Ilminster dog becomes British Cocker Spaniel Champion
Ilminster dog trainer Nigel Partiss wins gold as his dog Field Trial Champion Brookfurlong of Tiptopjack ‘Midge’ becomes ‘British Champion’ having proved herself to be the best working Cocker Spaniel in Britain.
Midge – the oldest dog in the Championship at 7 years old claimed her title as ‘Champion’ and best ‘hunting Cocker’ in the country, after putting her skills consistently against 40 of the UK’s best Cocker Spaniels.
The dogs invited to participate in this year’s Championships were selected the Kennel Club from the trials that have taken place over several months across the UK, in a year that has seen a record number of dogs selected. This year the British Championships provided a tough 3 days of competition at the home of the Queen’s Cousin – The Duke of Buccleuch, at his Queensberry Estate, Dumfries and Galloway.
Midge is one of the most prolifically successful Cocker Spaniels ever, with a list of accolades to her name. Before becoming British Champion, she had consecutively won her place at the Championships every year for 6 years, coming away with many Awards, including last year being presented HRH Queen Elizabeth at Sandringham with the prestigious ‘Gun’s Choice Award’ in the 2012/13 Championships.
Not only is Midge successful in her own right, but this year she competed in the Championships against 3 of her daughters – one of which has followed in her mother’s footsteps to become this year’s ‘Gun’s Choice’, the other winning ‘Certificate of Merit’. To date, Midge has produced two Field Trial Champions, three Open Field Trial Winners, and three Field Trial Winners.
Amongst Nigel’s Stud Dogs are the Sire (Field Trial Winner Dougall) and Son (Field Trial Champion Jack) of Midge. Jack’s father was ‘Field Trial Champion Danderw Druid’ who won the British Championship in 2006 – making Jack an exceptional Stud Dog with both parents being ‘British Champions’.
Nigel provides both obedience training and gun dog training and sometimes has puppies and part trained dogs available. For up to date information visit www.tiptopdogs.com.
Nigel would like to thank Ian and Wendy Openshaw, Lord Cameron and the staff of Dillington Estate for their ongoing help and support.