23/11/1992 - 01/04/2010

Sadly on the 1st April 2010, Rupert passed away aged 17 years 4 months.
He was a handsome and brave bichon gamely living his final couple of years
coping with arthritis in his shoulders and leg joints, deafness and failing sight.
 

He was never far from my side as we enjoyed one of the closest friendships
an owner could ever have with her dog.
He will be remembered for his unstinting loyalty and lovely nature

He smuggled his way into my heart for ever over 17 years ago
and I will miss him dreadfully.

     
       Still Going Strongly But More Slowly!
                                

            Rupert was actively shown for most of his life and I was so lucky in
owning such a lovely dog that did us both so proud.

            In his younger days he was awarded numerous "Best of Breeds" at Open shows
           and was a consistent winner of the Championship Limit class winning his
                way out and up into the Open Classes. 

  
        Rupert at 8 weeks

Settling in!

Rupert - Birmingham 1993
 Best Puppy in Breed

Rupert (right) ready with Ollie for
 his first show where he won
BPIB!
 

          His major wins were two of three Challenge Certificates
             needed to give him his Championship title and
            we enjoyed the chase at the time to try and
              win the third, however this wasn't to be
         but we added a Reserve Challenge Certificate to his credit.
         When the other breeders' "new boys on the block" were
        coming through I briefly withdrew him from the show scene
         waiting to reintroduce him as a Veteran when he attained
        the age of 7 years old.

           
              Rupert
           Winning with his handler
              Mr Brian Diaper

Of all the bichons I have had he was very special not only for his
accomplishments but because he was especially loving
and eager to please, a really affectionate nature.

He was never far away from my side and used to  tuck in down
the side of the armchair when he was younger or just cuddled
around my feet. In later years
he was in a specially comfortable "nest" type of basket
he was also the only one who wasn't disobedient!

I was very proud of his efforts in achieving
4 Pedigree Masterfoods Veteran Stakes Group wins at
Championship shows,
Best Veteran Dog at Crufts
and the many
Best Veteran in Show awards
both in the breed and at Mixed Open shows.

He was a wonderful example for the breed
especially to have seen him striding out
in the Best in Show Ring at nearly 10 years old. 

Relaxing in the motorhome having just won the
Pedigree Masterfoods Veteran Stakes Group
at the
Bath Championships 2002

Pedigree Masterfoods
Veteran Stakes Winner
at
Three Counties Championships
held at
Malvern, Worcestershire 2001

Magec (18 months)
the "young pretender"
with Rupert

Northern & Midland Bichon Frise Club
held an Open show on the 2nd March 2003 at Penkridge, Staffordshire.
The judge
Mrs Lynda Robinson-Byrne
(Eithilyn)
 awarded
 Rupert
"Best Veteran Dog"

Rupert wins "Best Veteran in Show" at the 2003
Southern Bichon Frise Breeders Association
Under judge Mr Des Jenkins (Churrasco).
The show was held on the 16th February 2003
at Gardeners Hall, Windsor, Berkshire.

  The judge Mr Des Jenkins wrote:

Toogood's Ligray Mr Raffles at Arjanan,
wonderful condition for a dog over 10 years,
credit to his owner, holding his own with all the youngsters,
 shapely head well set ears, dark round eyes, dark rims & haloes,  
strong muzzle & jaw, black nose, still has all his teeth,
 long neck, good quarters, level back held at all times,
well set & carried tail, good body & ribs, nice round feet
with black pads, putting some younger dogs to shame
 in movement in very good coat.
Best Veteran

Mr Des Jenkins
Best Veteran in Show
Ligray Mr Raffles at Arjanan