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'Digger' Photo by Martin Leigh	'Digger' and Ellen A favourite photo by Sue Domun

When 'Digger' entered this world his breeder, Richard Minto, never dreamt how instrumental 'Digger' would become in raising the profile of the Canaan Dog in the UK. It never entered Richard's mind that 'Digger' would ever be shown as the litter he was out of was a test breeding. But when Ellen entered their lives she recognized 'Digger's' quality and set about getting him registered and into the show ring. A 6-month old "Digger" winning Best Puppy In Show Digger's' show debut was on his 6-month birthday and he won Best Puppy In Show at a local exemption show. A year passed before his next show so in actuality, 'Digger's show career really began in May '95. Since that time 'Digger' has gained many friends and admirers for the breed whilst acquiring numerous Best of Breeds and Best AVNSC's (Any Variety Not Separately Classified) along the way, beating champions in other breeds while doing so. (In the UK, though fully recognised, the Canaan Dog is classified as a Rare Breed in the Utility group. As such, the breed cannot yet be awarded championships.) Though 'Digger' would win all through the year, somehow Best of Breed at Crufts always eluded him...until 1999 when he finally won it! (Thank you Mr Peter Radley!) He was the Pedigree/Dog World Top Canaan Dog for the years 1996, '97, '98, 2000, and again in 2001 (In 1999 his half-brother, "Ziggy", won the title). As the number of Canaans being shown in the UK has increased and competition has grown stronger, 'Digger' continued his winning ways. 'Digger' and Ellen, Crufts 1999 'Digger' is currently the UK's breed record holder for number of dogs defeated in the show ring and the only Canaan to be short-listed in the Group at a championship show in the UK. (Thank you Mr Keith Nathan, who in one critique called Digger "The blueprinte for the breed"!) On the 1st December 2001, "Digger" retired from the show ring at the BUBA Championship Show by once again winning Best of Breed (his 34th), and as overall Top Canaan Dog in the UK for the fifth time!! "Digger" has also proven his worth as a stud dog and has been Top Stud Dog for 2002 & 2003. He sired three litters, resulting in some lovely puppies of outstanding quality. The first Canaan Dog in the UK to win an all-breed open show best in show was his son out of our "Beulah", Anacan The Israelite At Dunline. The overall Top Canaan Dog for 2002 & 2003 was his daughter out of our "Jasmine", Anacan Forever Amber With Lorianna. The 2004 Crufts Best of Breed winner was another son out of our "Beulah", Anacan Masterpiece. The quality of the litter he sired out of our "Lottie" made her Top Brood Bitch 2002. We feel that no matter how good a dog's show record is, it means nothing if he cannot pass on his attributes. "Digger" has not failed to do this as his children and grandchildren continue in his winning ways. Digger' is a very much loved member of the family and we are pleased that he can now sit back and just enjoy himself and he has done this in the truest sense of the word. Never allowed on the furniture, the day after we retired him from the show ring he climbed up onto the settee for the first time in his life as if to say, "I've earned it", and that is where you can now usually find him. He is truly a great Canaan Dog! "Digger" was invited to the Contest of Champions which was held on the 7th April 2001. This charity competiton is limited to the top 64 dogs in the country based on the Pedigree competition points. Click here to find out all about it. "Digger" was once again invited to the Contest of Champions 2002!