45 Breed Notes – November 2021

Some sad news that Mary Randall (Candymay) died on the 1st November aged 97. Mary and John Randall’s first keesie – Seyn Blackie was born in 1948 and she was the beginning of a 50 year plus love affair with the breed.

John & Mary’s most memorable day probably was at Crufts in 1973 when Mary with their homebred Heinz Sparkler won the DCC with Best of Breed under Judge Joe Braddon and then went on to be placed Reserve in the Utility Group from Judge Warner Hill. Watching the proceedings that day was Jean Sharp Bale who decided that Keeshonds were the breed for her and so Davean Cover Girl (Ch Heinz Sparkler x Ch Beatrix of Davean) became Jean’s Neradmik foundation bitch. My first Keesie was also a Heinz Sparkler daughter – so I guess some will say that Sparky has a lot to answer for!!

But their kennel will probably be most remembered for producing Ch Candymay Cedar; who sired 5 champions and many more top winning grand kids and can be found behind many of today’s Keeshonds – both here and abroad. Mary made no secret that she’d love to judge at Crufts and finally got her wish with an appointment for 2004; but it was not to be and she was bitterly disappointed when ill health forced her to withdraw.

I have no information yet about funeral arrangements or donations.

Anji Marfleet