21 Breed Notes – SKC 2018

My thanks to Michelle Wright for being my ‘roving reporter’ at the Scottish Kennel Club; where Keeshonds were third in the ring after Pekes and Lowchens for well-known ‘all-rounder’ Tom Mather. He was awarding CC’s in keesies for the first time and had drawn an entry of 20 dogs with just one absentee but disappointingly, there were no puppies entered in either class. He judged all three breeds without stopping for a break; so for a change keesie judging was over & done with nice and early – by 13.45pm.

He went over all dogs in a lovely manner and was very polite to all exhibitors. The weather at Ingliston was sunny with a little breeze reaching 24 degrees; which made it warm inside the halls. Tom Mather commented that he thought it was just him! Benches were of a fantastic size this year and we could fit all our ‘extras’ next to the cage – never mind underneath. There was also a friendly atmosphere between all the exhibitors which made a nice change.

The DCC with BOB (his 5th) was George & Sharon Rose’s Ch Rossvale Master of Destiny for Esorkees (Ch Neradmik Handsome Hero x Rossvale Scarlett’s Secret) with the RDCC going to Joan Miles & daughter Sarah Dean’s Ch Neradmik Kiss Chase with Lekkerbek (Ch Neradmik Family Affair with Lekkerbek x Ch Neradmik Miss Hollyberry).

It was a crowning 3rd CC for Les & Jenny White’s Neradmik Dear Darling of Whitchakees (Ch Neradmik Game Plan at Lekkerbek x Ch Lady Godiva’s Guilty Pleasures with Neradmik (imp Fin)) handled by Joan Miles. Her 1st CC was at Leeds in 2016 from judge Jack Bispham and Joan gave her second CC when she judged at Bath last year.

The RBCC was a first for Nicola Kerr’s Caraspitz Good Luck Charm (Vanstrand Thunderball x Zandvoort Field of Dreams). No BP was awarded as there weren’t any entered!

Keesies were benched next to the grooming area, where several Pekingese were not in cages but in mini-sized open topped puppy pens. Several exhibitors commented on how they were handled, ie lifted from the pens, by their scruff/middle of back and wondered if this is allowed? Michelle has checked online regarding handling and it clearly states they should be supported under their chest and abdomen rather than by the middle.

I suspect that the ‘handling’ guidelines are intended for when the dogs are actually in the ring; although it would be ‘best practice’ for it to apply everywhere. Especially when ‘show’ dogs are in a very public place – pedigree dogs and the world of showing in general has come under an increasing amount of close scrutiny particularly where handling is concerned. It does no-one any favours for a perceived ‘act of cruelty’ (ie harsh handling) to be filmed and instantly splattered world-wide via social media.

Michelle and Kimi have been on a winning streak recently; on Good Friday at Tweedmouth CS, Lacetrom Cruivie ShCM won BoB, Group 3 and AV Utility Veteran under Dawn Rathmell (Llaremeth) and then a couple of weeks later on 15th April at Selkirk and District she again won BoB under Mr J Morgan and Group 1 under Ms A Morton

Anji Marfleet