You can’t keep a good dog down!
Jan Cragg With Top Dog Digby
And Digby the Golden Retriever struck gold once again at the 2017 Costa Vicentina Fun Dog Show on the Algarve’s west coast last weekend.
The Goldens De Santo Quintino, owned by Jan and Ken Cragg, was judged Best In Show for the second time in three years, after being named Best Pedigree Dog during the judging of the various classes.
And Digby certainly does have the right pedigree, as he has also won a Best In Show award at the International Algarve Fair in Lagoa when he was just 11 months old.
The show, staged once again at La Preferida near Aljezur, was hosted by local animal charity AEZA (Associação Ecologista e Zoófila de Aljezur or Association for Environment and Animal Protection of Aljezur) to raise funds for their dog and cat shelter in Aljezur.
Show organiser Wendy said: “There are regularly around 50-60 dogs living
Mojo Best Puppy Selina Henman & Colin Lanigan
there, with another 25-30 dogs in local foster homes, and the shelter stands out from many others in that all the dogs get a walk three times a week with volunteer walkers.
“That really does make a difference to their lives, as some have little hope of ever being adopted. With the generosity of local people and our guests that day we made a good sum to donate to the shelter and thank everyone who willingly came to help out”.
A total of 61 dogs were entered into the 15 classes as the day began with an agility demonstration with dogs and members of the Algarve Dog Training Club in the agility ring.
Pedigree Bitch Winners
Giacomo the Briard and his owner, Supriya then entertained the spectators by dancing together in the main ring to the music of Queen!
Six visiting stands sold various arts and crafts, beauty potions, jams, chutney and doggie treats and they all made a donation to AEZA.
There was a grand selection of homemade food for sale, quiches, savouries,and cakes with the BBQ for burgers and hot dogs.
The judge for the show was Carla Rodrigues and she had a tough job choosing the winner of the 1-minute sit and stay with one command, as FOUR dogs all sat rock steady for more than one minute!
3 Django–1st Prize For Waggiest Tail
Finally, it was decided that the competitors drew their 1st to 4th places by hidden ticket as they were all fantastic, obedient dogs, and top winners!
Winners for the various classes were:
Best AEZA Rescue Dog: Francisco with GZAR.
Best AEZA Rescue Bitch: Peter with LULU
Veteran Dog or Bitch (8+ years old): Dawn with DOTTY
Pedigree Dog: Jan with DIGBY
Pedigree Bitch: Chris with ZENA
Puppy Under 1 year-old: Selina with MOJO
Waggiest Tail: Helen with DJANGO
Best condition coat: John with PRINCESS
Dog & Owner Look-alikes: Gail with ZSA
Most Pretty Bitch: Matilda with AIKA
Most Handsome Dog: Charlotte with PREGY
Best Trick: Gail with KEY
1-Minute Sit & Stay: Gerdien with INDI
Most Beautiful Eyes: Selina with BUSTER
Agility Competition: Maddison with COOKIE.