More Diva than Demon as Edie Claims the POTY title !!

The Pup of The Year 2009 Finals took place at the Moran's Red Cow Hotel, Dublin on Easter Sunday, 4th April. The Combined Canine Club that host this event had thought of everything to ensure that both qualifiers and spectators were catered for. As with any event of this nature, sponsorship is vital and this year the club had secured a new main sponsor in BNY Mellon. They were represented on the night by Mark Roberts who, like the many that attended enjoyed the event.

There were 29 qualifiers from the 30 shows held in 2009 with the Keeshond having qualified at both Newtownards and Fermoy last year. Preliminary judging was completed by judges Ricky Loch Romans from the Netherlands, Berri Beare and Anthony Kelly from Ireland. Each judge independently assessed and scored each qualifier. Each qualifier received an engraved photo frame sponsored by ICP and as guests waited for dinner to be served the 8 dogs receiving the highest combined scored were announced.

For the finals it was to be Natalja Nekrosiene or Ramuné Kazlauskaite from Lithuania. Mark Roberts from BNY Mellon made the draw and Ramuné had the honour of judging the final 8. Having assessed all the finalisted she made her selection and the winners were announced in reverse order down to the last 2. Yvonne Cannon's homebred Shih Tzu, Cloughlea The Demon Diva who had qualified at Bull Breed under Brian O'Hara and John Canty's Lakeland Terrier Brocolitia Right Reaction who had been sent through by Donal Neally at South Tipperary. After a final lap of the ring Edie, the Shih Tzu got the nod to rapturous applause with the Lakeland Terrier taking the runner up spot.

Taking eight spot was June Wall and Geoff Corish's French Bulldog Sealaw Best Kept Secret who had qualified at Sligo & District

Seventh place overall was Martin Steele and Leanne Carpenter's Bulldog Trewlimee's Shannon at Chelsespride. Lola was handled to this and her qualifing win at Hiberian by Stephen Minogue

Jerry and Nancy Daly's Norwegian Elkhound Whittimere Pandamonium fininhed in sixth place She had qualifed at the Combined Canine Club Christmas open show and was handled on the night by Amanda Salmon

The Drogeda and District qualifier took fifth place for Gerry and Pauline Clarke's Irish Wolfhound Opheera of Shantamon

Frank Murphy handled his American Akita, Russborough All Or Nothing to qualify at Munster Canine Assocaition and to finish fourth place overall.

Brian and Maureen Caroll's double qualified Keeshond Stratus Armani Grange took third place. Annmeike had qualified at both Newtownards and Fermoy International show.

The Runner Up title went to John Canty's Lakeland Terrier Brocolitia Right Reaction

Pup of the year 2009 went to Yvonne Cannon's homebred Shih Tzu, Cloughlea The Demon Diva

A delighted Yvonne with Edie and judge for the final Ramuné Kazlauskaite from Lithuania.

Margaret Rose. Yvonne Cannon with Edie and Bernie Ladd

Team Cloughlea!!

Secretary Joan Walsh pictured with Mark Roberts from main sponsors BNY Mellon.

The Committee of Cambined Canine Club that put in so much work to make this a very special event for both exhibitors and spectators.

John Walsh, MC for the evening pictured with finals judge Ramuné Kazlauskaite from Lithuania and Mark Roberts from main sponsors BNY Mellon.