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…
At Crufts this year we were again down in Hall 1, ring one and first in the ring with a later start of 10.00am on Friday. Our judge was Melanie Reed- Peck (Byquy) who had drawn what must be one of the lowest ever Keeshond entries for this show; just 40 Keesies with 6 absentees,…
It wasn’t the most auspicious of starts, waking up to find the ground white over and it snowing. Fortunately, it soon blew over and turned into yet another grey and misty day for the NoEKC’s AGM and open show, which was held at Netherton Village Hall. The meeting was opened at just after 11.00am by…
Anji Marfleet The Kennel Club Keeshond Breed Health Coordinator Hot off the press from Cathryn Mellersh. New DNA test for Primary Hyperparathyroidismin Keeshonds The Canine Genetics Centre at the University of Cambridge is pleased to announce the launch of a new DNA test, for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in Keeshonds. The research underpinning the DNA test…
I have been asked to put the following in my notes. We would like to thank everybody who attended David’s funeral, both in person and via zoom. All the people who sent beautiful cards with the most touching words for him; we have received well over a 100 and for the generous donations to Diabetes…
At Manchester we were second in the ring after 52 Shibas and given a not before time of 10.30am for our judge Gillian Marley who was awarding CCs in the breed for the first time. She had drawn an entry of 21 Keesies, with just 3 absentees, the Puppy Dog was absent and there were…
Gill Brunt has finally got all the claims for the NoEKC’s Annual Cups and Trophies sorted and the results for 2024 are as follows: The Kultz Trophy for Top Kennel went to Devonia with 184 points; the Galdrik Cup’s Top Stud Dog was Ch Divnyi Drug Dar with 90 points and the Galdrikette Cup for…
Here is the link if anyone wishes to make a donations in memory of David https://inmemory.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/david-matthews2025 Anji Marfleet
The funeral for David Matthews (Valindale) will be held on Wednesday 29th January 12.00pm at Townley Memorial Hall, Fulbourn, Cambs CB21 5BS. Linda and Malcolm request that any donations got to Diabetes UK; a JustGiving tribute page has been created for online donations and also that anyone coming to his funeral wears something colourful –…
Like most people I was both shocked and saddened to hear the news that David Matthews (Valindale) had passed away unexpectedly (but peacefully) in his sleep on New Years Eve. He was only 56 and should have had many more years ahead to share with the dogs he loved; the breed has lost a dedicated…
It’s now the end of the year and I had thought that 2022 was bad with just 60 puppies being born; but 2024 has proven to be the worst year ever for the number of Keesies being born in the UK since the 1940’s. There have been 15 litters resulting in just 56 puppies –…
A few bits for my final notes of the year! KC regulations require judges to provide written critiques on 1st and 2nd placed dogs in each breed class at both Ch & open shows and they will investigate any judge not submitting a critique within a reasonable amount of time following the appointment, which may…
At the last Ch show of the year, Keesies were again first in the ring, this time with a 9.00am start for judge Carole Jackson (Carnor) (who last judged at Midland Counties 2017) Carole had drawn an entry of 26 dogs with 6 absentees; there were no entries in either Post Graduate Dog, Veteran Bitch…
It was a very wet, cold and blustery BUBA as Stafford caught the tail end of storm Darragh at the weekend. Keesies were first in the ring with a 9.30am start, which was delayed by half an hour due to the weather. Car parking was somewhat chaotic, as understandably, there were no parking stewards, so…
As I’m typing these notes, looking out of my window at a white landscape, I can’t help but think how lucky we all were on Sunday for the NoEKC’s Ch show. Although there was a nip in the air portending this cold snap, it was blue skies and sunshine all day, with the weather only…
Next Sunday is the NoEKC’s combined July Open show and Ch show which is being held at Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall. Doors open at 9.00am and the judging starts at 9.30am. First up is the Open show where Donna Whincup has an entry of 35 Keesies and the SAC judged by Charlotte Craig. There will…
At Midland Counties, our judge was ‘all-rounder’ Tom Mather awarding CC’s for the 3rd time (his last appointment was at Birmingham National in 2022) and he had drawn an entry of 22 dogs with 8 absentees. Keesies were second in the ring with a ‘not before time’ of 10.30am after 40 Japanese Spitz; judging started…
At South Wales KA, Keeshonds were second in the ring after 52 Bulldogs for judge Jane Paradise who was awarding CC’s for the second time (her 1st appointment was Birmingham National in 2021) and she had drawn an entry of 25 Keesies with 6 absentees. There were no entries in either the four puppy classes…
The Keeshond Club held their open show at Roade Village Hall last weekend. The judge was Glenn Davies and he had drawn an entry of 32 Keesies with 10 absentees. There were no entries in both Minor Puppy and Post Graduate classes, Puppy and Novice Dog and both the Novice and Limit Bitches were absent….
David Cavill made the following comments recently. Analysis of the Southern Counties judges panel of 2024 suggests a worrying trend. The committee took the decision to appoint all CC breeds with ‘first time’ judges on the grounds that they were likely to attract more entries. Some certainly did, but overall our entry for CC breeds…
Another weekend and another double championship show; this time it being the turn of the North of England Keeshond Club who held their Ch show in partnership with Darlington. We were so lucky with the weather as the forecasted rain bounced down all day over most of Yorkshire, but missed Ripon Racecourse which just had…
At Darlington, the NoEKC’s Club Ch show will now start at 10.00am in Ring 21, Pavilion C. All exhibitors should now have received passes for dogs not entered for Darlington’s Ch show, if you still need passes; let me know and I’ll email you a copy. At Richmond our judge was Caron Bell (Allforus) (who…
At Darlington, the NoEKC’s Club Ch show will now start at 10.00am in Ring 21, Pavilion C. For any exhibitor needing passes for dogs not entered for Darlington’s Ch show, get in touch with secretary Allison and she’ll email you passes to print off – if you haven’t received them by this weekend. The following…
This week it’s just some info on both forthcoming club Ch shows – and it’s an early start for both! The Keeshond Club’s Ch show (Judge Ernie Paterson has drawn an entry of 44 dogs) is being held in partnership with Birmingham City (at Stoneleigh Park, CV8 2LZ) on Saturday 31st August and is un-benched….
There are no CC’s on offer for Keeshonds at Bournemouth Ch show, where our judge was Penny Roberts. We were third in the ring after the German Spitz – 19 Kleins and 25 Mittels and Penny had drawn an entry of just 8 Keesies with 3 absentees. There were no entries in Junior and Limit…
And still this matter over the proposed use of a ramp at shows rumbles on. Despite repeated requests to The Keeshond Club, officially from the NoEKC and from individual members, the results of the so-called ballot are still only known to a very select few. The question most are asking is – what are The…
From the comments I’ve rec’d about my notes of last week, there seems to be only a very small number of exhibitors (4) who think a ramp is a good idea; with everyone else (over 30 and counting) and all of the NoEKC committee being totally against it. Many members were unaware a ballot had…
Well, the proverbial seems to be hitting the fan this week. Firstly, the fiasco at the Kennel Club, who are yet again demonstrating that they are not fit for purpose and now with the latest statement from the Keeshond Club which Melanie Reed Peck has asked me to put in these notes. Following a survey…
After not having been to Kelso for many years, I was back at my favourite venue again for the second time in a month, this time for SUBC’s inaugural Championship show. Having spent Friday evening sat out in the (hot) sunshine, it was a shock to the system (to put it mildly) when Saturday dawned…
It was a leisurely start for Keesie exhibitors at Windsor, as we were second in the ring after 52 Jap Spitz. Our judge was Karin Hickson (Kichigai) (who last judged at Bath in 2021) and she had drawn an entry of 19 dogs with 6 absentees. Both the Limit Dog and Bitch were absent and…
It was another early start for exhibitors as yet again Keesies were first in the ring with a 9.00am start. Blackpool is one of the few remaining General Ch shows that don’t rotate the groups; show entries aren’t great as it is, but I’m sure that it always being on a Friday doesn’t help and…
It’s no secret that Border Union is still one of my favourite shows, even though I haven’t managed to attend for quite a few years. With a lovely (& fairly quick draining) showground in a beautiful part of the country and when blessed with glorious weather, I think it’s unbeatable. What more could you want…
At Southern Counties, Keeshonds were again first in the ring with a 9.30am start for our judge ‘all-rounder’ Sue Bird (Bridus), who was awarding CC’s for the 1st time. There were 34 Keesies entered with just I absentee; with no entries in Special Beginners Dog or Bitch, Puppy bitch and Limit Dog and Open Bitch…
Utility day at Bath was warm and sunny where our judge, ‘all-rounder’ Marion Sargent, was awarding CC’s in Keesies for the first time. We were second in the ring after 19 Lhasa Apso’s and Marion had drawn an entry of 44 Keesies with 6 absentees. DCC with Best of Breed from the Veteran class was…
At SKC’s ‘double’ show ‘all-rounder’ Jeff Horswell was our judge (his 2nd appointment awarding CC’s for Keesies was at Leeds in 2022) for the May Ch show, drawing an entry of just 13 Keesies with 3 absentees, resulting in 8 dogs and just 2 bitches. Keesies were first in the ring with a 9.00am start…
At Birmingham National, Keesies were first in the ring (which was in the main Bingley Hall) with a 9.00am start for judge Vanessa Williams-Wegmann (her 1st appointment awarding CC’s for Keesies was at Paignton in 2022) And a well done to her for getting her critique out so promptly (the same evening!) 45 Keesies had…
Pam Luckhurst’s (Gavimir) funeral took place on Wednesday and was quite an uplifting event. The service itself had lovely choices of music and hymns. Sally Newman, Jane Saunders and Allan Wadmore attended along with Pam’s family and friends representing all the many activities in which Pam was involved over her long and fascinating life. The…
At WELKS Keeshonds were first in the ring with a 9.00am start; our scheduled judge was originally Stuart Mallard (who has since withdrawn from judging) and the replacement judge was Jill Peak (who last judged us at Blackpool in 2022 ) She had drawn an entry of 43 Keesies with 6 absentees and there were…
16 Breed Notes – April 2024 Brief notes this week as there’s no news from anyone! Pam Luckhurst’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, 1st May at 1.00pm at the Vale Crematorium, Evesham Road, Fladbury, Pershore WR10 2QR. Afterwards there will be a buffet and refreshments at the Chequers Inn, Fladbury, Pershore WR10 2PZ from…
It was a lovely warm and sunny, albeit a bit breezy Saturday for The Keeshond Club’s first Championship show of the year held at Roade Village Hall. The judge was Margaret Wildman (who last judged us at Border Union in 2018) and she had drawn an entry of 59 Keesies with 8 absentees. All the…
The other weekend the NoEKC hosted a Breed Appreciation Day at Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall, with myself giving the breed talk. There were four candidates who passed the multiple choice exam and the committee would like to thank all those members (some of whom travelled a fair distance) and dogs who helped to make the…
I’m starting these notes with an apology, as it was Susi Gardner’s young boy Frey, Devonia’s Love Wil Find A Way for Manzanakees who was Cruft’s Best Puppy – not his sister which I said in last week’s notes. Whilst on the subject of Crufts, Michelle Wright is still recovering from her traumatic stay at…
As expected, it ended up being a very long day for Keesie exhibitors at Crufts, being second in the ring after an entry of 54 Schnauzers who had been given a late start of 10.00am. It meant hanging around all morning until our judging eventually began at 12.30pm, finishing around 4.00pm. By the time everyone…
The North of England held its open show on a bright and breezy Sunday at Netherton Village Hall. It was a nice leisurely start for everyone as the judging of the Special Awards Classes didn’t start until 1.0opm. The judge was Trevor Rogers (Keez) and he had 15 Keesies entered. Winner of Special Junior Dog…
There are still some places available on the NoEKC’s forthcoming Breed Appreciation Day, being held on Sunday 24th March at Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall. YO8 9PA. The day is open to anyone who has an interest in the breed and will start with a talk and presentation covering all elements of the breed standard in…
Gill Brunt has finally got all the claims for the Club’s Annual Trophies sorted and the results for 2023 are as follows: The Kultz Trophy for Top Kennel went to Ann Downs with 56 points; the Galdrik Cup’s Top Stud Dog was Ch Neradmik Family Affair with Lekkerbek with 166 points and the Galdrikette Cup…
Last weekend saw the Keeshond Club holding their open show, down at Roade Village Hall, where the Special Awards classes were judged first by Amanda Ellis. The winner of Special Yearling Dog or Bitch was Gill Brunt’s Zandvoort Grace’s Secret; Special Limit Dog or Bitch – Shelley Johnston’s Tykees Full Of Chaos and Special Open…
Our judge for Manchester was David Cavill (who last judged us at SKC in 2021) he was doing four utility breeds and Keesies were second in the ring after 16 Shar Pei’s. With 37 Keesies entered and only 2 absentees, apart from both Special Beginners classes which had no entries, there were some well filled…
At the beginning of November, I wrote that what had initially looked like a reasonable number of puppies being born had come to a standstill – and I wasn’t wrong. Initially, puppy registrations started to look promising with 12 litters being born by the beginning of May, but then that was it with just 7…
My last set of notes for 2023, so here’s a quick review of the year. Show entries haven’t really improved and have been consistently low throughout the year; as have the number of puppies born this year. Doom & Gloom just about sums up this year, being better than last year, but that couldn’t really…