Santino at 12 months of age. "A star in the making"
Santino Best Puppy in breed for 2009
Santio has BEST OF BREED at 9 months of age - see below for his progress
On the 2nd January 2009 Gaia (Radamantino Gaia with Devonia) had a litter of four puppies sired by Morse (Devonia's Altivita). These puppies were born very early in the morning and kept our Mum up all night. (photos of the puppies below)
All the puppies thrived and were healthy, happy little characters. One puppy from that litter (Devonia's Cerruti) caught our Mum's eye and that of a friend who has Bolognese and both said this puppy should really go in the showring. Unfortunately, our Mum could not keep another dog, so the hunt was on for the perfect home where the puppy would be loved and cherrished but also shown.
The perfect owners came along quite by chance at a dog show. Our Mum was chatting to Lorna and Andrew Hollis about the puppy and they decided to come and have a look at the little man. They have had Bolognese for a few years and also attended shows. After meeting the puppy, they decided to take him home and the story of Santino starts from when he left here at nearly 14 weeks of age.
Santino at 12 weeks
After a couple of month training, Santino attended his first Championship Show early July at Windsor where he delighted his owners with Best Puppy in Breed. His second show gave a delighted Lorna not only Best Puppy but Best Dog in Not Separately Classified.
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Paignton & District Canine Society in early August 2009 gave Lorna Best Puppy in Breed
Bournemouth Championship Show in August again gave Lorna Best Puppy in Breed.
Welsh Kennel Club show in mid August not only gave a very very delighted Lorna Best Puppy in Breed but Best Dog in Breed beating his Dad (Morse). I have never seen a smile so big!!!
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September came and brought with it Birmingham City Show. We had two shows on that day. British Bolognese Club Show under Judge Albert Wight. He thought highly of Santino and gave this little dog who was just 9 months of age not only best puppy in breed but Best Dog in breed beating his Father who achieved Reserve Best Dog in Breed. In the afternoon we had the Championship Show with Judge Stuart Mallard. Again Santino had Best puppy in breed.
The following week brought Richmond Championship Show. The weather was glorious and we had a breed specialist as Judge Ms. Virginia Dowty. Santino again strutted his stuff and received Best Puppy in Breed, Best Dog and then to the surprise of Lorna BEST OF BREED. Hopefully, this may be the first of many..... Santino is now Best Puppy in breed for 2009.
photo by Alan V. Walker
Working from left to right, Santino, his Dad, his Grandad, his uncle and aunt.
October came and with it only a sprinkling of Championship Shows. The first was South Wales Kennel Association. Unfortunately Santino could not enter this show as I was judging. At the end of the month came Kensington Canine Society Open Show which is held at Woodgreen, Godmanchester. Again, this show had no classes for Bolognese so Santino had to enter Non Separately Classified, he also was entered into the Rare Breed Class. He again strutted his stuff and managed to win Best Non Separately Classified Junior class, he then went on to win Best Non Separately Classified together with Best Non Separately Classified Puppy under respected Judge Peter Jolly and he also won the Rare Breed Class under Doris McDade. He went into the adult toy group and had Group 4 and Group 3 Puppy.
Christmas came and just after the holiday period on Monday 28th December Lorna attended another show with Santino.
The Show was Luton Premier Show
Santino entered AVNSC as there were no classes for Bolognese and the Judge was Svante Frisk (Toutchstone)Sweden. Santino Won Junior Dog and Best Puppy in the AVNSC. He then went into the Group where the Judge was Jeff Horswell and much to Lorna's delight Won Best Puppy in the Toy Group.
What a roller coaster of a year it has been for the two of them and I am delighted for Lorna that Santino has finished the year as Top Bolognese Puppy for 2009. Well done to the two of them and I wish them the best of luck in the show ring for 2010. Long may it continue.
2010
January came and with it snow, Ice and very cold unfavourable weather. Not to be deterred Lorna and Santino attended Manchester Championship Show in January where unfortunately we did not have Bolognese classes but Santino was entered into AVNSC Junior Dog/bitch where he won his class and he also had Best Junior Dog/Bitch in AV Rare Breeds under Judge Mr. Stuart Plane.
Next show Crufts.
CRUFTS 2010
A very delighted Lorna and Santino won their class at Crufts under breed specialist Cindy McCarthy.
Check back for further results in due course.
British Bolognese Club Open Show - Judge Brenda Banbury. Santino won his Junior Class and had RESERVE BEST DOG only being beaten by his Dad Devonia's Altivita.
Bath Canine Society May 2010 RESERVE BEST DOG again only beaten by his Dad under Judge Mr. T.D. Burgess
Southern Counties Canine Association June 2010 RESERVE BEST DOG beaten again by his Dad under Judge Mrs. Margaret Boulcott
Three Counties Championship Show June 2010 RESERVE BEST DOG beaten yet again by his Dad (I am sure Lorna and Andrew are hoping that Dad retires soon!!) under Breed Specialist Christine Rushbrook.
BLACKPOOL CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW June 2010 BEST DOG IN BREED (Dad said it was too far to come!! Yipee)
WINDSOR CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW July 2010 RESERVE BEST DOG (Beaten by Dad again) under Judge Peter Jolly
EAST OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW July 2010 BEST DOG IN BREED under Judge Howard Ogden (Phew my Dad was in Paris being shown so I did not have to compete with him today!!)
I was fortunate to find absolutely wonderful homes for the other puppies and have been lucky enough to see the progress of the puppies since they left my home.
Photos of other puppies from the litter
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Rupert who lives in Burnham-on-Sea Katie who lives in Yeovil
This page will be updated as and when I have more news
Last updated 20/07/10
