6th November 2020

 
First notes in a new month.  No one is going to be sad to see the end of 2020.  Somehow, we automatically think 2021 will be better. Southern Counties Championship Show has posted “A clarification on an optimistic note!  We are planning our 2021 Show and are raring to go ahead all things being equal.  The dates will be June 4th, 5th, and 6th.  Group splits will not be rotating as announced previously, we are keeping to our arrangement of June 4thHounds/Toys, June 5th  Pastoral/Working/Terriers, June 6thGundogs/Utility.  The reason for this is that after a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, we have managed to move all our 2020 judges (who were still free) on to 2021. This means that our 1sttime judges will not have to wait 2 or 3 more years for their eagerly anticipated appointments. If we had rotated the Group splits this would not have been possible.  We would like to thank all the previously invited 2021 judges who agreed to move their appointment to 2022.  All we hope now is that a) it goes ahead and b) we get the wonderful weather we would have had this year.  We wish all our friends, stewards, exhibitors, judges and everyone connected with the show all the very best until we see you again.  Stay safe.
Oh-and please if you have any questions on this post ask them here rather than speculation on some other post that I may not see and therefore cannot clarify.’
 
Carolyn McCormick Smith has posted on the SGHC members page that the judge for the Club’s 2022 show will be Denise Garratt.  Diana Klein editor of ‘The Saluki’ has posted that the magazine is now available for sale.  This issue only £10.00 UK, £12.50 Europe, £15.00 for the rest of the World. Digital copy now available for £6.00. To purchase a copy contact Diana Klein editor at editorsalukimagazine@gmail.comor telephone 07751 061719.
 
Jillian Knight Messenger in her Afghan Breed notes has asked her readers for embarrassing incidents which have occurred while showing dogs. Jill Cross sent her the following and has not only allowed us to reprint it, but has also sent an interview with the late Dianne Merchant Giles:  Jill writes“ Some years ago we went to SKC and were staying the weekend in a hotel as you do, and when we went for dinner that evening, we were joined by Christian Gardiner, Kenny Wright (Gardwright) and Di Merchant-Giles (of Saluki fame). We were having a great conversation and it eventually drifted into tales of Di’s own stage career - stories which were illustrated by her standing up and bursting into an operatic aria in the restaurant. The whole place - including Christian - was spellbound and at the end of it, everyone stood up and applauded!”
The interview follows:
 What breeds are you interested in?
There are not many breeds of dogs that I don’t like.  My grandparents bred Pomeranians in the early 1920s and kept them for many years.  My father bred racing greyhounds for about 20 year and as far as I can remember my family have bred and owned breeds from every group.  At the moment my main interest must be Papillons which my husband and I are currently showing and breeding, and although we don’t breed them anymore, I must include Salukis as I think they will always be dear to my heart. 
 
 
What dogs have you owned?
I have owned so many dogs over the years, mainly as pets, but I have shown Sealyham, Cocker Spaniel, Old English Sheepdog, Dachshund, Saluki and now Papillions.  I have bred a champion Sealyham -not made up by me I hasten to add-not carrying our present affix.  My old English Sheepdog was shown briefly in this country and then sold to Canada to become a champion in double quick time. The most famous must be the Saluki CH SHAMAL KHARAZ a legend in his own lifetime owned and bred by us.  He won virtually every accolade in his time and although tragically lost him in 1989 he has been top Saluki stud 
dog every year since except one.  
 
How did you become involved in the world of show dogs?
I have always been interested I showing anything, even flowers; but mainly horses and dogs
I dabbled in showing dogs on and off for many years when my career would allow it, but it was my late Mother-in-law who really made it an obsession.  She was showing two beautiful Salukis, one belonging to my husband.  I took over the handling of this one and he became CH SEDEKI HAJ.
 
Did you begin your working life as an artist?
No, definitely not! I was as an opera singer and worked in London with Sadlers Wells Opera Company and then went on to sing in West End Musicals such as Hallo Dolly, Funny Girl, Robert and Elizabeth, Camelot, The Ambassadors and Trelawney to name a few.  I also appeared the films of Oliver and Half a Sixpence among others.
However, I had drawn and painted since I was a very young child (drawing only dogs and horses horses-I might add)and at the age of 15 won a scholarship to the Royal West of England College of Art; unfortunately due to family crisis I was unable to take up the scholarship-something I have always regretted. 
 
Did you come from an artistic background?
Not as far as I know.  Although I remember my mother telling me once that my grandmother’s brother was both musical and artistic.
 
What is your greatest achievement in showing dogs?
I think this must be winning the Hound group at Crufts in 1986 with a home bred dog namely CH SHAMAL KHARAZ – surely this must be the dream of everyone who shows dogs.  
 
Champion Shamal Kharaz’s sire was Ch Jeddah Al Caliph and dam Sedeki Tamineh of Shamal.  He was born on the 14thApril 1982 and died in 1989.   He was from a littler of 5.  His brother, Shamal Khamoun also became a champion.  He was owned by Diane Duckenfield.  Kharaz had 6 mating partners producing 21 off springs.  Five of his children became champions.  Kharaz won BOB at Crufts twice, first time in 1987 under judge Catherine Sutton and the second time in 1986 under judge Valerie Stringer where he went on to win the Hound Group under Terry Thorn.  Kharaz won 
A total of 10 CCS also going Best in Show at the SGHC Open Show and the Club’s championship show. 
Kharaz’s champions get were Pennyworth Katiya. Pennyworth Riaz, Kasaque Eve, Kasaque Ezekiel and Bishr of Kasra.
 
If anyone would like to pass on their embarrassing/interesting episodes at shows I would be most grateful.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
here to edit.