Primley Sceptre

Primley Sceptre was a greyhound bitch who was the first winner of 'Best in Show' at Crufts in 1928.[1][2] Primley Sceptre was owned by eccentric zoo owner Herbert Whitley, an expert breeder of a huge range of animals, and a particular fascination with breeding animals which were blue in colour.[3] He usually prefixed things he bred (both animal and plant) with 'Primley' after his home at Primley House, the grounds of which now form Paignton Zoo.

Primley Sceptre
Photograph of Primley Sceptre
SpeciesDog
BreedGreyhound
SexBitch
Nation from United Kingdom
OccupationRacing greyhound, Show dog
TitleBest In Show at Crufts
Term1928
PredecessorNone (first winner)
SuccessorHeather Necessity (Scottish Terrier)
OwnerHerbert Whitley
Parent(s)Sire Ch. King of Venton

Description

Primley Sceptre was a blue-coated greyhound bitch, part of Whitley's obsession with breeding plants and animals with a blue colour. Her sire was Ch. King of Venton.[4]

She was known to have raced and won a stake, as she was entered as a 'track greyhound'.[5]

Her litter brother, Primley Splinter was a stud dog.[6]

Crufts 1928

Primley Sceptre was selected as best bitch, although was beaten in the breed championship by kennel-mate best greyhound dog Primley Satyr.[7] The pair together won "best brace".[7] She was then picked as Best of Show from an entry of 9,466 competitors by renowned judge, Theo Marples.[8][9] At the same show, Whitley also took breed champion for English Setter Primley Panda.[10][11]

During the judging she was described as "the best bitch ever benched" and "faultless".[7]

Whitley was presented with a sterling silver, gold gilt bowl, which took pride of place displayed at home at Primley House.[12]

Whilst winning Best in Show, she missed out on the Hound International Challenge Bowl (won by Irish Wolfhound Lady of Raikeshill) and the Petanelle Challenge Cup for best conditioned dog in show.[13]

History following Crufts

After the win at Crufts, Primley Sceptre was never shown again,[8] and died young of jaundice, and never became a Champion dog.[14]

Primley Sceptre was the first of only three greyhounds to ever win at Crufts.[15]

References
  1. "First Crufts Best in Show Champion". Guinness World Records.
  2. "History of Crufts". Crufts.
  3. "Our history". Wild Planet Trust.
  4. Smith, A Croxton (29 April 1928). "Dogs of the day". Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News.
  5. "Mr Whitley's Successes at Crufts". Torbay Express and South Devon Echo. 11 February 1928.
  6. "Greyhounds for sale". Western Morning News. 7 March 1928.
  7. "Fancy Notes". Torquay Times. 17 February 1928.
  8. Gregson, Jo (2008). "Herbert Whitley - The Founder of Paignton Zoo". The Avicultural Magazine. 114 (3): 134–142.
  9. Whitley, Edward (1993). Gerald Durrell's army. FA Thorpe, Anstey. p. 201. ISBN 0708987354.
  10. "The Best of All Breeds at Cruft's Dog Show". Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News. 1928-02-18.
  11. "Zoo founder Whitley was dog lover extraordinaire". Torbay Weekly. 2020-09-27.
  12. "Leading the way: Whitley's animal champions". Paignton Zoo.
  13. Jackson, Frank (1990). Crufts: The Official History. London: Pelham Books. p. 108. ISBN 0720718899.
  14. Bengtson, Bo (2008). Best in show: the world of show dogs and dog shows. Freehold. p. 224. ISBN 9781931993852.
  15. "Sighthound History". Greyhound and Whippet.
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