par Karl DonvilEnding Runner-up in the Group and getting Best In Show? That’s only possible in Wieze, Belgium!
Every 5 years de show of Wieze is a CACIB. Not this year. But funny enough , there were hardly fewer entries then last year, when it was a CACIB show, 1334 compared to 1340.
Indeed a very nice score, knowing that a week later there is the famous Luxembourg show and another week later there is the Brabo show in Antwerp. Both shows aim for the very same public. But this show has always been very popular, a no-nonsense show, quiet, no special acts in the main ring and therefore no noise. Although the halls are no so big, there are no less than 3 beer taps. No wonder if you know that in these very same halls, the famous Octoberhalls, the famous beer festival of Wieze are held every year. And as one doesn’t need to be near the ring the whole day, you can sit at one of the tables and have a few pints. Maybe this is the reason why this show is a hit for most exhibitors.
Pretty much judges were invited, no less than 22! This is much as it results only in averagely 30 dogs per judge per day. The 10 Belgian judges filled out the breeds that were not judged by the guest- judges. Mr.O’Brian from Ireland judged the Collies and some Companion breeds on Saturday and ended with 61 dogs in his ring. On Sunday he could do a lot more relaxed with only 32 dogs to judge. His compatriot, Mr.Oates had no less than 77 dogs on Saturday, all out of the Primitive and Sighthound Group. On Sunday het 69 dogs out of Group 2. He thus ended as the best foreign investment for the committee of the Club.
With 87 dogs from the Primitive and Companion Group, Mr.Machetanz from Germany scored the record for one day. On Sunday he had 54 Terriërs . Mr.Van Montfoord from Holland had 64 dogs to judge on Saturday and 52 on Sunday. On Saturday the 27 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and the 23 French Bulldogs were responsible for his nice score. On Sunday he only had twee breeds, the Newfoundlanders, with 23 specimen and the Leonbergers who numbered 29. Mr.Wieldraaijer, also from Holland, confined himself on Saturday to Shepherd breeds and ended up with 63 dogs. On Sunday the Swiss Shepherds were for his account and thanks to the 38 Bernese Mountaindogs he could end the day with 43 dogs judged.
Mrs.Delabelle from Belgium was asked to judge part of the Sighthound group and therefore judged only on Saturday. Thanks to breeds like the 24 Afgan Hounds and 16 Salukis she had a pretty busy day with 65 dogs to judge. On Sunday two British Specialist judges were invited. Mrs.Norris was asked to only judge the English Bulldogs and could attract 53 of them. Mrs.Woodcock seemed to be extremely popular amongst Golden Retriever exhibitors as no less than 55 turned up to be judged by her.
It is no longer news that Wieze has a very special title to give. But if we need to very happy with this? A kind of BIS title is given to the Best Dog in Show and to the Best In Show Bitch, Hopkeizer and Hopkeizerin respectively. Out of those two the BIS is chosen. Because the normal judging doesn’t take the sex of the dog into account, this results usually into the most confusing situations. That was the case in past years, but this year it really looks ridiculous. The Little Lion Dog that was judged by Mr.Machetans for Best of Group ended on the 3th place, behind the Papillon and the Cavalier. But she was Best Bitch of her group as the Papillon and Cavalier were dogs. Later on that day, she was judged by Mr.Deschuymere and chosen Best Bitch of that day. The Saluki, who is placed 2nd in the group by Mrs.Delabelle, behind the Afgan Hound, a bitch, is chosen Best Dog by Mr.Deschuymere. Nevertheless both dogs end on top of the podium on Saturday, and this while being beaten in their groups. As if this is not enough, both dogs are competing with the Best Bitch and Best Dog of Sunday. The Bitch is the Small Munsterlander who ended 3rth in Group. The Dog, on the other hand is a Groupwinner, the Lakeland terrier . Precisely because Mr.Deschuymere , asked to judge Hopkeizer , Hopkeizering and Best In Show, is free to chose what he likes and not forced to follow the other judges, we can end up with a totally incredible final result. The Saluki ends as BIS and Hopkeizer and the Little Lion Dog as Hopkeizerin.
I keep on repeating that this totally illogical. What about the Afgan Hound who did beat the Saluki and the Papillon and Cavalier, who scored better in the group than the Little Lion Dog? The reason or this confusing situation is that dogs and bitches are judged together and that for the finals they are suddenly split up and judged apart. If this system is applied correctly, dogs and bitches must be judged separately from the start on. This situation goes on since many years and even creates sometimes quarrel, but nothing is done to solve this situation. One thing is sure, the winning dogs were Best of Breed and absolute topdogs, otherwise Mr.Deschuymere wouldn’t have chosen them. And It doesn’t affect the charm of the show. We come here since many years and will keep on coming for many years, whether this system changes or not. For the exhibitors it is interesting anyway as until the very finals you can still have a chance to win. Excitement and suspense guaranteed! Be there next year on may 15 and 16 for another CAC to win.
