Born: 25th. March 2001 in Malta

Sire: Jackie

Dam: Ch. Patsy Safra Tal-Wardija

Sex: female

Owner: Peter & Lucienne Gatt, St. Julians/Malta
 

I was born on the 25^th of March 2001, together with another three sisters and two brothers. I was big at birth, and whenever I was hungry I used to push my way around to suckle – I had no problem with that.

When I first opened my eyes, I could just about make out the person who had so often carried me, cuddled and hugged me and kissed me. It was Peter. I knew then that I just had to be his.

As a puppy, I was boisterous and mischievous. Many a time did Peter or Lucienne catch me in my antics, trying to build a fight between my brothers and sisters. I used to nip one and then the other and run off. Then they would both think that they were nipped by one another and have a good fight. I used to enjoy fighting and running with my brothers and sisters. Peter often remarked that I was hyper active – and I think that he is right. I just love to run and run and run.

When I was three months old, I lost my sister who unfortunately died, but I also lost my other brothers and sisters who all went abroad to lovely new owners. Hunter was the first to leave. She went to Holland. I am jealous. There are so many rabbits there. She must be having the time of her life. Bahri travelled all the way to America, with Peter and Lucienne when Peter was invited to Judge in Lompoc. Then at the age of seven moths, I also said my good-byes to Ziffa and Barun who went to Sweden and Norway respectively.

In May of 2001, Peter invited a nice man home. He said that it was the Vet. I liked him at first but then he was cruel to me and pricked me with a needle. Peter said that I was a brave girl and that it was for my own good. One month later the same man pricked me again and took some blood from me. Peter said that if the test were positive he would be able to take me abroad with him. I knew that Peter wanted to show me off, because he always said that I was a beauty.

On the 16^th of September, Peter showed me for the very first time. It was a small show called a match, where one dog competes against the other. One dog (the winner of the two) is kept on whilst the other (the looser) is eliminated.

One by one, I came against some good dogs and always won. I was now competing against the last remaining dog, and the winner would be declared the winner. Peter was ecstatic when I was chosen as the “Best Puppy In Show”.

After that experience, seeing that Peter was so thrilled, I always did my very best to show off in the rings. The next show was the September CAC show organised by the Malta Kennel Club. Again for the second time in a row under the all breed judge Maria Kavcic, I was awarded “Best Puppy In Show”. Peter was thrilled. This confirmed his belief that I was a real beauty.

Peter had high hopes for me, and when we participated in the International Show in November 2001, Peter was hoping for a repeat performance. However, it was Ziffa, my own sister, who beat me and went on to win the “Best In Show” title under the International all breed Judge Mr Hans Lehtinen. Both Peter and I were still very happy, because it showed that we were of a good breeding stock.

Peter and I did participate in a few other shows. One of the most memorable was during the May 2002 CAC Dog Show. I was fortunate to win “Best In Show” under the International Judge Luis Pinto Teixeira. Peter again was over the moon, and since my next show was going to be the World Winner Dog Show in Amsterdam, Peter’s hopes went sky high.

Going to Amsterdam was not as easy as Peter thought that it would be. There were many papers to prepare, but in the end the day arrived when we boarded the plane for Schiphol Airport. I was a little bit scared, and Peter thought that it would be better for me to take a little sedative to calm me down.

When we arrived in Amsterdam, everything was so different to Malta. I was a little bit dizzy when I came out of my crate, but soon I was my usual self again. In Holland I met some very nice people and some old friends and relatives of mine. It was nice meeting my family, including my half brothers and sisters and also my litter sister – Hunter.

The day of the Show finally arrived and Peter and I were excited to go to participate in the World Dog Show. It was a first for me, a first for Peter and a first of a Maltese. It was a rather long trip to Amsterdam. There were many dogs there. I had never seen so many different breeds all in the same place.

The time came when I had to enter the ring. I was now fresh having slept for about one hour on Peter’s lap whilst waiting for my turn. I entered the ring proud as ever. I won the Junior class then went on for the Best female in Breed. I won! I was the “World Winner 2002”. Peter just couldn’t believe his eyes, and he kissed me had in the show ring. How silly – and in front of all those dogs. Unfortunately I did not win the Best in Breed, because as Peter pointed out I was still young at only 1 year and three months to beat an established 5 year old dog. But still it was a very good result. Peter was thrilled.

Tita at the World Winner Show 2002 in Amsterdam with owner
Peter Gatt and judge A. Th. Stuifbergen-Hoetjes/NL

It was the first time in Canine history that a Maltese owned and bred dog had won such a prestigious title. Peter said that since it was won by a Kelb tal-Fenek – Malta’s National Hound, this title was even more prestigious.

Tita's World Winner 2002 Certificate

Besides, having won at the world dog show, I enjoyed my trip to Holland because it gave me the opportunity to visit another country where everybody that I met was so friendly. There is also a lot of space where to run and I even enjoyed a short run after the hares.

Peter kept showing me off in all the shows organised by the Malta Kennel Club and I was pleased to have won the Maltese National Champion in January 2003.

Maltese National Champion Certificate

Peter is looking forward to showing me abroad especially in International Dog Shows organised under the FCI.

Here is a list of my winnings; 

PUPPY CLASS:

• Independence Dog Show – 16^th September 2001 – Judge: Mr Harry Vella – Best Puppy In Show

• Malta Kennel Club CAC Championship Dog Show – 29^th / 30^th September 2001 - Judge: Mrs. Maria Kavcic – Best Puppy in Breed, Best Puppy In Group 5, Best Puppy In Show – VP 1

• Malta Kennel Club CACIB International Dog Show 10^th / 11^th November 2001 – Judge Mr Hans Lehtinen – 2^nd Puppy in Breed – VP2

• Malta Kennel Club CAC Dog Show – 1^st / 2^nd December 2001 – Judge Ms Marisa Brivio Chellini – Best Puppy in Breed, Reserve Best Puppy In Group 5 – VP1

 JUNIOR CLASS:

• Malta Kennel Club CAC Dog Show – 12^th / 13^th January 2002 – Judge: Mr Carlos Saevich – Best Opposite Sex In Breed – E 1 – CAC

• Malta Kennel Club CAC Dog Show – 23^rd / 24^th March 2002 – Judge: Mr Norman Huidobro Corbett – Best of Breed – E1 – CAC.

• Malta Kennel Club CAC Gozo Dog Show – 28^th April 2002. – Judge: Ole’ Staunksjaer – Best Opposite Sex In Breed – VG1

• Malta Kennel Club CAC Dog Show – 18^th / 19^th May 2002 – Judge: Mr Luis Pinto Teixeira – Best of Breed, Best In Group 5, Best In Show – E1 – CAC

• Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland CACIB International Dog Show Uden – 30^th June 2002 – VG2

• Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland – World Winner Dog Show – Judge Ms A Th Stuifbergen-Hoetjes – Best Junior In Breed, Best female in Breed – World Winner 2002 – 2 CACs ; CACIB.

• Independence Dog Show 15^th September 2002 – Judge: Arch. Guliara. – Best Adult in Show – Best Exhibit In Show

• ENCI Mastra Interanzionale CACIB – Enna 19^th / 20^th October 2002 – Judge Agnes Ganami Kertes – Best In Breed – MB1

• Malta Kennel Club CACIB International Dog Show - 9^th / 10^th November 2002 – Judge Mr Kari Jarvinen – Best Opposite Sex In Breed – Crufts 2003 Qualifier – VG1

 OPEN CLASS

• Malta Kennel Club CAC Dog Show – 11^th / 12^th January 2003 – Judge Mr Sergio Montesinos Vernetta – Best of Breed; Best In Group 5; E1: CAC.

• DWZRV Landesgruppe Niedersachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt CAC-Landessiegerzuchtschau in Stendal (Germany) – 24^th May 2003 – Judge Mrs Edith Raufelder – Best of Breed; Best in Show under Judge Jochen H. Eberhardt – E1, CAC, VDH-ChA, Landessieger Niedersachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt 2003.

• DWZRV Landesgruppe Nordrhein-Westfalen CAC-Zuchtschau in Gelsenkirchen (Germany) – 31^st May 2003 – Judge André P.J.M. van den Broek – Best of Breed; E1, CAC, VDH-ChA

• Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland – CACIB International Dog Show in Arnhem – 7^th June 2003 – Judge Mrs. Sporre-Willes – E1, CAC, CACIB, Best of Breed.

• ENCI - CACIB International Show in Messina (Italy) - 26^th October 2003 - Judge Marto Steinbacher - E 1, CAC, CACIB, Best of Breed, Best in Group

• Malta Kennel Club CAC Dog Show - 22nd / 23rd March 2003 - Judge Dr Tamas Jakkel - Best of Breed.

• Malta Kennel Club - 4th International Dog Show - 8th & 9th November 2003 - Judge Mr. Hans van den Berg from Holland - Best of Breed; Res Best In Group; E1; CACIB

Peter is already thinking about the forthcoming shows and I too am looking forward to participating in other dog shows here in Malta but even more to participate in dog shows abroad.

Here are some photos of my trip to Germany and Holland from May 22nd till June 8th, 2003, where I had the opportunity to meet some of my brothers and sisters:

Sahha, Tita

Written down by Peter Gatt