Donington woman set to compete at Crufts

A woman is looking forward to competing at one of the world’s largest and most prestigious dog shows.

Madeleine Mahon-Hunns, from Donington, will show her two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers at Crufts, which takes place at Birmingham NEC in March - and is once again hoping for success.

Last year, six-year-old Gus was named best of breed - and will once again be taking to the prestigious green carpet in the main arena next month.

Making his first appearance at this well-known show is Hudson, an 18-month-year-old who was born in New York.

Mrs Mahon-Hunns said: “Crufts is a big show and it is a privilege to have qualified as depending on the breed you have, it can be difficult.

“I look forward to it and it is exciting to see lots of friends both from the UK and overseas.

“The social side is wonderful and you get to see people you don't see at other shows which enables friendships to be struck up.”

Chesapeakes are an American gundog breed which are a similar size to a Labrador but is famous for its wiry waterproof coat.

They are active and task driven dog which was originally bred to retrieve.

Mrs Mahon-Hunns said: “I live with two and co-own another two with some wonderful friends.

“They are not often seen, so Crufts is a great way to meet the breed and speak to owners about them.”

So when she was looking for a new puppy, Mrs Mahon-Hunns had to travel over to America in order to find Hudson.

She said: “A good friend of mine mentioned a litter in the US and needless to say, a few months later we were on a plane to JFK (airport) to meet the new boy.”

Having owned Chesapeake Bay Retrievers for some time, she has praised the breed.

Mrs Mahon-Hunns said: “They are a wonderful family dog but need a leader and will admire you for this.

“The breed can be seen on shoots, on the marsh but also in the show ring as well as taking part in agility, dock diving and obedience.

“They really can turn a paw to anything with the right training.”

Crufts, established in 1891 by Charles Cruft and run by the Kennel Club, attracts thousands of dogs displaying their abilities to a large crowd.

The animals have a wavy coat with a dense, woolly undercoat which has natural oils ensuring they can withstand cold temperatures

Judging will be based on these elements and also how well they conform to their breed's breed standard.

Mrs Mahon-Hunns added: “Crufts isn't for everyone but there is generally something for everyone who has a love for dogs.

“Whether it is showing, gamekeepers, BASC Breeder Club classes, agility, demonstrations from various clubs or just wanting to go shopping.

“There are plenty of non-dog stands available so it has a lot to offer.”

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