23rd March 2018

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It was interesting to read in ‘Our Dogs’ this week that Crufts is the largest event held at the NEC.  They have more car parks allocated to the event then any other event during the year.  Speaking of Crufts, I omitted to put in the name of the owner of Canapus Impala At Iskandraya, the RCC Dog, which is Joanne Mahon. 
 
I have heard from Karen Fisher that the SGHC Open Sure Coursing competition has been cancelled for the 25th March because the field is under water.  Karen plans to reorganize the course for April or May, so will keep the entries that have already been submitted.  If for any reason you decide not to run your entered dog, please contact Karen and she will return your entries.  There is a second opportunity to try lure coursing at that is at The UK Sighthound Lure competition which will be held on 1st April at Eiling Farm RG18 0UD. Entries close on Monday 26th March so there is not a lot of time to enter.  Please look at the UK Sighthound web site for an application to enter or email: contact@UKsighthoundsport.com.  I hope they have better luck with the weather.  
 
The Northern Saluki Club will be holding their Ruby Anniversary gala weekend on the 21st and 22nd April 2018.  Saturday will be their Breed Championship Show, to be judged by Cathy Smith from Australia. She has kindly sent the following CV:
“My husband and I have been breeding and showing Salukis for over 44 years, and we are a small, yet successful kennel in Australia. We have bred 14 Saluki litters under the “Catonam” prefix
We have bred and/or titled approx. 42 Salukis to their Australian Championship.
We are breeders of multi All Breeds Best In Show and multi Specialty Best in Show Winners. I have been Secretary, Show Secretary and President, and Treasurer of The Saluki Club Inc (NSW) which was the first Saluki Club to become affiliated/formed in Australia.
 
I have judged at San Angeles (USA) Saluki Specialty, Finnish Saluki Specialties, Saluki Club of Greater San Francisco Specialty, also have judged, on a number of occasions, Saluki Beauty Contest Abu Dhabi’
 
Catonam Salukis are the combination of English, American and Scandinavian bloodlines and the aim of this combination is to produce what we feel is a balanced, functional Saluki, always keeping the moderate Saluki type with the light, easy effortless gait.
I have been a licenced ANKC judge for Salukis and all Hounds since October 2004
 
My judging philosophy is give everyone equal attention, be fair and give an honest opinion as to which is the best animal to fit the Breed Standard.
My ideal Saluki is moderate, moderate, moderate, functional & fit, sound in body and temperament, clean flowing lines and unexaggerated
I am honoured to have been nominated to judge this truly fabulous show.”
 
The show will be held at the usual venue of Sharley Park Leisure Centre, Clay Cross, Nr Chesterfield S45 9LX.  During the lunch break there will be a parade of rescued Saluki.  For further information on this please contact Christine Harrison on tel. 07595 154541   Judging, at the championship show will commence at 10.00. After the main judging the Knightellington Memorial Stakes will take place.  Judge will be Ms Diane Farrar.  Diane Farrar (ne Dunn) was one of the original organizers of the Northern Saluki Club. Upon arrival the NSC will provide a cup of coffee or tea.  For further information or to receive a schedule please contact John Owen on tel 0115 9305473 or email him at:northernsalukiclub@gmail.com.  And this is just the start of the busy weekend. 
On Saturday night there will be a Dinner held at the Derbyshire Hotel where guests with their dogs can stay the night.  The direct line to the hotel is 01773 814628. 
 
On Sunday the 22nd April there will be the NSC Open show to be judged by David Lever.  David was again one of the original organizers of the NSC.  This show like the champ show must be pre-entered.  Schedules are available from John Owen at the address above or through Higham Press’ www.dog.biz. In the afternoon there will be a Companion Dog Show with entries taken from 12.30.  This is open to all dogs and especially rescues.  All funds raised will go to the Charity Saluki Welfare Fund.
 
Congratulations to Victoria Martin and her Canerikie Vivaldi for Stalwart for accruing enough points for his Junior Warrant.
Congratulations are also due to Luke Johnston for winning Young Kennel Club Stakes.
 
Christine Harrison was in charge of “Discover Dogs” for Salukis at Crufts this year.  She has kindly sent me the following report: “
Last year, after Crufts, I decided it was time to re-vamp the decorations of the Discover Dogs Booth. Many of the volunteers from last year kindly donated their expenses from Crufts for the re-vamp and Mrs. Jo Barrington-Woods also donated an extra £25. First thing I did was to ask Mark and Diane Layton-Smith to produce some banners similar to the ones they produced for the Saluki Gazelle Hound Group, but instead they approached that club's committee and from now on we will share the banners (wonderful co-operation between the two clubs). My brother, Christopher Harrison produced the wooden saluki cutout for the front of the stall, this is not quite finished and will be painted soon with facial features etc. Hilary's wonderful quilt was on show again of course, that will be there as long she will let us use it. I made a new banner for the Northern Saluki Club, and with material especially bought for its authenticity, produced all the floor cushions and matched it to the rug. The photos that Lorraine Fitzgerald did for us last year have been re-printed and were re-used.  We just need a map from somewhere that shows the origins of the Saluki, so if anyone can help with that I would be grateful. Thank you to Lorraine for up-loading photos of the booth to facebook and thankyou to all the visitors of the booth who left lovely comments.
All that remains for me to do now is to thank my ever faithful volunteers: George Webster, Hilary and John Davies, Sue and Keith Snape, Jo Barrington-Woods, and Helen Glanville. We desperately need more volunteers, guys!!!!
Gloria and Alan Burtonshaw were unable to attend this year, please note: your company was greatly missed.”