09 Breed Notes – AGM & Open 2018

A bumper set of notes this week as I’m late with last week’s and early (for a change!) with this week; my next set won’t be until after Crufts!

After a bright and chilly (but without the forecasted snow) early start, there was a warm welcome and hot bacon butties ready to greet everyone turning up for the North of England Keeshond Club’s AGM on Saturday morning.

The Club has not only had to change the date of its Open Show and AGM from March to mid-February, but for the sixth time in as many years, has had to hold it on a Saturday. I know that it definitely makes life harder for those who have to work Fridays. Whether it has any effect on show entries or attendance at the AGM, I don’t know. Usually we end up having to move due to the venue being double booked, but this year we’ve had to move dates because the local school’s half term dates changed.

The meeting was opened at just after 10.30am with welcoming speeches from our President Sheila Mac and Chairman Gordon Lister. They were then followed by Secretary Ian Stubbings, who not only gave his customary extremely comprehensive Secretary’s report; but he also had to stand in for both myself and Gill Brunt as we were both unable to attend due to puppies.

Sheila Mac presented the Club’s Annual Trophies; which were almost a repeat of last year’s winners and there was a unanimous vote for Doris Purdon to become a Life Member of the Club. There was some discussion from the floor about the new JCF scheme; but with no really contentious items on the agenda, it was all done and dusted for another year in time for lunch.

The Keeshond Rescue report from Jeane Waller was then read out.
In the 30 years I have been running Keeshond Rescue, 2017 was the first time we have had only two dogs needing to be rehomed; both of whom were young males.
The first was said not to be getting on well with the other male dogs in the household though he was fine with the bitches. He is lovely, friendly, happy and a delight to his new owners. The second family felt they could not give the young boy the attention he needed. He was given to a lady on her own who was pleased to have him as a loving companion.

The Special Award Classes were held first and were judged by Gillian Marley, who had an entry of 14 dogs it no absentees. Special Junior Dog Or Bitch was won by Nichola Kerr’s Levi Altere V Kees Uit De Polder’s (Imp Nld), the Special Post Graduate Dog Or Bitch class by Gill Brunt’s Zandvoort Mr Bond and Gill also won the Special Open Dog Or Bitch with Zandvoort Purrsonal Life (AI).

Marion Sargent was the Club’s judge for our open show in the afternoon and had drawn an entry of 43 dogs with only 8 absentees, six of which were bitches.

From Open, Best Dog, Best Opposite Sex and Reserve Best in Show 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)) Reserve Best Dog was Michael and Margaret Fusco’s Amikirs Lord Of The Bubbles (Eastkees Time Lord x Ch Amikirs Bubblelicious) from PGD.

Keeping it in the family was Jack’s sister Fabby – Dawn Gregory’s Ch Amikirs Fabulicious Time JW (Eastkees Time Lord x Ch Amikirs Bubblelicious) who went one better getting Best Bitch and Best in Show. Reserve Best Bitch was Tom and Caroline Gate’s 8 year old Lacetrom Cruivie (Am Ch Summerwinds So Intoxicating of Valindale (imp USA) x Kwajongen What Katie Did at Valindale) handled by daughter Michelle Wright.

Best Veteran was Gill Brunt’s Ch Zandvoort Dream Machine ((Am Ch Laser’s Tuxedo Junction Of Zandvoort (IMP USA) x Zandvoort Live The Dream) and Best Puppy in Show was Nichola Kerr’s Levi Altere V Kees Uit De Polder’s (imp NDL) (Keesbrooks Boots Made F’walking x Is Het Magie V Kees Uit De Polder’s).

All three of the Club’s shows this year are again being sponsored by Happy Dog, who generously provided 1k bags of food for all class winners and large sacks for all the main winners.

Andy Fitches raised £58 for the raffle; and in the kitchen Nicola & Christina Barton, helped by Steve Brown, Jean Fitches and Pauline Wilson were kept busy selling hot food and home-made cakes and they made a tasty profit of £60. Steve Brown was the £25 Lucky Catalogue number prize winner.

On the day of the show Colin and Christina Barton were celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary, the day after was Ruth Burgess’ birthday and Nicky Potts was having yet another ‘21st birthday’ and brought along an enormous birthday cake – so everyone joined in the celebrations.

Following on from my notes at the beginning of February which gave details of the Kennel Club’s requirement for all breeds to select a Breed Education Co-ordinator; the following is a joint statement from both clubs.

As you are already aware in July last year the Keeshond Club were asked to take part in the pilot scheme for the Kennel Club’s Judges Competency Framework (JCF), and in January the Kennel Club wrote to all breed clubs regarding this, asking them to appoint a Breed Education Co-ordinator (BEC) to oversee each breed’s programme for educating its judges.
To manage the recruitment process for the Keeshond breed, the two Breed Clubs have formed a joint subcommittee comprising Beryl Henman and Geraldine Clark from the Keeshond Club, and Anji Marfleet and Ian Stubbings from the North of England Keeshond Club.
The Breed Education Co-ordinator should be highly organised and approachable with a keen interest in educating judges for the benefit of the breed. A full role description can be found under ‘Breed Education Coordinator Role Description’ at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/JCF.
If after reading the BEC Role Description you feel you have the skills and enthusiasm for the role, we are inviting applications for the role. Please contact the two Club Secretaries, Geraldine Clark and Ian Stubbings, in the first instance with your CV on or before the 31st March for consideration by the joint subcommittee.

Yet another youngster flying the keesie flag, this time at the opposite end of the country. At Salisbury and South Wilts Canine Society show on 10th February, Jane Saunders’ Liefkees Adina (Ch Wund-R Y Workin For A Livin at Szaryk (Imp USA) x Liefkees Angelika) took Utility group and BP in group and then went on to BIS and BPIS. From judge Jenny Shorer-Wheeler.

And last but not least, the picnic on the benches at Crufts will go ahead this year after judging has finished. If people could just bring a small donation- it would be gratefully received.

Anji Marfleet