47 Breed Notes – NoEKC Ch Show 2018

It was a grey and misty early start for the North of England Keeshond Club’s Ch show; but the mist soon cleared and it was blue skies and sunshine, albeit with a seasonal nip in the air, for the rest of the day. As usual, a warm welcome (& hot bacon butties) greeted exhibitors at the Brodsworth Miners Welfare Hall; where the well-known Finish judge, Marja Talvitie (who had last judged keesies at Southern Counties in 2006) had drawn one of the largest entries this year – 83 dogs making 103 entries, with 23 absentees. The biggest class was Veteran bitch, with eight keesies present; although it was certainly a day for the youngsters.

Winning his first CC with Best in Show and Best Puppy was Gill Brunt’s Zandvoort Up An Purrsonal (AI)(Kj’s Its Nothing Purrsonal x Ch Vanstrand Quantum of Solace) from the Puppy class and it was another RDCC for Sue Lindsay’s Mezanda Merry Starshower (Nor Ch Dungens Nice Guy x Mezanda Mai Starshine) who was the winner of the Breeders Dog class.

Also winning a first CC, with Reserve Best in Show from the Puppy class was Sue Lindsay’s Cosmic Dream’s Damn You Look Good for Mezanda (Imp Nor) (Dungens Never Ending Dream x Dungens Kosmic Love) The RBCC went to Jane Saunders’ Liefkees Adina (Ch Wund-R Y Workin For A Livin at Szaryk (Imp USA) x Liefkees Angelika) from Yearling.

Best Veteran in Show was Debbie Hopkins’ Int Ch Torrikees Shakira among Serenaubach.

Last year, the Committee decided to commission a special trophy in memory of Bill Purdon to be awarded each year to the Best Handler at the Club’s Championship Show. The Club was delighted that Doris (accompanied by her son Christopher) could again make the journey north to present the trophy and from her short list, the trophy was awarded to Mel Harris. Doris had very generously donated a large sum of money to the Club, so that the trophy can be engraved in perpetuity.

The Golden Oldie rosette for the oldest dog entered and shown was won for the third year running by Ian and Elaine Stubbings’ Norkees Special Edition at Vandersee who is 15½ years young.

In the kitchen, Christina and Nicola Barton helped by Nicky Potts, Jean Fitches and Pauline Wilson were kept busy selling hot food and home-made cakes and they made a tasty profit of £180.

Andy Fitches was selling tickets for a laden raffle table manned by Ann Toward & helped by Lynn Mayes and took £175. The £50 Lucky Catalogue Prize number was won by Caroline Gate which was very quickly claimed by young Callum, who was also Best Junior Handler.

Janet Kaye came along to help out and was kept busy selling off keesie goodies from the club stall; a lot of Christmas presents were obviously being bought as she took over £220!

I was busy on the door, handing out catalogues and the AGM ‘stuff’ with latest issue of Walkee Talkees, February Open show schedules and the Club’s Information Booklet. If you weren’t there to collect, your copies have been posted out snail mail and if you haven’t received them by the end of this week; please get in touch with Secretary Ian Stubbings.

All three of the Club’s shows this year have again been sponsored by Happy Dog, who generously provided 1k bags of food for all class winners and large sacks for all the main winners.

The show was all done and dusted by 3.30pm. Not only was it still daylight, but the fine weather held out, making it much easier for everyone packing away all their goodies and loading up cars.

Anji Marfleet