Country of origin: United Kingdom
The year 1907 was also an important year for Labradors. Firstly, it saw the advent of an entry by a lady owner, it was the Duchess of Hamilton and Brandon’s bitch, Dungavel Juno, which won third prize in the Non-Winner Stake held by a newly formed field trial association, the Scottish. This lady, and her dogs, trained and handled in trials by her gamekeeper, Mr. J. Alexander, as well as herself, were to feature in a number of trials in the future, but of all of them Juno proved to be the strongest bitch line. She was mated to Flapper to produce D. Phoebe, the winner of the first Championship run for retrievers at Little Green, Havant in 1909. In build, Juno was on the short side but Mr. Alexander claimed that, "she was one of the best workers he ever saw, and that no runner could get away from her”.
Clearly with a Duchess running a dog, trials immediately became an acceptable diversion for Edwardian ladies, as was evident from the picture taken at the IGL. Open Stake in 1911 at Gwernyfed, Brecon that year.
The next item of importance that took place in 1907, was the 2nd All-Aged Stake held by the Kennel Club on November 26th & 27th. In a field of 20 runners there were fifteen Flat Coats, three Labradors, and two others. The Labradors were Mr. Portal's Flapper, The Duchess of Hamilton's Dungavel Juno, and Holland-Hibbert's Munden Single. So foul was the weather on the morning of the first day that a vote was taken of handlers and guns whether to continue after lunch - a situation known to many hardened field triallers. Fortunately, they voted to continue, which gave an historic result. Flapper was first, Juno was second and M. Single gained the fourth prize. The Labrador had arrived on the field trial scene with a vengeance. Flapper, who became a FT Champion, was handled by Maurice Portal, a man who, as Vice Chairman, was to play a major role in the direction of the Labrador Club in its formative years. This was the first time a Labrador had won a major stake. Flapper was 5 years old when he won this trial and was to continue to win further honours. He was to become a powerful stud force siring many litters. It was Flapper more than any dog to date, whose brilliant accomplishments made an enormous impression on the shooting public. More than any other dog he convinced the public of the superiority of the Labrador over the previously ubiquitous Flat Coats.
https://thelabradorretrieverclub.com/fts-past-achievements-part-i-to-1914
|
