S.C.A.M.P.S. - Supreme Crossbreed & Mongrel Pet Show

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

This Sunday was a repeat of the previous outing. I was heading South again, except I was making a slight detour to pick up a friend. I arrived at his bungalow in good time. He lives about 30 miles away, and it is about half distance to the venue. It was the first time I had visited, but had no trouble finding it from his concise directions. After a leisurely cup of tea we set off for the show. Barney had a good time investigating his bungalow while we were there.

The weather was almost perfect dog show weather again, dry warm and cloudy. We arrived at the venue in plenty of time, being greeted by some of our friends. Circumstances dictated I have not been able to attend this show for a few years. Barney came to me the weekend it was taking place, and I couldn't attend, as he hadn't been vaccinated. Then the next year he caught kennel cough the week before, so it was a pleasant change to be able to go. Remember SCAMPS is the most important show on the calendar.

SCAMPS - Supreme Crossbreed & Mongrel Pet Show is the national show held by the Crossbreed & Mongrel Club. This is the club for all mixed breeds of dogs not recognized by the Kennel Club. I believe a dog to be an animal with a body, head, tail and four legs; an individual animal in it's own right. It is not a fashion accessory, nor is it special just because both its parents are of a similar type. A recent television drama about country vet described a Lurcher as 'a proper dog' something I entirely agree with.

Several heats comprising of 4 classes for dogs and bitches over and under 18 inches in height are held around the country. A winner and reserve is chosen at each heat, and the winners all come to SCAMPS, where they enter the competition to find the supreme champion.

The SCAMPS heat was the first event and we were in class 3 - dogs over 18 inches. The judges are looking for the best overall animal, not an easy task with about 100 dogs entered, and most taking part in their class in the heat. We spent the time chatting to people and making friends and renewing old acquaintances. There were a lot of Lurchers attending, some I have seen at the Lurcher shows I have been to this year. Some people from a television company were there, and as we waited, took some video of Barney when he tried to grab the mike, thinking it was a rabbit. As they moved on I realized I hadn't told them of this site, and his fan club. When I walked over to rectify this oversight, they asked me if I would do an interview. I reluctantly agreed - unlike many I don't particularly want to be on television, but would appear for Barney's sake.

The last time I attended they were there for a regional news bulletin and I though this was for the same program. No one told me anything, and I was just plonked in front of the camera and..............Silence. Did they expect me to interview myself? After a bit of waffle the young woman who stood behind the camera did concede to ask me a question, but what a fiasco. After a few close up shots of Barney, we finished and went back to my friend. I had given my name and address etc. but had been told nothing. WHY does everyone think I'm psychic? 2 days later I found out they were making a program about the relationship of pets and their owners, which may be shown in the spring. Watch this space, but don't hold your breath.

Our class arrived and I went in the ring. Barney showed beautifully and I was picked out into the final group. It was the largest of the four classes and had been split into 2 groups. I was not placed, but did not expect to be. Barney had suddenly decided to molt, and did not look in such good condition as most of the other dogs. A Lurcher won this class - the other one sitting with him in the top picture on the first page.

We had a go at some of the extra events taking place. First, I had a go in the handler competition, where I'm sorry to say I let him down again. After a nice present and triangle, I was asked to walk towards the corner and back and I broke the golden rule - always place your dog between yourself and the judge. I did a right about turn, and the judge was standing on the left. Also I forgot to move round the dog to the opposite side when she was making her final examination. I won Best Gentleman Handler, but a lady with 2 excellent small Lurchers, who I had seen at the Norwich show, and who had won that show, won the overall handler, and the trophy.

The event for the Supreme Champion was held. The judge did a superb job; eventually picking a dog that would not have been out of place as a Crufts Champion. There may be a write-up on the CMC site if the editor has time. Work commitments prevent this at the minute. It was definitely the best dog I saw on the showground throughout the day.

The rest of the show started, and I let my friend take Barney in the ring. There were 2 rings in operation, and the show moved at a brisk pace, despite the large number of dogs in the classes. I took over and entered him into his class for handsomest dog. This was a different judge from the scamp's heat. She awarded us 3rd place, which I was very pleased with, given the large class.

I had given him a run in the fastest recall event for Lurchers. The corridor of netting was alongside a hedge, and Barney had been more interested in sniffing out the rabbits than running to me. In fact he ran out of the gate and around the netting to the hedgebottom at the end, something that had not gone unnoticed by a few people, as they remarked about it to me later. Towards the end of the show, and past the stated finishing time, they had altered the course, making it more suitable for the larger dogs.

We all had an extra go to cater for this change and Barney ended a respectable fourth. The dog that won the scamps heat won this as well. It is a very fast and fit dog, and was much faster when we gave them a run together with the lure last year. The only time he has practiced with another dog.

We were presented with this award, and prize, along with the handler rosette and prize at the end of the show, and talking to a new friend on the way back, I took some photos of the dogs. I hope to do some enlarged prints for her, and will put the photos on here when I get them back.

We left the show and had a quiet, gentle journey back to my friend's house. He cooked us a meal, and asked a lady, who is a neighbour to come round to see Barney, so he gained another fan. We left about 10.00pm and came home from one of the most enjoyable SCAMPS I have been to.