The experts tell us that puppies can change from one week to the next. Not that Toronto and North York Clementine was ever an Ugly Duckling. But to go from Reserve Champion at the hunt’s puppy show on one weekend to Grand Champion of the Canadian Foxhound Show the next weekend is certainly a remarkable feat for any un-entered hound.
On a June day that threatened wind, rain, and chill a glorious summer afternoon developed for the Toronto & North York Puppy Show held at the kennels. Judges were Mr. John Quayle and Mr. Alastair Strachan, MFH, both of the Eglinton and Caledon Hunt (ON). The puppies, shown by huntsman Antony Gaylard, were in lovely condition and showed well, but particularly apparent was the confident and cheerful attitude of all the hounds and their positive response to the huntsman’s commands. Acknowledged in the program were those generous hunt members who kindly walked puppies.
A pair of littermates—Clasher, a dog and Clementine, a bitch—were judged Champion and Reserve respectively at the puppy show. This very classy pair are by Montreal Lanark ’05 out of Toronto and North York Closet ’06. After the final showing, the entire pack was paraded for the audience, and all the hounds demonstrated good manners and enthusiasm. Biscuits for all!
The following week, Clementine had her day, taking top honours as Grand Champion Hound at the Canadian Hound Show. Judge C. Martin Wood III, MFH, remarked that Clementine could have been overall champion at Virginia or even Peterborough.
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