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I hardly like to mention the results at Welsh KC at Builth Wells last Saturday, under breed club president Dr. Ron James, but BoB was our Dublin (Junior Jester at Pines) with BoS and BP our Poppy (Quincebois Tulipwood by P.) That sounds really good until I tell you that the two of them were the only ones there! Actually, although the rosettes and cards are nice to win, it feels pretty hollow when there is no competition. Still, it is two Hovawarts more at this show than in 2014. The next show with breed classes is Richmond, so I hope there will be a much better attendance at that one. We can’t be there this year, as we will be journeying to Italy for the IHF conference. I am determined to make it a bit of a holiday, but John has had the agenda through and it looks like a lot of work for him and Nick, who is going as well. Helen and I are hoping to have some quality time at the shops and tourist spots whilst the boys…….boys?....are shut in a stuffy room struggling with the German language.

One thing we did get at the Welsh show was a cool coat for Poppy when she comes with us to Italy. I am told they are really good, and keep dogs cool for some hours with one soaking. It certainly ought to be good at the price it was, but money is not really a consideration if a dog’s welfare is at stake. Nevertheless, I am expecting great things of it. John also spotted a rather nice, although somewhat impractical, metal key ring and, in the same design, ring clip featuring a Hovawart. There are so few commercially available memorabilia for our breed that it is tempting to get anything you see, but I must say I rather like these two pieces.

I have had an email from Maggie, mainly to say that she is coping with her broken foot quite well, certainly well enough to be going on holiday, which I reckon she deserves after the physical problems she has endured over the last few months. She did add that her training class last week was particularly enjoyable, with an attendance of 9 hovawarts, including 5 puppies. For a breed with few owners, that will generate a feeling of belonging and camaraderie that can only benefit the breed’s future.

Don’t forget to get those entries in for the club show. Let’s give Craig Hosie , Michael Bruggernburg-Rothschild and Chris Moss something to really get their teeth into…figuratively speaking, of course.

Elaine Betts
01 544 318705
elaine@pineshovawarts.co.uk