The Vizsla Newzsletter (Apr/ May 1998)
Crufts 1998

Photo: Cruft's photos thanks to Jenni Stanniforth

I left Melbourne, with the Pedigree PAL tour folk and arrived in London on Monday 2nd March. This gave us 3 days for sight-seeing and recovering from the long flight before Crufts commenced on Thursday. Luckily my 2 favourite breeds, Standard Poodles and Vizslas were not on until Saturday and Sunday which enabled me to shop seriously and watch obedience without missing breed judging.

The Kennel Club's "Discover Dogs" was an excellent concept for the public. Every day 160 breeds of dog were on display with members of the breed clubs giving information and advice about their particular breed. I enjoyed meeting the Wirehaired Vizslas as I hadn't seen them before and I found them most appealing with their cute whiskery faces. Many other dog disciplines were displayed over the 4 days. Agility, Flyball, Gundog Work, Drug Detection, Lure Coursing, Canine Good Citizen and, Rescue Dog s are some I recall.

Photo: Cruft's Best Dog, Best of Breed and 3rd in Gundog Group
Gundogs were judged on Sunday, the last day. Vizslas, both smooth and wire, were judged by Mrs Sheila Gray who breeds both types under the kennel name Abbeystag. From an entry of 148, Mrs Gray selected Ann and John Digby's Ch Nicael Russe By Alsziv for her Dog CC and Best of Breed and Stapley's Roytan Zealous for her Bitch CC. Gundog Best In Group Judge, Mrs Hilda Parkinson, selected Russe for her 3rd in Group placing and her comments about him were "..what a wonderful head and expression, excellent conformation and balance.". Watching the Vizsla place 3rd in the Group was a bonus. Russe was a very worthy specimen of the breed, performed well and was popular with the crowd. Having also won 2 Field Trials he recently became a full breed champion.

One of the youngsters in the International Junior Handlers final, from Malta I think, handled a Vizsla for her chosen breed. I wondered whose it was because it was a lovely dog but I didn't find out. On the Saturday the BOB Standard Poodle, also an outstanding dog, was awarded 3rd in the Non-Sporting Group so I was glad I had gone to Crufts the year that my chosen breeds had done so well.

Best in Show went to the Welsh Terrier and Reserve was the gorgeous Chow. Prior to Crufts I had never taken any interest in Chows but the reserve winner had great style, presence and personality and won many hearts. She resembled a big, cuddly teddy bear and along with many other spectators I would have liked to see her go BIS.

On the Monday after Crufts I said goodbye to the PAL tour people who were returning home and collected my hire car from Birmingham Airport Then I set off on my Standard Poodle mission and visited relatives and friends as well as breeders. After 3 more weeks in the UK I flew to the USA for 10 days followed by 5 days in New Zealand. I even saw some Vizslas at a big dog show in Chicago. Finally, I attended the Auckland shows over Easter held in perfect autumn weather. While there I enjoyed meeting the Vizlsa folk and their lovely, very promising Vizsla puppies. Then it was back to Sydney for a happy reunion with my husband and 2 of my dogs before the long drive back home.

Results:

• Digby's Ch Nicael Russe By Alsziv (Ch Alsziv Pasque - Sh Ch Russetmantle Ember) CC/BOB
• Barnard's Daxpack Seekin Cash (Szolnoki Aryek Of Pitswarren - Rainscote Russian Roulette At Daxpack) RCC
• Stapley's Roytan Zealous (Sh Ch Pitswarren Levi - Swanton Zest Of Roytan) BCC
• Jensterle's Helmlake Life At The Top With Dallandor (Hun & Int Ch Kilato-Teri Furge Mokany Of Helmlake - Helmlake Keeriener) RCC