This Is Guernsey

It was any judge’s worst nightmare: 115 perfect pooches on parade and only three winners. But, as Yvonne Blundell reports, Guernsey Press readers had no trouble choosing their Dog of the Year 2007 AT JUST five months old, Molly Manning is celebrating her dog day.

The young boxer was outright winner of the Guernsey Press Dog of the Year competition, held in conjunction with Vets4Pets and John Fitzgerald Photography - and she was up against stiff competition.

The high number of entrants surprised even the organisers, with more than 115 owners taking up the offer of a #5 professional portrait and the chance to enter.

But it wasn’t just about looks - we were searching for a dog with the character to match.

The boisterous Molly, with her playful personality, fitted the bill perfectly.

Second prize went to cocker spaniel Tilly Brehaut, an 11-year-old grande dame with a neck injury that lends her a fetchingly quizzical expression.

And scoring a bulls-eye for the third spot was five-year-old Tia Belcher, a gentle-natured Dalmatian.

Star pooches all, but as photographer Nikki Trebert commented, every one of the entrants had something to offer.

‘Each of them had their own unique personality, with every single one being a winner in the eyes of their owner.’

Molly joined the Manning household as a 12-week-old puppy following years of nagging by Ellen’s husband James and their children, Bradley and Chanel.

‘I initially said that they couldn’t have a dog until the cat died,’ said Ellen, ‘but when we moved into a house with a secure garden I finally gave in’.

Their fluffy grey 14-year-old cat Candy is still going strong.

Molly has proved the ideal family pet and is obviously adored by the children and all their friends.

At five months old she is a boisterous bundle of fun, but she still knows her place and is definitely the underdog as far as the feline of the house is concerned.

‘We really only entered the competition because #5 for a professionally taken photograph seemed a bargain and we were thrilled when Vets4Pets gave out doggie bags with toys and treats in,’ said Ellen.

But on top of that comes the prize of lifetime vaccinations - and the average lifespan of a boxer is 10 years.

The children obviously think Molly is the best dog in the world - though Bradley had hankered for a golden retriever and Chanel will be pleased to hear that a dog of her favourite breed, the cocker spaniel, was placed second.

The playful canine successfully completed her eight-week puppy training classes with the Island Dog Training Club - and it shows.

Although she is brimming with excitement, she is also very obedient and was only too happy to demonstrate her sit, wait and stay skills before offering her paw.

Having a dog in the house has definitely boosted everybody’s energy levels and there is no more dozing in front of the TV after dinner: it’s down to the common with a Frisbee for a family fling-around.

But not everything in the garden is coming up roses with Molly around.

‘I had high hopes for the garden at our new house, but Molly had other ideas,’ laughed Ellen.

The pup is obviously critical of the choice of plants, having already reduced the rose bushes to a pile of sticks and pulled up all the bedding plants.

Molly may be a little devil in the garden but one look into those deep brown eyes and you could forgive her anything.

Cocker spaniel Tilly is a tail-wagging testament to the adage ‘there’s life in the old dog yet’. The 11-year-old working canine is a much-loved member of the Brehaut family, who were thrilled with the news that their doggy grande dame had placed second.

‘Realistically, we’re not going to break the bank with the lifetime vaccinations for Tilly,’ remarked dad Martyn wryly.

As with most entrants, however, it was the chance to get a professional photo taken of their dog that prompted daughter Vicky to enter Tilly.

‘The picture will have great sentimental value for us all when Tilly is no longer with us,’ said Vicky.

The dog in question was running rings around us while we were talking in the garden, so how did she behave for the sitting?

‘Because she is a smaller dog, she had to have her photo taken up on a table, from which she jumped off twice and fell from once,’ laughed Vicky, ‘but we got there in the end’.

Mum Jackie said that despite her age, Tilly still acts just like a puppy and that you couldn’t ask for a friendlier dog.

‘She loves children and is extremely friendly with all other dogs,’ she said.

Aptly for a cocker spaniel, Tilly’s head is permanently cocked to one side as a result of a neck injury sustained when she was a puppy.

It lends her quite a quizzical look. One thing not in question, however, is the fact that this little dog’s big personality is guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face.

THE only Dalmatian in the event knocked spots off the competition to secure third place.

Five-year-old Tia bounded up to greet us when we arrived and was full of get up and go, belying the fact that she had already got up and gone on her usual morning brisk cliff walk.

Tia is the third dog for the Belcher family - Cathy, Martin and daughter Verienne - and their second Dalmatian.

‘Tia is a very gentle-natured dog and took to the arrival of our three Siamese cats with no trouble at all,’ said Cathy.

‘She fitted into family life right from a puppy and has been a very easy dog to handle,’ added Martin. ‘We had an Afghan who was very handsome but somewhat difficult to train.’

Fortunately, Dalmatians are quick on the uptake - despite their energetic and excitable nature - though with a conspiratorial look and a few hearty chuckles it was conceded that perhaps daughter Verienne did have her work cut out getting this particular bundle of fun to sit still and pose.

The Belchers were thrilled by Tia’s success, but determined not to let the fame go to her head.

I wonder if the same could be said of the felines in the family.

Candidates for a forthcoming Cat of the Year competition, perhaps?

* A selection of images can be found at www.fitzgerald’s.co.gg via the link ‘Buy photos taken by Fitzgeralds’ and clicking on ‘Dog competition’.

The collection can also be viewed at Fitzgerald Photography between 8am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday, or 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

Participating owners are reminded that they can now collect the photograph of their dog.

Article posted on 19th April, 2007 - 12.00am