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…
Two championship shows within 5 days at the same venue must have felt like déjà vu for some Keesie exhibitors, as on Thursday it was back down to Stafford for the last show of the year; LKA having moved from the NEC. The main difference being instead of the snow, fog and freezing conditions for…
Keesies were scheduled first in the ring at BUBA with a 9.30am start and for most exhibitors to say it was a chilly start was an understatement. With thick ice on windscreens, temperatures as low as –9° and dense fog, it wasn’t surprising that there were many accidents on the roads. Apparently, there had been…
Further to the Kennel Club’s announcement in May this year where they stated that the regulation that all imported Keeshonds, or overseas dogs being imported into the UK breeding programme, must be DNA tested for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) before registration of progeny, has been placed on-hold. Their reasoning behind this is that there is no…
Last year, the Committee of the NoEKC decided to try and make showing more cost effective for exhibitors (and hopefully attract a better entry for the judges), by holding the July Open show in conjunction with the November Ch show. It certainly seemed to work, as both shows attracted the highest number of entries seen…
At the NoEKC’s forthcoming Ch show (19th November, Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall, YO8 9PA) there will be an assortment of Keesie related books and memorabilia for sale on the day. Amongst these are Ray Russell prints, various books on the breed (inc Alice Gatacre) and 2 framed and mounted Jeane Waller prints. A ‘silent auction’*…
At Midland Counties it was a very leisurely start for Keesies as not only had the clocks gone back, which gave us all an extra hour’s kip; but we were also second in the ring with a ‘not before’ start of 11.00am after 65 Boston Terriers (which is what I incorrectly put down in my…
In 2014 I wrote in my notes about the CC allocation for Keesies remaining the same – 18 general Ch shows plus the 2 breed clubs. I said at the time ‘Considering the continual decreasing entries at Ch shows, I have to say that I’m surprised that we haven’t lost any CC’s. I think the…
At South Wales our judge was Tom Johnston (who last judged us at Paignton in 2021) and we were second in the ring with a not before 11.00am start after 65 Boston Terriers. He had drawn an entry of 28 Keesies with 5 absentees and there were no entries in Junior Dog and both the…
The Keeshond club held its October open show at the weekend. The Special Awards Classes were judged by Adrian Bicknell; winner of Special Yearling Dog or Bitch was Vikki & Sean Marshall’s Devonia’s Hakuna Matata, the Special Limit Dog or Bitch was absent and Vikki & Sean’s Arabesque at Devonia won Special Open Dog or…
There are no CC’s on offer for Keesies at SKC’s second show, where our judge Irene Buchanan-Green had drawn an entry of just 8 dogs with 1 absentee. We were fourth in the ring after 53 Lhasas, 23 Jap Spitz and 9 Schipps; it ended up with several calls over the tannoy for our judge,…
At Darlington there had been a change of judge with Michelle Wright (Lacetrom) (awarding CC’s for the 2nd time, her first appointment was at Border Union in 2019) replacing Geraldine Clark several months ago. Michelle had drawn an entry of 29 dogs, but nearly half (11) were absent; there were no entries in Puppy Dog…
At Richmond Keesies were third in the ring after Mini Schnauzers and Jap Spitz, where our judge was Sarah Hattrell who was awarding CC’s in the breed for the first time. She had drawn an entry of 23 dogs with 5 absentees; there were no entries in either the Minor Puppy or Special Beginners classes,…
There are no CC’s on offer for Keesies at Driffield, where judge Natasha Hickson (Natlou) had drawn an entry of 6 dogs with 2 absentees. Judging started at approx 11.30 and was done with by 12 o’clock. Best Dog was Michelle, Tom & Caroline Gate’s Winklestar Alnair via Lacetrom (Vivids Majestic Prince of Winklestar (Imp…
Keesies have no CC’s at Bournemouth and we were second in the ring for our Judge Gillian Marley, who was also judging the 80+ Tibetan Terriers before us. It was showery and windy with a few sunny spells and not enough covered areas to cater for everyone in the poor weather; so it was a…
At Paignton our judge was Sue Smith (Sueacres) (who last judged us at BUBA in 2017) Sue had drawn an entry of 29 dogs with 3 absentees. There were no entries in either of the Special Beginners classes and Puppy Dog. Keesies were scheduled to be 3rd in the ring after 27 Mini & 14…
At Leeds our judge Jeff Luscott (who last judged us at Richmond in 2018) had drawn an entry of 29 dogs with 4 absentees. Keesies were scheduled to be first in the ring at 9.00am; but due to the judge getting delayed by the roadworks on the A1, judging eventually started almost an hour late….
At Blackpool our judge was Bert Easdon awarding CC’s in the breed for the first time and he had drawn an entry of 21 dogs with 4 absentees. Keesies were second in the ring with a ‘not before time’ of 10.30am; judging started around 11.45 and was over not long afterwards. The Post Graduate Dog…
It was a case of third time (or judge) lucky at Border Union last weekend, as exhibitors got to the benching only to find that there was yet another change of judge. Dawn Gregory (Amikirs) (who last judged us at LKA in 2019) and was the replacement for Janice Bannister, had withdrawn from her appointment…
At Southern Counties Keesies were first in the ring with a 9.30am start for judge Howard Ogden who was awarding CC’s for the 2nd time; his first appointment was WKC 2019. He had drawn an entry of 27 dogs with 6 absentees. There were no entries in Graduate Dog, the Post Graduate Dog was absent,…
At Bath we were first in the ring with a 9.00am for our judge Jane Lilley (who last judged us at the Welsh Kennel Club in 2016) and she had drawn an entry of 34 Keesies with 7 absentees. There were no entries in the Special Beginners Dog or Bitch class, both Minor Puppy and…
At SKC it was an early start for exhibitors as not only was Utility day a Friday, we were first in the ring with a 9.00am start. Our judge was well known ‘all rounder’ Frank Kane (who last judged us at Manchester in 2020) and he had drawn an entry of 29 Keesies with 5…
It was another early start for Keesies as we were again first in the ring at Birmingham National, with judging commencing at 9.00am. Our judge was Millie Lambert (Sturtmoor) who was awarding CC’s in the breed for the first time and is to be thanked for her prompt critique. She had drawn an entry of…
At WELKS Keesies were first in the ring with a 9.30am start; each morning before judging commenced a minute’s silence was held for Meg Purnell-Carpenter – she should have been judging Best in Show. Our judge was Diane Spavin who was awarding CC’s in the breed for the first time and she had drawn an…
The Keeshond Club’s Ch show was held for the first time at Roade Village Hall, where our judge Melanie Reed Peck (Byquy) (who last judged us at Blackpool in 2021) had drawn an entry of 40 dogs with 9 absentees. Judging started at 10.00am and after an hours lunch break was all over and done…
David Matthews would like to thank everyone who has been in touch, posted cards and generally sent him good wishes following his recent surgery. David is now well on the road to a full recovery and is hoping to be sitting ringside next weekend at the Keeshond Club’s Ch show and back in the ring…
At Crufts, our judge was Sheila Jakeman (she last judged Keesies at Bath in 2018) who had drawn an entry of 69 dogs with 13 absentees, the majority of which (11) were bitches with 6 from the open class. There were only 3 dogs entered from abroad this year, a bitch from Italy who was…
Keesie walks are now starting up, last weekend it was the turn for Kent Keesies – thanks to Lisa Axford for the following. Our first Keeshond Walk in Kent for 2023 was at Jeskyns dog park on 25 February. It is a community park and has activities for both the dogs and the children. We…
I’m sure that the weather forecasts must have alarmed many members last weekend; but fortunately storm Otto had blown himself away by Sunday, which was a (relatively) mild and sunny day. The Club has often had to change the date of its Open Show and AGM in February; usually due to the villages’ panto or…
Sorry about these notes being so late, having done them last week, I’ve just realised that I completely forgot to load them into cyber space – but better late than never!! At the weekend it was the Keeshond Club’s January open show, held as usual at Roade Village Hall. The judge was Richard Morris who…
At Manchester Keesies were 2nd in the ring after 59 Mini Schnauzers, where our judge Geoff Corish (who last judged us almost 10 years ago at WELKS in 2014) had drawn an entry of 29 dogs. There were no entries in either of the Special Beginners classes, but a whopping 9 dogs had entered in…
Gill Brunt has finally got all the claims for the Club’s Annual Trophies sorted and the results for 2022 are as follows: The Kultz Trophy for Top Kennel went to Lekkerbek with 58 points; the Galdrik Cup’s Top Stud Dog was Ch Neradmik All About The Boy for Watchkees with 290 points and the Galdrikette…
Boston is the first show of the year and Keesies were on Thursday the first day. We were sixth in the ring for judge Mark James, but with no CC’s on offer there were only 6 Keesies entered with 1 absentee. Best Dog with Best of Breed was Mel Harris’s Ch Kichigai Boy Is Back…
At the end of October, 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 9 litters being born by the beginning of May, but then that was it with just 6…
My last note for 2022 and with lockdowns over the show calendar has returned to a semblance of normality. 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 doesn’t really sum up this year, but more of that in…
It was a bright and early start for Keesies at BUBA as we were first in the ring with a 9.30am start for judge Janet Kay, who was awarding CC’s in the breed for the first time. Janet had drawn one of the largest entries this year apart from the club shows with an entry…
For the first time in what seemed like ages, the rain had finally stopped for the Club’s Ch show on Sunday; meaning that we could all stay dry whilst unloading everything. Our judge was Corry Saes (a German Spitz specialist) from Holland; she has awarded CC’s here in England several times, the last time being…
What a glorious day it was for the final central Scotland Keesie walk of the year. Bright blue skies and winter sunshine made for a fantastic turnout. Increasing on last time’s 9 keesies, we had a fantastic 11 turn out on Sunday! Coming along this time were Charlotte & Shelagh with Talyn & Jura, Shirley…
Keesies were first in the ring with a 9.00am start at Midland Counties; so for those of us arriving early at the Stafford Show ground it was like being in a Halloween Special. It was pitch black in the car park and the lashing rain and howling gale swirling the leaves around made finding the…
There is a printing error in the Nordic Show’s schedule being held on Saturday 26th November. Ed Forsey is the Keesie judge – not as printed. A couple of dates for your diaries – if not already in there. We’re hosting a winter Yorkshire North of England Keeshond Club walk again; our 3rd walk since…
At South Wales Kennel Association our judge was Robin Newhouse (who last judged us at Crufts in 2020) and he had drawn an entry of 37 dogs with 5 absentees. There were no entries in either of the Good Citizen Dog Scheme classes and the Junior bitch was absent. We were second in the ring…
At SKC there were no CC’s on offer for Keesies, who were second in the ring after 67 French Bulldogs. Our judge was a Mr W McKay (I’m not aware of him having judged us before) who had drawn an entry of 9 dogs with 2 absentees. Judging started around 1.00pm and was all over…
At Darlington our judge was ‘Spitz all-rounder’ Hazel Fitzgibbon awarding CC’s for the second time (her first appointment was at LKA in 2016) who had drawn an entry of 29 Keesies with 6 absentees. We were first in the ring which meant it was another crack of dawn Friday morning start to be ready for…
At Birmingham City awarding CC’s in the breed for the first time was all-rounder Keith Baldwin who had attracted an entry of 43 with 12 absentees. Keesies were 1st in the ring with a bright and early of a 9.00am start. There were no entries in Special Beginners Dog, both Graduate and Good Citizen classes…
At Welsh Kennel Club, Krishna Austin (Chotahkees) (who last judged at the NoEKC Ch show in 2018) had drawn an entry of 27 dogs with 5 absentees. We were second in the ring after 22 Kleins and it was nearly 1.30pm before Keesie judging started. With no entries in Junior Dog and both Novice classes…
Our judge at Paignton was Vanessa Wegman-Williams who was awarding CC’s in the breed for the first time. She had drawn an entry of 32 dogs with 4 absentees. There were no entries in either of the Special Beginners classes and the Limit Bitch entry was absent. Being first in the ring with a 9.30am…
This week my notes are a plea for help from Caron Bell & Val Tew. In the first half of 2022, we have had 5 boys come through welfare, the youngest being 6, the eldest 11. In total the vet costs alone amounted to £1500. We don’t charge for our mileage or other expenses, each…
Our judge at Leeds was Jeff Horswell, awarding CC’s for the second time (his first appointment was at Birmingham National in 2018) He had drawn an entry of 40 dogs with 12 absentees, most of whom were bitches. Keesies were second in the ring after 50 Havanese; so our judging started around 11.45am and was…
The Committee of the NoEKC concluded that due to issues related to the availability of judges and the hall, we would not be able to stage the July Open in the 12 week period laid down in Kennel Club rules and that therefore the show must be regarded as cancelled rather than postponed. As it…
At Windsor our judge was David Matthews (Valindale) who had last judged Keesies at Crufts in 2015. With a 10.00am start, David had drawn an entry of 44 dogs with just 5 absentees and a ring to ourselves with the Keeshond Club’s Open show following on. The DCC with Best of Breed went to Debbie…