Scottish Dogs Of the Past
Show Champion
Wiljana Waterfall
(Sire: Sh Ch Bitcon Troubador x Dam: Sh Ch Lennoxgrove Rag Doll)
Reserve Best in Show CRUFTS 2000
11 CC, 9 BOB, 8 Res CC, JW, G2, G4
Best Puppy CRUFTS 1998
BIS Cocker Spaniel Club 1998
Claire was born on 31 January 1997. She was one of a litter of 5 and this was her mother’s first litter. She always showed potential and attended her first show (Tay Valley Gundog) at the age of 7 months and won the minor puppy class. At her first Championship Show she also won the minor puppy bitch class and throughout her puppy career she was only beaten in her class once – by her half sister!
She won her first CC at 14 months and gained her title at 18 months in style by winning BIS at the Cocker Spaniel Club. By the end of 1998 Claire had gained 5 CC, 4 BOB, 5 Reserve CC, G2 and JW. 1999 was another successful year for Claire gaining a further 5 CC, 4 BOB, 3 Reserve CC & G4.
Claire’s win at CRUFTS 2000 was magical and an experience I will never forget. Since then Claire has turned her hand to motherhood and successfully reared a litter of 7 puppies. She is an exceptional dog. In the show ring she never let you down. At home she is very easy to live with, always willing to please and never expects a lot. Perhaps a once in a lifetime dog!
Reproduced by kind permission of Miss Pamela Halkett
Show Champion
Lynwater Dawn Shimmer
(Sire: Sh Ch Lynwater Tiger Moth x Dam: Night Escapade of Lynwater)
Gundog Group Winner CRUFTS 1994
12 CC’s, 6 BOB’s and numerous Res CC’s.
The Mental Orange and White!
Dawn was the result of many years dedicated breeding and a little out cross. Her sire was Lynwater Tiger Moth, a light blue dog who himself won a reserve CC. Her dam was Night Escapade of Lynwater bred by Mr Eric McLean and given to Elizabeth. A big baby, she was by far the biggest in the litter and she took her time to refine down out of her puppy fat. Not a 6 months winner, but by the time she was 9-10 months her shape was once again emerging and ironically one of her first BOB’s was awarded at Tay Valley Gundog Association by Pamela Halkett.
She won a couple of classes as a pup at Championship shows, but gained her break at East of England Championship show under Mrs Jackie Marris-Bray with her first CC and BOB at 12months 2 weeks. The following week was Leeds Championship show under judge Mrs Anne Webster, Dawn gained her 2nd CC.
Leicester followed and using the top of the cage (with a towel) as a table, upon lifting her down to enter the ring she caught a nail in the mechanics of the cage and ripped off the entire nail. She was rushed to the vet who could only bandage it up and hope it would grow back. Well grow back it did and at 14 months she gained her crown from Mrs Jean Gillespie at Richmond.
Dawn gained 7 CC’s before retiring on maternal duties producing a nice litter of 7 pups of which 2 were retained for show and a couple went abroad.
We made the trip at the start of 1994 down to South Wales and Monmouthshire Cocker Club (for a run out before Crufts) but had car trouble and thanks to the AA we finally made the show, but Dawn had unfortunately missed her class. The following week was the trip to Crufts, always difficult, as we show other breeds and I show in other groups, i.e. other days. We fortunately had no male dogs to show that year, so we could concentrate on the bitches.
When you win the Limit class with Lynwater Diamonds Forever you really don’t expect to do very much in Open, but Dawn won the class and went on to win the CC. The reserve CC was awarded to Quettadene Mystique who was second in the Open class. Then you realise being short listed for the group you’re going to be on television!
When you see the Cream of the Gundogs breeds beside you, you just feel thankful to be with them. When it’s down to 2 dogs (not 4 as now-it was a long time ago), to get reserve is brilliant, but when you win the Group at Crufts, it’s unbelievable!
Dawn went on to win 4 more CCs that year with BOB at Richmond and short listed in the Group. She won numerous Reserve CCs throughout her show career and has produced some lovely pups, the last litter had 2 Reserve CC winners -one going onto be a Brazilian Champion and BIS winner.
Written By Mr D Todd and reproduced by kind permission of Mrs E MacLean