For those of us that drive up and down the M25 and the M1, with thoughts of missing classes or just a heavy foot, a warning.  I understand that the cameras on those roads are now fully functional, and if you drive above 70 miles per hour you will receive a ticket through the post.  It probably will not be long before the rest of the motorway is up to ‘speed’.  Maybe that is why they call it a ‘smart road. 
If we drive slower we use less petrol, less taxes will be received by central governments so the price of petrol goes up.  Not to mention all the extra income attained from dog show people rushing to shows, ticketed, giving more money into the system. 
 
Now we have started 2019, I can give you some of the name of judges for 2020 that were posted in the KC Gazette. WELKS, Ann Macdonald. Birmingham L.M. Pinto Teixeira from Portugal.  This will his first time judging Salukis in this Country.  Checking on the Kennel Club site it looks like he is an all-rounder.  Bath will be judged by Diane Cook and Blackpool by Mrs C Hoier.  Mrs Hoier is from Denmark.  She is a collie specialist but has been judging Saluki for a while.  This is her first time giving tickets in our breed, in this country.  She has kindly forwarded me her CV which I will post closer to the date.    
 
John Hudson has kindly sent some more of his ‘bean counting’ information;”In his column in Our Dogs, Ronnie Irving states that the number one consideration for exhibitors when deciding whether to enter a show is the judge. David Cavill’s recent survey showed that 67% of respondents preferred UK breed specialists. So show Secretaries should schedule breed specialists to optimise entries. Is this true for Salukis? I checked. The average show entry over the last eight years for breed specialists is 50.5 (I left out Crufts and the breed club shows because their large entries lead to a strong bias - towards breed specialists). The equivalent figure for all-rounders is 45.9 . So a show Secretary would hope to gain at least four entries by using a breed specialist - worth at least £100. However this is pretty small beer for a Champ Show. Different for a numerous breed like Ronnie Irving’s Border Terriers.”  Please keep sending it in John, this is most helpful.  
 
I had a look on the Kennel Club site for mentors.  I note we do not have any mentors for Salukis or they have not been posted yet.  I personally throw my hands up as I am as guilty as anyone not offering my services.  With the first BAD coming up in Salukis, there will be attendees that need mentoring after taking their MCE.  Just a reminder the BAD will be held 23rdMarch 2019 at Roade Village Hall, Bailey Brooks Lane, Roade, Northants NN7 2LS.  For booking a place or if you would like anymore information on the Breed Appreciation Day please contact Nicola Warner on email savukawhippets@hotmail.co.ukor telephone number 01582 593881. 
The Boston & District Canine Society held their championship show.  There were classes for Salukis but no allocation for challenge certificates. Judging Salukis was Mrs. Martine Smithson
Best of Breed, Best Puppy and 1stin Puppy Hound Group went to Mary Sanders Parker’s Classicus Antiigone with the RBB to Al Nafiseh Flowering Sage owned  Dr. O Woolmer.  Best Dog went to Olga Blecher’s Barleymoon Zaurak with the RBD to Buzz Faber’s Sufeina Kismet.  Well done all!

 
HAPPY NEW YEAR
 
Christine Ormsby has asked me to pass on her thanks to all those people that sent her birthday cards.  Chris just celebrated her 95th birthday.  She would also like to thank the member and committee of the ‘Saluki Club for the lovely bouquet of flowers she received.
 
On a sadder note I have heard of the passing of Eileen Pether after a long illness.  She died in hospital on the 30th December 2018. Eileen was never involved with exhibiting Salukis in the show ring but was very involved with her husband, Brian Pether when he was secretary of the coursing section of the SGHC.   Their affix was Askalam.     Our sympathy to Brian and their daughter Maria.  
 
 
 
2019 is the year where we have Challenge Certificates back at Welks, Bath and Leeds.  Three more shows to add to our busy showing calendar.  I think all three venues were popular and everyone is happy to see them reinstated back to giving CCs.
 
The last championship show of 2018, LKA, judged by Mrs Kathy Webb, was held just after the closing dates of these Breed Notes.  So to fill you in with details are as follows: 
BCC, BOB for her 3rd and qualifying CC was Mrs Mary Sanders Parker’s Classicus Britannia JW, Sh CM.  She was born on 20th February 2016 and her breeder is her owner.  Her sire is Multi Ch Elamir Amar and Dam, Ch Classicus Concorrdia JW Sh CM.  RBCC went to Ms Claire Jowitt’s Canapus Mistral Under Barleymoon.  DCC for his 2nd CC went Ms Liz Stephen’s Alsahra Aslam Bedu with the RDCC & Best Veteran to Mrs Jeannette & Mr Alan Glaister’s Ch Classicus Cassander JW Sh CM.  Best Puppy was Mrs Hilary Davies and Ms Christine Harrison’s Classicus Alchemy for Charrioak.
 
The last Newsletter for 2018 from the SGHC has been posted.  If you are a member and have not received your copy please contact the secretary Mrs Carolyn McCormick Smith.  If you are not a member and would like to join the Club please, once again, contact Carolyn Mc Cormick Smith on tel. 01305 824133. 

 
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
 
A big thank you to John Hudson for the following information.  It will make your holidays all the more interesting to digest his statistics. 
 “Entries and Registrations
Now that the number of Salukis entered at LKA has been published, I have been able to work out the average number entered in the 23 Championship Shows which offered CC’s to Salukis in 2018. It turns out to be 44.3, which represents a significant drop from last year’s figure of 52.3. From 2014 to 2017, the average number of Salukis entered hovered around 52 (plus or minus 2) and in earlier years the numbers were in the 60’s and 70’s (see the graph published in my article in The Saluki, Championship Show edition 2018). It remains to be seen if the SGHC membership numbers for 2018 show a similar decline. In the article mentioned above I noted that, in spite of the reduction in the number of Salukis being exhibited, the number registered each year with the Kennel Club has remained steady at 140 or thereabouts. I suggested from this that the Saluki was becoming more of a pet or companion dog than in former years. However, as reported in the Saluki Breed Notes of Our Dogs, the number of registrations seems to be taking a nose-dive. The numbers of Salukis registered (which includes importations) in the first three quarters of this year are 10, 11 and 18. It will need around 100 registrations in the last quarter of 2018 to bring the number for the year up to previous levels, a figure unheard of in recent years. If we take the year from 1stOctober to 30thSeptember, the number of registrations in 2016/2017 is 136, and for 2017/2018 it is 89, a 35% drop. These numbers can, of course, vary from time to time, but can it be that the commercial breeders have saturated the market for Salukis and have slowed their Saluki production line? It’s too early to say, but watch this space.”
 
As a follow up from John’s interesting statistics, Michael has done some calculations for me regarding the membership numbers for the SGHC as a guide.  In calculating these figures we have used joint names as one to simplify counting. 
Starting in the 2014-2015 Yearbook we had 202 members, for 2018-2019 we have 162 members which is a decrease of 19.8%.  Quite a few of the non renewals has been through members dying.  John Hudson has commented on this saying “Working on the decline in numbers between 2015 and 2018, the rate at which membership is falling is 5.3 per year. This gives us 30 years before the lights go out.”
 
Phyllida and Marcus Cooke are now back at home.  Their house burnt down Easter time 2017 and they finally are back.  Things are not perfect, scaffolding is still up but at least Christmas will be at home.  We wish them the best.
 
Some results for the 2018. Top Puppy was Steve and Ann Ham’s Australian Champion Crisnick Houdini.  Top Breeder went to Mary Sanders Parker.  Top Dog has not yet been announced.  
 
This will be our last Breed Notes for 2018 so Michael and I both wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.   
 
  

 
A very Happy Birthday to Christine Ormsby on the 16th December.  She will be 95 years old.  
 
I have heard from Mary Sanders Parker and her young bitch has continued with her winning way. At Burton-on-Trent Kennel Association 2.12.18, Classicus Antiigone won BP AVNSC and Puppy group 1 under Rachel Wray, and then went on to win BPIS under Mark Walshaw.
 
The SGHC will be holding a Breed Appreciation Day on the 23rd March 2019 at the Roade Village Hall which is located just off Junction 15 of the M1.  In the morning we will have the breed history and conformation of the Saluki.  After lunch there will be a ‘multiple choice exam’ (mce) for those attendees 
that have completed the 1st level with the KC’s Judges Competency Framework or are already approved judges to award Challenge Certificates.  As the program for ‘critique writing’ is not completed in the KC Academy we will not require that module of the Level 1 framework.  All other attendees will work with a mentor going over Salukis and Saluki movement.  At the end of the day we will ask everyone to write a critique.  More detail to follow along with reminders and updates.  Spaces will be limited so please contact either Nicola Warner at email savukawhippets@hotmail.co.uk or tel. 01582 593881 or Karen Fisher on tel.0127 833855  email ruweis.salukis@ntlworld.com

​

​It is with great sadness that I post the passing of Victoria Martin’s young dog, Jeffery, (Ch Canerikie Vivaldi for Stalwart).  It all started with a scratch on his eye which became inflamed leading to conjunctivitis.  Jeffery was sent to the Royal Veterinary Hospital where the consultants both here and abroad were unable to understand the progression of his ailment.  In the end, Jeffery was going blind and in pain.  Victoria and her dad had to make the most difficult of decision.  So very sad for this young promising dog.   We have not lost Victoria as, thankfully she is determined to have another Saluki to show in the meantime, she is planning on having fun with her Romanian mixed breed in the Scrufts competiton.  
 
Mary Sanders Parker has been having a good run with her new home bred puppy.  She has sent the following: “Classicus Antiigone at Bolsover & DCS 18.11.18, judge Peter Broadbent, won BP & BOB, Hound Group 3, Puppy Hound Group 1 and Reserve Best Puppy in Show. BIS show judge was Ann Ingram.The following weekend at Hound Club of East Anglia she was BP, breed judge Maggie Holder, and Best Puppy in Show under Clive Winters.”  Well done to Mary.

.
 
The American Thanksgiving is now finished so it is officially Christmas time.   LKA is still on the horizon so not quite here yet.  Helen Haywood will be attending LKA with calendars, so if you would like a lovely gift to send to Saluki friends or a diary for family so they know when you will not be at home (you are at a dog show), please find Helena around the Saluki ring.  
 
We cannot fail to be moved by the devastation in Paradise, California. My heart has gone out to all those people that have had to let their animals go wild, hoping their instincts to find safety would keep them alive.  One horse was tethered in the car park of the local grocery store. A reporter promised the owner that they would try and save the horse but she must get away. Luckily the local police commandeered a trailer and were able to take her to safety. 
 
There was great concern for the well being of Ed and Pat Gilbert and their Salukis.  Ed is well known in the dog fraternity as an educator and writer. Some of his better known works are “The Complete Afghan Hound”, K-9 Structure & Terminology and the Encyclopedia of K-9 Terminology.  He is a winner of the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) Award. Ed trained and handled his own dogs and now has two Salukis, International Champion and American Gch. Anjal Sahara Al-Kamal, a multiple Best In Show Winner, 2016 Top 20 SCOA finalist, and GCH Anjal Sahara Aranjuez at Tazi, CGC.  I am pleased to say that it has been reported that he and his wife are safe.
 
The latest edition of the ‘Breed Record Supplement’ July to September is now out.  I have had a look at the Quarterly registration for the Salukis.  Last year the total registration was 146.  This year, with only one quarter to go the registration is 60% down on last year.  Last year at the ¾ stage there were 98 dogs registered this year only 39. I know there were a couple of litters that will appear in the last quarter. 
 
There were two litter registered making 13 puppies. Five importations;
Badavie Don Pepino (IMP SWE) owner Mr J Walton Haddon, Origin Sweden; Crisnick Houdini (IMP AUS) Owner Mr S & Mrs A Ham, origin Australia ; Dabka’s Valentino (IMP SWE) owner Mrs J Keeling origin Sweden; Dabka’s Vincenca (IMP SWE) owner Mrs S Littlechild, origin Sweden; Nicolefarhi Del Boarghino (IMP ITA)  owner Mrs L Ward, origin Italy.
 
Two new champions Al Zubeyda Lena at Kasaque (IMP FRA) JW and Al Caliphs Artemis.  One Show Certificates of Merit, Noushzad Caliphs (IMP DEU.
 
With a lull in the championship shows this week there have been a few other activities with Saluki participation.  At  the Welsh Top Puppy/Dog Competition
Reserve Best Puppy with t o Steve & Ann Ham’s Australian Import Aus Ch Crisnick Houdini.  Judges were Gavin & Sara Robertson.
 
Camberley & District held their show at the Montem Centre in Slough.  A bit sad as the Montem Centre will soon be torn down.  Many shows have used their facilities during the years.  Not sure if they will be rebuilding or as in most cases just putting up ‘flats.  Judging at Camberly was Antonio Bongiovanni.  BOB was Dr P. Postma & Mr D Smith’s Fernlark Odyssey.  Best Puppy and 3rdin Puppy Group was Mrs H Haywood’s Yalameh Shasmeen At Monardie (IMP DEU).  
 
Humberside Hound Association Open Show also held classes for Salukis.  BOB, BP and BPIS was Classicus Alchemy for Charrioak owned by Mrs H Davies and Ms C Harrison.  RBIS and BVIS was Mrs C & Mr J Owens Ch Caryna Curetes.  Judging the breed was Nicola Spencer and Best in Show judge was Phil Freer.

 
Swansea & District Canine  will be holding their Open Show on Saturday 9thFebruary at the Neath Sports Centre. There will be two classes for Salukis and judging will be Helen Wayman (Scarletfair Whippets).  She will also be judging the Hound Group.  Best in Show and stakes classes will be judged by Gavin Robertson.  
Schedules can be downloaded at onlineshowentry or email Hon Sec paisey1hotmail.com.  The good news is that the Severn Bridge will not longer have a toll after January 1st2019.
 
Last week Michael and myself went for a short stroll around the lovely Oxfordshire village of Burford.  In the window of a small café I spotted a 
sign advertising Marshfield Farms Scoop’s Ice Cream for Dogs.  So, when you stop at that little café for ice cream the dog need not feel left out. The advert states that it is a complementary feed for dogs…say no more.  Don’t you just love it? 
 
If anyone has a spare copy of the “Saluki Book of British Champions” supplement No 7 2006-2015 could they please let me know.  I understand that Mary Parker has now sold out now sold out.  

 
The Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club will be holding a lure coursing trial on Sunday 25thNovember 2018 at the Pony Cluyb Field, Hurst Road Walton on the Hill, Surrey. Registration is from 10.00am to 10.30 am.  Dogs must be pre entered by the 18thNovember.  After, there will be a Christmassy bring and share.  For further information please contact Cecilia at E:mail: cicci@barakisch.co.ukor telephone her on 01784 391607

 
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of two Salukis .  The first was Denise Garratt and Sharon Oakey’s Ch Caryna Meilichin Sh CM.  A very successful competitor from the first time she entered the ring, winning her first CC from the Puppy Class.  She quickly became a champion.  Recently she has been shown from the Veteran Class also winning from there.  She had one litter to Ch Jorjenjo Mirzam of Fernlark producing three very successful offsprings.  One daughter Ch Caryna Neferti JW Sh CM has won BIS at the SGHC Championship Show and group placements at general championship shows.  She died of a very aggressive cancer.  Our thoughts are with Denise and Sharon.
 
The second bereavement is our own Ch Kasaque Neeka.  She was a reluctant show dog, mainly preferred to be a home body so was not exhibited extensively. Her CCs came from both breed specialists and all-rounders as she was a very well constructed sound hound.  Our favorite story is when we took her to the Northern Saluki Championship Show many years ago.  We had arranged to meet up with family the night before so booked a room at a hotel on the M62. 
Neeka spent the whole night sitting in a chair overlooking the car park.  Needless to say, cars were coming into the motorway services all night, so every time one drove in, Neeka shouted to let us know. We spent a sleepless night and vowed never to take her to another hotel again.  We never did.  Neeka was co-owned with the late Daphne Tovey who owned her father, Ch Kasaque Jimna Sh CM. Her mother was Ch Caspians L’Aliq avec Kasaque (Smooth)  She died just short of her 11thbirthday of a benign spindle cell tumour in her leg. 
 
Helen Williams
Kasaque565@gmail.com 
 

 
We found an interesting article in ‘WAG’ the mag for dogs lovers put out by the Dogs Trust.  The article was entitled “Great British Bark Off”.  In this article they are comparing the resemblance of Bake Off presenter Noel Fielding to a dog in their care, namely Eliot. They also compare their characters. It seems that Eliot is a four year old Saluki that is looking for a home.  The article says to call 0303 0030000 if you think Eliot could be your showstopper.  No comments on who I would prefer to share my home with.
 
Last Sunday (14thOctober) their SGHC held their Championship Show. The show was opened by our President Don Everton, with a minute silence to David Perkins and Liz Metcalfe whom both recently passed away. Judging the show was Mrs Zola Rawson, who had decided it was time to retire so this show was her last appointment judging Salukis. Various activates were going on at the show and hopefully our trade stands did a brisk business.  Helena Haywood was there with the calendars.  She still has some available to buy.  I will post that later in the notes.  After the judging we had a get-together with cake, bubbly and soft drinks as a toast to Zola on her retirement.  Nicola Warner and myself were show managers so we were very pleased that so many people came up to us, at the end of the show, and thanked us for a well run affair.
BCC, BIS went to Tony & Liz Quick’s Noushzad Caliana At Jorjenjo (IMP GER) for her 3rdand qualifying CC.  She was born on the 14th  December 2013.   Her breeders is I Berndt.  Her sire is Swe/Dan Ch Dahaqin Baqir and Dam Int Multi Ch Pari-Was Ohfra-Orli.  RBCC went to Nicola Warner and Berni Hetherington’s Canapus Rodinia At Savuka (IMP NL).  DCC for his first CC went to Buzz Faber’s Sufeina Kismet.  He was born 11thAugust 2015 and bred by his owner.  His sire is Ch Baghdad Karim (IMP ASUS) Sh CM and his dam is Sufeina Porcellain.  RDCC went to Olga Blecher’s Barleymoon Zaurak.  
Best Puppy in Show went to Classicus Alchemy for Charrioak owned by Hilary Davies and Christine Harrison, Best Veteran in Show went Caroline & John Owen’s Ch Caryna Curetes. 
 
Anyone wishing to purchase a calendar, please contact Helena Haywood by email to helenahaywood191@BTinternet.com.  The rates are: 
1 Calendar posted to a UK address is £10.70.
2 Calendars in the same envelope to a UK address are £19.80
Posted to a European address £13.90 for one Calendar
Posted to USA £16.10 for one Calendar. 
If she has any left by LKA, She can take them there for collection in which case they will be £8.50 without envelope and £9 with an envelope.
 
This past weekend ‘Discover Dogs’ was held at the Excel Centre in London.  The Saluki stand was designed and build by Ann and Mike Lewis.  
The walls were decorated with posters from the late Ken Allen, back wall was a lovely tapestry from Ann & Mike’s private collection.   Overhanging the entire stand was a very beautiful light burnt orange chintz giving the stand the feeling of a sultan’s tent.  On the floor were carpets which are so traditional from the middle east. We invigilated on the Saturday. To say the least the stand was very busy.  Our dogs behave very well but found the day very tiring.  I think in the future we should have groups maintaining the stand for about three hours maximum.  We also need more people offering to help.  It is an interesting day and the dogs need not be show dogs.  Please pet people come out and help support us.   On behalf of the SGHC we would like to thank Ann & Mike Lewis, Masha Shaverneva and her daughter.  

​
 
Sunday 14thOctober the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club will be holding their Championship Show at the Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park Warwickshire CV8 2LZ.  We have a good entry of 70 dogs for Zola Rawson (Mumtaz Saluki) to assess.  It will be Zola’s last appointment for judging Salukis, so we are pleased that there is a good entry.  Besides the judging there will be the 2019 Saluki Calendar available for purchase.  The latest edition of “The Saluki” the official magazine of the Saluki club should be there.  Welfare will have their stand and trade stands; Claire Jowitt with beautiful Saluki collars and leads, Sue Rabey-Wilkinson with her original art work and Nikki Mulvale with dog bedding and lovely knitted snoods.  Food will be available all day from the caterers. During the lunch break Lena, Ch Al Zubeyda Lena at Kasaque (IMP) JW, joined by the newly crowned Hisilome’s Kareef (IMP) Sh CM would like to invite everyone to celebrate their momentous feat of becoming crowned champions. 
 
As a special feature of this show, Gladys Lance and Brigadier Lance will be in attendance, for the first time in many years. The Club has been most fortunate in having been gifted their portraits, which were in Australia with one of their relatives. Gladys was the first secretary of the SGHC in 1923, (Lady Amherst was President) and the Brigadier was the first Vice-President. Nicola Warner, Berni Hetherington and Annette Buckley have collaborated in presented the Sarona Story, which was the kennel name of the Lance’s Salukis.  We hope you take time out to enjoy the exhibition.    
 
Befitting that this will be Zola’s last judging assignment for Salukis after the judging we would like everyone to stay and toast Zola for all her years of commitment to our breed.
 
On a sadder note Phyllida Cooke has had to say goodbye to her lovely Ch Kasaque Lydia.  She was many things, most importantly was that she was a great companion for the Cooke family and is missed very much.  She had a long life as she was born 1stMarch 2004 and passed away on the 1stOctober 2018, but there is never enough time.  On a personal note our thanks to Phyllida and her family for fulfilling all our dreams for Lydia. 
 
Claire Jowitt confirmed the date and venue for Liz Metcalfe's funeral. It will be held at 11.30 on Wednesday 24th October at Bedford Crematorium. 
The family have asked that donations be made in her memory to The Dogs Trust.  This can be done directly to: Freepost Plus RTHJ-XZGU-LCYE.
 
Last Sunday the Northern Saluki Club held their Open Show with an excellent entry.  Judging was Rachel Wray (Perrault) (sighthound specialist). Best Dog, Best in Show went to the Goulden’s Ch Fernlark By Design.  Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show went to Hilary Davies and Christine Harrison’s Charrioak Sheerzam.  Best Puppy was Mary Sanders Parker’s Classicus Antigone and Best Veteran to Denise Garratt & Sue Oakey’s Caryna Meilisha.
Also taking place on Sunday the UK Sighthound Sport held their National Championships 2018.  Rules of UKSS state that they run in the same manner as the FCI. Hopefully in the near future the Kennel Club will approve the lure coursing and we will be able to have lure coursing titles for our dogs. Attending was an entry of 8 for Salukis. We were quite thrilled when our newly crowned champion, Ch Al Zubeyda Lena at Kasaque(IMP) JW won the Best of Breed. I believe you need three top scores including one Best of Breed to become a lure coursing champion.  The dogs and the owners thoroughly enjoyed they day and a big thank you to the organizers of UKSS for their attention to detail in putting together such a mammoth event.
 
South Wales Championship show was held this past weekend.  Judging Saluki for her last time was Marie Bryce-Smith.  It is a very sad time as so many judges have decided to call it a day. We were the generation that had the good fortune to be educated by the likes of Terry Thorn and Hope Waters.  I hope the next generation can fulfil the legacy which those famous names of the past left behind.  BCC, BOB went to Denise Garratt & Sue Oakey’s Ch Caryna Neferti JW with the RBCC to Mary Sanders Parker’s Classicus Britannia JW Sh CM. DCC for his third and qualify CC went to Annette and Brian Buckley’s Hislome’s Kareef (IMP  SWE).He was born on 22ndSeptember 2012 and his breeder is Mrs. M-A Axelisson.  His sire if Al-Shen Raadin Al Rafiq and his dam is Nord  UCH No-V-10 C I B Hisilome’s Halawa.  Best puppy was Mary Parker Sanders Classicus Antigone. Well done to you all.