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Breed Notes - 27 Feb 2022
We are having a rather restful day today, after attending the get-together yesterday organised by the Whatsap group for the owners of the two Harris litters to litter sisters, our Kibble and Maggie’s Cello. Five out of the ten puppies from Kibble were there, and it was really nice to meet up again, both with them and their owners. The puppies are now ten months old, and it is possible to see the adult dogs they will become, and it was quite something to be on a walk with them all. Kibble came down with us, but I’m not sure she was as pleased with the reunion as we were, but despite herself, I think she recognised her “children”, and treated them with what seemed rather Victorian sternness.
Cello’s puppies were a lot younger, of course, and still very much babies, but I think it was interesting for their owners to see the others, because it is indicative as to how their puppies will develop. There was certainly a great similarity between the two litters, as one would expect. Naturally there was a lot of conversation along the lines of the puppies’ respective habits, quirks, health and diets, and Janet gave a demonstration of grooming, with a lot of tips being noted. Maggie, Caron and Paula, who provided the venue, as well as unlimited coffee, tea etc., were on hand to give training tips and advice, and Maggie gave a short talk….more of an encouragement to give it a go…..about showing, with a demonstration of “how to do it” by her Apple, all of 12 weeks old and looking for all the world like a veteran of the showring. Maggie said she hadn’t really done any specific training beforehand, but this was met with incredulity by the assembled crowd. For the good of the breed’s future, let us hope that some of them do give it a go.
One thing that would really help this happen would be for there to be more classes at shows specifically for Hovawarts. At the moment I think there is only one show of any sort held south of the Fosse Way that gives us breed classes, and that is East of England LKA, at their open show at Peterborough. 40% of the Hovawart Club of GB members live in the defined area, so a lot of potential is untapped. I know the club is actively seeking clubs prepared to take a chance on us, and is prepared to offer rosettes as an incentive, so come on, show secretaries, grasp the nettle and give us a go ! Surely anything Scotland can do, England can at least match, and this year there are, I think, at least 8 shows north of the border with classes, 4 championship and 4 open.
Talking of shows, it’s not long now till Crufts. I think we will have an advantage, being on the first day. The crowds tend to be thinner, at least numerically, than at the weekend, and the ring itself will be fresher than on subsequent days. Our entry of 40 compares very favourably with other breeds, being greater than a number with CCs. Let us just hope that there won’t be the usual scramble for our Best of Breed to get into the Group, so that he or she might be prepared for that experience in a calm and orderly fashion. It is a highlight of anyone’s show career and should be given the proper respect. See you there !!
Elaine Sharpe
01743 891310
pineshovawarts@gmail.com
Cello’s puppies were a lot younger, of course, and still very much babies, but I think it was interesting for their owners to see the others, because it is indicative as to how their puppies will develop. There was certainly a great similarity between the two litters, as one would expect. Naturally there was a lot of conversation along the lines of the puppies’ respective habits, quirks, health and diets, and Janet gave a demonstration of grooming, with a lot of tips being noted. Maggie, Caron and Paula, who provided the venue, as well as unlimited coffee, tea etc., were on hand to give training tips and advice, and Maggie gave a short talk….more of an encouragement to give it a go…..about showing, with a demonstration of “how to do it” by her Apple, all of 12 weeks old and looking for all the world like a veteran of the showring. Maggie said she hadn’t really done any specific training beforehand, but this was met with incredulity by the assembled crowd. For the good of the breed’s future, let us hope that some of them do give it a go.
One thing that would really help this happen would be for there to be more classes at shows specifically for Hovawarts. At the moment I think there is only one show of any sort held south of the Fosse Way that gives us breed classes, and that is East of England LKA, at their open show at Peterborough. 40% of the Hovawart Club of GB members live in the defined area, so a lot of potential is untapped. I know the club is actively seeking clubs prepared to take a chance on us, and is prepared to offer rosettes as an incentive, so come on, show secretaries, grasp the nettle and give us a go ! Surely anything Scotland can do, England can at least match, and this year there are, I think, at least 8 shows north of the border with classes, 4 championship and 4 open.
Talking of shows, it’s not long now till Crufts. I think we will have an advantage, being on the first day. The crowds tend to be thinner, at least numerically, than at the weekend, and the ring itself will be fresher than on subsequent days. Our entry of 40 compares very favourably with other breeds, being greater than a number with CCs. Let us just hope that there won’t be the usual scramble for our Best of Breed to get into the Group, so that he or she might be prepared for that experience in a calm and orderly fashion. It is a highlight of anyone’s show career and should be given the proper respect. See you there !!
Elaine Sharpe
01743 891310
pineshovawarts@gmail.com
This article was posted on: 28-Feb-22
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