Page 85 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

A Tribute to Norman Davis

fulfil this role. He awarded best of breed to Champion and will be presented the Best In Show every year.
Henriette V H Slaghek, DCC winner was Champion Norman also has served on the committee of Bulldog
Calibra Krugerand. Incorporated for a few years.
On the 5th April 2010 Norman announced that after I have enjoyed many hours listening to Norman
judging the Sheffield and Leodension Centenary reminiscing about our breed, whether been sat at
show, where he judged the males along with Carol Hill House or attending a Bulldog Breed Seminar
Newman who judged the bitches, and the late Pat where Norman was an accessor. It was his true
Dellar. That would be his last judging appointment, passion and dedication for the breed that inspired
due to ill health. me to develop my skills at presenting seminars about
Norman was still seen at shows for many years, the breed. After speaking with Vicky Collin-Natrass,
however due to progressive health problems, I was reminded about the time that Norman, Chris,
Norman made the decision to reduce the number of Thomas and Vicky spent at the Kennel Club working
visits to shows. Even though Norman struggled with tirelessly on the changes of the breed standard that
his health, nothing could keep him away from his love the Kennel Club were trying to introduce in 2009.
of dogs and I know that he appreciated the many These changes are still in our standard today.
visitors and telephone calls from fellow breeders, I recently judged the Bulldog Incorporated and was
who talked about his beloved breed. honoured to award my BIS to Mystyle Lillian, a
Recently, Norman underwent surgery that gave him bitch I have admired for some time. Normans dog
a new lease on life. He was able to attend Crufts on Royaltudor Beast in the East Ocobo was awarded
2019, to watch his son Kevin judge our breed. He the RDCC. Kevin informed me that Norman was over
was proud and honoured to see his son judge on the moon and loved the specials that I awarded.
the green carpet. The same year Norman and Kevin This true gentleman with his dapper attire was, and
travelled to Brazil where they judged alongside each always will be Mr Bulldog to many of us and he will
other at the 16th National Abrabull. Not long after be sadly missed in the Bulldog world. His head now
Norman went on to judge the British Bulldog Clubs rests upon his final Best in Show award that he won
annual puppy competition with Maria Taylor and at the Bulldog Incorporated Champion Show on the
Hayley Ashton. Norman and the Ocobo kennels have 29th February 2020.
supported The British Bulldog Club for many years Although this is a sad time for us all, I am proud and
and Kevin, as president, continues to do so. honoured to have met Norman and am thankful of
In the seventies Norman served on the Junior Bulldog everything that he has shared and taught the Bulldog
Club as show manager. Chris Thomas commented world. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family
that Norman always put on wonderful shows and at this difficult time.
was constantly thinking of ways to improve the whole Good Night and God Bless Norman
experience of dog shows. It is for Norman’s services
to the Junior Bulldog Club that Norman’s dear friend Lieza Handley (Haddaway)
Hon Secretary. The Junior Bulldog Club
Glynn Payne has donated a trophy, which will be
called the Norman Ocobo Davies Memorial Trophy

My first meeting with Norman, was back in the 1980’s run that one on! I can still see him walking down the
at the World Dog Show in Amsterdam. He was an steps from the dog kitchen, turning his head to Becky
enigmatic character, looking very dapper, demanding and saying, “Make sure you dry the bowls properly.”
attention in the ring. I wasn’t at all surprised to see Norman knew every dog, what they ate, if they were
him win on that day. I made a mental note of the under the weather, who was the dam and who was
Kennel and carried on exhibiting a Newfoundland for the sire. In my last memory is of him, he is wearing a
my Danish friend. blue Ocobo shirt, jogger bottoms and slippers, sitting
Twenty years later I was back showing Bulldogs in the corner with Alice over the arm of the sofa next
and once again there was Norman, still dapper and to him, a mug of tea and a plate of whatever treat Pat
still standing out. I felt honoured to have spent time has picked up from M & S.
at Hill House and spent many hours chatting often My dear friend, I shall miss you dearly.
until late at night. Whatever subject, whatever breed,
Good Night and God Bless
Norman had a story to tell. He was a dog man not just
a Bulldog man. I had a litter of nine puppies, sired by Lorraine Watkins (Shipshape)
an Ocobo dog. I remember taking them to Norman for Bulldog Breed Council Education
advice on a keeper. His advice was, sell that one and Co-ordinator

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