SALUKI BREED NOTES WEEKENDING 20THNOVEMBER 2020.
 
Glad to hear good news during week one of our ‘lockdown’.  Let us all hope
that the vaccines, which have been proven quite successful up to this moment in time, remain so.   With the weather becoming more miserable as winter progresses
it is more depressing to be stuck at home, not being able to meet up this year for Christmas get togethers.  Optimistically, I am posting a list of judges for 2021.  
I shall start with Crufts as we know that Manchester and Boston are cancelled.  
11/3 Crufts, Adele Walton Haddon; 10/4 Hound Assoc of Scotland, Dr RM James;
11/4 A.M. SGHC Limited Show, Susan Rhodes, P.M. SGHC AGM; 18/ 4 Northern Saluki Club Championship Show, Dr John Hudson; 24/4 WELKS, Margaret Fulcher;
6/5 Birmingham National, Avril Davies; 21/5 SKC, Jonathan Horswell; 28/5 Bath, Claire Boggia; 4/6 Southern Counties Championship Show, Bernard Barjot; 10/6     3-Counties Championship Show, Jenny Dove; 20/6 SGHC Open Show, Carolyn McCormick Smith; 25/6 Blackpool, Dr. AP Sergerseven; 2/7 Windsor. Maggie Holder; 9/7 East of England, Ben Reynolds-Frost; 17/7 Hound Association, TBA; 24/7 Leeds Rachel Wray; 8/8 Paignton, Jill Peak; 14/8 Bournemouth, Espen Engh;
20/8 Welsh KC, Karin Hedberg; 28/8 Driffield, Gavin Robertson; 3/9 City of Birmingham, Mike Caple;10/9 Richmond TBA; 19/9 Darlington TBA; 26/9 Northern Saluki Club Open Show, Jimmi Johnston White; 8/10 South Wales, Karen Fisher;
17/10 SGHC Championship Show, Denise Rogers; 28/10 Midland Counties, Kathy Webb; 11/12 Ladies Kennel Association, Elizabeth McKnight. 
 
Mary Parker has kindly sent me through an update from The Kennel Club: “New  breed judges will need to register with the KC, they will be able to once the computer system is up and running- they will be able to add their detail to ‘Find A Judge’, but can still just be on a breed club list.  However, not many societies will use them so it will be in their interest to sign up from next year”
 
In last week’s ‘Our Dogs’ in the section entitled ‘;50 Years in Dogs’ highlighted was Linda Aldous.  For 50 years it was Afghans until recently when she jumped ship, importing a young Saluki male which she has been doing quite well with.  
 
Continuing with my review of “The Saluki” Championship Show edition 2020.  Masha Shaverneva has written an article entitle ‘Salukis and agility’.  Altai is her first Saluki previously she was an Afghan person.  She purchased Qazal Sarbaz Har Kala Rachi, a black tri smooth male with intention of showing him. This did not work out for various reason which she explains., so she tried something new, agility, which has completely taken over both of their lives.  The article goes into great depth explaining the progress Altai has in the sport. The article is assisted by beautiful photographs.  
I will continue to review the articles on a weekly basis.
 

 

 
How disappointing to be in another lockdown.  This one is supposed to end
on a certain date so hopefully the virus will have taken notice and we can have a period of freedom of movement.  Dog shows will probably not start up again until the outdoor shows. Meanwhile the show societies, by then, will have figured a plan of how to run them safely.  Crufts as we know it, I doubt it, but maybe there will be a different type of show, outdoors in a beautiful estate.  As there is no agreement with the UK and the EU, as of yet, on the status of animal movements, the concept of dogs coming from the Continent is still in the balance.  To compound all the doom and gloom, buy your summer garden and veggie seeds now.  If the UK exits the EU without a deal, seeds may be unavailable as they mostly come from Holland. 
 
Just a couple of updates from last week’s Breed Notes.  Dianne Merchant Giles passed away in 2003.  The year Kharaz won the Hound Group at Crufts under Terry Thorn it was 1986 and the breed judge was Catherine Sutton, not as I printed.
 
Our Dogs is now working on their ‘Annual 2021’.  As we have not had the opportunity to exhibit our dogs this year, this is an opportunity for owners, breeders, exhibitors to show their dogs off in the UK and all over the world.  It is a truly unique publication of quality, the layout of the adverts are dazzling to view.  For further. Information please contact Kerry on 0161 709 4566 or email kerry@ourdogs.co.uk.
 
This week I was delighted to receive a copy of ‘The Saluki’ the magazine of the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club.  As one would expect from the publication it is beautifully presented and of the highest quality.  Filled with interest articles and adverts.  The first article was written by Anna Freegard, archivist for the Club. With the Club’s Centennial in 2023 not far off, she looks back at an earlier milestone of the Club, it’s 75thanniversary.  One of the interesting points she makes is that many of the owners of the dogs are still around and showing.   I will continue my review of the magazine in the weeks that follow.  For obtaining a copy contact the editor Diana Klein on email editorsalukimagazine@gmail.comor tel. 07751 061719 
 

 
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First notes in a new month.  No one is going to be sad to see the end of 2020.  Somehow, we automatically think 2021 will be better. Southern Counties Championship Show has posted “A clarification on an optimistic note!  We are planning our 2021 Show and are raring to go ahead all things being equal.  The dates will be June 4th, 5th, and 6th.  Group splits will not be rotating as announced previously, we are keeping to our arrangement of June 4thHounds/Toys, June 5th  Pastoral/Working/Terriers, June 6thGundogs/Utility.  The reason for this is that after a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, we have managed to move all our 2020 judges (who were still free) on to 2021. This means that our 1sttime judges will not have to wait 2 or 3 more years for their eagerly anticipated appointments. If we had rotated the Group splits this would not have been possible.  We would like to thank all the previously invited 2021 judges who agreed to move their appointment to 2022.  All we hope now is that a) it goes ahead and b) we get the wonderful weather we would have had this year.  We wish all our friends, stewards, exhibitors, judges and everyone connected with the show all the very best until we see you again.  Stay safe.
Oh-and please if you have any questions on this post ask them here rather than speculation on some other post that I may not see and therefore cannot clarify.’
 
Carolyn McCormick Smith has posted on the SGHC members page that the judge for the Club’s 2022 show will be Denise Garratt.  Diana Klein editor of ‘The Saluki’ has posted that the magazine is now available for sale.  This issue only £10.00 UK, £12.50 Europe, £15.00 for the rest of the World. Digital copy now available for £6.00. To purchase a copy contact Diana Klein editor at editorsalukimagazine@gmail.comor telephone 07751 061719.
 
Jillian Knight Messenger in her Afghan Breed notes has asked her readers for embarrassing incidents which have occurred while showing dogs. Jill Cross sent her the following and has not only allowed us to reprint it, but has also sent an interview with the late Dianne Merchant Giles:  Jill writes“ Some years ago we went to SKC and were staying the weekend in a hotel as you do, and when we went for dinner that evening, we were joined by Christian Gardiner, Kenny Wright (Gardwright) and Di Merchant-Giles (of Saluki fame). We were having a great conversation and it eventually drifted into tales of Di’s own stage career - stories which were illustrated by her standing up and bursting into an operatic aria in the restaurant. The whole place - including Christian - was spellbound and at the end of it, everyone stood up and applauded!”
The interview follows:
 What breeds are you interested in?
There are not many breeds of dogs that I don’t like.  My grandparents bred Pomeranians in the early 1920s and kept them for many years.  My father bred racing greyhounds for about 20 year and as far as I can remember my family have bred and owned breeds from every group.  At the moment my main interest must be Papillons which my husband and I are currently showing and breeding, and although we don’t breed them anymore, I must include Salukis as I think they will always be dear to my heart. 
 
 
What dogs have you owned?
I have owned so many dogs over the years, mainly as pets, but I have shown Sealyham, Cocker Spaniel, Old English Sheepdog, Dachshund, Saluki and now Papillions.  I have bred a champion Sealyham -not made up by me I hasten to add-not carrying our present affix.  My old English Sheepdog was shown briefly in this country and then sold to Canada to become a champion in double quick time. The most famous must be the Saluki CH SHAMAL KHARAZ a legend in his own lifetime owned and bred by us.  He won virtually every accolade in his time and although tragically lost him in 1989 he has been top Saluki stud 
dog every year since except one.  
 
How did you become involved in the world of show dogs?
I have always been interested I showing anything, even flowers; but mainly horses and dogs
I dabbled in showing dogs on and off for many years when my career would allow it, but it was my late Mother-in-law who really made it an obsession.  She was showing two beautiful Salukis, one belonging to my husband.  I took over the handling of this one and he became CH SEDEKI HAJ.
 
Did you begin your working life as an artist?
No, definitely not! I was as an opera singer and worked in London with Sadlers Wells Opera Company and then went on to sing in West End Musicals such as Hallo Dolly, Funny Girl, Robert and Elizabeth, Camelot, The Ambassadors and Trelawney to name a few.  I also appeared the films of Oliver and Half a Sixpence among others.
However, I had drawn and painted since I was a very young child (drawing only dogs and horses horses-I might add)and at the age of 15 won a scholarship to the Royal West of England College of Art; unfortunately due to family crisis I was unable to take up the scholarship-something I have always regretted. 
 
Did you come from an artistic background?
Not as far as I know.  Although I remember my mother telling me once that my grandmother’s brother was both musical and artistic.
 
What is your greatest achievement in showing dogs?
I think this must be winning the Hound group at Crufts in 1986 with a home bred dog namely CH SHAMAL KHARAZ – surely this must be the dream of everyone who shows dogs.  
 
Champion Shamal Kharaz’s sire was Ch Jeddah Al Caliph and dam Sedeki Tamineh of Shamal.  He was born on the 14thApril 1982 and died in 1989.   He was from a littler of 5.  His brother, Shamal Khamoun also became a champion.  He was owned by Diane Duckenfield.  Kharaz had 6 mating partners producing 21 off springs.  Five of his children became champions.  Kharaz won BOB at Crufts twice, first time in 1987 under judge Catherine Sutton and the second time in 1986 under judge Valerie Stringer where he went on to win the Hound Group under Terry Thorn.  Kharaz won 
A total of 10 CCS also going Best in Show at the SGHC Open Show and the Club’s championship show. 
Kharaz’s champions get were Pennyworth Katiya. Pennyworth Riaz, Kasaque Eve, Kasaque Ezekiel and Bishr of Kasra.
 
If anyone would like to pass on their embarrassing/interesting episodes at shows I would be most grateful.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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SALUKI BREED NOTES WEEKENDING 30THOCTOBER 2020
 
David Crane, Hon Sec of the Saluki Welfare has sent me the following: “Just to let you know that Saluki Welfare will be holding their delayed AGM via Zoom at 12 noon on Saturday 21st November 2020. Any items for the agenda, which will be published in advance, should be sent to me.  David’s contact details are tel. 01725 518790 or email:davidcrane@salukiwelfare.org.uk
 
 
I am most thankful to the Irish Wolfhound Breed Notes writer Maggie Holder for the following article which appeared in her Breed Notes of the 16thOctober 2020. It is a most moving and interesting obituary of Cynthia Boissevain, one of the early people in our breed.  Her first Saluki litter was in 1958 when she produced Branwen Alyf from Sakkara Arabesque and Air Capital Azaranta.  Sakkara Arabesque was a daughter of Burydow Uki who I have written previously about in these notes.  The dam was an American bred bitch and the litter was whelped in the States. In all she bred 27 Saluki litters between 1958 and 1982.  Her last Saluki, she owned ,was Knightellington Oleanda which she obtained from Helen Baker. Cynthia last judged Salukis at Crufts in 1993.
 
 
Maggie writes “Cynthia Boissevain has passed away.  Thank you to Marion Finney for providing me with so much information about her friend.”    
 
“Cynthia left her beautiful home in Wales about a month ago to live with her cousins in Mexico, sadly she didn’t live long enough to enjoy it there.  She hadn’t had any dogs for a couple of years but had a wonderful cat called Liam who is still enjoying life in Wales with friends.  Cynthia is survived by her daughter Sheila, Her other sons Tom and Tony pre-deceased her.  Cynthia bred, owned and exhibited Wolfhounds, her first litter was in 1954 born in the US by US Ch Timeer o Amberside X Warbonnet of Amberside.  She was breeding well into the 70’s and when she came to Europe (Spain and France) she continued with the Wolfhounds and also Salukis, Afghans, Greyhounds and Italian Greyhounds, bringing the first blacks to Europe.”
 
When she moved to the UK nearly 50 years ago, she exhibited Wolfhounds, Salukis and Italians for some years.  An obituary follows from Nick Madigan (One of her twin sons).
 
My mother, Cynthia Anne Boisssevain a former actress, ballet dancer and breeder of champion hounds, who lived in half a dozen countries and travelled the world as an ornithologist and botanist, died last weekend in Guadalajara, Mexico.  She was 96. Her death followed by less than three months that of my eldest brother, Tony in Madrid.  I was still in Spain, dealing with the aftermath of his passing, when I received word that my mother’s eyesight had begun to fail as the result of a detached retina and other issues.  She had lived alone in a stone farmhouse on 43 acres near Cardigan, Wales overlooking the Irish Sea, her home for more than 4 decades.  I flew up and after years of protestations, she acknowledged that she could no longer stay in that big old place with it’s uneven slate floors and steep staircases, and that it was time to move back to Mexico, where she had spent a good part of her childhood and where our cousins were always happy to see her.  Two weeks later, after finding a home for Liam, her ginger cat, she and I were on a plane.  It was in the home of Teresa de Oyarzabal Carroll and Humberto Saldana that my mother, her intellectual acuity intact, spent her last 25 days, happy in the embrace of her extended family and responding well to treatment for diabetes and a heart condition.  
 
On Saturday morning, Teresa, told me, my mother ate a hearty breakfast and the sat quietly with her legs in the sun, near her two feline friends, Cooper and Estrellita.  When Teresa went to check on her, a few minutes later, she was gone.  Later, as her body was beginning to be removed for cremation Teresa started up Rachmaninov 2ndpiano concerto on the CD player, in honour of my mother’s fondness for the Russian composter.  Born in San Francisco on July 26,1924, Cynthia Boissevain was taken as an infant to live in Paris by her parents John Magee Boissevain and Estrella Braniff Carroll.  The couple divorced soon thereafter and the young Cynthia was supervised by a succession of governesses, none of whose company she enjoyed.  After her mother’s wedding in London to Lorenzo “Chato” Elizaga,  a nephew of the former president of Mexico, they moved  to Mexico city and subsequently to a large ranch called Pasteje where they raised bulls, cattle and horses.  Later as a teenager in the 1940s the heyday of the Mexican film industry she was cast in several movies “Albur de Amor”, “Bugambilia” and “Las Cinco Advertencians de Satanas” under the stage name of Ana Bronte because she explained the name Boissevain, a legacy of our French forebears was too hard to pronounce.  In New York City, Cynthia studied ballet under the Russian choreographer George Balanchine, who co-founded the New York City Ballet Company.  She also modelled for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and other magazines as did her mother, often wearing the designs of courtiers like Coco
Chanel, Jean Patou and Cristobal Balenciaga, the later a close friend who later became my godfather.  Cynthia and her mother travelled in a social circle that included Marlene Dietrich, Ava Gardner, Cary Grant, Frida Kahlo, Arthur Rubinstein, Claudette Colbert, Pablo Picasso and Douglas Fairbanks.  While performing in a play on Long Island, Cynthia met Thomas Madigan, a young writer of radio plays who was working as a stage manager.  They married in New York City in 1947 and had five children: Anthony, Thomas III, Sheila, Kevin and me.  (Tom died in 2003) a year before our father and as you’ve learned, Tony left us in July this year.  My mother’s survivors include six grandchildren, two great grandchildren.  My parent’s marriage did not last and Cynthia moved the children in 1961 to San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque country, a city she had visited as a child when her mother rented houses for the summer in the south of France.  
 
All of us kids attended schools in Spain and later in England where my mother acquired a country place in Dorset and later in London’s Kensington district.  In 1977 after buying the property in Wales she sold the houses in London and Spain and moved to the coast of the Irish Sea for good.  All the while my mother was influential as a breeder of Afghans, Salukis, Greyhounds and Irish Wolfhounds under the banner of Branwen Kennels an enterprise she began on Long Island, NY and continued in Spain and later in Wales. Any dog you find online that bares the name Branwen in its pedigree is a descendant of my mother’s genetic efforts in the realm of thoroughbred sight hounds.  We spent many hours as children helping to care for the dogs and grooming them for shows.  It was fun when there were puppies.  My mother was also a judge at shows, not only in Spain but in France, Sweden, Britain, The Netherlands, the United States and elsewhere and her passing has reverberated in dog breeding circles in those countries.  She is also being mourned by her surviving friends (Some years ago she said to me ”who knew I’d live so long?” I’ve spent the last few days in long conversations with some of them and invariably they recall her deep knowledge of wildlife, flora and other matters of nature, her profound literary background and her strong views on political issues and the state of the world, which in her view is rapidly heading towards cataclysm.  “She was a great lady and a great friend” David Bailey who lived near her in Wales said to me today by phone.  Aled Davies, another Cardigan figure, wrote in an email “Your mother was a real character…she enjoyed life, cared for the environment and stuck to her beliefs with conviction.”  
 
There is much more to be said about her, but it will have to wait for the book.  In the meantime, I will always be grateful that I had such a close relationship with her for so many years, despite some of the difficult family dynamics.  In our last conversation just over three weeks ago, as I was about to leave the house in Guadalajara for the airport, she asked me to sit down and holding my hand and looking in my eyes thanked me for escorting her to Mexico, where she and I and everyone else knew she had come to die. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said.  And then we both said “te quiero” at the same time. 
 
Rest in Peace, Cynthia
 
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After the lockdown last spring and summer we were all hoping that next year would be better and that we would all be able to get out with our dogs again.  As has been well reported Manchester and Boston shows, which were to be held early in 2021, have both been cancelled.  My own personal prediction is we will probably not be able to attend a show until the ‘outside shows’ resume.  Neither the SGHC nor the NSC have held their 2020 AGMS so I am assuming they will have to find a way to holding one in 2021.  Some clubs have held theirs on Zoom, which has been successful. I have been informed that people, not on computers, can join in by dialling into a certain telephone number, they then can hear everything and participate in the discussions.  Perhaps this is an option the Clubs could look into.  As the NSC championship show is usually in April, I hope they find a way to either have their show then, or later in the year. We can but hope.
 
This weekend should have been the SGHC Championship Show.  Even if the Club had had all the social distancing in place with the COVID cases escalating the show 
would have had to be cancelled.  Good news is the calendar is still available from Helena Haywood tel. number 01494 874587 or email: helenahaywood191@btinternet.comand the magazine from Diana Klein on tel. number 07751 061719  or email: editorsalukimagazine@gmail.com.  The Welfare will miss the funds they make at the show, which is regrettable, but if you go to their web site: salukiwelfare.org.uk, they have some lovely packs of cards.  
 
The KC Breed Record Supplement has arrived earlier than usual. It is normally for three months but this time it is just for July and August.  This was explained by the KC that they are in the process of setting up a new database. For Salukis there were 19 new registered puppies from two litter. Neither of these litters was bred by or are dogs known to the showring. There was one importation, Garamiyas Meridiana Mahzad (IMP SWE).  She was born on 7thMarch 2020.  Thankfully five more Salukis have passed the NCL clear.  They are Amal Hayati Ohdedar El Azizi Fuadi Of Ilsham, Badavie Don Peppino At Ilsham, Kasaque Raissa, Merenptah Precious Dream and Merenptah Ziba. Stands good for our future so we can totally eliminate   this dreadful disease.
 
Salukis around the world are fortunate to have an up to date well-functioning datable called ‘The Breed Archive Saluki. To join this site you must first set up a membership which allows you free access to your dogs and any other dogs on the site.  Some of the items you can view or amend are ownership, health, breeding; both siblings and 
Progeny.  Show and working titles are also included.  This site works very much on the honour system with terms you must accept when you initially join the site.  One of those terms is that you agree to respect others accounts.   In the past week I have been contacted by three people concerned that someone from this country in going into other people’s accounts and altering information. The affected people are very concerned and feel their status on SA has been violated, and have contacted the ‘host’ of SA giving details of who the offending person is.  
 
Here is a plea - Please respect the rules of Saluki Archives, therefore; do not tamper with other people’s dog’s information on SA, however well meant, unless you have their permission. Simply imagine how aggrieved you would feel if someone altered your Saluki’s details or added/amended photographs without your knowledge or permission, let alone the issue that by adding/amending information, you could make it incorrect by your actions.  The action of this person concerns us all.  
 
For those of you who are not familiar with The Breed Archives, google the name and it will come up.  You will probably find details of your Saluki there.
 
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The UK Sighthound Sport held a lure trial last Sunday in the beautiful Cotswolds,
under very strict COVID rules.  Credit to the organizers as pulling this event together with the restrictions could not have been easy.  We were all very happy to meet up after such a long time in isolation.  The weather was rainy and miserable but no one cared as it was so wonderful to be out, doing something we love.  
 
There was a good entry for Salukis with 5 new dogs making their debut.  Oxana Grigorenko was one of the new participants. She has written the following: 
“My UK Show calendar for 2020 is dead empty. But thankfully to UK Sighthound Sport's massive effort last weekend we were treated to a lure coursing event! It was a great success despite all the Covid restrictions. At the UKSS Autumn 2020 Open the Salukis were represented by a strong entry of 7 participants, good mix of champions and up and coming novices: Lena, Smudge, Altai, Artie, Nicole, Zak and Jazz. All competitors had a lot of fun on the field (and some maybe had too much). Despite a rainy day our spirits were high and it seemed like everyone had a great time.

Huge congratulations to the winner of the day Lena (Ch Al Zubeyda Lena at Kasaque (IMP) JW) owned by Michael & Helen Williams.  I was very pleased that Jazz (Imhotep Rears Natural Jasmine) took a 2nd place and Artie aka monkey (Alishamar Roxane owned by Natasha Hamilton came away with a 3rd. Congratulations to all 5 podium winners!

Massive thanks to our Masha Shaverneva for your hard work and dedication to the sport. Spending most of the day out in the rain judging sighthounds chasing a lure is not for the fainthearted!”
Another quote from a first timer: Jeaqn Strong wrote “Was a great day and this is from someone who didn’t want to go because it was so wet!  And ended up with rosette and a very happy pup.”
 
Salukis do not always have the best reputation at lure trials as sometime they decide enough is not enough so refuse to be picked up.  All the dogs on Sunday were excellent.  No courses were held up waiting for dogs to be picked up. If we keep up the good work then maybe in the future we will not always have to be the last breed to run.   Dates for UK Sighthound Sport 2021 have been listed as Spring Championship 21st March, Weekend Event with BBQ, camping and trial and Summer Championships 26, 27th June and the National Championship September TBC.  For qualifications please look at the UKSS website or their facebook page.
 
I have received a notification from Diana Klein, editor of “The Saluki” the magazine of the SGHC Club.  She is planning on the magazine being distributed from the 22nd of October.  Subscription prices are as follows.  Annual subscription for two editions is £20.00 UK, £25.00 Europe and £30.00 rest of the world.  It can also be obtained as a digital copy for £12.00.  Payment in British Pounds Sterling only by cheque or by bank transfer.  You do not need to be a member of the club to obtain the magazine.  
 
 
The new K C Journal is out with a couple of new judges.  Pam Marston Pollock will be judging LKA for 2021 and Graham Hill will be doing Driffield 2022. 
 
I have been informed that the facebook group ‘UK Saluki Friends’ is separate and fully independent from the Northern Saluki Club.  The group is the brain child of and is hosted by Caroline Pickering.  In my opinion it is the most interesting and varied site that `I know of in the social media realm.  Well done Caroline.
 
Having read in the newspaper that in Finland they were having success with dogs detecting COVID.  These dogs were being use at the airport for incoming travellers.  It is good to hear that the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medical Detection charity and Durham University is asking COVID suffers to let their dogs smell their body odour.  Whilst Salukis are classified as ‘sighthounds’ we know like all dogs they have a very good sense of smell.  I have asked Maya Monk how her Shasha sense of smell compares to other dogs.  She has said that Shasha is very methodical on how she goes about finding the smells she is trying to locate and she is very accurate in finding them.  Some of the spaniels are more frenetic but not necessarily more accurate.  So there is no reason why Salukis cannot be COVID detecting dogs.  
 

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During this difficult time it has often been trying to keep the Breed Notes going with interesting breed related items.  In this week’s notes I am more then pleased that three of the Saluki fraternity have sent me information to relay.  They are different and varied and I thank them very much.  
 
Congratulations to Maya Monk and Al Zubeyda Mahabbah.  Sascha as she is more fondly known is involved in scenting.  She has now passed her level 2 with flying colours finding all 8 of the items she was challenged to find.  It is amazing what our Salukis can do with a little encouragement.
 
Along with this same theme Masha Shaverneva has written about the latest conquest for her agility Saluki, Altai.    
 “Several clubs have been able to hold COVID compliant agility shows since June, and there are two KC shows going ahead this weekend. These shows take a lot of organisation but they run amazingly well. Exhibitors arrive at their scheduled time slot, travel between the rings in the car, walk the course in groups (cohorts) of 6, run their dogs, move on to the next ring and go home after running 3 classes. The only disadvantage is that you do not get to see all your friends, but you can request to be in the same group at the time of entry, and on the plus side you also have most of the day free. 
 
Altai and I have competed at several shows since June, including 5 shows run by Kelluki club. Those were part of a 6 show series of Kelluki Summer League. Altai has been running really well and we had 3 x 2nd places, 1 x 3rd, 2 x 4th, 2 x 5th and 3 further clears which meant he finished as the Large Beginners Runner-up and received a very generous hummer of doggy goodies for himself, a therapy, chocolates and cider for his humans. 
 
We have also ventured into a new sport of canine hoopers and have completeda 6 weeks course in summer. Hoopers is based on agility, but it is designed as an all inclusive safe sport for all. there are no jumps to jump and no contact equipment to climb. Instead there are hops a dog runs through and barrels a dogs goes around to change direction. there are also tunnels on some courses, but these are larger than in agility so even Great Danes can easily negotiate those. In competition a dog runs the numbered being directed by the handler who can either run, walk or stand. team gets extra points if they manage to do extra challenges as set out by the judge which include handling all or part of the course from a certain distance or marked area.  As Altai completed a Silver Hoopers Award test we felt brave enough to enter several hoopers shows too. It looks like Altai enjoys canine hoopers as much as agility and we have had 6 clear runs, 1 x 2nd and 2 x 3rd places at two shows, half of them with bonus points for distance handling challenges too.” 
 
 
Pam Wadsworth found the following results for a *Sanction Show which was held in the grounds of Michael and Jesse Lyne’s Dunfield House, in an old 1970’s magazine.   You can see some of the names of people and dogs that are in our pedigrees of today. Also notice the class sizes.  The judge was Vikki Gwynn, well known Greyhound breeder and exhibitor.  Interestingly her husband was the actor Michael Gwynn.  Michael is perhaps best remembered for his role in the first episode of the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers "A Touch of Class" (1975) as the conman "Lord" Melbury who eventually humiliates Basil Fawlty.[2] For Hammer Films, he performed in several productions including the war film The Camp on Blood Island (1958), and Never Take Sweets from a Stranger (1960), a rare drama film for the studio; the actor also appeared in one of their very best horror movies, The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), in which he played a tragic experimental subject who turns into a cannibalistic killer, and the less well-regarded Scars of Dracula (1970) in the role of a priest determined to battle Count Dracula.[3][4][5] He had a lead role in 1960's Village of the Damned, produced and distributed by MGM-British Studios.[6]
 
 
 
Sanction Show 1970
 
Although not blessed with the brightest of weather, the rain held off for the Sanction Show on 30thMay.  It was held at Dunfield House, Fairford, Gloucestershire, by kind permission of the owners Mr and Mrs Michael Lyne.  The wonderfully springy turf of the lawn made movement easy for man/woman and hound!  The judge was Mrs Victoria Gwynn and she has very kindly sent us her report.  An innovation at this show as the children’s handling competition, which attracted a considerable entry.  The winner was Miss Catherine Bullock, handling her mother’s Starflight Solitaire.
 
It was a great pleasure to see and handle so many beautiful Salukis and I thank the Saluki Club and its officers for allowing me this facility.
 
Thanks too to exhibitors for a splendid entry.  I was distressed that so many worthy hounds were turned away unrewarded.  As the classes were so large, I have included the name of the Reserve award in each case, as I think them well worthy of mention.
 
I am indebted to two good stewards, Mr and Mrs Mooney, who looked after me so well.
 
101 Exhibits – 181 Entries
 
Puppy Dog(7) (1) Tebbs’ Almanza Kafiat – well grown fawn, surprisingly firm and mature for his eleven months.  Masculine head, strong, well-boned body and legs, big quarters.  Has great scope and moved very freely.  Best puppy.  (2) Bullock’s Starflight Scimitar – ten months grizzle dog.  Well made, straight front, good spring of rib and quarters, straight sound mover.  Should like finer head.  (3) Wieden’s Sedeki Bin – a well grown golden of ten months.  He has quality and is sound with good bone, depth of brisket and strong quarters.  Moved well with impressive forehand.  (R) Sedeki Bal.
 
Junior Dog(19) (1) Almanza Kafiat (2) Ormsby’s Burydown Yehudi – quality cream.  Excellent head, neck and shoulder.  Good body and quarters with correct moderate angulation and well let down hocks; first class legs and feet, free mover.  (3) Caston’s Benjamin of Thurlsway – seventeen months black and red.  Nicely built sound dog who moved with drive.  (R) Amena Rualla Khallil.
 
Novice Dog(25) (1) Almanza Kafiat (2) Overton’s Stoneybridge Spartacus striking read and white dog of twenty months.  Good head and feathering, dark eye; straight front, good lay of shoulder; strong loin and quarters.  Moved gaily and freely.  (3) Applebee’s Mazuri Hanuman of Lineage – classy black and silver.  Well boned with correct angulation of shoulder and hock. Excellent legs and feet, sound mover. (R) Barker’s Burydown Nimrod.
 
Graduate Dog(17) (1) Abbott’s Hasana Rafiq – beautifully built silver grizzle smooth.  Alert, intelligent head, long neck let into well-laid shoulder; good depth and rib cage; firm loin and strong quarters giving great drive in moving; sound legs and feet.  Well muscled and in fine bloom and was eventually best in show.  (2) Almanza Kafiat.  (3) Cuff’s Burydown Umbashi – big cream dog with dark pigmentation. Strongly built with great quarters. Moved with excellent forehand and drive. (R) Stoneybridge Spartacus.
 
Post Graduate Dog(14) (1) Hasana Rafiq (2) Cooper’s Divels Yakoubi black, tan and cream.  Nicely made with fine head, long neck, well-laid shoulder, sound quarters, legs and feet with strong pasterns.  Moved freely. (3) Wieden’s Sedeki Saditt – another very enviable smooth, black and silver.  Well made and compact with good bone; nice depth, powerful quarters, fluid movement. (R) Almanza Kafiat.
 
Puppy Bitch(10) (1) Bullock’s Starflight Sceptre – ten months black grizzle, well grown for her age.  Good head with dark eye, long neck, firm front.  Has to drop a little yet in brisket but good rib cage with strong loin and quarters.  Legs and feet excellent, good feathering.  Moved well both ways.  Best bitch. (2) Lucas and James’ Bedouin Geldara Amalia – only seven months but a well built girl.  Cream with good dark pigmentation.  Is a sound mover and has all the essentials.  (3) Henderson’s Sedeki Asala of Kumasi – gorgeous smooth red grizzle of ten months.  Chiselled head with dark eye, long graceful neck, perfect shoulder placement.  Good depth, big quarters, the whole animal giving an impression of supreme quality.  Unfortunately, she was too unruly to place higher.  I did manage to get a glimpse of what a superb mover she will be.  Presented in top condition. (R) Rogers’ Ellerthwaite’s Lisa-Lyka.
 
Junior Bitch(17) (1) Starflight Sceptre. (2) Ashwell’s Xanthippe El Ghazi – sixteen months pied bitch.  An exhibit of tremendous quality.  Lovely delicate head, good body and quarters, well muscled with strong second thigh, good angulation and moved freely.  (3) Long’s Amena Jo – well made cream of seventeen months, good body and bone.  Covered a lot of ground.  Good forehand but moved a little close behind.  (R) Geldara Burydown Yanina.
 
Novice Bitch(31) (1) Starflight Sceptre. (2) Lloyd’s Stoneybridge Safibadeh – striking pied bitch, more mature at three years.  Elegant head and neck, dark eye and abundant feathering.  Well balanced with well set shoulder, big rib cage, strong loin and quarters.  Moved effortlessly, presented fit.  (3) Xanthippe El Ghazi (R) Amena Javelin.
 
Graduate Bitch(21) (1) Batty’s Myhorlyns Springbarn Destiny – sizeable but feminine, white and red parti. Superb head, neck and body, great depth and long in loin but no weakness here; powerful quarters with moderate angulation.  In the first instance moved perfectly and should have been best bitch had she not, in the final assessment, gone very slackly and thrown it all away.  A pity!  (2) Yardley’s Bedouin Dahili – well presented deer grizzle.  Sound and fit with well made body and excellent legs and feet.  Moved very well.  (3) Applebee’s Sedeki Khamsa of Lineage – elegant white and black parti.  A pretty head and good feathering.  Impressive depth, oved freely.  (R) Xanthippe El Ghazi.
 
Post Graduate Bitch(18) (1) Myhorlyns Springbarn Destiny.  (2) Kendall’s Tahawi Kenella – lovely black grizzle.  Dark eye built on classical lines.  Good depth, well-presented.  Moved with springy gait as a Saluki should.  (3) Bryant’s Tahawi Lucina – striking red and white parti, difficult not to be seduced by the gorgeous colour.  Built on similar lines to Kenella but less depth and I preferred Kenella’s front.  Moved well. (R) Tazi Burydown Rizpah.
Victoria Gwynn.
*Sanction Shows were a forerunner to Limited Shows.  You had to be a member of a club to attend.   There were no classes available after Post Graduate as the show was mainly for young dogs. Dogs with RCCS or CC were not eligible to enter.
 
The Northern Saluki Club facebook page has a new name.  It is called the ‘UK Saluki Friends’, it is still hosted by Caroline Pickering on behalf of the NSC.
 
On the front of the new KC web site and the cover of the KC’s Annual Report for 2019/2022 is a photo of a grizzle male Saluki.  His name is Almas Al Farid, he is owned by Elisabetta Bellomi from Italy.
 

 
 
 
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​Along with everyone else we must thank Bournemouth Committee for their
valiant effort in trying to organize a championship dog show within all the guidelines.  They did just that, but with the rate of infection escalating at a rapid rate, they were stumped.  Southampton Boat Show, just miles away was stopped the very evening 
before opening.  Fortunately, the Club did not have to go to the expense of setting up the showground then at the last minute told it was no go. The future does not look good right now. In our local newspaper this week the headlines are “Newbury Agricultural Show 2021, cancelled’ As these are the grounds where Southern Counties Championship Show is held, the short term future is just a tad gloomy. As Boris would say, we will come back even stronger.
 
From their last posting the UK Sighthound Sport has had permission to carry on with their lure trial which is being held on the 4thOctober.   It is to be held at the Borrego Stud, Moreton-in-Marsh.  You do not have to be a member to enter but if you have more than one dog to run, it is cheaper if you join.  This meeting is a qualifier for the 2021 European lure coursing Championship which will be held in Hungary.  For further information please go to the Club’s website which is www.uksighthoundsport.com.  If there is any change I will post it here.  
 
Helena Haywood has sent the following regarding the SGHC Calendar
The SGHC 2021 Calendar is now available. Costs are - 1 Calendar is £10.83 to a UK address inclusive of P&P.  2 Calendars in 1 envelope £19.98 to a UK address inclusive of P&P.  1 Calendar to an address in Europe £14.10 inclusive of P&P.
2 Calendars in 1 envelope to a European address £23.60 inclusive of P&P.
For further details contact helenahaywood191@btinternet.comor telephone 
01494 874587.  From photograph I have seen the calendar, it is most attractive.  
 
In last week’s Breed Notes I wrote about the on-line auction the SGHC is having to raise funding for the upcoming Centennial.  Unfortunately, I did not put the correct telephone number in for Diane Layton-Smith.  Her number is 01208 72927.   
 
Stay well!

​ I was pleased to read that the Kennel Club has managed to secure the transfer of 
our Saluki DNA samples along with other breeds from the now closed Animal Health Trust.  They are now at the Department of Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University. It is sad the AHT had to close down after financial difficulties.  They have worked with our breed for many years over different projects.  I hope their able and capable staff have managed to secure jobs.  
 
Diana Klein has been working hard on the production of ‘The Saluki’ the magazine of the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club.  She is hoping to have it ready for distribution about the same time The Saluki Club Championship Show was due to be held, which was about the middle of October.  Copies of the Championship Show edition of the magazine can be purchased from Diana.  Her email address is  editorsalukimagazine@gmail.com, or telephone 07751061719
 
There is still time to enter the UK Sighthound Sport open lure coursing meeting on October 4th.  It is being held at the Borrego stud, Moreton-in-Marsh.  You do not have to be a member to enter but if you have more then one dog to run, it is cheaper if you join.  This meeting is a qualifier for the 2021 European lure coursing Championship which will be held in Hungary.  For further information please go to the Club’s website which is www.uksighthoundsport.com
 
An auction to raise money for the SGHC Centennial is underway.  I have heard from Diane Layton-Smith that they are listing the first set of auction items at the beginning of October.  They have books, jewellery, art, a figurine and some other Saluki related collectables.  They have some non-Saluki related lots which may be of interest.  Diane goes on to say they are still accepting items so anyone who has anything to donate should contact her or Helena Haywood.  Diane can be contacted on tel. 0208 72927 or email: laytondiane@hotmail.com or Helena at tel. 01494 874587 , e:mail helenahaywood191@btinternet.com  For further information SGHC members can view the facebook members page’ or  UK Salukis Friends.  There is a SGHC Auction and Merchandise Page too.  I will be posting updates as they arrive.  
 
The SGHC Calendar should also be available soon.  Information on this and how to obtain a copy please contact Helena Haywood.  Her contact details are above.

 
We are in the third season of this very strange year.  I do not think anyone will regret this year coming to an end.  In going through old cuttings from the ‘Our Dogs’ Saluki Breed Feature of October 1999, I have come across an article written by myself entitled “  A brief look at the development of Britain’s Saluki kennels” I am reprinted it here as it very much follows on from some of my earlier writings regarding the earlier importation of Salukis.
 
SINCE THE Second World War, Salukis in Britain have mainly developed from the stock that was imported to the UK by the returning officers who had been stationed in the Middle East during and after the First World War.  The kennels that were prominent in pre-war Britain and survived the war were the Knightellingtons and the Mazuris.
 
Except for an occasional import, from the desert the foundations of all the modern kennels come down from these two kennels, utilising this original stock, apart from the introduction of a German line through Burydown Uki.  Of the two lines that were established only the Knightellingtons are still actively breeding.  Rosemary Lewis, daughter of Mrs Helen Baker who in turn was daughter of the founder, Lady Gardner, made up a champion last year; she is Ch Knightellington Zafa.
 
In keeping with this theme the earliest bitch champion for the famous Burydown Kennels, owned by Hope Waters and now co-owned with her daughter Tessa Abbott, was Ch Burydown Aphodel.  This bitch, born in June 1951, was the product of the imported dog, Uki and Burydown Saladin, who in turn was from a combination of the Knightellington lines and the Mazuris.  In 1955, Hope Waters repeated this breeding to produce her famous Ch Burydown Freyha. Utilising different combinations of the early Burydowns the following kennels have established themselves; Mr. E. Tebbs’ Almanza; Miss S. Lambrinudi’s Geldara; Mrs. J. Jaques’ Classicus; Mrs. C. Ormsby’s Yazid; Miss A. Chanter & Miss V. Davies’ Chandav; Mr. & Mrs. K Allan’s Jazirat and Mr. & Mrs. A. MacDonald’s Mabrooka.  Ann MacDonald owned the top CC winning bitch Ch Saklawi Bashah of Mabrooka.  Many others have utilised this combination but these kennel have produced numerous champions. 
 
Mrs Eileen. Skelton-Fortune, of Daxlore Kennels had her first champion bitch, Ch Rebecca of Daxlore which was born in July 1955.  She too came from using the Knightellingtons, this time with Burydown Beelzebub of Daxlore, which once again came down from the German import, Burydown Uki.   Terry Thorn based his Tahawi Kennels on a combination of the Daxlores.  His Ch Tahawi Belinda came down from Ch Alexis of Daxlore and Stella of Daxlore (Knightelleington/Mazuri/Burydown Uki combination) sired by a dog bred by Vera Watkins.  Some of the kennels that used Daxlore as a foundation are; The Amena Kennels of Mary Long, which unfortunately is not breeding today.  Eric and Doreen Stansfield’s Ishieya Kennels; Harry and Pauline Kendall’s Gulzars and the Lusaki Kennels of Owen and Joan Davies.  Their first Champion, Ch Lusaki Delroba of Elaref was owned by Lesley Wiggins was predomonately of Daxlore lineage. 
 
 
Vera Watkins, Windswift Kennels used the Knightellington/Mazuri combination but Miss Watkins introduced Sabbah the Windswift which was imported from Arabia.  Debbie Copperthwaite’s Al Caliph Kennel began with Ch Bedouin Caliph who was bred by the partnership of Barbara Lucas and Jean James.  Caliph went back to the original Uki/Burydowns Knightellington combination.  Debbie Copperthwaite combined this with the Windswifts.  A direct descendant is Ch Windswift Al Caliph, who holds the breed record for winning the most CCs.
 
Another descendant of the original combination is the Sedeki Kennels, owned by  Don Wieden and Mr. Frank Farrar.  The Sedekis have been bred strongly on the lines of Gwen Angel’s Mazuri Kennels.  In the USA, all Sedeki bred Salukis were registered utilising the prefiz ‘Sedeki Mazuri’.   Kay Perkins’ Pennyworth Salukis are a combination of the Sedeki with a little something else from the gene pool, introduced to produce a specific line.
 
Looking at the Mumtaz Kennels of Zola Rawson, the early stock including Ch Mumtaz Topaz came down from the Knightellington and the Burydowns.  The Seafleet Kennel of Roger and Mavis Shellard were bred similarly to our own Kasaque Kennels.  We started with Ilsham Timandra (bred by Mrs B. Payne and Mr P. Beeley).  On her sire’s side she carried the Burydown line through Almanza and her dam.  The Tahawi side of her pedigree went back to the earliest Windswifts and Knightellingtons.
 
The above lines and combinations have had an impact in the USA, Canada, Germany and the UK as, of course, did the original stock and several of the other lines mentioned in this brief overview.  Most of the dogs in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia and Europe will have some combination of these original dogs.  This does not mean that that they are similar in type, each breeder has endeavoured through the decades to reinforce attributes that they wanted to retain and use for the future.
 

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