In the Shadow of the Castle

All photos by Alan Seymour Photography

When Windsor is mentioned, it conjures up British history: the Royal Family (whose surname is Windsor), its famous castle, the River Thames and its royal swans.

In our sport it’s the famous dog show, the one everyone really wants to win Best in Show at. The show is situated on royal grounds, on the banks of the Thames, and with its castle as a backdrop nothing could be more magical.

In days gone by, the show was in the hands of Mrs. Catherine Sutton and her husband Group Captain “Beefy,” as he was known to his friends. The show attracted so many overseas visitors and famous judges alike; after Crufts, it was and is the show to visit. And, of course, as l have said, you have all that history and castle in one place. 

I do know that a lot of American visitors are always fascinated by the castle, so l thought I would take this opportunity to give you a little piece of its history.

Windsor Castle is one of the oldest and largest occupied castles in the world. It has been a residence of the British royal family for more than 900 years, serving as both a fortress and a royal palace. The castle’s construction began in the 11th Century, after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror.

The castle is famous for its magnificent state apartments, which are adorned with priceless works of art by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto. The castle also houses St. George's Chapel, a masterpiece of medieval architecture and the final resting place of numerous monarchs, including King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.

It still remains an active royal residence: Our late beloved Queen Elizabeth loved being there. It is still used for state ceremonies, official receptions and royal events.

Non-Sporting (Utility) Group winner Toy Poodle Am Ch Afterglow Hello Treacle.

Now back to the show. As is the case with our sport these days, Windsor like many shows has had to really look at its finances and actually show the exhibitors just how much it costs to run a show in these troubled times. Like many in this country, Windsor has gone through some difficult financial times, and of course outside influences and rising costs have affected entries now. Let’s hope 2025 will be a better place for us all.

The show is held over four days. A few years ago, it was given all-breed status, meaning that every breed is allocated Challenge Certificates, so more space is needed.

The show this year attracted an entry of 9,100 dogs over the four days. After Crufts, quite easily one of the very best — such is the attraction of this show.

Working Group winner Giant Schnauzer Ch Gloris Glorious with Fostergiants (Imp Rus).

Of the seven group winners, there was quite a choice for David Guy, of the Donzeata Griffons, to choose from. There were new faces to group winning: a Russian-imported Giant Schnauzer (reserve to him was a French-bred and imported Landseer Newfoundland); a new young Samoyed bitch (reserve to her was an exciting win for a Beauceron imported from France, too), and a brown Toy Poodle winning a first group in the U.K.

Gundog (Sporting) Group winner Gordon Setter Ch Flaxheath Top Model at Glenmaurangi.

One lady handler had two choices: Handle the Gordon Setter or her own Miniature Pinscher, who has done a fair bit of winning; in the end, the Min Pin was her choice. 

Reserve to the Min Pin was another big winner in Kirsty Ryan's lovely Papillon, and again an import from Belgium from the well-known Uppercut kennel, who you will remember was Best in Show at Crufts a few years ago under the late great Dan Ericsson. This one is called Ch Uppercut Daydream Believers With Feorlig. Sara Robertson is better known, along with husband Gavin, for the famous Soletrader Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens, but her other love is the Basset Fauve, and she now has quite a star in Ch Dyfrgi's Explosion With Soletrader.

Hound Group winner Basset Fauve Ch Dyfrgi’s Explosion W with Soletrader.

Then we have the current top dog all breeds, Clare Cole’s Welsh Terrier male, Ch Perrisblu The Phantom, bred by Phil Davies and handled by Emily Lewis. Phil is probably better known for his Kerry Blues, with a top-winning bitch spending some time in the U.S. a few years ago.

Decisions, decisions, for David. In the end, the victor was the Welsh Terrier, with Reserve to the very cheeky Min Pin.

Reserve Best in Show and Toy Group winner Miniature Pinscher Ch Hawksflight Hot Pursuit JW.

Pastoral (Herding) Group winner Samoyed Ch Nikara Sweet Dreams for Kimeekasams.