3rd FEBRUARY 2017

 
A big congratulations to Alan and Gloria for tying they knot just before Christmas.  After 23 year together they are now Mr & Mrs Birkenshaw.Gloria has said that Burtenshow and Cook sounded like grave diggers and yes as you mentioned it, they do.
Gloria has let me know that at the The Northern Dog Club, Irish Champion Fernlark Nardini at Daandazi JW Sh CM. Ir JCh, gained her 90th BOB at Open Shows where Saluki Classes are scheduled. Judge was Sue Steele.  Lizzie, Fernlark Snow Grouse at Daandazi has accrued 49, hopefully she gets 50 shortly.
 
On a sad note Gloria has informed me that Sheryl Steer’s former husband, John, was found dead by Sheryl last Wednesday. “He was staying the night as she was taking him to the hospital for a cataract operation. When she returned from nightshift on Wednesday morning, his Jack Russell was on the drive. She would never be allowed there, and curtains still closed. She knew something was wrong. He was dead behind the door. It has been traumatic for her. So sad. He was always very welcoming and kind to us and our dogs. Our sympathy is with her.”  Our condolences to Sheryl.
 
The news we have been all awaiting for, Mandy Carter and Mark Layton-Smith’s (Smithy). Bargain Hunt will be aired on BBC 1 at 12.15 on 6th February!!!!
 
Testing has been going on for a particular horrid disease called Neuronal Canine Ceroid Lipofuscinosis or NCL for short.  This disease affects the central nervous system in young dogs and is the umbrella term given to a hereditary health condition that can affect a reasonably wide number of different dog breeds. This leads to a range of out of character behaviours and symptoms in affected dogs including hallucinations, fits, bouts of hyperactivity and potentially, out of character outbursts of aggression. As the condition progresses, affected dogs lose their coordination and muscle control, leading to stumbling, clumsiness and problems exercising normally. There have been confirmed cases in Salukis.  In many breeds a ‘marker’ for this disease has been developed but not yet in Salukis.  It seems that each breed needs it’s own marker.  For research the vets are using DNA that we had stored at the Animal Health Trust.  Many of you will remember Daphne Tovey and Maya Monk-Schenk walking around with DNA kits.  If asked you would have been told these were for research sometime in the future.  Well the future is here and now.  David Steel will have some of these kits available so please make sure all your dogs are done.  We had all our dogs done once upon a time, but now we are lagging behind as old ones die and we get new ones.  I think the kits will remain £5.00 so please help Salukis in the future.
 
 Results of the Northern Saluki Club top winning Salukis 2016.
Top winning Dog/ Bitch Ch Classicus Cassander JW ShCM, owned by Alan & Jeanette Glaister with 80 points.
He is also the top winning (male) dog and the top winning Black/Tan.
Top winning Bitch Ch Caryna Neferti JW ShCM owned by Denise Garratt and Sharon Oakey with 63 points.
Runner up is Fernlark Snow Grouse of Daandazi JW ShCM owned by Alan & Gloria Burtenshaw with 55 points. She is also the top winning parti colour.
Top winning puppy is Vanechka Otis S Berega Turi owned by Jeanette Glaister with 70 points. 
Runner up is Classicus Britannia owned by Mary Sanders Parker with 41 points. 
Top winning junior and Top winning Yearling is Amal Hayati Ohdedar El Aziz Fuadi of Ilsham owned by Adele Walton Haddon with 45 points.
Well done all. Trophies will be presented at the NSC Champ show.
 
I have just had a telephone call from Marie Bryce-Smith, President of the SGHC, to let me know that Molly Knott has died.  We have not seen her around for a few years as she was about 90.  Always a stalwart of the breed and a keen competitor.  Our condolences to her family.