Crufts supreme champion of 1977 Sh Ch Bournehouse Dancing Master

AFTER AN outstanding puppy career culminating in him winning the Reserve CC at the ESA Championship Show at the age of 12 months under Mrs Marsden, "TERRY" was left at home until he was 3½ years old. He was brought out at the NEES Championship Show in 1976 where he won the RESERVE CC, and qualified for what was to be an unforgettable CRUFTS 1977.

I was undecided whether to take TERRY or the Cocker Spaniel Champion BOURNEHOUSE STARSHINE, the 1976 Crufts Gundog Group Winner. The decision was made easy for me, as DANCING MASTER came to peak condition which demanded his presence at the show, whereas "STARSHINE" was not really at her best, and therefore was left at home. It is said that "Every Dog Has His Day" and certainly I feel that on the day of the show TERRY had never looked better, although it would be fair to say that there was never the remotest thought that he could possibly achieve so much. He perhaps felt that he had something to prove. Certainly his kennel mates had done well in previous years, both his parents had gained The Challenge Certificate at Crufts some four years earlier in 1973, and his grandmother had also won BOB at Crufts in 1969. His half sister was the BOB at the same show in 1974.

He was handled as always by his most devoted fan Mrs Marion France. After winning Best of Breed under Mrs V. Finn, The Gundog Group under Mr L. C. James, he was then declared Supreme Champion by Mrs Catherine Sutton.

Crest of the Wave

Unlike the immortal SH CH SILBURY SOAMES OF MADAVALE bred by Mr & Mrs P. Gardner-Brown, who ended his show career with Best in Show at Crufts, DANCING MASTER still required two more challenge certificates to complete his title. However, on the crest of a wave, these soon followed at his next two shows, with Best in Show at the ESA Championship Show from judges Mrs Angela Tate and Mrs Ann Fielder and then to WELKS for his title from Miss Margaret Barnes. I then decided to let him rest on his laurels and retire him from the show ring.

It was obvious from his first litters that he would prove to be a very dominant stud dog. Although not used extensively, he has achieved the distinction of being TOP SIRE for six consecutive years. He has sired 15 champions including the Breed Record Holder SH CH ELWOOD VAGABOND KING, and several other CC winners. Age forced his retirement from these activities and he is now content to see his sons take over. To those who know him, "TERRY" is a once in a lifetime dog who will never be replaced.

G. E. Williams