04 Breed Notes – Manchester 2020

It was a bright and early start for Keeshonds at Manchester, as we were first in the ring with a 9.00am start for our judge, well known ‘all-rounder’ Frank Kane (he last judged us at WELKS in 2017); who had drawn an entry of 36 keesies with 8 absentees. He went over the dogs quickly and methodically and even found time to give a short verbal critique to all the exhibitors and by 10.45am it was all done and dusted.

The DCC went to 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)) with the RDCC going to Matthews & 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))

Winning her crowning third CC with Best of Breed from Junior Bitch, was Geraldine Clark’s Kwajongen She’s A Muse (Ch Wund-R Y Workin For A Livin at Szaryk x Ch Byquy Pebbles at Kwajongen) handled by David Matthews. Bella won her 1st CC (with Best Puppy) at Leeds last year from judge Derek Smith and her 2nd CC came at Midland Counties from judge Maggie Mulholland.

RBCC was Sue Lindsay’s Ch Cosmic Dream’s Damn You Look Good for Mezanda (imp Nor) (Dungens Never Ending Dream x Dungens Kosmic Love) and Best Puppy was Antonia Atkinson’s Winklestar Reggie (Ch Szaryk Dutch Bargemaster with Valindale x Ch Winklestar Anthe with Valindale)

Our benching ran down the side of the hall, right next to the rings; so for at least half of the exhibitors it couldn’t have been closer. It made a change to be able to sit by the benching and actually see what was going on. The only downside was that our ring & benching was next to the hall entrance so there was a continual stream of people, dogs and trolleys pushing their way through. Also noticeable was the number of inconsiderate exhibitors (in other breeds) who also used our ring literally as an exercise area for their dogs before judging commenced.

Research, carried out by the Kennel Club’s Health team, has examined the importance and impact of health schemes for hip or elbow dysplasia on the long-term health of dog breeds. A new study (which specifically examined data from six commonly hip and elbow-scored breeds –Labs, Goldies, German Shepherds, Rotties, Bernese Mountain Dog and Newfies) has revealed a marked general improvement in hip and elbow scores in these breeds.

The paper looked at data from the BVA/KC Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Schemes and incorporated phenotypic data of hips and elbows, plus Estimated Breeding Values (EBV’s).
The key findings from the paper are as follows:
· Notable decline in severity of hip scores in these breeds overtime
· More modest but notable decline in severe elbow scores
· Proportion of dams and sires tested overtime has increased, but is beginning to plateau – implying that the fewer puppies are being born from untested parents, this was the case for all hips and five out of six elbows
· Scores of tested parents are generally improving (sires more so than dams), implying that breeders are choosing breeding stock with better scores – this was the case for both hips and elbows, but more consistent in hips
· Breeds with poorer hip and elbow scores at the beginning of the time period studied showed the greatest improvement
· Genetic trend in EBV’s also reduced overtime for both hips and elbows, showing that dogs are genetically at a lower risk than dogs bred 30 years ago.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the BVA/KC Dysplasia Schemes are a beneficial tools for breeders to implement into their breeding decisions, and progress can be expected to be evident should the current trends for testing continue.

Anji Marfleet