01 Breed Notes – Jan 2018

As I write this, 2017 puppy numbers have failed to hit the 100 mark with only 93 puppies being born. Eighteen fewer born than last year and the lowest number since since 2012, the upward trend being short lived!

There were 55 dogs born compared to just 38 bitches and only 1 fatality that I know of. But more worryingly, there were at least 10 ‘misses’, which is 60%. Of these 17 litters born; only one dog sired more than one litter, three were repeat matings and just one lucky boy sired his first litter.

There are a few litters expected within the next coming months; so let’s hope this downwards trend was a brief blip – and that there are sufficient puppy inquiries & forever homes to match.

Although there have been a fairly even number of dogs & bitches being born over the past few years, we have seen the dog classes getting sparser with fewer males being shown; whilst the bitch classes have remained fairly constant and well filled.

There were just three champions made up last year – all girls!! The 1st one was Dawn Gregory’s Ch Amikirs Fabulicious Time JW (Eastkees Time Lord x Ch Amikirs Bubblelicious) at WELKS, the 2nd Karin Hickson’s Kichigai Magic Dancer JW (Kichigai Luke Skywalker x Kichigai Tiny Dancer) at WKC and the last one was Ivan and Alison Passmore’s Ch Torrikees Lust For Life (Ch Winklestar Hadar x Ch Torrikees Victoria’s Secret) at Richmond whilst still a junior.

Yet out of the twenty sets of CC’s keesies have a year, in 2017 only 3 BOB’s were won by the girls and overall 12 of those BOB’s were won by the same kennel. So what does that have to say about the state of affairs I wonder??

Young Brook Charlotte Murray is probably best known in the keesie world for handling Dawn Gregory’s girls in both breed classes and flying the keesie flag in the JHA classes. She is one of the 4 finalists shortlisted for the Pawscars Junior Handler of the Year; so your votes for her would be much appreciated.

This is also a weekend of Club deadlines; your claims for the Club’s Annual Trophies need to be with cup steward Gill Brunt by 12th January. Full details of how to claim and a form can be downloaded from the Club’s website www.north-of-england-keeshond-club.co.uk.

Also, don’t forget that due to Thorpe Willoughby’s village panto, the AGM & open show is being held later than usual this year on Saturday 24th February; so your entries for the Club’s open show need to be with show secretary Irene Howe by this Monday – the 29th or sent electronically (& paid by BACS) to Secretary Ian Stubbings.

The show is in the afternoon, opening at 12.00pm, with judging starting at 1.00pm. We will be starting the show with the 3 Special Awards Classes; which are being judged by Gillian Marley followed by the Open Show itself, which is being judged by Marion Sargent.

There will be refreshments and hot bacon butties available for all members of the North of England Keeshond Club attending the morning’s AGM and there will be hot & cold food as usual throughout the show in the afternoon. Subject to demand, Junior Handling classes and a Puppy Walk will be held during the break between the judging of dogs and bitches. All donations for the Raffle table will be gratefully received.

Documentation for the AGM will be circulated to all 2017 Members at the end of January. Please note that for 2018 well behaved and quiet dogs will be allowed in the hall during the meeting, provided that they are in place before the meeting starts. No dogs will be allowed to enter the hall after the Chairman has opened the meeting at 10.30am.

Members are reminded that if they wish to participate fully in the 2017 AGM they must have paid their 2018 subscriptions by Friday 2nd February 2018. Please contact me for details if you wish to pay electronically.

Some sad news to end my notes; Rosi Izzard, best known to all as Dennis Harding’s partner, lost her battle against cancer and died on New Year’s Eve. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Anji Marfleet