French Bulldogs at Crufts 2008

French Bulldog CC and Class Winners, Crufts 2008

Crufts is over for another year, and the Best of Breed winner is the simply stunning Ch. Birique Prinzessen JW – better known as “Sassi”. She was awarded this win by respected breeder/judge Dr. Christine Towner, and it is the icing on a career that has been nothing short of stunning.

Sassi is the UK’s top winning fawn bitch of all time, with 22 challenge certificates to her credit. She won Best of Breed at Crufts in 2004, and her triumphant return to the ring this year caps off a career that has also seen her win 5 UK Best in Shows. Her breeders and owners, Neil and Jacky Birks, of Birique French Bulldogs, have every right to be thrilled. Not only did they take the bitch challenge certificate, four of their other dogs placed or took first in their classes.

You can find the Birique French Bulldogs web page here.

Our friend Sue Case, of Epic French Bulldogs, was at Crufts and took a great big batch of photos. Sue’s photos of Sassi are in the slide display below, or view all of her Crufts photos full sized here. After the photos, I have a listing of the Crufts winners, which you can also find on the Midland and Northern Counties French Bulldog Club website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results – Crufts 06/03/08

Judge: Dr Christine Towner

BEST OF BREED
CH BIRIQUE PRINZESSEN JW
Bitch
| Owner: MR N J BIRKS

BEST PUPPY
FENITON FERGUSON
Dog
| Owner: MRS A JENKINS

DOG CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE
ACIREMA COLUMBUS TOMMYVILLE
Dog | Owner: MRS M BOOTLE

BITCH CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE
CH BIRIQUE PRINZESSEN JW
Bitch | Owner: MR N J BIRKS
RESERVE DOG CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE
BARON BERTY AT BREMARS
Dog | Owner: MRS J M MARSDEN
RESERVE BITCH CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE
ACIREMA LADY CHARMAINE
Bitch | Owner: MR P F & MR B KENDRICK & JONES

CLASSES

VETERAN – Dog
Entries: 3 Abs: 1
1st TRUHALI BLACK ICE OF OTTENSTOCK (MRS S STOCKS)
2nd INT CH GLENLEE NIGHT HAWK (MRS E KOZHEVNIKOVA)

SPECIAL PUPPY – Dog
Entries: 4 Abs: 0
1st FENITON FERGUSON (MRS A JENKINS)
2nd AGEANCOURT SWEET ROCKET (MRS K SMITH)
3rd TERRY LEIGH BOONE AVEC LABANJO (MRS C BURTON)
Res AGEANCOURT TOPS AT TOMMYVILLE (MRS L & MRS M BOOTLE & BONSALL)

SPECIAL JUNIOR – Dog
Entries: 9 Abs: 3
1st FRIEND DE LA PARURE (MR D FRIEND)
2nd TUCHOOS PORTHOS (MR G & MRS D PHILLIPS)
3rd RUOMYES BETE BLOND (MRS P W SEYMOUR)
Res AGEANCOURT MARCEL (MISS H ASKINS)
VHC TOMMYVILLE TEMPERENCE (MR A, MRS M & MRS D CUTTER, BOOTLE & RUMGAY)

YEARLING – Dog
Entries: 5 Abs: 0
1st BARON BERTY AT BREMARS (MRS J M MARSDEN)
2nd BIRIQUE WRIEGNMAKER (MR N J BIRKS)
3rd SHOEBRIDGE FRANCS (MR R & MRS J MAVRO-MICHAELIS)
Res KARCASAM DANCING BEAR AT HELDANSTOW (MR D & MRS H THOMAS)

POST GRADUATE – Dog
Entries: 13 Abs: 3
1st ACIREMA COLUMBUS TOMMYVILLE (MRS M BOOTLE)
2nd OCEAN FANTASY IZ PALEVY BULDOG [ATC AH01295RUS] (MRS M A LEBEDEVA)
3rd GLENLEE CHEYENNE AT SHEARDOWN (MR N R SPENCER)
Res TWINHOE BRIAN (MR C J BLAIR)
VHC TWINHOE RAMONE (MISS E THICK)

LIMIT – Dog
Entries: 10 Abs: 0
1st TOMMYVILLE TANTRUM AT TWINHOE (MR C J BLAIR)
2nd GLENLEE DANCING SHADOWS (MR G & MRS E DRUMMOND)
3rd BIRIQUE PRINZREGENT (MR N J BIRKS)
Res AGEANCOURT FOXGLOVE (MRS K SMITH)
VHC THE PHEASANT CHASER (MRS C HAMMOND)

OPEN – Dog
Entries: 10 Abs: 2
1st ABBEYMILL MR BOJANGLES (MRS L PARTRIDGE)
2nd CH FENITON FERGUS AT MORVERN JW SHCM (MS A & MRS A MCINNES & JENKINS)
3rd TOMMYVILLE TIMMY MCTIMONY (MRS M BOOTLE)
Res TOMMYVILLE TODHUNTER (MRS M BOOTLE)
VHC ELLIOTT DE LA PARURE [ATC AG00709BEL] (MRS FL LALLIARD)

VETERAN – Bitch
Entries: 2 Abs: 0
1st CH TOMMYVILLE TULIP OF GAIS (MRS M LE GALLAIS)
2nd SPANDAPA TANTO TIA (MISS A MITCHELL)

SPECIAL PUPPY – Bitch
Entries: 7 Abs: 0
1st RICCIBET MISS MINK (MR R E RICHARDSON)
2nd AGEANCOURT SOX (MR L & MRS A GIRLING)
3rd DAPLEDAN PARIS (MR A & MRS J CUTTER)
Res SENKRAH JUST AS HONEST (MR & MRS A W HARKNESS)
VHC REDMIST CRYSTAL MAZE VIA NKUNDE (MR S & MRS J COOK)

SPECIAL JUNIOR – Bitch
Entries: 12 Abs: 1
1st ACIREMA LADY CHARMAINE (MR P F & MR B KENDRICK & JONES)
2nd NOKOMIS LITTLE SNOW BEAR (MRS J KEATES)
3rd ACIREMA FLEURETTE TOMMYVILLE (MRS M & MR I BOOTLE & MOYE)
Res DEZINERLABEL ENDLESS SKY (AI) (MRS D & MS J MCKNIGHT-SMITH & MCKENZIE-MORTON)
VHC FAYLOUI AZURA (MR M & MRS VAILE)

YEARLING – Bitch
Entries: 11 Abs: 0
1st BIRIQUE WINNEROVA (MR N J BIRKS)
2nd CRINDLE’S FABERGE (MR B & MRS E WRIGHT)
3rd ABBEYMILL SHTOOM SHTOOM (MRS C A JOPLING)
Res CRINDLE’S PETITE FLEUR WITH AUDACIOUS (MS A STILL)
VHC SHOEBRIDGE GIENNOIS (MR R & MRS J MAVRO-MICHAELIS)

POST GRADUATE – Bitch
Entries: 14 Abs: 3
1st BIRIQUE WANNAGOTU ANASHELL (MR M & MRS K CONWAY)
2nd ROBOBULL SMEG (MRS C ROBERTSON)
3rd MADAINN HIGHLAND MYSTERY (MISS D & MR J MCAULEY & AITKEN)
Res VAGHNA OOPSA DAISY (D & G GAVAGHAN)
VHC MUGGSHOTTS BETTY BOOP (MRS BONSALL)

LIMIT – Bitch
Entries: 14 Abs: 3
1st NELLBANK GRACES SATIN BEAU (MRS L BANKS)
2nd NOKOMIS ENDLESS SUMMER (MRS J KEATES)
3rd DAMEJA LUCY LOCKET (MRS S MCKENNA)
Res BIRIQUE TCHARMED BY TOMMYVILLE (MRS M & MR N BOOTLE & BIRKS)
VHC FENITON RUBY TUESDAY (MRS J CRITCHLEY)

OPEN – Bitch
Entries: 13 Abs: 2
1st CH BIRIQUE PRINZESSEN JW (MR N J BIRKS)
2nd CH ACIREMA SEALED WITH A KISS (MR P F & MR B KENDRICK & JONES)
3rd PINK LADY JAZZY V MUPPY’S PLACE [ATC AG00731NLD] (MRS E J & MR F P DE BIE)
Res FENITON FRANCINE (MR D H TAYLOR)
VHC DAMEJA EQUINOXE (MRS S MCKENNA)

GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME – Bitch
Entries: 1 Abs: 0
1st NOKOMIS WHISPERING BREEZE (MRS I & MR R STANSFIELD)

 

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Groups that help owners who can't afford Veterinary care

Responsible pet owners are aware of the costs involved in caring for their pets, and do their best to provide the best Veterinary care possible. But what about those people who have suffered financial set backs – the people who’ve been laid off, or have lost their jobs, or who simply are on limited incomes? Their budgets might force them to choose between emergency care for a beloved cat or dog, or paying the rent. The following groups help the poor, the lower income, the elderly, women in shelter situations and those with limited incomes to cover health care costs on their pets. Some also provide low or no cost spay and neuters.

Almost all of them make worthy choices for those looking for charities to support.

Please feel free to add links to other groups in the comments section.

 

 

Thursday Thirteen

 

 

1. The Farley Foundation
http://www.farleyfoundation.org/welcome.html

The Foundation offers financial assistance to veterinary clinics in Ontario to help cover the cost of providing necessary veterinary care for pets belonging to seniors receiving the Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement or people with disabilities who receive the Ontario Disability Support Payment, and who cannot otherwise afford treatment for their pets.

 

 

2. American Animal Hospital Association
www.aahahelpingpets.org/home/

Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship.

 

 

3. Angels 4 Animals
www.Angels4Animals.org

Angels 4 Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian
angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need.

 

 

4. Care Credit
www.carecredit.com

A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. Care Credit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget.

 

 

5. Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/

The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.

 

 

6. Help-A-Pet
www.help-a-pet.org/home.html

Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion.

 

 

7. IMOM
www.imom.org

Dedicated to insuring that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.

 

 

8. The Pet Fund
thepetfund.com/

A registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost.

 

 

9. United Animal Nations
www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html

The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care.

 

 

10. PDSA UK
http://www.pdsa.org.uk/

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity, caring for more than 300,000 pet patients belonging to people in need. We provide free veterinary treatment to sick and injured animals and we promote responsible pet ownership.

 

 

11. RSPCA UK (Local Branches Only)
http://www.rspca.org.uk/

Many RSPCA animal welfare establishments also offer subsidised veterinary treatment (help with vet bills), neutering and microchipping in addition to pet care information and rehoming facilities.

 

 

12. UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills
www.petloversonline.co.uk/financial.htm

A listing of charities in the UK that can help with emergency veterinary expenses.

 

 

13. HandicappedPets.com
www.handicappedpets.com/Articles/help/

From time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal families that they give up a little more than they can afford.

 

 

 

 

..

 

 

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

 

 

Bullmarket SumoLeBull Pelshire, CD – Hammer

A tribute to Charlotte Creeley’s cantankerous little red headed boy. If ever an owner and dog were meant for each other, it was Charlotte and Hammer.

 

Bullmarket Sumolebull Pelshire, CD

 

November 22, 1994 to March 10, 2008

 

Goodbye, Hammer – you are missed

Shameless web host related grovelling – for a good cause

Dreamhost, in addition to being possibly the world’s hippest web hosting company (not to mention one of the greenest), is now offering a staggeringly generous referral bonus plan.

How generous?

Well, for every single person referred to them via our Promo Code who signs up, we receive an $82 bonus. Pretty cool, huh? Here’s something even cooler – we’re going to donate each and every referral bonus we earn to French Bulldog Village Rescue, and the Karen Krings memorial fund. Dream Host allows us to receive referral fees by paypal, and we in turn can donate them to FBV in the very same way.

So, here’s the deal.

Click the button below, and sign up for a year of hosting, using this promo code –

FROGHOSTING (this also gives you a bonus extra free domain name registration)

After you’re done, email me, and I’ll do a screenshot of our transfer of your referral fees to FBV. Full disclosure, baby!

Let me point out here that you’re not just doing the good and philanthropic thing by using Dreamhost. They are, bar none, of the most generous and fully featured web hosting plans on the market, at rock bottom prices (A full year of hosting, for $119.40 , with no transfer fees – and prices drop with every additional year). Plus, you can host UNLIMITED domains under one yearly account! I pay $119 per year, which hosts every single French Bulldog website I have, other than this one (and only because I’m too lazy to transfer over the entire mega gallery to a new site host).

Once you’re signed up, you’ll also be eligible for referral fees, which you in turn can donate to breed rescue or any other philanthropic cause you prefer (or just pocket it, I suppose).

Here’s their features list — don’t forget to sign up at http://www.dreamhost.com using promo code FROGHOSTING. From now on, you’ll see a button link to them in our sidebar. Consider them, when your hosting is up for renewal – the Frenchies will thank you for it!
Disk Storage at signup 500 GB
Automatically Increases Weekly By: 2 GB

Monthly Bandwidth at signup 5.0 TB
Automatically Increases Weekly By: 40 GB

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E-Mail Accounts (POP/IMAP) Unlimited
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Domains

Free Domain Registration (A $9.95 Value!) Yes
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Domains Hosted Unlimited
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WordPress, phpBB, Advanced Poll, ZenCart, MediaWiki, Joomla, Gallery, WebCalendar
Don’t forget to sign up at http://www.dreamhost.com using promo code FROGHOSTING.

Sometimes Things DO Change

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From The New York Times, March 10, 1929

Best in Show Judging Needs a Change

The point has been raised regarding the judging of best in show under the new regulations (the AKC is calling for). Accepted literally, they would require that a judge to officiate in that capacity would of necessity have on file with the license committee affidavits that he is competent to judge every one of the eighty-odd varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club.

As a matter of fact, the judge of best in show has to pass upon five dogs only. All his preliminary work has been cleared for him by experts in each breed.

It must be remembered, moreover, that a comparatively small number of breeds ever go to the top of the five variety groups. And in a big show it is unusual for a toy to be the final selection. It is fairly safe, therefore, to state that the judge of best in show will seldom have to consider representatives of other than the more popular breeds in various groups.

Taking the groups separately, the best of the sporting dogs is usually found among the beagles, greyhounds, pointers, setters, spaniels and wolfhounds. Of the working dogs those in the final running in the group are collies, great Danes, old English sheepdogs, doberman pinschers, Samoyedes and shepherds.

Today among the terriers, one customarily expects an airedale, a bullterrier, a cairn, a Sealy, Scottie, Kerry blue or schnauzer at the top.

Among the toys it is seldom that one can beat the winning peke or pom, while in the non sporting division the one to enter the final is more likely to be a Boston terrier, a bulldog or a French bulldog.

An earlier article from the same edition of the paper illustrates the dramatic difference between then and now in sheer numbers of shows held and dogs registered.

Mass of Detail Passes Through AKC Office

During the year 1928, 568 championships, including those won at field trials, were awarded. A total of 261 bench (or conformation) shows were held in 1928, with member clubs holding 104 shows.

Compare these figures with today’s shows, where shows are held every weekend in every state, but a French Bulldog winning Best in Show rarely happens more than a half dozen times per year.

With the dramatically small number of shows and championships in the 1920s, it becomes even more surprising that French Bulldogs are singled out as receiving a significant number of Group and Best in Show wins.

Apparently, some things really do change with time.