30 Breed Notes – July show 2018

The glorious weather we’ve been having so far this year had to change at some point, and it chose the weekend of the North of England Keeshond Club’s July summer show held at Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall; although the forecasted (and much needed rain) never materialised. The morning dawned overcast, cool and breezy but got warmer as the day drew on. Fortunately there is plenty of space in the hall and the Club has long had the policy of allowing in spectator dogs; so everyone was kept cool indoors.

A few years ago the Club was left a very generous legacy from the estate of the late Carolyn Smith, who was DW’s Isle of Man correspondent for many years. As a Club, we are deeply indebted to Carolyn’s bequest which is now (amongst other things) being used to permanently fund class entries free of charge for members at our July show – which has proved to be a popular decision!

As usual, the show had a leisurely late start of 11.00am, with the Special Award Classes being held first judged by Jenny Shorer-Wheeler who had drawn an entry of 15 with 7 absentees. Winning Special Junior Dog or Bitch was Simone Lush’s Ednaaron Moon Light; Special Post Graduate Dog or Bitch Gill Brunt’s Zandvoort Mr Bond and the winner of Special Open Dog or Bitch was Gill’s Zandvoort Purrsonal Life (AI)

The main show was judged by Elaine Stubbings (Vandersee) who had drawn an entry of 31 dogs with 24 keesies present. Best Dog, Best Puppy and Reserve Best in Show was Simone Lush’s Ednaaron Moonlight (Ch Hunnivoles Woody Valentine x Gallowtree Tassel at Ednaaron) with the Reserve Best Dog going to the winner of Special Not Bred by Exhibitor class, George and Sharon Rose’s Ch Rossvale Master of Destiny for Esorkees (Ch Neradmik Handsome Hero x Rossvale Scarletts Secret)

Best Bitch and Best in Show went to the Limit class winner, Tom & Caroline Gate’s Lacetrom Shuna (Ch Winklestar Hadar x Lacetrom Cruivie) handled as usual by daughter Michelle Wright. Reserve Best Bitch was David, Linda and Malcolm Matthews’ Szaryk Aphrodite at Valindale from Minor Puppy.

Ann Toward, helped by Andy Fitches excelled herself by raising £80 for the raffle and didn’t run out of tickets this time!! 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 over £56. Pauline was also the winner of the £25 lucky catalogue number.

Sheila Brown judged both the Puppy Walk and the Junior Handling classes which were held during the lunch break and Callum Wright was the overall JH winner. Sheila also donated beautifully decorated boxes for the main winners and keesie badges for all exhibitors.

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.

I think that a medal or two is in order (and I’m not going to say for whom!) as both Steve & Sheila Brown and George & Sharon Rose were celebrating 39 years of marital bliss this weekend!!

The jungle drums apparently have been working overtime and ‘barking up the wrong tree’ at the news that Caroline Kisko has passed the role of the KC’s Company Secretary to the Finance Director Kevin McGuirk. This is where this role usually sits in most companies limited by guarantee, which the KC now is. Caroline is still the Kennel Club Secretary – which is a different position held within a company.

Mid-summer is when a lot of training clubs hold their ‘summer exams’ and proving that Keesies have brains as well as beauty, Pam Luckhurst and her Misty – Leazehond Amethyst Dream at Gavimir passed the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Gold award. After all her many years of winning at the top level, this is Pam’s first gold award; so congratulations to both of you.
My young Tenat, Flatmeer Flaithri kept up the family tradition and at just 4½ months passed his bronze. But going by his subsequent behaviour, passing his gold award is definitely in the very far and distant future!

I’m finishing these notes with the sad news that Sally Swift (Keyscourt) died last Monday. Although Sally’s name won’t be familiar with many of today’s exhibitors, along with husband Joe they were keen exhibitors and breeders during the nineties and ‘noughties’; being supporters of the North of England Keeshond Club since the late1980’s and were often to be seen ringside at the once numerous open shows held around Merseyside.

Anji Marfleet