IWSA UK News

“The IWSA now has the swabs from the Animal Health Trust (AHT) which can be stored for future genetic research. Although the AHT does not have any breed specific genetic tests available at the moment, research is ongoing and new genetic tests are becoming available all the time. Hopefully storing the DNA information now will help the breed in the future."

They will be available at the IWSA Championship show at the cost of £1 each. Swabs need to be sent to the AHT with the dogs Kennel Club registered name and number and a copy of the dogs 5-generation pedigree and details of any relevant information regarding the dogs health. It is important that if the dog later develops any condition the AHT is informed.

Instructions for taking the swabs are enclosed in the pack.

If you require any further information please contact Marion Kong at iwsatoc@tiscali.co.uk
Or on 01273 309343

News from Seidi in Finland (Late with this report, but better later than never :-)

Finnish IWS Club held the breed specialty on Saturday in conjunction with specialty show for Finnish Spaniel Association. Breed entry was 38 (great!) with no absentees, and our judge this year was Angela Williams (kennel Foulby) from Great Britain.

BOB came from Champion bitch class, and she was my very special one Fin & Swe Ch Catanka Freestyler (Fynder Freethinker - Catanka Taste of Waltz) aka Maisa. Maisa will this week be 3 years and she had the energy to happily run and wag her tail throughout the whole day. The weather was I think + 24C and direct sunshine, a real summer day. Maisa naturally was included in my breeders group, which was selected BOB in the breed ring and further Best in Show (judged by Jessie Borregaard Madsen, Sieger's English Springers in Denmark). She also was running in her dam's progeny group, which as well won in the breed ring, and was selected as BIS in the finals (judged by Finnish Spaniel specialist Arja Koskelo). And the very last run for her was The BIS-contest, and she ended up BIS-2 under Arja Koskelo. So... truly another amazing day for kennel Catanka!

BOS was one year old Curlyco Choko Storm (Mystic Torin - Curlyco Magic Mocha), bred by Sari Vottonen and owned by her and Nina Kujala, and he came from working class.
Best Puppy was bitch Rastafarian LA Woman (Darby's Decoy - Catanka Freedom of Speech), bred by Heidi Ahman, and owner by her and Sonja Simonen.
Best of breed veteran, and BIS-4 Veteran was nearly 11 years old Multi Ch Starfish's First Lady (Starfish's Rain Song - Starfish's a Kind of Magic), bred by Mika Niskanen and owned by Sari Vottonen.

There were extra trophies offered by the Club, and here are the results:
Best head - Catanka Freestyler
Best tail - Catanka Freestyler
Best coat - Curlyco Win Out
Best movement - Catanka Free Will
Best barrel (read barrel shape ribcage) - Curlyco Choko Storm
Best temperament - Catanka Freestyler”

Unfortunately , we will only be providing Bacon Rolls, Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks at the Championship show so please bring your own lunch, if you do forget there is a supermarket just a few yards from the Canine Academy where you can buy food..

I will be posting out our latest mailing next week, it will include the schedule for the Championship Show, Details of the items arranged for the Showcase Day, the 2007 edition of the Year Book the latest newsletter and hopefully news of where we can camp.

Thanks for all the news, keep it coming

Jean Gomm.

email jean.gomm@ntlworld.com or phone 01494 783599.