Sunday 27 July was perfect weather for Dulverton’s first Family Dog Show. Not too hot, not too cold and no rain. A large crowd of locals and visitors descended on the Exmoor Lawns beside the River Barle with their four legged friends, for a day filled with wide smiles and wagging tails.
Dogs of all ages and sizes were welcomed to Dulverton
The event was organised by volunteers from Visit Dulverton and everyone enjoyed the range of fun classes and the refreshment stalls too. The judge was Pauline Tolhurst BVSc MRCVS, assisted by stewards Sue Blackmore and Wendy Berry.
Local Dulverton businesses contributed to the day, with a popular popup bar from the Bridge Inn and a stall from the Everest Natural Pet Company (located in Dulverton Post Office).
The Bridge Inn provided a popular popup bar
The show schedule featured classes for all dogs and all ages. The Best Child Handler (aged 10 and under) was Jasmine Chandler with Jack Russell puppy, Horace.
Jasmine Chandler with Horace
Margaret Bratby’s Cinders won the Veteran Dog – a Dulverton favourite.
Dulverton’s Margaret Bratby with winning Veteran Dog, Cinders
Fran Bell and Billie Isaac‘s Cocker Spaniels Polka and Freda – litter sisters from the fourth generation of the same family bred in Dulverton – were the Best Matching Pair.
Best Matching Pair, Cocker Spaniel sisters Polka and Freda bred by Fran Bell of Dulverton
There were classes for the Best Working Dog and the Best Rescued Dog, with many fascinating stories to tell. Ali Pegrum’s Wilbur was awarded the Best Terrier.
Ali Pegrum with Wilbur (Best Terrier) and Edna
The winners of each class went forward to the Champion/Best in Show, which was won by Lisa Joslin’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Olive (pictured below with Olive’s mother, Lara). Reserve Champion was Lottie, a Welsh Springer who came from Norton Fitzwarren with owner Helen Haig.
L to R: Show Judge Pauline Tolhurst BVSc MRCVS: Reserve Champion Welsh Springer Lottie and Helen Haig; Champion Bernese Mountain Dog Olive with Lara and Lisa Joslin; Steward Sue Blackmore
There were some fabulous activity classes too to finish the day – the Best Ball Catcher and the Best Sit and Stay. Pete Orchard, on holiday in Exmoor, won the Best Trick class with his terrier Laralou – who performed a remarkable rolling over trick!
Winning Trick Performer, Laralou performing her rollover trick with owner Pete Orchard
The whole day was deemed a great success and plans are already underway to repeat it next year.
The event was generously sponsored by local businesses Stockham Farm Exmoor, Masons Kings and Tarr Farm Inn; and the announcer made a special thank you to those who made donations towards the event in memory of much-loved and much-missed Dulverton dogs: Rufus Crisp, Ben Huckins and Sid Pegrum.
