I have been brought up with animals all of my life, so it came of no surprise that I got involved in showing (and the showing bug) from a very young age. My first 'show dog' was not the best behaved boxer in the world, which looking back in hindsight was hardly surprising considering neither she or I had ever been to a training club ! From the age of nine years old I became a 'Junior Handler' and was lucky enough to been given some valuable lessons (and support) from Diane, June, Janice and John Bartholomew (Baishel Shetland Sheepdogs), who I am eternally grateful to, and it was with Glen - aka Baishel The Devils Advocate who I won my first ever Best of Breed with.
As a Junior Handler I was entrusted with some beautiful dogs of all breeds and sizes. Winning my first ever Junior Handling trophy with a borrowed dog - a beautiful boxer - Mactaggart of Trinaka at Abythorn (Taggart), owned by Rita Tucker. I continued to show in Junior Handling showing a variety of breeds, and, these were the days when you had to swop dogs, sometimes I had no choice in what I was showing ! As I got older my interest grew from boxers to other breeds and I would constantly be showing a variety of breeds at each show.
My real success within boxers had to be with Zac and Zoë, closely followed by Rhys, my baby. To those who knew Rhys would know that he was fantastic dog, he never had a cross word to say to another dog - ever ! He was an absolute showman, and we did enjoy a huge amount of success. Probably not the easiest dogs to show as he was very cheeky with me and would not show for anyone else but me - I will never forget the day he decided that he had done well in the ring and when people started clapping when he won he thought is was great - snapped his chain and took off - luckily straight to my mam who was watching ! Its probably a good job as all of our dogs have selective hearing !
It is probably the handling of different dogs which started my interest in the Newfoundlands. At one show I met James, (Karazan James Dean at Tynebears), and instantly fell in love with him ! I became very good friends with James' owners - Malcolm and Lilian Barber (Tynebears) and before long I started handling their dogs. My interest in the breed continued and whilst I was still actively showing boxers I kept a strong interest in the Newfoundlands and spent most of my time watching Newfoundlands rather than boxers ! It was at Wales when I saw my future - a very young dog who was simply gorgeous - with such fantastic movement - I was impressed. A bit of research found out who the mystery dog was a young Mayoss Booker - who has since become a Champion and also a Top Sire, and at that point I knew what I wanted and where my future was heading.
Some ten years later from first meeting James, I spoke to John Burrows (Bookers owner) and I am so pleased that I did. It was a memorable Belfast, winning the RCC with a Tynebears bitch, speaking to John and my mam finally saying yes to my years of nagging for a Newfoundland !!
Three months after winning my first RCC in Newfoundlands I was asked to handle for Lindsay May (Trinityfair), my first attempt (and what an honour !) of handling Buttons (Ch Trinityfair Buttons N Bows) saw me getting my second RCC in the breed. Due to Lindsay's ill health she asked me to handle for her at Crufts - and was this time given the honor of handling Quista (Trinityfair Quista Quay) in a star studded Open Bitch class. It was quite a successful Crufts, having handled Rhys to 1st in Limit (and Stud Book Number) and very close to the RCC, I went on to win the Open Bitch class and then the Bitch CC. Within the space of 6 months I had only handled 3 Newfoundland's, at 3 different shows and won 1 CC and 2 RCCs ! - Not a bad start !
I continued to show Quista for Lindsay, and at her next show we came home with the CC and Best of Breed, then at her third show in succession she got her third and crowning CC at Leeds, again with Best of Breed. 3CC's, and 2 RCCs at 5 shows and I had made up my first Newfoundland - all in less than a year !
Leeds, was a truly memorable day, this was the same day that John told me my future puppy was due, and one month later Cooper was born. My future with Newfoundlands continued as it had started - 'Cooper' came into our lives and what a superstar he is ! An absolute angel and total showman. His success is phenomenal and again proved what dreams are by winning the Pro Plan / Beta Pup of the Year Qualifying heat at his first how aged just 6 months - from an entry of 555 puppies - he became our superstar ! Since then he has uncountable Best of Breeds, Best In Groups. Best In Shows and Reserve Best In Shows at Open Shows and is very rarely out of the cards at Championship Shows, including a RCC at Border Union. I am SO proud of him and am pleased to say that everything Cooper has won has been on my own merit - he is groomed and shown exclusively by myself and I am unbelievably proud of him to say the least !
Without a doubt I feel a huge part of the Newfoundland world and as a result, I decided to add another member to my family, Zac (named after our Ch boxer) joined us in June 2005 - and what more can I say.... WOW ! For those who know him and have followed his career he does not need any introduction ! A phenomenal dog whose success goes before him, I can only look forward to the future of this youngster. Already a CC and RCC winner - we think his best is yet to come.
With the continued success of the Newfoundlands and the jealousy and bitterness from some of the local boxer breeders and exhibitors I have decided to concentrate on the Newfoundlands alone - a breed which I actually enjoy being a part of ! I am extremely proud to be a member of the breed and thank the other Newfoundland exhibitors for all their help, support and encouragement in the few years I have been involved in this breed.
My utmost thanks must go to Malcolm and Lilian Barber for initially getting me involved with the breed, to Lindsay for entrusting me with the girls (and for all the help and support), to John and Gloria, of course, for breeding and allowing me to own Cooper and Zac.
My thanks must go to my mother, Christine, for allowing me to get involved in this hobby. Whilst at times things have been quite difficult with what I can only describe as jealousy from other exhibitors, in the hope that Justice will (eventually) be done, I have continued and will continue to show and carry on our excellent name. I am pleased that the leads of such terrific dogs have been passed on to me and honored to have been entrusted with some beautiful dogs to show. I am confident to announce that the MOBOX name is here to stay and I will continue to take the name from strength to strength.
I have now shown ten different Newfoundlands to either a CC and / or a RCC. A remarkable achievement for a relatively newcomer to this breed. As well as winning a CC with a Pyrenean Mountain Dog too !
I have judged both Working and Pastoral breeds at Open and Limited Shows and Best In Show, and a member of The Northern Newfoundland Club and the Newfoundland Club.
As an ex Junior Handler I am keen to help any youngster whom I feel has the ability to do better. Having judged numerous Junior Handling classes I appreciate that these Juniors are the future of dog showing. If you would like any advice regarding Junior Handling please email me via the link below.
If you would like to contact me you can do so by emailing me via the link below, just click on the dog.
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