There was more success for Flint on 3rd December, when he went Reserve Best in Show at the Hound Club of East Anglia Open Show.
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Exciting news came at the end of November, in the form of confirmation that Flint had achieved his Junior Warrant. He will now be known as Grasilva Little Rock Avec Gilkaro JW.
He is the first male Norwegian elkhound since 2008 to be awarded this title by the Kennel Club. It is probably the hardest title to attain in the breed these days, as there must be 3 dogs in each of the qualifying classes and there is a time limit on a dog's eligibility for the award - they must be between 6 and 18 months of age at the time of the class wins. The poor registrations in recent years have had a negative impact on the number of young dogs in the lower classes, and it has been all but impossible to achieve the title. A young bitch belonging to another exhibitor attained her JW just a few weeks before Flint (congratulations to her also), so hopefully this is a sign of a resurgence in numbers. Of course, where there are at least 3 dogs in the class, you do still need to have an exhibit that is good enough to take the others on and beat them! Fresh from his success at Midland Counties last week, Flint (Grasilva Little Rock Avec Gilkaro) returned to the ring today and was awarded Best of Breed and Group 4 under Bill Browne-Cole (Travella) at Coventry & Foleshill.
Thank you to Georgina White for this lovely shot of Flint in action at the show. On 30 October, the NECGB Open Show was held on the same site as Midland Counties. The Championship Show classes for elkhounds started at 9 am. Judge Serena Parker awarded 1st in half of the classes to Grasilva-bred dogs. Mason (Grasilva Eric's Gift) and litter-mate Tia (Grasilva Silver Vine) both won their classes. But the kennel's stars on this occasion were the mother and son duo, Siri (Am Ch Kamgaard Kiamesha) and Flint (Grasilva Little Rock Avec Gilkaro), who took both RCCs - in Siri's case, for the second year running - and Mya (Grasilva Cruggleton With Laakso), who was awarded Best Puppy.
In the afternoon, Debs Moughton officiated at the Club Open Show. The littermates Flint and Tia both won classes again. But, this time, Tia went one better and scooped up the award of Reserve Best Bitch. Watch out, Flint, she's going to catch you! Mya (pictured above with owner Tanja Mortimer and the lovely rosette made by Moocraft) was awarded Best Puppy in Show. This is surely the start of an exciting show career for this lovely young lady. As well as being Bryony's native land, Scotland has always been especially lucky for the elkhounds of Grasilva, who have attained some wonderful wins there over the last decade.
The latest win this past weekend was no exception. On Sunday 17 October, Nyx (Grasilva Gee's Quest) was awarded Best In Show at the Hound Association of Scotland Open Show under respected breed specialist, Rena Lees (Aftonlee). Bryony would like to thank Rena from the bottom of her heart for thinking so highly of her girl. It means so much to her. The video on the Association's Facebook page captures Nyx's lovely, flowing movement so beautifully. Infrequently shown during 2016, and currently sitting on 2 CCs, it surely won't be long before this exceptional bitch gains her title. Flint (Grasilva Little Rock Avec Gilkaro) scored another run of good wins at Open Shows over the last couple of weeks.
At Lichfield CS on 23 January, he was Best Puppy in the breed classes under breed specialist Will Croxford. The wonderful image above was captured at the show by Wolfhound Photography. The following day, at Coalville & DCS, he was Best AVNSC Puppy and Puppy Group 3 under Maureen Blanks (Westmount). Another Best Puppy In Breed, coupled with RBOB and Puppy Group 3 came at Rugby & DCS under Ian Byrne (Kunniakas) on 6 February. Flint (Grasilva Little Rock Avec Gilkaro), owned by Helen Tress and Kath Gilluley, kicked 2016 off to a good start with a Best Puppy and Puppy Group 2 at Nuneaton. His litter sister, Etta (Grasilva Faithfulness), owned by the Cullen family won her first ever class too. Well done!
At Manchester, Flint beat 9 other puppies to take Best Puppy, giving a sterling performance that belied his tender age. He's looking like a real chip off the old block! Nyx (Grasilva Gee's Quest) topped off a fabulous year with her second CC, under breed specialist Drew Littlejohn (Arcuilean), at LKA in December.
Siri's daughter Tia (Grasilva Silver Vine) won both Puppy classes and litter brother Flint (Grasilva Little Rock Avec Gilkaro) qualified for Crufts. Meanwhile, back at home, Nyx's dam Gee (Ch. Grasilva Gwendoline Mary) produced her second litter in the wee small hours after Boxing Day. Surely another reason to be festive! Nyx (Grasilva Gee's Quest) continued her unbeaten run, this time with Best Bitch , Best Opposite Sex and Reserve Best in Show at the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain Open Show under breed specialist Karen Gold.
On only her second outing in the UK, Siri (AM Ch Kamgaard KIamesha) won Open Bitch and the Reserve CC at Midland Counties under breed speciaist Peter Hudson. The photo depicts her debut the previous week at NEAS, where she was 2nd in Open Bitch. She is handled here by her co-breeder, Maggie Mott. She is co-owned by Grasilva and Conrick Kennels.
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AuthorBryony Gray is the owner (some might say slave) of the Grasilva Norwegian elkhounds. Archives
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