14 Breed Notes – April 2025

Sorry for no notes recently, but it’s been a bit hectic here, what with puppies, Crufts, a stinking lingering cold and just life in general!! So here goes in no particular order:

The Kennel Club have announced the following amendments which they have made to the breed standard, effective from April 2025. The changes are in bold

If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as unacceptable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.

Colour
A mixture of grey and black. Undercoat very pale grey or cream (not tawny). All shades of grey acceptable, body hairs black tipped. Shoulder markings well defined and all markings definite. Forelegs and hocks cream with no black below wrist or hock. Pencilling acceptable.
Any other colour or combination of colours unacceptable

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.

Sally Newman recently went to the funeral of Joy Lewis (who was one of the first Keeshond people she met along with Ron and Joan Pearce) and has written the following:
“Joy Lewis sadly died on 11th March aged 92 with the funeral held on 28th March. I first met Joy at an Open Show, Ashton Gate, Bristol, in 1990 and we had been friends ever since. For the past few years Joy had dementia and was in a nursing home, also being well cared for by Kim Pearce. Joy had her first Keeshond in 1936 aged just 4 and had been a very long-standing member of the Keeshond Club. She enjoyed showing and when she retired from that she still came with me to the Club Shows. Any donations can be made to Keeshond Welfare.”

Whilst on the subject of donations, Malcolm and Linda Matthews would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who so generously donated a fabulous £1300 to Diabetes UK in memory of David.

And finally, a message from Karen Bugg, who says that as part of the Centenary Celebrations, the Keeshond Club has arranged a Breed Celebration Lunch at the Royal Kennel Club in London on Monday 6th October 2025. There will be tea/coffee on arrival, followed by a tour of the unique library and art collections held by the RKC, with a talk by their knowledgeable heritage team, specially tailored to the Keeshond.

Afterwards a pre-lunch drink will be served in the bar followed by lunch in the dining room. The cost of the event will be £55.00 to include a glass of bubbles, a three-course set lunch with a glass of wine, followed by tea/coffee and petit fours. Please state number of guests attending and any dietary requirements or food allergies.

For further information and to book your place contact the event organiser Karen Bugg by emailing her at karen@komargo.co.uk. Or Tel: 07505108305

Anji Marfleet