11th November 2016

​It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Vivian Davies of Chandav Salukis, on the 1st November in her 93rd year.  Viv, like Beryl Payne was part of our link with the past.  With her life long friend Betty Chanter they bred beautiful elegant hounds making up three dogs in stiff competition.  They were Ch Rachel of Chandev, Ch Timotheus of Chandav and Ch Uri of Chandav.   The funeral will be held at 12.30 on Saturday 12th November 2016 at St Peter’s Parish Church, Church Street, Tempsford, Beds SG19 2AN.  After, tea will be served at the Lounge, Cavendish Court, Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford, St Neots. PE19 7SR.  Donation can be made to the funeral directors which is G & H Seamer, 47 High Street, Sandy SG19 1AG.  Viv’s chosen charity is Aberdovey Life Boats. 
 
Marie Bryce-Smith, President of the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club has sent the following: “We first met Viv and her partner Betty way back in the late 70s.  The Chandav prefix was already well known.  I admired the type very much.  To my knowledge Viv never held office or a Committee position she was a great supporter of the Club and the Committee. She was one of our sponsors of our
‘Festival of the Saluki 2007’.  A great party girl and inveterate giggler, she was fun to be with.  Her absolute devotion to and care of Betty in the last few years was exemplary.  Rest in Peace, Viv but do not give up on the giggles.
 
 
Elaine & Neil Stanmore, close friends of Viv have sent the following:” We first saw Viv at one of the first Ch Shows we ever attended which was Windsor in the early 1970s. She won the CC with her Ch Rachel of Chandav and BOB was Rachel's sire Ch Almanza Kafiat. Rachel was the most beautiful, very alert, red bitch and she was a real inspiration to us. Viv loved going to the shows and would go all around the country showing several dogs on her own, while her partner Betty stayed at home looking after their boarding kennels and cattery. We loved the quality of the Chandavs and they were always in beautiful condition. In 1982 we used Ch Timotheus of Chandav, Rachel's son, at stud and we have remained friends with them ever since. We spent many lovely afternoons in the gardens at their White Cottage Kennels, enjoying Betty's lovely tea and cakes and looking through their photographs . Vivienne and Betty really cherished their dogs and took great care of their older ones, who often lived to great ages. One memory we will always cherish is visiting Rachel on her 18th Birthday surrounded by her cards and, as always, wearing her indoor coat. Viv was so proud and it was a very sad day for them when they lost her at 18 and a half years old. When their last Saluki Victoria died at 17 years old they moved into a flat where they were very happy and Viv devotedly cared for Betty who had become blind. Sadly in recent months Viv's own health failed.”
 
I have just heard that Jenny Ziman died on the 4th November after a long illness.  I shall write more about her next week.
 
Stuart Mottershaw has sent a message letting me know that Imarra Bollinger owned by Wendy Marshall and Stuart won BOB and Hound Group the went on to Reserve Best in show.  This was at the Guensey KC Winter Show.  Judges were D Foulds and David Cavill.  The qualifies him for the Channel Island Dog of the Year contest.
 
Last Sunday Midland Counties Championship Show was held.  Judging us was Breed Specialist Janette Cotterill. DCC, BOB was Mr KA & Mrs MM Goulden’s Fernlark By Design JW for his second CC.  RDCC went to Marie Bryce-Smith Ch Kasaque Ra Frankel of Saruk.  BCC for her first CC went to Labakan Chiffonier own by Ian and Denise Rogers.  She was born on 17th August 2010 and her breeders are her exhibitors.  Her sire is Ch Sunswift Azbak Babakan and dam Ch Labakan Chantilly.  RBCC went to Don & Pauline Everton’s Kasra Zeleka.  Best Puppy was Cesaria Z Bibesovy Zahradky (Imp Cze) own by Mrs A Cole & Mr K Watson.  Caryna Curetes with his owners John & Caroline Owen competed and won Best Good Citizen Dog is Show.  Ch Baghdad Karim ShCM won for his owners the Ham, Brockman-Chato and Elliot-Ross’ Best Veteran Stakes and the Champion Stakes.  A busy day for Salukis.  Outside the ring there was trouble a brew with a few witches loitering about.  It may have something to do with Halloween.  Love those cakes that Caroline Pickering made in her cauldron.
 
In next week’s breed Notes I will include a list of judges for 2017.