Peggy

Peggy is Edna’s daughter from her first litter. Her show name, Marcasite Love is Begun VW, borrowed from one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, felt entirely fitting. She made me fall head over heels for the breed all over again.

What I did not expect was that she would also introduce me to the world of showing.

I first took Peggy into the ring out of pure determination.

To say I was a novice would be generous. I was a complete beginner, tentatively dipping a toe into the ring while Peggy carried herself as though she had been born for it. She was the most wonderful teacher: gentle, patient and endlessly kind while I fumbled with leads, forgot ringcraft etiquette and tried to look as though I knew what I was doing.

Perhaps it was always meant to be. Showing must have been somewhere in my blood. My Grandma had loved showing her own dogs. Sadly, while her passion filtered down to me, the practical knowledge did not, so Peggy and I very much learned together.

My original ambition was simply to qualify for Crufts and have that one proud lap around the famous green carpet. Peggy did that… and then placed Reserve in her class at just ten months old! Since then she has gone on to achieve two Reserve placings at Crufts, several group placings at open shows, and most recently earned her Veteran Warrant title. Not bad for a dog owned by someone who once had to ask which way to stand in the ring!

This year will be Peggy’s final appearance at Crufts. I am already looking forward to it, while quietly bracing myself for the bittersweet feeling of knowing it is the end of that particular chapter.

Outside the show ring, Peggy has had two beautiful litters and proved herself to be a devoted, natural mother. She has also dipped a paw into film work, appearing in campaigns for Sainsbury's, Church's and Pet Head. Alongside all of that, she has collected a number of trick dog titles and her Kennel Club Good Citizens bronze award too.

From accidental show dog to veteran lady of the ring, Peggy has been many things. Above all, she has been my patient guide, my partner, and proof that sometimes the best journeys begin with a slightly defiant step forward.