal in a French restaurant with Margot and her Peke ' Snicker' who behaved himself impeccibly, the only problem caused when the waiter stepped in his water bowl.

Although dogs are welcome in most hotels and some restaurants in France I am not sure how long this situation will remain. When we checked out the Concierge insisted on inspecting our room as someone staying for the show had left their dog in the hotel all day the day previously and it had messed in the room. She apologised when she returned but one wonders if we will be as welcome next year. It is such a shame when the few spoil it for the majority.

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