Resident Jane Makes The Perfect Judge At Broadbridge Park’s Fun Dog Show

Broadbridge Park’s recent Fun Dog Show featured a host of fabulous hounds and also the ideal judge, resident Jane Chandler, who had Crufts wins and years of experience to offer.

Dogs Galore at a Sociable Canine Event

The team at Broadbridge Park had been keen to host a Dog Show for some time and the idea was supported by their residents, many of whom had enjoyed living with dogs and love receiving four-pawed visitors. The home’s spacious bistro area and beautiful gardens made the ideal location, so Wellbeing Lead, Donna, and her team, planned an afternoon that would showcase our furry friends’ very best qualities, as well as bringing people together for a sociable event.

Families, friends and neighbours from the local community were invited to bring their dogs along to the Fun Dog Show – best behaviour and on a lead at all times, of course – and a range of competition categories meant that mutts of all breeds, shapes and sizes could compete for seven big prizes!

Crufts Category Winner Jane Takes On Judge’s Role

Every competition needs a judge, even the fun ones, but the team struck gold with resident Jane Chandler, who just happens to have been an award winner at Crufts, then enjoyed a successful career as a judge at dog shows around the country.

Jane’s daughter, Tracy, was delighted to share Jane’s story with the team and began, “Mum grew up with dogs, mainly spaniels and when she married she got her first dog which was a black poodle with attitude!”

A Lifetime of Canine Companions

When the family was posted to Australia, the poodle stayed with an aunt and it seemed unfair to reclaim him when they moved back so at this point, Jane got her first Golden Retriever. It was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with ‘Goldens’, which she has owned for the past 60 years, and for much of that time, they were entered at shows.

Tracy continued, “Mum started showing dogs about 45 years ago and did very well. She would travel crazy distances to Championship Shows to be able to qualify for Crufts, where she won rosettes for Best in Class. She was then invited to be a judge at various shows and enjoyed this. However, she didn’t enjoy having to do the write ups afterwards for the breed magazines and judging also meant she was not able to show her own dogs”.

Eventually, being a judge became too challenging for Jane as she began to have difficulties with her mobility. In a lovely change of direction, Jane retired from the circuit and adopted rescue dogs instead. Her love of dogs has not diminished since moving to Broadbridge Park and Tracy confirmed, “Mum loves to have a stroke with any dog that visits but particularly her own Golden Retriever called Mathilda who is also an old lady”.

A Happy Day Where Jane’s Pedigree Shine’s Through

On the day of the Broadbridge Park Dog Show, the entrants arrived with their owners and were shown into the garden, where they waited patiently before being called through to the ‘bistro arena’ to participate in the class they had entered. Jane took her judging duties very seriously, ably supported by Tracy, and it was clear that interaction with the four-legged participants gave her great pleasure.

There were worthy winners in all categories, from ‘Waggiest Tail, ‘Cutest Pup’, ‘Prettiest Girl’ and ‘Handsomest Boy’, to ‘Best Golden Oldie’, ‘Best Rescue or Rehome’ and ‘Dog Most Like Its Owner’! And of course, no dog show is complete without ‘Best in Show’. This time the top prize was awarded to adorable black Miniature Schnauzer, Alfie, whose good looks and cheeky personality won him many fans.

The residents had a fun day and the dog owners were impressed by how organised everything was – leading the team to declare that the Broadbridge Park Fun Dog Show would return next year.

Jane was delighted to be able to interact with so many handsome hounds and her pedigree as a judge made all the participants feel extra special. It was a wonderfully relaxed afternoon and a fantastic opportunity for residents to share memories and anecdotes with dog owners after all the fun of the show. As for the canine competitors, some celebratory treats and a great deal of attention were all they needed to make it a ‘pawfect’ day!

Welcome to Broadbridge Park Care Home

If you are looking for residential, nursing or dementia care in Horsham, West Sussex, Broadbridge Park could be exactly what you are hoping to find.

Set in Broadbridge Heath, this is a home where you will find modern, beautifully furnished spaces alongside a genuinely warm and welcoming atmosphere. There is plenty to keep life full and enjoyable, from arts and crafts, baking and gardening to live entertainment and an in-house hair salon. You can also enjoy our bustling bistro, relax in the beautifully landscaped gardens or reserve our private dining room for those special family celebrations.

Our brand new Sullington Suite, a stunning penthouse floor with nine en-suite bedrooms is complete and we are now taking reservations.

Whatever matters most to you or your loved one, you will find a team here that listens, cares and works hard to make every day a good one.