Articles

It was the Club AGM on Sunday, and whilst there was not a great attendance at Liz & Lynne’s house, there was an important addition made to the code of ethics when a resolution to clarify the tests needed to clear Hovawarts for breeding by having normal thyroid function was passed. There were no changes to the committee or officers, and also very little change to the state of the club’s finances. Happily, there were no Hovawarts needing the services of the Rescue team, although there were a couple of instances of non-registered Hovawarts appearing briefly on the radar. They de-materialised when they were told that no money would be paid for them. Their origins are uncertain, but some unregistered dogs have been traced to Lincolnshire in the past.

Nick brought the finished copies of the revised and revamped “Owner’s guide to the Hovawart”, and a very professional job it looks, too, with some super pictures and text that has been compiled by several of us writing sections where we have most knowledge and experience. Skilful editing has avoided the pitfalls that can occur when a project like this is done by a lot of people. Copies will be available via the club website just as soon as details can be uploaded, and in the meantime can be obtained from me here. The cost was set at £10 + the usual postage charge.

This year’s IHF weekend is being held in Italy near Pisa, and Gill Stockton , after many years of being our representative has decided to call it a day, so John and Nick, who lived it Italy for a few years, have been delegated to attend on the club’s behalf. I am trying to work out a way of getting there as well, with a view to putting Acorn and Poppy in the show, which always has a really good selection of Hovawarts from across the continent, and gives an excellent opportunity to see how we measure up.

There was also talk of a Club Facebook page, and Bettina has undertaken to investigate this and ensure that there will be sufficient control to avoid any of the backbiting and nastiness that some other groups have encountered….a brave lady.

Mark Harrison and Milo completed their first official Canicross event on Easter Monday, but Mark reported that Milo required too many opportunities for territory marking and the like, and that he, Mark, wasn’t quite as fit as he used to be (at least that was the gist of what he said), so they didn’t “podium” or “medal”. There’s always next time.

This Saturday it is the first of the season proper shows, Welsh Working. Last year, there were only 3 dogs there, an improvement of 50% over 2013, but this year there is an entry of 10 for our judge Mr.J.Stubbs, and it looks from the provisional order of judging that we might be in the ring reasonably early, as we are third on, with 5 breeds and AVNSC following after us, which will make a wonderful change from the usual hanging around until everything else is practically over.

Elaine Betts

01544318705

elaine@pineshovawarts.co.uk