03 Breed Notes – Boston 2020

Boston is the first general Ch show of the year and although there are no CC’s on offer, it is well supported by Keesies. Our judge this year was Millie Lambert (Sturtmoor) who had drawn an entry of 26 dogs with just 2 absentees. Keesies were 2nd in the ring after an entry of 80+ Shih Tzus, so it was gone 2.30pm before judging started.

Best Dog with Best of Breed was Natasha Hickson’s Ch Kichigai’s Only The Lonley (Bert von Ricara (imp Den) x Kichigai Special Edition) who then went on to win Utility Group 4 under Hazel Fitzgibbon. Reserve Best Dog was Melanie Harris’ Ch Neradmik All About The Boy for Watchkees JW ShCM (Ch Am Ch Kemonts Skylines Game Boy (imp USA) x Ch Lady Godiva’s Guilty Pleasures with Neradmik (imp Fin))

Best Bitch was Karin Hickson’s Kichigai Uptown Girl (Ch Neradmik All About The Boy for Watchkees x Kichigai Lilac Wine) with Reserve Best Bitch going to Geraldine Clark’s Kwajongen She’s A Muse (Ch Wund-R Y Workin For A Livin at Szaryk (IMP USA) x Ch Byquy Pebbles at Kwajongen)

Best Puppy was Gill Brunt’s latest import, Divnyi Drug Dar (Imp Rus) (Cinerus Arctic Prince Of Star x Divnyi Drug Gusja Lebed)

The Keeshond Club were holding their Open Show in partnership with Boston, which was scheduled to start after Millie had completed her judging. Unfortunately, being 2nd in the ring after a large entry meant that the late start had a knock on effect with the Keeshond Club’s Special Awards Classes not starting until after 3.15pm; making it a very long day for exhibitors.

The Judge for the Keeshond Club’s show was the KC’s Chairman Tony Allcock OBE, who had drawn an entry of 24 keesies with just 1 absentee. There were no entries in Puppy Dog, Yearling Dog, Breeders & Not Bred By Exhibitor’s Dog. For the bitches there were no entries in either of the Puppy classes and Novice, with the biggest class being Limit Bitch – 4 girls present and there was just one puppy entered.

Best Dog with Best of Breed was Mel Harris Kichigai Boy Is Back In Town for Watchkees (Ch Neradmik All About The Boy for Watchkees x Kichigai Lilac Wine) with Reserve Best Dog going to Matthew’s and Ransley’s Ch Szaryk Dutch Bargemaster with Valindale (Ch Wund-R Y Workin For A Livin at Szaryk (Imp USA) x Keesridge Faithrustnpixiedust at Szaryk (Imp USA)). The bitches were a repeat, with Best Bitch going to Karin Hickson and Jade – Kichigai Uptown Girl and Reserve to Geraldine Clark and Kwajongen She’s A Muse. Gill Brunt and Divnyi Drug Dar were Best Puppy.

With the recent cold spell (and more cold weather forecast), the lucky ones amongst you will have had well gritted roads. Dogs (and cats) walk through the substances left by the gritters clearing the roads and from car drivers defrosting their windscreens etc – they then lick their paws. Consuming rock salt can cause problems including dehydration, liver failure and pancreatitis; while antifreeze contains ethylene glycol – a sweet tasting chemical which can be lethal when ingested. Every year hundreds of pets throughout the country become seriously ill, sometimes fatally, because of the antifreeze substances used during a cold snap.

So please remember that if you walk your dog on gritted roads/paths, make sure that their paws are washed; either by walking them through fresh snow, unfrozen puddles away from the gritted surfaces or by dipping their feet in clean water once back at home.

And last but not least, a reminder that entries for the North of England Keeshond Club’s Open Show close on Monday 20th January.

Anji Marfleet