by Frank Stevens
IN MEMORIAM: Champion Greenfield’s Celtic Legend June 1999 – June 2005.
More than a dog show, Crufts is a spectacular, magnificent, colossal dog happening. Set at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, England, it is without a doubt the greatest and most internationally diverse dog event in the world. Agility, obedience, tracking, herding, drill teams, rescue dogs, dancing dogs, miles of canine art, jewelry, and artifacts and “oh yes” full conformation competition in every breed known to mankind. The majority of those in attendance appear to be happy just to be present, with or without a four-legged friend, regardless of whether or not they win one of those uniquely embossed ribbons with the green border. It seems to be a gala reunion after the winter months, which gives the dog world a jump start to the forthcoming show season. Maybe the fact that it’s the dog show to end all dog shows means the feeling of actually being present outweighs the desire to win. How else can you explain an entry of over 22,000 dogs and human attendance averaging 120,000 for four days?
For me in my initial visit, the opportunity to attend and compete with a magnificent dog and win both the Breed and Group Third was memorable. The Airedale entry of 92 was outstanding –– fully comparable to our best American shows. British and European Airedales are larger and more statuesque but otherwise quite similar to US dogs. When shown they are repeatedly sparred and allowed to naturally stack themselves. Generally in the lower classes as in the U.S., the dogs are handled by their breeder-owners. In the open class where the British and foreign champions are shown, most of the handlers are professionals. To obtain a Certificate of Championship, a foreign champion must first win the Open Dog Class and then win what in America would be the Winners Dog. The same procedure is used for judging the bitches with the Best of Breed being a two dog competition between the Winners Dog and the Winners Bitch.
The rings were large and rectangular, beautifully carpeted and well set off from the crowds. Our judge, Ingela Nilsson from Sweden, after her examination moved each dog in a huge triangle to check the gait down, back and on the go-around and then sparred each entry both individually and collectively with the other competitors. The crowd surrounding the ring was huge, 10 to 12 deep, but not as cramped or congested as at Westminster. Crufts is a bench show so all the competitors remained on site throughout the day, kibitzing with the crowd and fellow Airedalers in an endless exchange of dog-related small talk. The Airedale ring and benching area was spacious, well laid out, and consistent with the overall show set-up – extremely dog-friendly with easy access to loading ramps and parking. The presentation of the awards and ribbons to the winners was a bit more formal but still exciting and the television crews and photographers from Britain, the Continent, and the U.S. were everywhere. Later in the evening of the same day before a crowd of thousands in a huge arena attached to the complex, although a good city block away, the terrier group was judged with full coverage by the BBC. The Brits must have been watching because everywhere we went Erik was recognized and called by name. Yes, he was a real celebrity.
In the Crufts terrier group report in “Dog World”, the headline read: “It Was a Rout of the British Dogs” The article sadly proclaimed: “THE FOREIGNERS slaughtered the Brits in this year’s quality terrier group where the only saving grace was that at least the winner, Coco, the Norfolk terrier handled by American-based Peter Green, was home bred.” It also was reported that “an overseas visitor, an Airedale named Greenfield’s Celtic Legend had taken the spoils in Group 3 back to California from whence he came. Such an event would have been impossible just a few years ago, but with the changes in the ‘immigration laws’ have come opportunities for overseas ‘raiders’ to plunder our CC’s, Best of Breeds, Groups, and even the Best in Show itself.”
Such are the risks of free and open competition. The Brits however are to be commended for modernizing their quarantine procedures and giving the rest of the dog world access to this ,The World’s Greatest Dog Show. In the future, this “foreign invasion” will grow and this wonderful event will become even more competitive and international thus adding to The Magic that is Crufts.
Editor’s Note: Greenfield’s Celtic Legend (Erik) passed away suddenly of bloat at the Great Western Terrier Show. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved his presence in the ring. Our deepest sympathy to Frank.
Bloat can strike even the best cared-for dog. Readers are advised to learn its symptoms as immediate veterinary intervention is critical regardless of time of day. If your veterinarian is not available 24/7, please learn the location of an emergency vet clinic near your home and when you are traveling. The American Airedale is providing more information in an upcoming issue; we will see if we can get permission to reprint in this newsletter for our subscribers who do not receive that publication.