Exhibitions in May 2026

The first three days of May were packed with news from dog shows. I myself attended the Special Breed Show in Erkrath on 1 May 2026 with Martina Weissmann. Mrs C. Muldoon from Ireland judged the six OES entered; three did not turn up. There was only one male and two females in the champion class. That was Nicole Neiken and myself with Ch. West Side Story aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal. Unfortunately, Mrs Muldoon failed to recognise the outstanding qualities of ‘Tilly’ and we came second.

The day was blessed with plenty of sunshine, and a group of Bobtail enthusiasts – all of whom owned dogs bred by Nicole Neicken – had come along as spectators. Our whole group gathered for breakfast and we had a wonderful time enjoying good conversation and good company. That’s how it should always be.

On the second day of this special show, Mrs Muldoon’s husband, Mr John Muldoon (Ireland) judged, he was delighted with “Tilly”. Martina did a brilliant job and was awarded Best of Breed with “Ch. West Side Story aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal”.

Best Male was awarded to Mrs Noll with her “Kerjalee Tophat and Tuxedo”.

In Dallmin, in north-western Germany, there was also a special breed show for British herding dogs. Mike Koot from the Netherlands judged the Old English Sheepdog. His Best of Breed was Gesa Milde with her ‘Floris’

BOB and subsequently BEST IN SHOW “Ch. Wanted you aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal”

The judging panel: Mr M. Koot, Ms W. van Koot-van Oosten and Mr Wirth/GER

In Finland, the ‘Y’Dornröschen aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’ was once again a great success. It was awarded Best of Breed and received a large number of trophies and rosettes.

In Estonia, ‘Y’Lamborghini aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’ had his first show; he was the only one entered and was awarded Best of Breed and Junior CAC

Then there was also the two-day show in Roskilde, Denmark. On 1 May 2026, the judge was Ms M. Makuni from Finland, and on the second day, Mr P. Delerue from Portugal

Morgen Hansen was awarded Excellent 1 on both days with his ‘Y’Bayern Weiss Blau aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’, and his litter sister ‘Y’Edelweiss aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’, owned by Jörgen Brieghel, also received Excellent 1 twice. I am very proud of all my hard-working exhibitors.

On the left is the male and on the right his sister

I was actually far too tired and exhausted after two litters, but the European Winner Show in Dortmund on 9 May 2026 and the Agria Winner Show on 10 May 2026 were too tempting to pass up. My dear husband Paul gave me the day off and looked after the house, the puppies and the adult dogs.

The shows in Dortmund are the two biggest shows in Germany.

On Saturday morning, I set off for Dortmund with my dear friend Monika Fuss and ‘Heidi’ at 6 am, heading for the Westfalen-Hallen. I always like to arrive early to secure a parking space and a spot at the ring. The halls don’t open until 8.30, so we had to wait another 30 minutes. Never mind.

Only a few Bobtails were entered for Mr Paul Jentgen from Luxembourg. It was quick and painless, and “Heidi” was Best of Breed and European Champion.

Ch. “X’Texas Amarillo aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal” judged by Mr Jentgen

At 5.10 pm it was our turn in the ring of honour for Group 1. It’s a very long day and a long wait when you’re judged at 10.30 am. Especially as I knew full well that I could never win with the group judge, Mr Christopher Habig. We know each other well, but somehow he always leaves me out in the cold. That says a lot about him as a judge! And that’s exactly how it went: in we went into the main ring and out we went, not even given a second glance.

By 7 pm we were back at our lovely hotel just around the corner; the weather was brilliant and we had a lovely evening in very good company.

Got up at 6.30 am on 10 May 2026, put my socks on and went outside for my morning toilet. At my age, it takes a bit longer in front of the bathroom mirror; packed everything up, loaded the car and off to the halls. We were there again at 8 am for the Agria Winner Show. However, there was a bit less stress, as we weren’t judged until around 11.15. At the Agria Winner, a Swedish judge, Mr Bo Skalin, was judging. I didn’t know him, but I like Scandinavian judges. A male in the champion class had been added: Chris van Beirendonk with her ‘Charly’ and Nicole Neicken with her champion bitch. Exciting…

Mr Skalin was impressed by our Heidi and she also won ‘Best of Breed’.

BOS the male ” Ch. Love’n Stuff All American Snowbootbear”,The judge Mr.  Skalin, Best of Breed “Ch. X’Texas Amarillo aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal” and best Junior ” Zorro von den frechen Bobbies”

The Honour Ring was held an hour earlier today, at 4.15 pm. The judge was Mr Wolfgang Henke. A new one for me. BUT VERY GOOD FOR, HEIDI!

We won Group 1, which was a great joy.

Best in Group 1 at the AGRIA Winner in Dortmund: ‘Ch. X’Texas Amarillo aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’ judged by Mr Henke

Our Heidi is just 25 months old….

“Ch. X’Texas Amarillo aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal”

Impressions Ring of Honour

She had also won Group 1 in Dortmund seven months earlier at the National Dog Show in October 2025, aged 18 months, and came second in her group on the second day at the Agria BSZ.

Our ‘Heidi’ is incredible

The breed judge was Mr John Wauben (NL) and the group judge was Mr C-P. Fricke (GER)

We didn’t make it into the top three in the Best in Show competition. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes when it comes to the judging… that’s just how it is. By 7 pm we were back at the car packing everything up. We were home again by 9.30 pm.

On 24 May 2026, over the Whitsun weekend, the famous EURO OES Show took place in Blankenberge, Belgium. Together with Chris van Beirendonk, I organised this show, and it was a huge success. As organisers, we are not allowed to enter the show ourselves.

Three Elbe-Urstromtaler gave it their all, but unfortunately, they did not meet the judge’s approval – Jenny Joyce from England. Gesa Milde competed with her wonderful “Floris”, Martina Weissmann with her “Tilly”, and Denis and Martin from the Czech Republic with “Mona” in the veteran class. She took 3rd place with “Ch. Q’Mona Lisa aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal”.

“Tilly” is having fun on the dog beach in Blankenberge on Whit Monday.

Gesa set off for Arnhem in the Netherlands at the crack of dawn on Whit Monday. There, Mrs R. de Nooij (NL) judged the only Bobtail entered, namely Ch. ‘Wanted you aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’, known as ‘Floris’. Naturally, he was awarded Best of Breed. The icing on the cake of this long, hot day was third place in Group 1, judged by Mr E. Muncan/CRO.

The last day of May was full of show news, which came in via WhatsApp and Messenger:

Poland: Ewa Furzak’s “Y’ Butterbrezln aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal” had her first show. At just 14 months old, she won Best of Breed, beating two champion bitches. That’s a great start.

The rest of the news concerns three littermates, all of whom have just turned 12 months old. Their sire is ‘X’Texas El Amigo aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’ and their dam is Ch. ‘Love’n Stuff aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’.

Finland: Y’Dornröschen aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal won first place.

Sweden: ‘Y’Räuber Hotzenplotz aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’ also made their debut in the ring and took first place

Germany: At the British Herding Dogs Special Breed Show in Dormagen, ‘Y’Frau Holle aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal’  won best Junior.

A heartfelt thank you to all the owners for representing our kennel name so well.