08 Breed Notes – NoEKC Feb Open 2024

The North of England held its open show on a bright and breezy Sunday at Netherton Village Hall. It was a nice leisurely start for everyone as the judging of the Special Awards Classes didn’t start until 1.0opm. The judge was Trevor Rogers (Keez) and he had 15 Keesies entered. Winner of Special Junior Dog or Bitch was Gill Brunt’s Zandvoort Grace’s Secret, Special Post Graduate Dog or Bitch – Ann Burnett’s Torrikees We Will Rock You and the Special Open Dog or Bitch, which had 9 dogs, entered was won by Mel Harris with Ch Amikirs Lover Boy for Watchkees.

The Open show started about 2.00pm after the end of the SAC; where the judge was Steven Jones who had drawn an entry of 31 dogs with 7 absentees. There were no entries in Minor Puppy Dog, Post Graduate Dog or Yearling Bitch and the Puppy Dog and both Juniors were absent.

Best Dog with Best in Show was Joan Miles and Sarah Dean’s Ch Neradmik Kiss Chase with Lekkerbek (Ch Neradmik Family Affair with Lekkerbek x Ch Neradmik Miss Holly Berry) and Reserve Best Dog with Best Veteran was Natasha Hickson’s Ch Kichigai’s Only The Lonley (Bert von Ricara (imp Den) x Kichigai Special Edition)

Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show was the winner of Limit, a delighted Nicky Potts with Shelderon The Legal Eagle (Serenaubach Full of Wonder x Shelderon Super Steller) with Reserve Best Bitch going to my Flatmeer Fleur Dilly (Benny von Fritzi’s Wolfen x Flatmeer Fleurette) from Open.

Best Puppy in show was Gill Brunt’s Zandvoort Grace’s Secret (Divnyi Drug Dar (Imp Rus) x Almaznyi Istochnik Tropicheskaya Noch (Imp Rus))

Ann Toward was on the raffle table, helped by Georgie Stephenson and despite the makeshift raffle tickets (don’t ask!!) managed to make a profit of £76.60 and the Lucky Catalogue prize number was won by Andy and Jean Fitches. The show was all done and dusted by 4.00pm which enabled everyone to pack up whilst it was still daylight.

At Crufts, our Judge Joan Miles (Lekkerbek) has an entry of 67 Keesies (30 dogs & 37 bitches) & we are second in the ring after 54 Schnauzers; who have been given a late start of 10.00am, in Hall 1, Ring 1- the same as last year.

Anji Marfleet