Top dog still winning

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 424, 18 February 1992, Page 3

Top dog still winning

Helen McCready's dog 'Floyd' is a four year old champion. The English Pointer has won countless dog championships over the last two years and has trophies, cups and ribbons to show for it. Helen and Floyd have recently returned from nine weeks in Australia where Floyd competed in dog shows. Helen said Floyd entered 10 competitions in Victoria and Canberra and gained the Australian Title in four shows. He achieved three Best Gun Dog groups, 5 Runner-ups, one Best Dog for all breeds, and one Runnerup. Judges set a standard for a particular breed, including marks for conformation, head, tail, movement and colour. Floyd returned from Australia with a vast collection of ribbons,

and trophies, and Helen with her own prizes of docks, silver, towels, crockery and other items. "It's my hobby. I love getting out and about

meeting friends at the shows," Helen said. Her dogs compete most weekends in shows throughout the North Island. Helen has five dogs that travel with her

to the competitions. Over the last two years in New Zealand Floyd has won 12 Best Dog for All Breeds, 5 Runnerups, and 21 Best Gun Dog awards. Last week-

end Floyd won Best Gun Dog for the East Coast competition. Helen said she exercises her dogs daily around the Waiouru hills. "I very occasionally breed from Floyd, and only if I want a puppy for myself. But when I do, the litter goes quickly to people all over the world." Helen's aim is for Floyd to win the Tux Dog competition. This is one of the most prestigious dog shows in New Zealand. The competition is held in Wellington next August. Another of Helen's dogs, young 'Spike', looks like he will follow in Floyd's 'pawsteps'. He's 18 months old and came second in the Pal Show which means he is the second-to-top puppy in New Zealand.