February 04th, 2018

 
Sue Bounds’ funeral will take place at 11am, Slough Crematory, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AX on the 24th January 2018.  All are welcome.
 
On a lighter note, I have received a note from Claire Jowett that Barleymoon Ankaa  just won her second Dog of the Year 2017!!.. Postponed due to the weather before Christmas, Hastings, St Leonards & E.Sx Canine Society rescheduled their Dog of the Year competition and Ankaa won Best Yearling 2017 and then went on to be awarded Dog of the Year.
 
Of late I seem to be posting mainly what is happening and not exploring some of the changes in our dog scene.  I will now be including an article by the American Cocker breed notes writer, Bill Bunce and hopefully will receive some comments from the readership.  Bill writes “I am pleased to see that the New Year is starting with the KC confirmation of a champions class at Breed Club champ shows.  For many years I have favoured the idea but would personally like to see it expanded even more if it is to be of real value in revitalizing our sport and potentially increasing entry numbers. 
The problem as I see it has been that for many years, for one reason or another every once in a while a certain dog and/or breeder seems to dominate their breed taking the tickets week after week.  All this achieves is a drop in entries when other exhibitors decide it is not worth going as they assume they know the winners before they start.  This results in perpetuating the problem by seeing even less and less dogs taking more and more awards, often with other equally deserving specimens being left by the wayside.
The simple answer I believe is to make the Champions class the only one which Champions can enter and leave the winners out of the final line up for the CCs. They would then be allowed back to compete for Best of Breed against the CC winners, thereby maintaining the ‘best of the best’ and top notch representation in the groups.  This change would encourage others to take part in the general competition and could produce new, equally high quality champions.  It goes without saying that judges would have to ensure they maintain that quality by only awarding CCs to dogs of sufficient merit-as they should be doing now”
 
This country has always been rated as the most difficult country to make up a dog as we had to ‘beat the best’ to win the CC.  Would a new system as above be lowering our standards? Or is it time to join the rest of the world in removing the champions from the CCs or points. 
 

 

26TH JANUARY 2018
 
We have heard that Brendan Austin has suffered a stroke.  He is now recovering and hopefully will be back to full fitness.  We wish him a speedy recovery.
 
An update on ‘lure trials’, The UKSS and SWC are holding a trailing day, on Sunday 25th February, at Raleigh’s Cross, Somerset, TA23 0LN.  Starting time is 10.30 am.  For those wanting to attend please contact Sharon Dalgleish at contact@uksighthoundsport.com.  Sharon will update on the requirements for entering.
 
Manchester Champ Show was held last Thursday after a night of torrential wind. Judging Salukis was Mrs Jill Peak, an all-rounder.  DCC, BOB went to Kevin & Michelle Goulden’s Ch Fernlark By Design with the RDCC to Jeannette Glaister’s Ch Vanechka Otis S Berega Turi JW, Sh CM (Imp).  BCC for her 3rd and qualifying CC went to Josh Duddell, Brian Mansell and Luke Johnston’s Canerikie Catalina.  She was born 25th August 2016 and her breeders are Mrs J Duddell and Mr B Mansell.  Her sire is Ch Jorjenjo Mirza of Fernlark JW and her dam is Ch Jasmine of Canerikie (IMP ITA) JW.  RBCC and Best Veteran went to Mrs Katherine Williams’ Ch Bermuda, Ch Ulmarra Tropical Ice at Winton.   Best Puppy was Tigsisle Totally Unique also owned by Mrs Williams.  Well done all!
 
Helen Williams
Kasaque565@gmail.com