Last week-end, on February 8th, I was invited to judge Labradors at the Swedish Spaniel and Retriever Club Ch show in Mjölby.

When arriving to the venue the day prior to the Retriever show on the Spaniel day I was very happy to meeting a dear old friend, Thornbreaker’s Maestro, whose mistress Eva also is a Welsh Springer Spaniel owner. Maestro, aged 9 years, spends four hours per day in a day care centre where people with various issues socialise with the dogs, take them for walks etc. Bertie, as Maestro is called, has the rock solid temperament required for those activities. I think I speak for all breeders on this planet when I say you really feel especially proud when a dog you’ve bred makes a difference for people with special needs. I am very happy to be able to tell you that another from this kennel, Thornbreaker’s Right On Time, aged 10, also spends time in the centre and makes people happy just being what she is.

The entry was a good one by Swedish standards, 89, which meant one of the puppy classes had to be removed as there is a limit of 80 dogs per day and judge in Sweden. Many thanks to all those brave exhibitors that challenged the rough weather and made the journey – it was a pleasure and an honour to go over your dogs.

Best Puppy aged 4-6 months was won by Lab Nova Diamonds Are Forever (Ch Licithas Terje Vigen x Eatons Heidi), a lovely yellow boy, showed and moved very well.

BD-1, DCAC and BOS Winnies Route Sixty Six (Guidelines One Size Fits All x Ch Winnies Mary Go Round), photo on top, a lovely yellow junior dog who gave all of his best from start to finish. He caught the eye standing and on the move he excelled in reach and drive. His very nice sister was 4th in BB-line up.

BD-2 Kefverön’s Earl of Dunmore (Ch Lab Treasures Great Choice x Kefverön’s Celina)

BD-3 Ca’Krist Muscato Molleux (Dwight of Misty Dreams x Ch Max-Mara)

BD-4, Best Veteran Fabracken Pablo (Ch Cambremer Tom Cobbley of Charway x Ch Fabracken Meadow Mint)

BD-5 JWW-08 Trendmakers Indian Summer (Alaincobin x Trendmakers Italian Bella Donna)

BB-1, BCAC and BOB Blizzami Lady Hillingdon (Ch Mambrinos Triumph x Ch Attikonak Crescenza), yellow bitch from open that looked the part. Very well balanced. Showed and moved beautifully, see photo above. Her lovely dam was runner up.

BB-2 Ch Attikonak Crescenza (Poolstead Parmesan x Attikonak Don’t Mess With Dynamite)

BB-3 Posters Sweet Juliet (Ch Ramsayville Route Sixty Six x Attikonak Spring Hat With Veil)

BB-4 Winnies Rag Doll, litter sister of W Route Sixty Six

BB-5 Eatons Jajamensan Lab Nova (Ch Applejacks Whoop de Doodle x Ch Eatons Zaga)

In 1976 an especially succesful Labrador litter was born as it contained no less than four future British champions, those were Sh Ch Balrion King Frost, Sh Ch Balrion Royal Mischief of Rodarbal, Sh Ch Balrion Black Ice and Sh Ch Balrion Wicked Lady. The happy parents were Sh Ch Sandylands Clarence of Rossbank and Balrion Royale Princess.

Balrion Royal Mischief of Rodarbal had a son in Sweden called Rodarbal Ruler. He was succesful in the show ring as well as a sire. It is interesting to note that there have actually been two Rodarbal kennels, one in Sweden and one in the UK. This is possible as Sweden belongs to the FCI whilst Britain does not.

Sh Ch Balrion King Frost became a world famous Labrador. He won 28 CC’s and several gundog groups. In 1978, he won best in show at SKC under Judy de Casembroot.

I look at King Frost every day. On my living room wall I’ve got a big framed photo of him together with Ch Fabracken Comedy Star and Ch Charway Ballywillwill. The photo, which was taken by David Dalton, is a numbered edition, mine is 70/200.

King Frost was bred and owned by Mr John and the late Mrs Glenda Crook who is here seen showing him to that magic win in 1978 at SKC.