20th January 2023

 
Sorry about the lack of notes last week.  Because of some technical hitch my notes never arrived.
 
 Crufts’ entries will close on Monday 23rd January.  Hounds will be judged on Saturday 11th March.  Judging us will be Mrs Jennifer Macro.  After judging there will be a get together, lifting a glass to celebrate the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club Centennial.  All are welcomed.  
 
This is the time of the year that all membership dues are due.  Please send your subs to the SGHC and the Northern Saluki Club.  Also, a reminder for those that are members of UK Sighthound Sport.  Dates for lure coursing 2023 are 5th March, Spring Trials Day, 26th March Spring Championship, 3rd/4th June, Summer trials day and championship, 8th October National Championships.  I will post venues later. 
 
Breed Records Supplement for Autumn, July to September 2022 has arrived.  There was only one litter registered during this period for 10 puppies.  I am not familiar with the prefix or breeding.  There were two Importation.  Lunar Eclipse Radley Neshama Tova (IMP ISR).  He was born on 25th May 2021.  Breeder is K Mintz and owner is Mrs G Scarth.  Origin Israel
 
The second Importation was Sharwassim Grahim (IMP SWE) He was born on 31st July 2021. His breeder is C Haglund and his owner is Miss A Keckes.  Origin Sweden.  
 
For the third quarter 2022 there were 12 Salukis registered at the KC compared to 35 in 2021. So far this year there have been 74 registered.  Last year there were 94 Salukis registered at this time.  It will be interesting to see how we fare at the end of the year.  Three Salukis have passed ‘Clear’ to NCL.  They are Classicus Baroque At Ravensett, Dibka’s Vincena (IMP SWE) and Jazalle Ava
 
In this week’s OD there was an obituary for one of the American legends, Lee Canalizo.  Her first breed was Afghans which she started breeding in the 1960s, followed by Salukis.  Her Salukis came down from the Jen Araby/Srinigar lines which most Saluki at the time did.  In the 1970s she started her judging career.  At the time of her retirement, she was approved to judge five AKC groups, but never lost her love for the sighthounds. She was also an accomplished artist working as a silversmith.  Recently I have seen some of her work come available.  Her son, Michael has carried on with the Grandeur prefix.  He writes “Her bright light, endless smile and love of her family in dogs and the art world made her complete.”  Our condolences to the family 
 
The first Championship Show of 2023 was held this weekend.  Salukis were classified but not allocated Challenge Certificates.  Judging was Miss E Millward.  BOB was Denise Garratt & Sue Oakey’s Caryna Esperanza.  Best Puppy was Mary Sanders Parker’s Classicus Felicita JW.  This weekend East Of England Agricultural Society announced that July would be there last championship show. It seems that they cannot continue as they can no longer fulfil their charter. So, from 2024 Boston has the opportunity to take over the July show dates, move to Rutland Showground and increase their CC allocation.  It will be interesting to see if the KC reallocates East of England’s Salukis CCs to Boston. 
 
Very sadly, I have just received notification of the sudden passing of Lotta Brun of Caravan Salukis and Afghan Hounds.  Lotta was originally from Norway but had lived in Spain for many years.  She leaves a great legacy in the dog world having bred moderate, functional Salukis.  Many of her dogs have become the foundation of other lines.  She was also a well-respected judge having judged in this country at least twice by my recollection.  The last time was at the Northern Saluki Club Championship Show just prior to the ‘lockdown’.  I will miss her postings of her life in Spain, her gardening and the lovely produce she was producing.  Our condolences to her family and partner, may she RIP.