Årets spesialdommer Ray Owen kommer fra England. Vi har stilt ham 6 spørsmål. Les mini intervjuet og bli bedre kjent med en av de største innen rasen vår.
Are you excited to judge “Spesialen” in Norway 10. June. What do you hope to see?
I am delighted to have the honour to be back in Norway judging for the third time, I believe, and to celebrate my 50th anniversary as a Bobtail Judge. It was in March 1973 that I judged the Romford DCS Open Show and had an amazing entry to start a long career that has taken me around the canine world.
I hope to see a wonderful collection of the best OES from Scandinavia and beyond, that meet the breed standard and bring joy to my heart.
What do you like about Norway?
I was in Trafalgar Square, London, at Christmas time with my Granddaughter and I explained to her that the wonderful Christmas tree we were admiring was a gift from the people of Norway to the English nation for the help and assistance we gave them during the Second World War. That close bond exists today and Norwegians and all Scandinavians are our great friends and allies.
How many OES litters have you bred?
I was a keen breeder all through the 70s and 80s and had a few good litters from my bitches but my kennel strength lay in my males. I had several top stud dogs that were sound in both body and mind and they produced many Champions both at home and abroad.
How many dogs have you owned?
All my dogs lived in the house so we tried to keep the numbers down to 4 but when I had my own litter of twin boys in 1978 we started to cut back on the dogs and I concentrated on being a ‘hands on’ father.
What is the biggest event you have judged?
The biggest event I have judged was undoubtedly the 1989 OES Club Show, one year after the Centenary Show where I was the Exhibition Manager, and had to Judge 271 OES in a day, a wonderful task with many top dogs on view. Crufts 2014 was an honour and the Euro Show in 2013 a fabulous treat. Club Shows in all the countries that have a Bobtail Organisation are always a special occasion and I think I have judged for most of them over the years from Australia to USA.
What are you loving the most about the Old English Sheepdog?
I am still searching for the perfect OES with that wonderful temperament and the ‘type’ that puts it in top spot in my favourites list.
Thank you, Norway xx
En lengre reportasje fra Ray Owen får du i medlemsbladet «OES i Norge» nummer 1 2023.
Alt om spesialen 2023 kan du lese her…
