CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS
Best Western Hotel, Bulkington, Coventry
on 15 February 2025
CHALLENGES FROM THE 2024 CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS
Judge – Stuart Byrne
Best Puppy Male
Kamgaard Kloudberry Jam For Conrick – Mrs V J McHugh
Best Puppy Female
Laakso Julaften – Ms T Mortimer
Puppy of the Year
Kamgaard Kloudberry Jam For Conrick – Mrs V J McHugh
Youngest Puppy
Seasara Jumping Jack - Ms S McMahon
Best Special Yearling Male
Kamgaard Kloudberry Jam For Conrick – Mrs V J McHugh
Best Special Yearling Female
Bowerhinton Bright Flame at Starceylon - Ms A Tyson
Special Yearling of the Year
Kamgaard Kloudberry Jam For Conrick – Mrs V J McHugh
Best Veteran Male
Ch Seasara Earl Grey - Mr N & Mrs E Simms
Best Veteran Female
Ch Laakso Cara - Ms J Brown
Veteran of the Year
Ch Seasara Earl Grey - Mr N & Mrs E Simms
Best Special Beginners
No Entries
Stud Book Challenge Male
Bowerhinton Boromir of Vennlig - Mr A & Mrs C Friend
Stud Book Challenge Female
Bowerhinton Bright Flame at Starceylon - Ms A Tyson
Stud Book Challenge Winner
TBowerhinton Boromir of Vennlig - Mr A & Mrs C Friend
THE CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS
Male
Ch Aftonlee Aros at Elverdal - Mr N & Mrs E Simms
Female
Am Ch Kamgaard Klementina – Ms S Simmonds & Ms M Mott
Contest of Champions Winner
Ch Aftonlee Aros at Elverdal - Mr N & Mrs E Simms
Critique from our Judge - Stuart Byrne
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain for the kind invite to judge their prestigious annual Contest Of Champions, it was an appointment I was very much looking forward to, and on the day I was not disappointed, and as I expected I was spoilt for choice in every category. It was as ever a pleasure to judge your wonderful breed where temperaments were excellent throughout the entry, I was impressed as ever with how Elkhound exhibitors are always so supportive of each other and applauded all the class winners, and a thank you to all the owners and exhibitors for trusting me to assess your wonderful dogs. It was lovely that prior to judging the main Contest there was a Baby Puppy Walk which was very well supported, and hopefully these puppies will be continued to be shown which would bode well for the future of the breed. My final thanks go to Debbie for stewarding so efficiently for me, keeping everything running smoothly all day, and to Margaret for organising and running your final Contest Of Champions after many years, thank you.
Puppy of the Year
Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy McHugh’s KAMGAARD KLOUDBERRY JAM FOR CONRICK, very appealing youngster with plenty to like, presents a square outline when standing, scores well in head and expression, lovely dark eyes, ears correctly set, well made forequarters, level topline, tail well set and tightly curled, powerfully made hindquarters, however, being picky would prefer these slightly less angulated, sound on the move, will be interested to see how this boy matures on.
Best Puppy Bitch Mortimer’s LAAKSO JULAFTEN, really promising young bitch, for me she is spot on for size and presents a well balanced outline standing and on the move, pretty head and expression with well set ears, enough length of neck, good front assembly, level topline, super tail set, correctly angulated rear, good on the move especially in profile, a real showgirl who was on her toes throughout.
Special Yearling of the Year
Best Special Yearling Dog and Best Special Yearling MCHUGH’s KAMGAARD KLOUDBERRY JAM FOR CONRICK (Repeat)
Best Special Yearling Bitch Tyson’s BOWERHINTON BRIGHT FLAME AT STARCEYLON, another nice youngster with plenty to admire, square in outline, appealing expression, correct wedge shaped head, lovely dark eyes, well set ears, good length of neck, on the day felt she still needs to settle in topline, enough hind angulation, good on the move with good reach in front, very well handled and presented.
Veteran of the Year
Best Veteran Dog and Veteran Of The Year Simms’ CH SEASARA EARL GREY, the first word in my notes on this male is “stunning” which is what he is, a fabulous example of the breed who is clearly out of the top drawer, for me he is ideal for size and I just love his outline when standing, appeals in head shape, with well set ears of the correct size, dark oval eyes, just enough length of neck to balance his outline, soundly made fore and hindquarters, level in topline, correct high set tail which is tightly curled, presented in hard condition, a great showman who is so precise on the move from every angle.
Best Veteran Bitch Brown’s CH LAAKSO CARA, a beautiful bitch who never puts a foot wrong, not in full coat on the day, however, this girl has absolutely nothing to hide and has so much going for her, presents the desired square outline when standing, I just love her head and expression, with the required dark oval eyes and neat well set ears, another with just the right length of neck, level topline which is held at all times, tail tightly curled over the back, correctly angulated hindquarters, excellent on the move, never stops showing. Looking back at my records I note I have awarded both this dog and bitch a Challenge Certificate previously, and believe they are excellent examples of the Breed and are a credit to their owners and breeders.
Stud Book Challenge of the Year
Best Dog and Stud Book Challenge of the Year overall winner, Friend’s BOWERHINTON BOROMIR OF VENNLIG, very nice 3 year old fully mature male who is very well schooled, is square in outline, liked his head shape and expression, lovely dark eyes, correctly set ears, decent forequarters, I would prefer a touch more length of neck to balance his outline, correct level topline, well set, tightly curled tail, powerful hindquarters, does not want to carry anymore weight than he does presently, very impressive on the move.
Stud Book Challenge Best Bitch Tyson’s BOWERHINTON BRIGHT FLAME AT STARCEYLON (Repeat)
Champion of the Year
It was a real privilege to have the opportunity to judge this challenge, where there were some exceptional dogs and bitches exhibited in every class.
Best Champion Dog and 2024 NEC of GB 2024 Contest Of Champions winner Simms’ CH AFTONLEE AROS AT ELVERDAL, 3 1⁄2 year old male who was presented in great coat and excellent condition all through, square in outline, really liked his masculine expression, correct dark oval eyes, well set ears, length of neck balances his outline, topline level, the best of hindquarters which were well muscled and spot on for angulation, on the move is so sound and looks like he could easily do the job the breed is bred for.
Best Champion Bitch Simmonds and Mott’s CH/ AM CH KAMGAARD KLEMENTINA, 5 year old bitch who presents a super square silhouette when standing, appeals in head and expression, with nice oval shaped dark eyes, personally I would like her ears to be slightly smaller, perfect length of neck, soundly made forequarters, level in topline, spot on angulation to rear quarters, in such great condition all through, unfortunately on the day was not sure of the flooring on the go around, however, on the up and down was so precise and sound on the move, could not be denied Best Champion Bitch.
Stuart Byrne (Kunniakas)
