01 Breed Notes – January 2022

I hope the weather in this first week of January isn’t a portent of what’s to come – an almost tropical 15˚ here in Yorkshire on New Year’s Day and then just 3 days later it was -4˚ with frozen snow & ice.

But it certainly didn’t deter everyone who took part in the first North of Scotland Keesie Walk at Torrieston Walks, just 4.5 miles southwest of Elgin on Monday 3rd January at 1pm. In all, there were 9 humans and 7 keesies: Anna Wolanska and her son with Joy, Sarah, David and Mary Jane Murray with Joey & Zach, Annmaree & Ian Bain with Hope, Christine Searle with Meike & 15 year old Tilly and Colin with Meike’s brother Freddie.

They took the path on the other side of the road from the car park called the Black Burn Trail, which is a lovely flat forest trail with a couple of wooden bridges – all dogs having a wonderful time and the cameras were out. Returning back to car park probably after about a 45 minute gentle pace; where the Bains, having come the furthest left for home as did Colin.

Anna then produced a flask of tea and some lovely homemade cake, after which Christine went home. Anna and the Murrays had a further short walk on the car park side of the road, eventually saying goodbye about 3pm. A good time was had by all and I suspect the next one is already being planned; especially as a couple of Keesie owners couldn’t make that date.

And that ball is certainly starting to roll, with more Keesie walks being planned; the next one being a Yorkshire walk on the 16th January at Temple Newsam, Leeds, followed by another Scottish one at Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton on 30th January. There’s also one being planned in the North East in February. All the details of these can be found on the North of England’s new FB page and on the website. If any of you reading this want to organise a walk in your area, just let us know and we’ll do our best to spread the word!

In my last set of notes for 2021 I quoted the Kennel Club’s response to the incident at the October show re Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show. The Kennel Club have now issued the following rule changes which come into effect as from 1st January 2022 which state:
F(1)26.a
Where the Best of Breed, Best of Group, or Best in Show is a puppy, it should automatically may at the discretion of the judge be awarded Best Puppy in Breed, Best Puppy in Group or Best Puppy in Show respectively. (Additions in bold, Deletions struck through)

It’s a shame that the Kennel Club still haven’t grasped the difference between rules & regulations!!!

Anji Marfleet