Sad news to start with this week. Kathy Skinner lost her husband Steve last week after a long and brave battle against cancer. I know Kathy has found strength during this difficult time though the support of her ‘doggie’ friends and I am sure you will all join me in sending our sincere condolences to her Kathy and her son. Last Saturday saw the Birmingham National Dog show take place. I found it very interesting in the run up to the show to read articles about the judges and their backgrounds on the Societies facebook page – this added a bit more interest. All exhibitors had a free gift of a nice quality pen. For the first time in several years we were indoors in the main Bingley Hall. Our judge was Gavin Robertson of PBGV fame! From his entry of 17 he choose as his BCC and BOB – Denise Isaacs, Ch Jet’s Midnight Sonata For Blakeskerra (Imp Nor), handled by Anna Szabo. Those with a keen memory will recall Denise was delighted to win Best Puppy in Show at Three Counties’ Championship show in 2017, winning the hound puppy group under Mr Robertson (later BPIS under Mr Armstrong), so must have been nice for him to see her mature so well. The dog CC was Roisin Howlett, Clare Boggia and Ina Koulermou’s , Ina’s Fashion Dedicated to Boughton (Imp) . The reserve dog CC was Claire, Liz and Mia Millward and Lynda Races’ Multi Ch Windspiel Northern Scribe For Alouann. The reserve bitch CC went to Ina’s Fashion Design By Boughton, owned by Clare Boggia and Ina Koulermou. Best Puppy was Denise Garratt and Miss S Oakeys’ Inchydoney Memories Oh My God with Caryna (Imp). It was lovely to see a new exhibitor in the ring with a puppy imported from the Estet Classic kennel – welcome Susan Brooks to our lovely breed! Sadly no veterans entered, which is a shame really as in my view our breed come into their own at this age! Away from the breed Claire Millward had a good day taking BOB and best veteran with her afghan, and Claire was delighted to be placed second with Benson in the hound veteran group later in the day. Entries shut shortly for our Club Championship show where our judge is Liz Wilkinson. Please do support the club with your entries. On line shuts this coming Saturday – don’t leave it too late please! The schedule is with Higham Press. Also with Higham Press is Windsor which shuts on 3rd June. Fingers crossed for good weather here so we can have our annual strawberries and cream after judging! Entries appear to still be very much on the downward trend, with just 7 at SKC, and have just seen today just 14 at Bath C.S. There are 10 entered at Southern Counties, without CCs. With only one recent litter on the ground I sincerely hope for the good of our breed that we see some more litters in the forthcoming months. All three puppies in the ring at Birmingham were imports. On a different note I saw a post from a greyhound exhibitor in Eire who was rather upset to be told by a judge that they did not place ‘non show’ greyhounds, how very sad to read this as we all pay our money and expect equal treatment. The judge in question is not on our judging list. I have noticed that the critiques for the racing/coursing dogs tends to be shorter as well, so clearly this is something we need to reinforce at the judges days. Paying between £26- £30 in entry fees, plus a tank of fuel is certainly not cheap, and all dogs/exhibitors deserve to have equal treatment. I would welcome your thoughts on this. Lastly, the newsletter appears to be going well, thank you to all those who have supported with adverts and articles, I look forward to seeing all Liz Millwards hard work and getting my copy at the Club show
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