It was an honour to be invited by Shiela Gussey in 2009 from BASC to be asked if I would like to be considered to judge some of the Gamekeepers classes at Crufts. My acceptance then had to go to the main Kennel Club Crufts committee for consideration. You can imagine my delight when I was accepted.
To give members some of the history of the event (by permission of BASC)
“Since the BASC took over the organisation and running of the Gamekeepers Ring at Crufts, this quite unique annual happening has almost nothing to do with Show Dogs!
It is about Working Gundogs, every dog is judged to the breed standard but major consideration is given to its appearance looks and conformation as a working gundog which has just finished a hard shooting season.This fact alone makes the class unique.
Historically, the Gamekeepers Ring is the oldest in the Show.In the early days it was also one of the busiest, it was recognised by Gamekeepers throughout the Country as one of the focal points of their year, signalling as it did the ending of another shooting season.
The Gamekeepers Association used to hold their annual general meeting at the show.Indeed at the former venue, at Earls Court in London the gamekeepers even had their own bar!Before the days of youth training schemes this was the place where budding gamekeepers would be interviewed, where jobs changed hands and new beat keepers were engaged.Today things have changed, television and the march of time has seen to that.
I am a Championship Show Judge and have had the privilege to judge many times at home and on the continent, mostly in Austria but am looking forward to judging this year in Italy.
To give members some of the history of the event (by permission of BASC)
“Since the BASC took over the organisation and running of the Gamekeepers Ring at Crufts, this quite unique annual happening has almost nothing to do with Show Dogs!
It is about Working Gundogs, every dog is judged to the breed standard but major consideration is given to its appearance looks and conformation as a working gundog which has just finished a hard shooting season.This fact alone makes the class unique.
Historically, the Gamekeepers Ring is the oldest in the Show.In the early days it was also one of the busiest, it was recognised by Gamekeepers throughout the Country as one of the focal points of their year, signalling as it did the ending of another shooting season.
The Gamekeepers Association used to hold their annual general meeting at the show.Indeed at the former venue, at Earls Court in London the gamekeepers even had their own bar!Before the days of youth training schemes this was the place where budding gamekeepers would be interviewed, where jobs changed hands and new beat keepers were engaged.Today things have changed, television and the march of time has seen to that.
I am a Championship Show Judge and have had the privilege to judge many times at home and on the continent, mostly in Austria but am looking forward to judging this year in Italy.