The highlight of every year is the international show in Stockholm. The venue is the same, the parking lot is the same, and for the most part the same people. The difference is that exhibitors from all parts of the country join together here, clubs or groups of people have  pre-christmas celebrations with christmas titbits such as meatballs, ham and other tasty things.

 First time I attended this show was in 1975 when Michael Boothroyd was doing bitches and BOB. I was then living in Gothenburg and asked my Father if he would drive me (5 h drive, one way) and he agreed! Even I was pretty surprised I didn't even had to nag a little bit to get it my way. Sometimes life is easy!

Now, 33 years later, the venue is still the same as it was then - Älvsjö mässan. That is part of the success I think, people know what to expect and what to get in terms of where to park the car, what the floor looks like, and lots of other things that all play their little part when it comes to deceding whether to enter or not. If anything I think the show has actually improved with age and I love going to it. Of course we all want our dogs in the top spots but when it comes to this show that is not all that counts but also meeting our friends from far and near and, plain and simply, just BEING there. A bit like Cruft's is for most Brits I gather.

The judge for Labradors this year was Benny Blid von Schedwin (juniors and veterans) and Per Iversen from Norway doing all other classes and BOB and then also group 8. DCAC went to the black Follies Voyager, bred in Finland but Swedish owned. This was his 3rd CAC which meant he was crowned with a Swedish championtitle - well done! Best Dog was awarded to the yellow Ch Smart Fellows Saved By The Belle. He did exceptionally well at the world dog show back in the summer when he won a huge champion class under Erica Jayes as well as at the Labrador Club circuit show judged by Anthony Allen. For best bitch Mr Iversen chosed Ch Rossmix Zenato Ripassa and BCAC was awarded to Blizzami Lady Hillingdon, her first. BOB, and later a 5th place in the gundog group, went to Ripassa, photo on top. Many congratulations to all.

So - how did we do? I had entered Blondie (T Bit of Class) and Mandy (T Joie De Vivre). Since they were both entered in Open Blondie was shown by the very capable hands of Carina Ström (Ca'Krist Labradors) but didn't get a place, we hope her 3rd CAC soon will come her way. I showed Mandy and she did well - 2nd in Open with CC quality out of 28 entries and 3rd best bitch out of a total of nearly 60 I think. It was interesting to note that the first three placed bitches in best bitch competition - Ripassa, Lady Hillingdon and Mandy all have Poolstead breeding close up, in fact Mandy is out of Poolstead Pyracantha (P Peanut Crunch x P Pipit) and Ripassa and Lady Hillingdon are both granddaughters of Poolstead stock.  There is also a photo of Mandy below the one on top taken at the World dog show back in the summer.