08 Breed Notes – NoEKC Open 2022

The North of England Keeshond Club had a lucky escape as Storm Eunice, who’d made her presence felt tearing across the country the day before had just about blown herself away. Although Saturday dawned dry and bright, the rain soon started, turning to very wet snow which persisted until just after lunchtime.

The show started at 1.30pm with the Special Awards Classes being judged by Tate Forsey. Winner of Special Junior Dog or Bitch was David Peck’s Keitakees To Love Somebody at Byquy (TAF) handled by David Matthews, Special Post Graduate Dog or Bitch was Vikki & Sean Marshall with Devonia Black Pearl, who also won Special Open Dog or Bitch with Arabesque at Devonia (IMP RUS)

This was followed by the Open show which was judged by Sue Bird who had drawn an entry of 47 with 10 absentees.

Best Dog and Reserve Best in Show was Natasha Hickson’s Ch Kichigai’s Only The Lonley (Bert von Ricara (imp Den) x Kichigai Special Edition) with Reserve Best Dog going to Andy & Jean Fitches’ Samoykees Harbour Lights (Am Ch Showtyme Admiraal The Mighty Sven x Samoykees Exclusive Moon) from Limit

Best Bitch and Best in Show went to the Post Graduate winner, a very surprised Nicky Potts with Shelderon The Legal Eagle (Serenaubach Full of Wonder x Shelderon Super Steller) with Reserve Best Bitch going to the winner of Open, Nichola Kerr’s Caraspitz Good Luck Charm (Vanstrand Thunderball x Zandvoort Field of Dreams).

Best Puppy in Show was Matthews & Lee’s Winklestar Aurora at Valindale (Vivids Majestic Prince of Winklestar (IMP USA) x Winklestar Serendipity) and Best Veteran in Show was Andy & Jean’s NL Ch Samoykees Exclusive Moon (Int Ch Dolce Vita Dyck of Bloom White x Venway Believe in Magic at Samoykees)

In the kitchen, Christina, Nicola & Colin Barton were kept busy selling hot soup and lots of home-made cakes and they made a tasty profit of almost £100. Nicky Potts along with Kathryn Coleman were selling tickets for a laden raffle table manned by Ann Toward and took an impressive £142.

Table sales also did very well making £39 and a get well card also went round for signing for Jean Davies, who is recovering from a stroke. The £25 lucky catalogue number was won by Sharon Rose and in case you’re wondering, yes, this is the 3rd show in succession that Sharon’s won the lucky catalogue prize!!

The show was all done and dusted by 5.00pm which enabled everyone to pack up whilst it was still daylight.

At Crufts, our Judge Stuart Mallard has an entry of 49 Keesies (19 dogs & 30 bitches) & we are second in the ring after 49 Schnauzers, who have been given a late start of 10.30am, in Hall 1, Ring 1.

Anji Marfleet