Our life in dogs started back in 1976 when I purchased a Golden Retriever bitch as a birthday present for Lyn, three years later our first litter arrived which introduced us to the show world where we bred and showed many Goldens with great success. Our first Flatcoated Retriever arrived in 2003 from Maureen Scott’s Branchalwood kennel giving us the opportunity in the last 20 years to breed and show, making up four male Show Champions, Branchalwood Aylanmhor for Burpham, Branchalwood Belmenach for Burpham, Downstream Fair & Square for Burpham and Burpham Million Love Songs who is still in the show ring along with his young granddaughter Burpham Lotties First Love.
We both judge Golden Retrievers and Flatcoated Retrievers at Championship level, Ray also judges 7 other Gundog breeds plus the Gundog Group & Retriever Group at Championship shows. We have both had the honour of judging in many overseas countries including Australia, New Zealand. We are both members of the Flatcoated Retriever Society Judges/Show Sub Committee also committee members of the Southern Flatcoated Retriever Club.
We are both looking forward to meeting you all and your Flatcoats on our first visit to Canada. It will be an honour to judge your 2023 Specialty on Vancouver Island.
Bill Blair
Obedience
I started in obedience in the mid 70’s in Regina with a Miniature Poodle. After moving to the West Coast in 1977, we gravitated to American Cockers who are still our favourites. We have been members of the North Saanich Dog Obedience Training Club (NOSA) since the mid 80’s, actively involved in trialing, teaching classes at all levels (including rally) and holding various executive positions in the club including trials chair and trials secretary.
On retirement, I started judging and I am currently licensed to judge obedience and rally at all levels for the Canadian Kennel Club and the Association of Island Obedience Clubs.