Well, what a fantastic day we all had at Middleton Park for our annual dog show last Sunday (24 July 2022). We started off in blazing sunshine and managed to get through four categories in the main arena before the heavens opened. Nevertheless, we battled on and finished the show judging the last three categories under the relative shelter of the bandstand.
Our judges for the day included Alan (Chair of Friends of Middleton Park), Sam and Meghan (Jollyes Pet Store), Caroline from the RSPCA (Leeds and Wakefield), and Claire Harris (Harris Hounds Dog Grooming, Beeston). There were beautiful dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds and personalities, from the very pretty and petite Chloe (a beautiful poodle with a pink bow in her hair and pink ears), to the powerful Hades, a huge Rottweiler, who although still quite young, was already one and half times my weight!
Competition was fierce and the judges really had their work cut out, and this was nowhere more obvious than in the ‘Loudest Bark’ category, where we heard Megan make her bid for first place by commencing yapping even before the judge entered the arena, and continued to yap (non-stop) until she received her well deserved first place rosette and certificate!
By the time the Waggiest Tail category was being judged the light drizzle we experienced earlier in the afternoon had turned into a real downpour, and a few of our competitors were clearly feeling less than exuberant. Ziggy (a 13 month old golden retriever) however, was definitely ‘in it to win it’ managing to sweep the legs of everyone huddling under the bandstand away from the rain before claiming a clear victory.
In spite of the weather, we all had a fabulous afternoon and each and every one of the competitors behaved impeccably, with the exception of Oscar that is, who decided to relieve himself in the middle of the arena, generating laughs and giggles all around and much embarrassment to his owner Lisa.
Huge thanks to the judges for giving their time free of charge to support the show, and extra special thanks to Sam at Jollyes Pet Store, Hunslet for their generous sponsorship of the event, including providing 80+ goody bags for attendees, £10 gift vouchers for the 1st in each category and a massive £50 voucher for Best in Show.
The Best in Show winner was Vienna, who also won the Most Obedient class.
Other class winners were:
- Handsomest Dog – Matthew
- Prettiest Bitch – Chloe
- Biggest Smile – Clementine
- Loudest Bark – Megan
- Waggiest Tail – Ziggy
- Kids Cuddliest Companion – Evie
This week (Sunday 31 July) Friends of Middleton Park present the Grange Moor Brass Band performing music from film scores and dance band melodies to popular classical and contemporary pieces. On the bandstand from 2:30-4:30pm with tea and cake served from the visitor centre.
Main photo: L-R Alan (Chair of FoMP), Elspeth, Sam (Jollyes), Caroline (RSPCA), Claire (Harris Hounds)
In the front – the beautiful Vienna and Meghan (Jollyes)
This post was written by Jennie Stones
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