Southern Counties show 2013

A couple of weeks ago I set off up the M5 with Neka to collect Taito and head for Newbury and my favorite show of the year, Southern Counties.  As always, we had a Finnish judge, Reino Korpela, and it's always interesting to see what a Finnish judge will think of our dogs.  For that reason, we always get a good turnout and therefore a chance to see some friends we see rarely.

Kimmi, the sire of Neka's first litter, was there and won the big veteran class in which Neka placed Reserve.  Kiittaa was 1st and Emmi 3rd in Junior Bitch and I was delighted with Taito's performance, which can be, shall we say, somewhat inconsistent - have a look at Emma's face following his turn at Crufts, for example.   But on this occasion my practicing with him the evening before paid off and Taito behaved quite well.  Not perfectly, but I wasn't complaining with his 2nd place in Open Dog. 

Neka looking not like her usual sparky self - photo by Mark Treasure

Kiittaa giving Lexi all her attention - photo by Mark Treasure

Emmi giving all her attention & a big smile to her dad, the photographer

photo by Mark Treasure

Taito being a very good boy - photo by Mark Treasure

Unfortunately, Kuura was absent from the show because he was, shall we say, gastrointestinally challenged that day.  And he has a very fluffy bottom.