SEA 1st Virtual Dog Show

By Harriet Lacey

One of the best things, in my opinion, about having a dog, is the social aspect. Making new friends, being part of a like-minded community and feeling that sense of belonging when around those who share our passion for pups, is something that is quite wonderful.

When lockdown was enforced across the UK and many other countries around the world, that social element was lost. Group walks, play dates and dog shows around the world have been put on hold, and many of us, myself included, long for these to return. So what better way to satisfy the itch than with a Virtual Dog Show?!

The Southern Eurasier Association (SEA) took up the challenge, and lots of our members joined in the fun. In doing so, we raised money for The Mayhew; an animal welfare charity that aids people and their animals both in the UK and overseas, and helps with the rescue, adoption and veterinary care of our beloved companion animals.

With 10 competitive classes, and an extra, non-competitive class to remember those now with us in spirit, there was something for everyone in this fun-filled event; and the SEA members did not disappoint! The entries came pouring in and our judge, multi-breed expert and Eurasier-enthusiast, Christina Chapman, had a tough job on her hands.

The show was split into two, a “Breed Show” and a “Fun Show”. The Breed Show sported ‘Puppy’, ‘Open Dog’, ‘Open Bitch’ and ‘Veteran’ classes, while the Fun Show celebrated ‘Waggiest Tail’, ‘Best Movement’, ‘Fancy Dress’, ‘Biggest Smile’, ‘Biggest Goofball’ and ‘Best Pack’. Our final, non-competitive class was ‘Rainbow Bridge’, where we simply revelled in the love for our dogs and remember those who may have left this earth, but will never leave our hearts.

In the Breed Show, entrants were requested to submit both a headshot and full-body profile image of their dogs. Based on the Eurasier breed standard, (which you can find here, places were selected, and the results came in…

PUPPY: Christina: “Some very promising puppies here.”

1^st: River (Darchen Red River Rebel; 6 months; male) – What a super head shot and lovely alert expression, super dark eye & good pigment. In stance, absolutely right for age, nicely proportioned and Oh so promising.

2^nd: Vienna (Pacific Coast Vienna Wolfsong Dignity of Lakota; 6 months; female) – Yet again a lovely head and expression, dark well-set eyes, & good pigment. Looks good in stance for age, again a promising puppy.

3^rd: Ludo (Darchen Kipawa; 11 months, male) – Well grown outline; fine for age, just a tad 'bum high' Head & expression very pleasing, good dark eyes and nice smile. Should have a good future.

OPEN DOG:

1^st: Arnold (GCh Naku’s Major Dutch Shaefer; 5 years) – Impressive looking male, rich colour, well-proportioned throughout and super head and expression; good, dark well-shaped eyes and well-set ears.

2^nd: Bel Ami (Bel Ami von der Traunseebahn; 4 years) – And really good-looking dog, great colour and markings looks well made through. Another really good head and expression.

3^rd: Gustav (Alphacanis Gustav; 2 years 3 months) – Yet another very good, well-proportioned head and expression, good eye and pigment. Looks good in stance just a little leggy at the moment, which you would expect at his age.

OPEN BITCH:

1^st: Skye (Jolene Skye von der Wolfswiesen; 3 years) – Beautiful feminine head and expressive dark eyes. In stance looks to be in lovely condition and well proportioned. Great outline.

2^nd: Della (Albionspitz Tanzanite; 5 years) – Looks good standing with nice proportions, good depth of chest. Pretty head and expression, super dark eyes and lovely smile close up to 1.

3^rd: Holly (Fridlyckans Holly; 6 years) – Another who looks very good in stance with nice proportions and good dark eye & pigment. Just not quite the expression of those above.

VETERAN: Christina: “Lovely class.”

1^st: Bubbles (Buffspike Bubblicious Beat; 13 years; female) – Beautiful head with an expression that says, seen it and done it all. The wisdom of the ages.

2^nd: MishkaBoots (Cewpark Creamy Chiffon; 12 years; female) – Lovely head and expression, so elegant and poised.

3^rd: Kyra (Willowfalls Misty Dawn; 11 years; female) – Gorgeous colour, lovely head and a quite mischievous expression.

The first two of our Fun Show classes required video entries: Waggiest Tail and Best Movement.

WAGGIEST TAIL:

Arguably one of the best physical features in our lovely Eurasiers is their big fluffy tails! Our happy-go-lucky pups sure know how to show them off when they’re in their highest moods. The placings are sure to make you smile…

1^st: Jazmine – 91 wags per minute

2^nd: Lux – 90 wags per minute

3^rd: Luca – 89 wags per minute

Christina: “So only 2 wags between them, but highly delighted to see so many lovely happy dogs.”

BEST MOVEMENT:

According to the breed standard, the Eurasier “moves with strides of moderate length. Straight coming and going.” The art of good movement falls in a well-balanced dog. (Read more about what makes a dog balanced here:) Therefore, the fact that Christina struggled with this class in particular, is fantastic! (Sorry, Christina!) A very good sign for our breed. “This was a difficult choice, as I didn’t see a bad mover anywhere. Places were separated by small degrees.”

1^st: Luca – Really driving so well off his hocks, good front to match and looked so, so easy in profile.

2^nd: Lux – Only 8 months old, but so sound and positive for age; just had to have this place.

3^rd: Gustav – Very good rear action, enough drive, sound in front, and easy profile stride.

Our remaining four competitive classes were guaranteed to brighten your day.

FANCY DRESS:

1^st: Blue Thor – A lovely Reindeer but the expression says to me: 'For goodness sake Mum how long does Christmas last???'

2^nd: Annie – The jester – pretending to be a Jack in the Box.

3^rd: Gabriella – Not a happy bunny, guess the Saints lost? 

BIGGEST SMILE: Christina: “I loved this class.”

1^st: Isha – Not so much a smile as a LOL!!! Sure this is a laugh ...

2^nd: River – Showing off lovely clean teeth with a gorgeous smile.

3^rd: Timber – The kind of smile an older ‘wise’ dog saves for puppies.

  

BIGGEST GOOFBALL:

1^st: Lumen – Although I am not a fan of inbreeding I do think this is a good example of an 'In Bread' dog!!

2^nd: Grietje – Was this an audition for a part in 'The Exorcist?'

3^rd : Ty-Ohni – Obviously wants to change breeds and be a 'boxer!'

 

BEST PACK: Christina: “I also have to comment that had I actually been with the dogs, I would have checked every one in every photograph to see if there was 'Blu-tack' on their paws!!!”

1^st: Fridlyckans Danish Delight, Glimma, Holly, Karma-Lily & Love Bug Lux – Gorgeous looking group and looked very well matched too. Plus I couldn't resist the little one in the middle.

2^nd: Timber’s Puppies – Ooohh I wish this had been the ones the Judge could take home.

3^rd: Arnold, Winnie & Hildy –  So lovely and looked very much a typey bunch but I think a little too well behaved to be true!!! 

And finally, our non-competitive class, Rainbow Bridge. I share this quote from author and Reike Master, Dr. Elizabeth S. Eiler: “There are spiritual guardians at all the transitional places in our mysterious multidimensional Universes. The precious sacred souls of animals are created to beautifully traverse these regions when their bodies are no more upon the Earth.”

Our dogs are all stars, both in the current life and the afterlife. We use this class to celebrate the light they bring to our lives, and remember the love we will always have for them.

To wrap up the SEA Virtual Show, both the Breed Show and Fun Show had overall winners.

Our Best in Fun Show is Lumen, our “in-bread” (or is he “pure-bread”?) Eurasier.

Our Best of Breed is the ever-handsome Arnold!

All those who placed received their very own SEA Virtual Show coasters, and our Best in Show winners received personalised versions.

Thanks to all of your fantastic 130+ entries, we have raised a minimum of £218 for Animal charity The Mayhew! This is a huge amount, so thank you to each and every one of you for your generosity.

Special thanks go to Brigitte Mordan-Grimm and Peter Mordan, who sponsored the prizes for the show; to Jon and Hilary Cowdock, who worked behind the scenes designing and ordering the coaster prizes, and then having them sent to all the entrants who placed; the SEA Committee for allowing and encouraging the show to go ahead; our fantastic judge, Christina Chapman, for being such a good sport; and of course, to all of our lovely members who entered, made the show a success, and helped to raise so much money for The Mayhew.

Comments from our judge, Christina: “Well now the results have been posted I can comment. First, if not too late, a complaint about a certain Brigitte!!! First she asks 'Will you Judge our Show?' 'Yes, love to!' I replied. Then she says 'It will be easy!!!' SHE LIED ..........! Seriously folks this was extremely hard, which is why it took me so long. There were some absolutely wonderful photographs here, some made me smile and some made me cry. But most made me think how even in quality and the movement in all videos was good; not something that can be said about all breeds. You have had my comments regarding individual dogs, but in most classes I could have closed my eyes and thrown a dart and still finished with a good one. Thanks so much for the entry; I am now going to lie down in a darkened room to have a rest!!! Christina XX P.S. I want River!!!”

Here's to our fabulous pups, and to hoping that “we shall meet again” soon!