66 Saber Tails Fall 2018
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
eyes. I heard one owner remark, “He thought
my dog was wooly?” as his dog exited the ring.
Excellents are not given to every dog, so there
were also some disgruntled remarks heard out
of the ring.
Unfortunately, females were judged in anoth-
er ring so I wasn’t able to see that process. It
must be hard for an owner to show both sexes,
unless there is some one to help.
I found most people to be very freindly, and
somewhat curious. The most often asked
question for me was, “Does your dog hunt?”
My answer was, “Not yet.”
A buffet lunch was held after all classes were
completed. A stand sold bottled wine from
St. Emillion with the club logo. It was a rather
good red from 2014 or 2015. You could also
purchase a glass or a bottle of champagne. Other stands sold hunting gear, and clothing. There was also a club stand.
We ate slowly, enjoying the warm weather and wine.
Around 2:00 pm the judging began again for winners of the breed. There
were three judges : puppy class, male, and female. Together the judges
decided. Dogs were stacked, viewed, and judged very quickly, without
the scrutiny of the first judging. They awarded best female, male, runners
up, best pack. best champion, and best veteran. There was no best of
breed or best in show. The winning dog and winning bitch were given a
CACS, certificate of champion of France. It takes four of these certificates
(earned under different judges), plus a hunting certificate , plus one must
be from the national elevage, to complete a French championship. The
final CACS must be earned after age two.
The day ended around 4:00 PM and I packed up my dog area, happy I did
not have to lug a crate, or walk far, as my car was just 15 ft from the as-
signed cage.
The show concluded
with a banquet back
under the tents next
to Nedde City Hall. It
was a very special day
for me, with new friends, and so many PBGVs, and griffons. I retreated
to my hotel, so happy to have my pup confirmed and his first French
show completed with an excellent rating.
Next year, The D’Elevage is on an island off Bordeaux, Ilse de Rae in
May.