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RSPCA Cambridge Fun Dog Show 2008 - CANCELLED due to illness

Sadly, owing to the serious illness of Claire, our chairman, we have had to cancel this year's show. We hope to resume our annual shows in 2009

In 2006 we ran the show purely as a "fun dog show" with novelty classes such as waggiest tail, most similar dog and handler, dog the judge would most like to take home etc. We would like to be a bit more ambitious next time and include some pedigree classes (which would make us eligible to get some publicity as a companion dog show via the Kennel Club). We'd also like to host some beginners obedience classes.

We would particularly like to hear from anyone willing to consider acting as a judge - possibly someone starting out who would like to get more experience at a (very!) basic level.

Running a show involves quite a lot of "backroom" work; for example organising publicity, distributing posters to local vets and dog clubs, contacting potential stall-holders etc.

On the day we'll need helpers to staff the registration desk to take competitors' entry fees, book them in to their correct classes and issue each competing dog with a show card. The show cards are A5 size and are numbered so that the judges can call over individual animals for examination without knowing their handler's name. The registration desk staff keep a record of entrants' names together with the number which has been issued to them and the classes they have paid to enter.

We'll need more helpers to act as the judge's stewards (getting the right people into the ring at the right time, handing over the correct rosettes for each class etc.)

We'll also need people to do lunch and teas, run novelty stalls (e.g. bottle stall, raffle, tombola) and generally help with putting up and clearing away. Sales of tea, coffee and soft drinks are one of the biggest money-spinners.

The highlight of the show is the RSPCA Dog of the Year class. This is open only to dogs adopted from a rescue organisation (not necessarily RSPCA). The dogs are judged on condition, personality and the extent to which their adopter has helped them to achieve a normal life after a rocky start. Winners of the local class will go forward to the regional heats (judged by votes placed via the RSPCA national website www.rspca.org.uk) and one dog from each region of England and Wales will go forward to the final.

Rescue dog of the year heat 2006: sponsored by the Sunday Express   

Heat Winner: Holley - Handler Mr Graham Misson

Holley has been voted RSPCA Dog of the Year 2006!

Holley and Graham receiving the Dog of the Year trophy at the Cambridge charity shop 188 Mill Road

In total we raised 862 pounds on the day and 250 pounds from advertising in the show programme and payments for stalls on the showground. After deduction of expenses this means that we raised just over a thousand pounds for the branch's animal welfare work. A fantastic result. The branch committee would like to thank everyone who helped to make it such a successful day.

The dog training demonstration was led by Barry Goddard of the the Good Companions Dog Training Club.

The Club is run by three trainers, Barry Goddard, Sandra Oliver and Roy Stamp (dog behaviour expert ). Mainly basic training and socialising dogs and puppies in a kind and fun way plus helping owners with problem dogs. All dogs are welcome.

	Show programme 2006 kindly supported by: University of Cambridge Veterinary School Trust   Abington Boarding Kennels Kuranda Dog Beds Pet Doctors Peters Elworthy and Moore - Chartered Accountants Scotsdales Garden Centre Saint Andrews Bureau letting agency Lighthouse studio Cambridge Veterinary Group
	Download an entry form

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Last updated 23/05/2008