I would like to start the year by wishing you all A Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.

I do not buy the Dog Press Papers so I have not read the notes myself  but a few of you have contacted me to say that one of the Breed Note writers  has commented that the initiative of sponsoring rosettes and judges lunches if a society chooses a judge from the IWSA judging list does not appear to be working, from my point of view as the person who signs the cheques, quite a few of the societies have taken up the offer and I think you have to look at a wider picture regarding entries such as the economic climate, because although open show entry fees are not usually expensive, petrol is , another factor I think plays a part is that we all like to think we are in with a shout for the red prize card but when we open the catalogue, we find that  some Show Champions are entered  which is a thing that never happened in the past, therefore when the next open show schedule arrives we take the decision not to spend our money.

I know that several open show secretaries read this blog so any ideas that you think would help increase the entries, let me know as the committee of the IWS will continue do all it can to help with the future development of “specialist” judges .
News from Chris & Keith Attwood, the first the very sad news that they have lost Syd,he was  one of their first Chinese Crested Dogs, he was involved in a fatal road traffic accident our thoughts are with Chris & Keith

On a more happier note, Chris has again been doing well with her Chinese Crested Puppy Souldrop Chinese Whispers, (Mikey) last Saturday  27th December at the Sleaford Canine Society, he was Best Puppy and Best of Breed and on Sunday 28th at Ashbourne and District Open Show he again was Best Puppy and Best of Breed but went on to win Toy Group 4 and Toy Puppy Group 2

I had the privilege and pleasure of judging IWS classes at Nottingham Sherwood Foresters Kennel Association on the 30th December, my Best of Breed was Antdela Oleander owned by Ant Andrews and Reserve Best of Breed was Fynder Sea Biscuit at Glenderry owned by Vickie Norman- Massa ,Ollie then went on to win the Gundog Group where the judge was Des Hodkinson. Don and I stayed to see best in show and it must have been disappointing for all the owners competing for the top award, whose dogs behaved immaculately and were a credit to their owners to lose out to an exhibit that the judge could not handle and go over. The day certainly took me back many years when Don & I used to think it was normal to make a round trip of over 150 miles just to support a particular open show, the atmosphere was lovely and it was nice meeting up with so many people in different breeds that we have met over many years.

News from Ireland, both Heather and Norman Large have been in hospital recently, glad to hear that they are recovering well. They were recently sitting at home recently with their daughter Coleen, when Remix began the excited “I am going to a show” bark, eventually they went to see why she was so excited to find the house full of black smoke, the new heater had caught fire and brought down the ceiling, thanks to Remix they all had a lucky escape.
Heather and Norman recently went to Banbridge Ch Show where Remix won Best of Breed and 2nd in the group. They then went to the Dublin Dog Show (St. Stephens Day) to win the green stars and 2nd in the group with Kat coming 3rd in the Champion Stakes

Pat Wake and Shirley Whitwell have won the Top Breeder of Group 8 again for the second year the competition has been run. This year the sponsors are Our Dogs and Bird brook, the presentation will be made at the IKC’s  St. Patrick Day Show
I have received lots of news this week, please keep sending it in
Finally don’t forget only 5 days let to send your Year Book Advertisements

Jean
01494783599 / 07941830666
Email jean.gomm@ntlworld.com