World in Review
FINLAND
Helsinki Double Show Weekend by Paula Heikkinen-Lehkonen
The big climax of the Finnish dog show year took place in December at Helsinki Fair Centre , where it has been for many years . It is a huge venue that can easily house 8,000 dogs a day and about 100 rings , plus all the trade and breed club stands . But it is very expensive , too , and this is the reason why the Finnish Kennel Club has decided to hold two one-day shows , plus an unofficial puppy show both days . On Saturday , the show is called the Helsinki Winner , and the BOB and BOS winners get the official title Helsinki Winner , while the Sunday show is the Finnish Winner Show , with corresponding titles awarded . Also , the junior and veteran class winners get special titles , too . We don ’ t normally do Best Puppy in Show ( except in the breed club specialty shows ), so that can only be done in a separate , unofficial puppy show . Both days there were more than 800 puppies shown , so some breeders were really busy showing both their adult dogs and their puppies . The show drew dogs representing 23 nations , as well as judges from all over the world .
BIS judge on the first day was Mr . Stefan Sinko from Slovenia , a well-known figure all over the world , a frequent visitor to our shows , and a Bulldog breeder . By the way , he masters incredibly many languages . His choice for the top spot was the famous Maltese from Italy , Ch . Cinecitta Ian Somerhailder , bred and owned by Franco Prosperi . As usual , he was expertly handled by Javier Mendikote . He was only entered for the first day , so on Sunday we saw a Spanish dog go BOB in Maltese .
The runner-up was no newcomer , either . It was the American Cocker Int . Ch . Very Vigie Huluberlulu , who was later declared the top show dog of the year . Actually , he was beaten in the breed on Sunday by his younger kennelmate , so obviously the team of these skilful ladies — Sanna Vartiainen , Terhi Korhonen and Heidi Kangas — have something for the next season , too . The dogs were bred by Laurent Pichard , who lives in France , but Sanna is primarily in charge of preparing and handling the dogs over here . In fact , Laurent wanted Sanna to be a partner in his kennel , but according to the rules it was not allowed , because they live in different countries .
Third place went to the elegant Pharaoh Hound Ch . Bazinga a Song of Ice and Fire , born in Norway but owned in Finland by Emilia Kanerva and handled by the breeder , Simon Tien Hansen . This bitch is a result of combining Scandinavian and American lines , and she is also a lure coursing and racing Champion , plus a show Champion of four countries . This is not unusual over here , as most exhibitors are ordinary dog owners who like to do many various things with their dogs .
TOP : MYDOG ; MIDDLE : MYDOG ; BOTTOM : KAAPELI
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