10th July 2020

 
 
Oh where oh where has our summer gone?  I knew it had peaked too early so it 
looks like we may be in Autumn.  We are now in the height of summer holidays, no easy access to holiday trips abroad, and the weather is windy and chilly.  Let us hope it surprises us and improves.  With the lockdown not so much of a lockdown it would be nice to sit in a pub garden without a winter coat or an umbrella.  Stay safe and follow the rules to remain safe.
 
Hon Sec of The Northern Saluki Club has sent the following message:
“The committee of the Northern Saluki Club have sadly decided that our Open Show which was due to take place at the end of September 2020 needs to be cancelled. I don't imagine that this will be a surprise given the restrictions that are in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
We have delayed making this decision as long as possible in case the latest Kennel Club and government advice meant a show could be safely organised. However, the committee now feel that with the present restrictions, and those likely to remain in place, we would be unable to run a show which was both safe, practical and ensured the event was an enjoyable and sociable occasion for both people and their dogs.
 
The judge Mr J Johnston-White has agreed to move his appointment to our Open Show in September 2021. So, we will look forward to seeing you then, with hopefully something which resembles a more normal show. 
We all hope you are staying well and healthy.”
 
 
Steve Ham has been in touch with Buzz’s daughter and has asked me to include the following:
“As a lot of you will know Buzz has been unwell lately, one of her daughters, Rosanne managed to get into the UK a little while ago and has asked that I update you. All the hounds are safe and sound in their new homes and Buzz has a new permanent address of Monkscroft Care Home, Shelly Road, Cheltenham GI51 7DP. I am sure she would love to hear from her doggy friends.”
 
Bournemouth Championship Dog Show is planning to go ahead.  It will be on Saturday October 3rd, 2020 at Pike’s Farm, Organford, Poole, subject to Government Guidelines.  The entries will open after the 7th July online at Higham Press, Dog biz. Schedules may be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelopes to the secretary, Mrs Sally Duffin, Foxholes Cottage, Poole Road, Sturminster Marshall, Dorset BH21 3RR.  Judge is Mrs Jean Wright.
 
This week in ‘Our Dogs’ A to Z of breeds is featured Salukis. The paper has given us 16 pages of information, history, adverts of our breed to read through.  A thank you to Our Dogs and the editor Ali Smith for allowing us to ‘showcase’ our breed.  It takes a lot of time and effort to pull together a feature, especially when working under difficult circumstances.  As expected, the first article starts off with ‘Back to the beginning’. Anna Freegard has written an interesting history of the breed enhanced by photographs from the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club’s achieves.  It is a very free flowing article that works it’s way through the breed history without allowing the reader to become bored or straying away from the content. 
 The second article was by John Davies, Health co-ordinator of UK Salukis.  As John states in his introduction “The Salukis appears to be one of the healthiest breeds in the UK.  We presently have no health issues which could be classed as prevalent.” John mentions that this year a voluntary breeding code was drawn up, working with the KC to test for NCL.  This hopefully will ensure in the future that we eradicate this disease.  For more information he refers you to the Northern Saluki Club website or the SGHC web site.
Meet the breeder: is Mrs Debbie Copperthwaite ( Al Caliph Salukis)..  Debbie is probably the longest active breeder we have in this country.  She obtained her first Saluki in 1964.  The article is a question and answer which allows us to understand the processes of this very successful breeder.  Debbie has said this is her first and last interview like this she will be doing.  Very interesting reading.
 
Next article is by yours’s truly on Activities to participate with your Saluki.  I have written about some of the many activities you can do with your Saluki whether it a show dog or not, to have fun interacting with your hound.    
 
Mary Sanders Parker has written the next article on ‘Judging the Saluki’.   Mary has presented photos to give you the visual experience of what the Saluki Standard states along with an explanation.  
 
Saluki Welfare states” The objective of ‘Saluki Rescue’ as it was originally called was to help members of the saluki breed clubs in case of need where owners were unable to continue to care for their hounds.  Over time, however it became clear that there was a parallel universe of breeders who are not known to either of the recognised UK breed clubs who have generated many more cases of Salukis in need, which remains the situation today.  Many of these hounds find their way into other rescue organisations some of which do not have the experience and knowledge of the breed to be able to find the right homes for them.  However, over the years Saluki Welfare has enabled hundreds of Salukis to find their new forever home.”
 
The temperament of the Saluki by Denise Rogers.  A very concise article that ticks a lot of boxes.  A woman that understands the breed and explains it very well.  
 
The evolution of the Saluki: a natural breed created by natural selective pressures by Joanne Mahon.  The introduction states “The Saluki is a unique hound in the whole of the animal kingdom.  Whether breeding or judging Salukis, its uniqueness of purpose its evolution and conformation must be understood and preserved.  The Salukis is the world’s fasted predatory endurance galloper who can catch and bring down gazelle and smaller game, securing a highly valuable food source for the nomadic tribes people and sheiks who revered them.  Their ability to bring home meat for the pot inferred high value on capable hunters and ensured their survival in the world’s harshest environments.  This is basis of this thesis.  The historical part is very interesting but Mrs Mahon has gone on page after page working to prove her thesis.  It is well written and she has a lot to say which would have kept the readership interest if it was not so long.  Congratulations to Michael who at this time is the only person I know that has managed to wade through this article.  
 
Interspersed are adverts which are always fun looking and reading.  Copies of this special Saluki supplement, which will not be in the paper again for 24 years are available on line from Our Dogs.  Just google Our Dogs then go to subscribe where you can obtain a single issue of the Saluki Supplement.
 

     
 
 
k here to edit.