1st May 2020

 
The lockdown continues, I hope everyone is staying well and safe. Lately there has been talk about how we will proceed from lockdown to a functioning nation again.  Solutions seem to be mimicking the discussions for Brexit. Every party,and/or politician have a different idea.  What will happen this year with the dog show scene, who knows.  I read today that the grounds which are used by Paignton Championship Show will not now be used as a Nightingale style hospital.  Paignton committee like other show societies are crossing their fingers that they might hold their shows.  Unfortunately, The Hound Association have had to announce that they are cancelling their show for this year which was to be held on Saturday July 18th2020.
 
Paul Singleton has written that the “Hound Show does fall just outside the current recommended date of June 30thto cancel events or mass gathering but preparation for our show starts many weeks before the actual show date and we are currently in a situation where we are unable to guarantee that the necessary support services including medical cover, will be in place.  However, it is the health and welfare of our exhibitors, judges, stewards, committee and suppliers that has been right at the forefront of our thinking and has led us to make this sad but inevitable decision.”
 
Lisa Croft-Elliott, dog breeder/exhibitor & world renown photographer has sent a link for a longterm plan for all dog/pet owners who live alone or who knows that their families may not be aware of what to do with their dogs/pets should something happen to them. It is also for owners, exhibitors, for any dogs on special diets, Lisa has put together a form.           
 
EMERGNCY PLAN FOR MY ANINALS: “Sitting here on my own I was thinking about what would happen with my dogs if I were to become ill-not with the virus but in any situation.  I had seen a document on another page that made sense to me and then I started tweaking it.  Feel free to share if you feel as though this would be of use.  Please no negative comments.  This is something that might be useful to someone who is in the same position as I am sometime in the future” She says “I have now made the form” so you can fill it out online and print it-it is a PDF if you just want to download it. “http://www.eyefordogs.com/EMERGENCYPLANform1.pdf
 
We have received a new communication from our vets.  They have stated that whilst not allowing clients into the building they are still able to see your pets.  They go on to say that some of the preventative healthcare services have resumed which include vaccinations for puppies and adult animals that are identified at higher risk of infectious diseases.  They also say they will now be resuming neutering.  I assume the reinstating of these procedures will all have been done under the guidance of DEFRA.    Not mentioned by our vets but I now understand that puppies can now be delivered to their new homes by the ‘breeders’ or an approved agent.  Purchasers of puppies are not allowed to pick them up. 
 
This week I am exploring two more very influential stud dogs from the near past.  
The first dog is Ch Almanza Kafiat.  He was born on the 27thJune 1969.  His breeder was Ernie Tebbs.  Both the dogs I am discussing were sired by Ch Bedouin Caliph and their dams were sisters.  In Kafiat’s case the mother was Ch Asphodel Almanza.
In his life time he accrued 24 CCs, 20 RCCs and was a Multi Best in Show and a Best in Specialty show winner.  As was all of Ernes’ dog he was an excellent coursing hound. In 1970/71 he was the Top Show/Coursing Saluki winning the Sandpiper Trophy (The Sandpiper was for the Saluki winning most points in all breed classes during the year and conditional on their winning or being runner-up in an official coursing stake). Kafiat was Top Show Saluki in the 1971/72 season. Danny, as he was more familiarly known had 15 mating partners producing 60 off springs which were 24 males and 36 bitches. He produced 9 champions off springs.  
 
The second dog, born a year later was Ch. Al Caliphs Alyfeh JW. His sire was Ch Bedouin Caliph as was Kafiat, but his dam was Ch Burydown Asphodel Alanya, as said above a sister to Almanza. His breeder was Hope Waters, whilst his owner was Deborah Copperthwaite.  From 1977- 1980 he was runner-up to the Stud Dog Trophy.  He accrued 3 CCs with BOB and 4 RCCS.  Alyfeh had 9 mating partners producing 23 off springs 10 males and 13 females.  He produced 4 champion off springs.