Thank you to all the Judges, who made Bootsie so successful in her show career.

Bootsie arrived at Claygar as a 2 year old bitch from the Clan-Abby kennels in New Zealand, via a short stay at the Beagold kennels who had originally imported her.

We first saw Bootsie on a flying visit to Beagold kennels – it was love at first sight and from that point forward we just knew we had to have her. Originally imported for breeding not showing, we cajoled Beagold into loaning her to us for the show ring whilst her breeding plans were finalised. This then turned into a permanent arrangement when they agreed a few months later that we could buy her outright.

Having had little show experience before coming to the UK, Bootsie was introduced to the Open show scene to “learn her trade”. What a surprise when she won Best of Breed and the Group on her debut and then Best in Show on her second outing – a natural show dog and a future star!

Over the next 2 years, Bootsie made a stunning impact in the ring, winning 5 CCs and 3 Reserve CCs - never being placed outside the first 3 in Open Bitch, on any occasion. Her CCs were awarded to her by Monica Boggia-Black, John Gascoigne, Zena Thorn-Andrews, Joyce Collis and Ellis Hulme.

Bootsie was the start of it all – the foundation bitch that most of our subsequent success has been based on. She has Champion children, grand-children and great-grandchildren, both here in the UK and overseas.

Sadly no longer with us but her legacy lives on!