Month: September 2025

Birmingham and District German Shepherd Association Championship Shows

20th and 21st September 2025

The first weekend of the Walsall shows has flown by!

Congratulations to all of our winners, especially those who will be off to Crufts.

It wouldn’t be a secretaries report without a huge number of thank you’s to give out, but this weekend has definitely been one which demonstrates what the obedience community is all about.

I am not even going to try and name everyone who helped us this weekend – there were just too many.

But please do know that we are so grateful for your support to make this weekend happen.

This year was our first year of taking on both weekends of shows, as well as the organisation of the camping during the week.

We knew it was a mammoth task and that we had a lot to live up to, taking over from Kathy, who has been a huge support in us keeping these shows going.

It wouldn’t be a dog show without some hiccups. Thank you to everyone who brought a chair to their ring and thankfully the council won their game of hide and seek with the chairs, before judging started on Saturday.

Finding a replacement ticket judge was a little more tricky, but super grateful to Peter Height for stepping in to judge on Sunday. Thank you Pete.

Wishing Steve Barnes a speedy recovery

I said I wasn’t going to name names but there are a couple of people who I need to give special thanks to.

Thank you to our chief steward Brian Lucock, who made sure all our i’s were dotted, t’s crossed and any hiccups were dealt with appropriately. Thanks Brian, you’re a star.

And last but definitely not least, a huge thank you to Sheilagh Hyde who ensured that the admin wasn’t too chaotic, when Tracey was unfortunately admitted to hospital on Saturday night due to complications with her epilepsy. Fingers crossed she’s back home soon!

Hope everyone who is staying for the week has a lovely time.

**Just a note that the cricket pitch to the left of the show field is private and not part of the venue. Please do not walk your dogs on the pitch**

We look forward to doing it all over again next weekend!

Bea and Tracey

Now my feet have just touched the ground after my final ticket judging appointment on Saturday for BDGSD, I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind comments and for signing the card. So sorry that I kept so many of you hanging around until nearly 7.00pm. I wanted to do my girl ticket round from Crufts one more time and although we cut it down, with 54 entries it was still a long round. My team as always have been simply the best, Paul, Steph and Bev, I can’t thank you enough for the past 15 years of being honoured to work with you. Actually my first ticket was for BDGSD in 2010 and I was ably assisted by my friends Nigel Slater and dear Sue with lovely Janie M on the table The West Brom maffia lol so it was so lovely to have a visit to the show from Nigel on Sunday. My thanks also go to our dear friend Keith Wall who helped setting up on Friday ,thanks Keith. Also to Lyn Tozer for caring for my precious ones all day.

Congratulations to my winner Suzie (Suzy Tooley) a very worthy new Obedience Champion

Lastly a huge thank you to all the competitors who have entered under me over the years, I’ve had a ball watching the very best talent in the country but I have to give every task I take on 100% and if I can’t do that then it’s time to hand over the clipboard to those who can. Good luck to you all and watch out, Munchie Jackson is on his way up. X

Firstly, I’d like to thank all of the judges, stewards and scribes that gave up their precious time, allowing us to run the show. The weather turned very wet on Sunday, so extra thanks for battling through and to those who helped us to pack-up. Thank you to our chief steward, Tony Lewis for his time, help and support. A big thank you to “Team Lichfield”; who worked extremely hard to make the event run smoothly and successfully. With extra thanks to the 2 lads who worked tirelessly guiding competitors and campers to the correct parking locations and helped with set-up and breakdown.

The on-site caterers supplied judges’ breakfast sandwiches and superb lunches and opened for competitors also.

Congratulations to Gillian Winyard and Pierre Norfolk who won tickets at the show – wishing you the best of luck at Crufts next year.

Thank you to all the competitors who kept the venue clean and tidy, disposing of rubbish as requested and leaving the venue on time.

Wishing you all success for the remainder of 2025 and look forward to seeing you in 2026.

Carol Hartland

WELSH DRAGON DOG CLUB – OPEN OBEDIENCE SHOW 7TH SEPTEMBER 2025

Well we did it again. Everything was a bit easier this time, but we all still learnt lots.

We had a great team of dragons behind us yet again. I realise now, how much you need people to help out, the show would not go ahead otherwise. Even the smallest job, takes the pressure off. We are lucky having our dog school, who all came to help or see a dog show for the first time. My competition class were extremely helpful on the Saturday and Sunday. They even managed some rosettes and a Dragon! I’m so proud of them all.

The day started dry but dull, with rain forecast we kept hoping but to no avail, it rained, it rained a bit more, then it poured down. It’s amazing how we carry on even when it looks impossible; especially the judges. Some people even looked happy! But that’s the thing with this hobby of ours, we carry on regardless and hope for the best.

We’ve had some lovely feedback, which I really appreciate. The canteen was a big hit again, we are so lucky to have them on-board. I tried having stalls this year but the weather was too much for them, I do hope you bought something, they might come back next year! Yet again CSJ were extremely generous with their products, enabling everyone in the line up to have a freebie.

Vikki collected £115 on her stall for the Team Wales, and £60 was made from the training ring and the drinks kiosk for Almost Home dog rescue. Thanks everyone for your generosity.

We have 2 dates for next year – Sunday 24th May and 6th September. Hope to see you then.

Pat Werner