112 Breed Notes – Darlington 2017

At Darlington the Keeshond judge was Jill Peak (who last awarded CC’s at Richmond in 2015 when she was a replacement judge for Freda Marshall) Keesies were second in the ring after Jap Spitz with an entry of 38 dogs and judging started around 11.30am.

Apart from Veteran Bitch which had no entries, all the remaining classes had at least one or two dogs present and it was limit and open dog that had the largest entries for a change. It was over by 12.45pm which enabled everyone to have a piece of cake, do their shopping and still get home beating the Friday rush hour traffic.

We were really lucky with the weather, as the forecast rain never materialised; and it was actually warmer outside in the sunshine as there was a very nippy breeze blowing through the marques and around the benches. What was surprising though was the state of the ground; Ripon is obviously one of the better drained northern racecourses. As despite the heavy rain during the week the ground was dry and mud free (not necessarily true by Sunday!!) but the rings were somewhat uneven; with the undulations catching some exhibitors by surprise!

The dog winners were a repeat of last week at Richmond; the DCC with BOB 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))

It was a 4th RDCC with Best Puppy for Matthews & Ransley’s Szaryk Dutch Bargemaster with Valindale (Wund-R Y Workin For A Livin at Szaryk (Imp USA) x Keesridge Faithrustnpixiedust at Szaryk (Imp USA)) handled by David Matthews and with David and Zander again winning a second Utility Puppy Group; this time under Judge Lee Cox.

From Limit, it was a 4th CC for the Hickson’s recently crowned Ch Kichigai Magic Dancer JW (Kichigai Luke Skywalker x Kichigai Tiny Dancer) and the RBCC went Wendy McKean’s Kichigai This Girl Is Mine at Yawren (Bert Von Ricara (imp DNK) ex Kichigai Special Edition) – the winner of Open.

The Schedule for the Nordic Show, hosted by The Finnish Spitz Club for Spitz Breeds is now available from Fosse Data. It’s being held at the Sports Connexion, Ryton on Dunsmore, on Saturday, 25th November. With classes for all the 20 plus Spitz breeds recognised by the Kennel Club; it’s the only time the UK you’ll see a line up similar (but much smaller) to the FCI’s group 5.

Anji Marfleet