Windermere dogs have their day at Crufts (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Windermere dogs have their day at Crufts
6:00pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News
By Anna Clarke, Reporter
Owner Sandra Gibson and Colin Bowker with the prize-winning Pyrenean Mountain Dogs Gaston and Berry
A PAIR of performing pooches have bow-wowed the judges to come away with four top prizes from Crufts.
Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, Gaston and Berry, owned by Windermere woman Sandra Gibson have proved themselves paw-fect pups at the show despite both being under two-years-old.
Gaston, aged 20 months, took first prize in the ‘limit class’ for his breed, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
Berry, 14 months-old, took first prize for ‘best female puppy’ and first prize for ‘best puppy overall in breed’ and second prize for ‘best female overall in breed’.
Proud owner Mrs Gibson said: “We were very surprised, especially at the puppy.
“We would have been happy to go and get two first prizes but second overall in breed was completely unexpected!
“I’m so proud of them.
“It is very unusual for such a young dog to do so well.”
To be shortlisted to enter Sunday’s competition the clever canines had to pass a series of qualifying heats and have performed around 25 times over the last year.
On Saturday Mrs Gibson went to Birmingham with the dogs and spent around five hours grooming them ahead of the contest. Once at Crufts, Gaston was asked to parade for judges twice.
Berry, who was bought from kennels in Sweden last May, was shown three times.
Mrs Gibson, 47, continued: “Berry kept getting better and better scores so she was asked out more times.
“These two dogs have never been before so they did really, really well.”
The manager at the Low Wood Leisure Club revealed that she had been entering the competition for around 20 years with her parents, Colin and Adrienne Bowker, who have been entering for around 45 years themselves.
It is thought around 22,000 dogs entered this year. “It really is an honour to do well at such a prestigious competition,” added Mrs Gibson.
“Both Berry and Gaston did so well and it was Mothers’ Day too, which made it even more special!”
