SHOW NEWS – Summer 2024
compiled by Melanie Thomas
I’ve compiled a report covering lots of shows that happened through the summer. I managed to attend a couple and asked our members to contribute to the other Championship Shows and Open Shows. Bolognese have had some brilliant results in the last few months by winning top accolades, group wins and top group placings. I’m proud to say that several of these top winning dogs come from my breeding and watching their success is fabulous. When compiling this report, I actually could not believe the hauls of awards and rosettes our members have won at individual shows. Such beautiful and colourfull rosettes along with money and lovely gifts. The pictures of the winning dogs and displays of awards are getting bigger and better than ever. I hope you enjoy all the lovely pictures from the shows this summer.
Top winning veteran Donocielo Seraphina has exceeded all expectations this season and has really represented our breed proudly in group rings. Top winning puppy Arkadian Alfredo Ferrari has moved into the junior class and continues to do well. Chris Thatcher was BOB at Bournemouth Championship show with Kobanyai Pelyhes Odin with Devonia. Chris has also had success at numerous Open Shows with Odin and his daughter Devonia’s Florence (Tia) who has achieved several group 1 in the Toy Puppy Group.
Hilary & Peter McArdle have recently brought out 2 imported puppies, just over 6-months old and they both moved well in the ring. Little White Wonder Jaguar At Phendelle, was awarded the Best Puppy at Richmond. Congratulations to The Donocielo Kennel who are so far running as Top Breeder Rare Breeds and Top Breeder for ALL Toy Breeds (ends 31st December 2024). Donocielo Michelangelo ‘Meko’ seams unstoppable by achieving 12 Best of Breeds on the road this summer, only giving way once, to his mother Seraphina at City of Birmingham Championship Show.
There has been lots of discussion on dwindling entries at show and this is unfortunately continuing to affect Bolognese entries along with many other breeds. There is a longer report (with pictures) on the website for Windsor & Richmond, so please follow the link to read or visit www.bolognesedogclubuk.co.uk.
Three Counties Championship Show 8th June 2024
Border Union Championship Show 15th June 2024
Our judge at Border Union in Scotland was Kelly Hampton Lee. Five exhibitors made it to this show with BOB going to Donocielo Michelangelo. Our veteran winner Donocielo Seraphina also won Toy Veteran Group 4 at this show. Diane Whateley said, “we were very lucky with the weather at Border Union Championship Show. Our team did us proud again, especially in the Any Variety Rare Breed Toy, Working, Pastoral and Utility where Dino (Arkadian Alfredo Ferrari) was Best Puppy Dog, Best Dog and Best Opposite Sex despite slipping his lead in the ring. His Dad Enzo (Lyckalotte Enzo Ferrari at Arkadian) took 1st Open Dog and Reserve Best Dog”. CLICK HERE for full results
Blackpool Championship Show 21st June 2024
The same 5 exhibitors traveled to Blackpool where our judge Mrs Vanessa Williams-Wegmann also found her BOB in Donocielo Michelangelo. CLICK HERE for full results
Windsor Championship Show 30th June 2024
report from Melanie Thomas
I enjoyed my day out at Windsor, it was a perfect day for a show and easy for me to get there. We were able to use the outside part of the rings. It was benched, so no stress finding somewhere to settle and lots of spare room. I took Lily with me (she is 13 and going strong), I had to pay £10 for Lily, but they told me the money goes to Battersea Dogs Home, so that’s a good thing. The ring wasn’t very smooth in places, so some of the dogs were skipping a bit over the stubbly grass. I was met by Bette Hopkins who was returning from the Toy & Utility Brace Stakes where she had come 2nd with Bijou and Alba. Bette won £15 in prize money and had a big smile on her face. I posted My Day Out at WINDSOR DOG SHOW 2024 on the club website just after the show whilst everything was fresh in my memory. Click the link to read the story and see more pictures and the winners. CLICK HERE for results
Boston Championship Show 4th July 2024
Bette Hopkins was at Boston with Bijou & Alba Bette reported, “well I ended up with a goodly haul from Boston and DCS Championship Show but classes were small and the results speak of that. Anyway, my girls did their best as they almost always do with two firsts in the Breed Class and a first and second in Rare Breeds, with Bijou as Reserve Best Bitch in the Rare Breeds . The Cotons seem unbeatable in Rare Breeds as they look so beautifully groomed compared with their scruffy cousins the Bolognese. Do the judges not realize that presenting a Bolognese in its natural coat takes at least as much care and attention? I compare it with designer stubble and a long beard – good designer stubble takes as much maintenance, surely, as a great long beard?
That said, It was a good day out and a very well run smaller Champ Show”. CLICK HERE for results
Leeds Championship Show 26th July 2024
At Leeds, our judge was Hayley McCallum-Sealy, CLICK HERE for results
Paignton Championship Show 3rd August 2024
Maria Beattie brought her young male Bolognese Devonia’s Ancona to Paignton for his first show and qualified him for Crufts, so she had a good day. Our judge at Paignton was Mr Ian Sidgwick CLICK HERE for results
Bournemouth Championship show 11th August 2024
Chris Thatcher was thrilled with her results at Bournemouth saying, “A lovely day at Bournemouth Championship Dog Show, weather just about perfect, company great and despite a rather long wait to actually show we were lucky enough to attain the double. Father Odin, (Kobanyai Pelyhes Odin with Devonia) and daughter Tia, Devonia’s Florence, Best Puppy. My thanks to the Judge Rob McLeod (Dunline) for thinking so highly of my little show team. My thanks also to Tibor Andrejcsik for entrusting Odin into my care“.
Welsh Kennel Club Championship show 18th August 2024
In Wales the Bolognese judge was Mr Tom Mather. Diane Whateley reported, “It has rained all afternoon at Welsh Kennel Club Championship show. Despite that we’ve had a good day with 3 entered in Any Variety Rare Breeds and 4 in the Breed classes. Our star today was Amy who won Best Bitch”.
City of Birmingham 30th August 2024
This show was attended by Hilary McArdel who achieved RBB with Phendelle Eida Avril May and BP with Little White Wonder Jaguar At Phendelle. Bette Hopkins was 1st in the Good Citizen class with Lyckalotte Elegante Athena. Best junior was Arkadian Alfredo Ferrari owned by Mark & Diane Whateley. BOB went to Donocielo Seraphina from the Veteran class and Best Opposite sex to Dennis & Carol Mulligan’s Donocielo Michelangelo. What an achievement to say that Donocielo Seraphina went on the win the Toy Veteran Group at this prestigious show. The Bolognese judge was Mr D Smith.
Dennis Mulligan said, “at the City of Birmingham our wonderful girl Donocielo Seraphina left us absolutely gobsmacked. At the age of 10 years old she won BB, BOB and won the Toy Veteran Group”. Donocielo were showing 3 generations at this show, Seraphina, her son Meko and his son Mattia. To say we are over the moon with Seraphina’s result would be an understatement“.
CLICK HERE for City of Birmingham results
Richmond Championship Show 8th September 2024
Report from Melanie Thomas
This is another reasonably local show for me and this year it will be one I will remember for a couple of reasons. The weather leading up to Richmond Dog Show had been horrendous and reports were coming back from exhibitors on previous days that the conditions were muddy, trolleys had been sliding over and people were having to be towed out of the car parks. Toy day was Sunday, the last day, so I was worried, but decided to risk it as I don’t enter many shows and Harry my dog was looking good. Interestingly, I didn’t go to this show last year as there was a heat wave!
Hilary & Peter McArdle brought out their 2 imported puppies, just over 6-months old and they both moved in the ring for their first show. Diane & Mark Whateley brought father & son duo Enzo & Dino. Deana Mee qualified Molly May for Crufts with a 3rd place in Open Bitch (although she meant to enter her in Post Graduate).
Best of Breed was Dennis & Carol Mulligans Donocielo Michelangelo, Best Bitch Phendelle Eida Avril May and Best Puppy Little White Wonder Jaguar At Phendelle. Best Veteran was Donocielo Seraphina who went on to be awarded 2nd in the Toy Veteran Group under Paul Harding. CLICK HERE for results
Click the link to find out more with pictures and results My Day Out at RICHMOND Dog Show 2024
Darlington Championship Show 14th September
Our judge at Darlington was Mr W BROWNE-COLE and he awarded BOB to Dennis & Carol Mulligan’s Donocielo Michelangelo and Best Bitch to Donocielo Seraphina from the Veteran Class. However Mark & Diane Whateley were pleased that their girl Belstown Beloved Amee at Arkadian (Amy) won Open Bitch and was Reserve Best Bitch. CLICK HERE for results
North East Toy Dog Championship Show
The show was held at Newcastle Racecourse and it had rained the night before and the whole show had to be moved inside at the last minute. The Committee worked hard to make it enjoyable for everyone.
Diane Whateley had a good day at North East Toy Dog saying, “this was the first time the show was held as a Championship Show. We were delighted when breed specialist, Daphne Watson, found her BOB and BPIB in our Arkadian Alfredo Ferrari (Dino)”.
OPEN SHOWS
Horley & District 25th August 2024
Report from Melanie Thomas
I met Mark & Diane Whateley at Ardlingly Show Ground, leading up to the show it had been raining really heavily, but thank goodness, it cheered up and dried up! I didn’t stay till the end, but apparently it got a bit chilly. This was a Premium Open Show and really well attended. It was a brilliant day for Bolognese as our BOB Lyckalotte Enzo Ferrari at Arkadian (Enzo) won the toy group under Richard Forsythe (Richpin). He was also 2nd AV Open Rare Breeds under Nicola Foster and 2nd in Horley AV Open Stakes under Derfel Owen. They had a Reserve BOB group at the show and Arkadian Alfredo Ferrari (Dino) won this group too! My goodness, you should of seen the haul of rosettes Mark & Diane took home.
Diane said, “We entered Horley and District Premier Open thinking we could combine it with a trip to the seaside. It was a lovely and very well run show. It started off sunny and warm but got colder and windy in the afternoon. It was great to meet up with Melanie and Amy’s brother Harry. We had only entered Enzo and his son Dino who both did extremely well”.
Bournemouth Open Show
This show is held before the championship show on the same venue. Lyckalotte Enzo Ferrari at Arkadian (Enzo) was 1st in Open, Best of Breed and shortlisted in the Toy Group.
Thame and Oxfordshire Premier Open Show 17th July 2024
Diane Whateley reported that the show had been moved inside the equestrian center and the ground was terribly waterlogged. Judge John Green awarded BOB to Lyckalotte Enzo Ferrari at Arkadian (Enzo) and BPIB to Arkadian Alfredo Ferrari. Later in the group the same judge gave Dino Toy Puppy Group 3.
Derbyshire County Show 23rd June 2024
from Mark Whateley
An amazing day at Derbyshire County Show. It was very hot but we all stayed in the shade of the gazebo with a fan and plenty to drink. Our team of Enzo, Amy and Dino exceeded our expectations by getting RESERVE BEST RARE BREED IN SHOW and BEST RARE BREED PUPPY IN SHOW.
The following few reports are from Chris Thatcher
Exeter & County Canine Society 14th September 2024
from Chris Thatcher
What a fantastic day today at Exeter & County Canine Society Open Show. Bolognese Classes for a change. Odin aka Kobanyai Pelyhes Odin with Devonia Best of Breed. Tia aka Devonia’s Florence. 1st Post Graduate, Best Puppy and Reserve Best of Breed. To top it all Tia had Puppy Group 1. (the second this year). Thanks to Judge Mark Elliott for thinking so highly of my home bred little girl. Thanks to the Society for a well organised show and for the Puppy Group 1 gift.
Newton Abbot & South Devon Canine Society 31.08.24
from Chris Thatcher
Another super day yesterday this time at Newton Abbot & South Devon Canine Society Open Show. No breed classes so AVNSC Graduate and Open Classes. Tia, Devonia’s Florence 1st in A strong Graduate class and best Puppy AVNSC and Obi, (Amy’s Bolognese) Devonia’s Anzio 1st and overall best AVNSC. Judge was Chris Toynton (Merrybriar). Tia went on to receive Group 3 Toy Puppy Group. My thanks to the Judge for thinking so highly of our rare breed.
North Devon Canine Association 24.08.24
from Chris Thatcher
Another great day in the showring for Odin (Kobanyai Pelyhes Odin with Devonia) at North Devon Canine Association no Bolognese classes today so AVNSC. Odin had best AVNSC and then went on to receive Toy Group 2. My thanks to our Judge Mr. Mike Beater (Starforth) for appreciating our lovely rare breed. Congratulations to all other winners.
Wiveliscombe and District Canine Society 27.07.24
from Chris Thatcher
A real summers day today. Wiveliscombe and District Canine Society 2 day open show. Lovely company and thanks for sharing your Gazebo Amy without it we would have got rather sunburnt. The star of the day for me was my 8 month old naughty puppy Tia, who won a strong Graduate AVNSC class and then went on to win Best AVNSC. The crowning glory was a Puppy Group 1 win. Back tomorrow for BPIS. My thanks to Steve Bennett (Gheluvelt) for thinking so highly of Devonia’s Florence. Thank you to the committee for such a well run friendly show. One of my favourites of the year.
Totnes & District Canine Society 31.08.24
from Chris Thatcher
Great day out at Totnes & District Canine Society Open Show. Odin (Kobanyai Pelyhes Odin with Devonia) best AVNSC and Tia (Devonia’s Florence) Best puppy AVNSC and Puppy group 3. Thanks Vikki for showing Tia in the group ring. My thanks to the Judge Mr. C. Van De. Burght (Norvank) for his placings. A thoroughly enjoyable social day out with great company.
Westbury & District Canine Society 15.09.24
from Chris Thatcher
At this show the Bolognese judge was Gillian Taylor and there were 3 exhibitors who had entered 6 dogs. BOB went to Odin and Best Puppy to his daughter Tia. It was a lovely enjoyable show, just like going to a garden party, but with dogs!
