Page 144 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

CRUFTS 2020

It was also Jill’s hope was that we could take the
Silvae affix to a hundred champions, not as big
an ask as it sounds as she made up nearly eighty
champions herself and to complete a hundred years
of the Silvae affix.
I’m also tinkering with the idea of trying the World
Show and perhaps the DCA National breed show in
the USA.

What is your funniest/most embarrassing story
from the show world?
Well not a hard one to think about, obviously the
slight mishap during the Crufts victory lap. It meets
both criteria, though I’m not sure I felt that at the time.
Though it would appear most others did. However
I still find the YouTube coverage hard to watch.
Hopefully we’ll be remembered for the win too.

What have been your favourite moments since
your win?
Two things really, the thrill of winning and sense of
achievement that brings and the messages from
both people we know and don’t know, expressing
how much they enjoyed watching a Dachshund win.
We were particularly amused by one comment from a Maisie is like any other dog at home and is quite
pet owner, who was so pleased that people no longer happy to be curled up on the sofa. Seen here with
asked when meeting their Wirehaired dachshund Duncan McCalmont in their Gloucestershire home.
“What sort of cross is it?” or “Is it a Dandie Dinmont?”
but rather “Oh it’s a Maisie dog!”, progress of sorts I passers-by or wildlife in the garden; all are challenged
suppose. with the same exuberant barking. On walks every
inch is randomly quartered at pace, no matter how
What is Maisie like as a character, what are her often the ground has been covered before. For
favourite things to do? Maisie every day is a new day, every walk is a new
She is a very people-centred dog (probably due to adventure. However, her real failing as a hunter is
being hand reared); she loves to be cuddled up on her desire to not lose sight of mum and dad and the
her dad’s lap watching TV, only stirring to take an sheer pleasure and willingness to return when called.
occasional interest in programmes containing dogs, Showing follows a similar pattern; every arrival at a
cats or wildlife, unless of course she is snoring then show is a new adventure. Friends to be reacquainted
she will not stir all evening. with, large dogs to be barked at as they pass. A new
She does sleep on our bed and even though it’s a bench to get onto, people to talk to and finally a
kingsize she still manages to take up all the space, chance to strut her stuff, which if possible should all
subtly nudging its human occupants towards the be done at pace. The challenge is to hold her back,
edge of the bed as the night progresses. catch her attention and stop her kissing the judge.
She is one of life’s enthusiasts. No task is done by However, as the day progresses and as she feels the
half, be that feeding time or getting ready for a dog boxes have all been ticked, things start to be taken
show. For both she will bounce around on two legs more in her stride. This is when Maisie is at her best
with staccato bark until she is fed (gulped down in she moves to a new level in her showing, confident,
seconds) or she is placed in the back of the car to assured and taking all in her stride.
set off for the show, at which point she will fall fast We would not change a thing. She is a special girl. A
asleep, only stirring herself, at traffic lights, to bark joy to live with and to show. May we be as fortunate
rebuke passing cyclists. again!
This enthusiasm extends to her feelings towards

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