door Karl DonvilLeuven 2007 gains over 25% of entries.
Yes indeed, even over 25% and the president was really proud. The total entry was 1231 dogs which is really good for a CAC show that usually attracts less dogs then a CACIB title show.
No less then 11 countries were present, even two dogs of Ukraine and two out of the USA.
One reason certainly is that dogs of less then 6 months of age can now be entered in the Baby class, which is a good training to a future show career. Especially CAC shows, which are a little cheaper then CACIB shows and have less competition to expect, are good shows to start a show career for a dog. Dogs entered in the Baby Class can not compete for the title of CAC.
Of course a class for this age is always very attractive for the public, especially in the main ring when one can see them all together running playful or clumsy around the main ring.
Besides that there is also an intermediate class for dogs between 15 and 24 months old, but that class doubles up with the open class that can be entered from the age of 15 months too. The Intermediate class is meant more for young dogs of big breeds that are more slowly maturing compared to small breeds or dogs who need to develop coat, which also can take some time. On the other hand it reduces the number of dogs in a class and makes it easier to win a class which is quit logical if there is less competition. This creates a psychological effect and can also be a reason why more exhibitors enter for a show.
But this is not the only possible reason for the success of this show. Although one would expect more local judges on a CACIB, here there was only one judge from Belgium to judge the Belgian Shepherds Mrs.Pollet, the wife of Mr. Pollet, our World famous judge and author of many books. Both are authorities with regard to the Belgian Shepherds and Shipperkes. She had only 8 dogs to breed. The 10 other judges were European judges, representing 8 nationalities. Mr.Balogh from Hungaria had 68 dogs on Saturday , all companion dogs while on Sunday he had 42 scenthounds. His compatriot Mr.Erdös had 82 dogs belonging to group 5, primitive and Nordic breeds on Saturday, 20 of them were Shiba Inu and this is comparatively a very high score for the breed. On Sunday he had 65 dogs, Retrievers and Waterdogs. Mrs Rosier from Switzerland had 78 dogs on Sunday, amongst them 28 Newfoundlanders and no less then 37 Bulldogs. But Saturday she had even more dogs, 82!, all Terriers, 33 of them were American Staffordshire Terriers. She was the best investment of the show ending up with 170 dogs to judge.
Mrs.Mach, also from Switzerland had all the varieties of Poodles and the Coton de Tulears to judge on Saturday and Group 2 dogs on Sunday. She ended up with 109 dogs in total.
Mrs.Muller, also out of Switzerland, had 48 entries on Saturday and 20 on Sunday.
Mr.Dostal from the Czech Republic had 75 dogs on Saturday and 81 on Sunday and was the second most successful judge of the show.Mrs.Witkowska from Poland had Terriers on Saturday (74) and Dachshunds (26) on Sunday, while Mr. Van den Bergh from Holland had 52 and 58 respectively. Mr.Jentgen from Luxemburg had the second highest single day score on Saturday when he judged Sheepdogs and 33 dogs on Sunday. The highest single day score was for Mr. Peper from Germany, who had 85 Companion dogs to judge on Saturday. On Sunday too he had a nice score with 60 dogs to judge. He was honored to judge BIS.
Not the usual cups for the Group winners here, a typical Belgian tradition, but Coffee machines for the runners up and an Inox Barbecue for the Best of Group. Every year again there is something else to win and this is one of the special attractions of this show. If you have a Top-winning dog in Belgium, you need in very short time an extra room to store all the cups and a maid to dust them all. That is the reason why more and more rosettes are given now, alike in other countries.
The Brabanthal is a dark hall as there are very few windows, but has lots of parking around and is easy accessible and very close to the biggest highway in Belgium. Although we had one of the warmer weekends of the very poor summer season, it was very comfortable inside with regard to temperature and air. The dogs didn’t suffer from the heath. The roof of the hall is very high and as there is not enough room to have a separate demonstration and main ring it turns it into one of the most quiet shows in Belgium. When you enter the halls you get the impression to be at the wrong address for a dog show. But once inside you enjoy the warm atmosphere and the friendly and cozy impression.
On Saturday Groups 1,3,5,7 and 9 were on term. It was the busiest day with 699 dogs. Mr. Dostal was indicated to chose the Best of Day. It was the Weimaraner Short Hair Ch.Unity Grey Classics Double Trouble owned by Lenaerts-Pilatus from Belgium. Mr.Erdös was honored to pick out the Best of Sunday. He was impressed by the quality of the Beagle Ch. Florreke Lighthouse Family bred and owned by Abrams-Dielens also from Belgium. It was not easy for Mr.Peper to pick out the ultimate winner of this show, but finally went for the Weimaraner.
I wonder if this success will be equaled next year or surpassed again. Anyway, the routine is there, that’s for sure and there is no doubt about the competence of the show team. Rendez-vous next year, same place, same weekend.
