The year that was - 2008

JANUARY 2008

Little did the dog fraternity realise what an eventful and watershed year lay ahead as we welcomed the start of a new January. Tail-docking, animal by-law, FCI affiliation, anti-pedigree dog sentiment, animal cruelty, and breed standard revision issues - amongst many other contentious concerns - were to occupy the thoughts and comments of many during the year...... to say nothing of the country's political and economical turmoils that would have a spin-off on our sport! In addition, we were to be treated to our very own Presidential Campaign with a level of excitement and participation not seen in this organisation for some time.

Still celebrating their success at being voted in by the exhibiting public, the winners of the SHOWDOGS Shows of the Year - 2007 were announced at the end of 2007:

ALL BREEDS SHOW OF THE YEAR 2007: Durban & Districts Kennel Club

RUNNER-UP: SA Ladies Kennel Association

SHOW WEEKEND OF THE YEAR 2007: Transvaal Midlands & Witwatersrand Kennel Clubs

RUNNER-UP: TKC Kennel Club & SA Ladies Kennel Association

GROUP SHOW OF THE YEAR 2007: Cape Hound Club

RUNNER-UP: Working & Herding Association of Gold Reef

SPECIALTY OF THE YEAR 2007: Bearded Collie Club of Gauteng

RUNNER-UP: Bouvier des Flandres Club of Golden Reef

Announced on New Year's Day, the winners of the Eukanuba / SHOWDOGS Puppy of the Year 2007 were:

PUPPY OF THE YEAR 2007: Pomeranian - KUSA Nat Pup '07 Calmady Why Not a Rose at Xantah (Fourie / Prior)

FIRST RUNNER-UP: Lhasa Apso - Jalus High Flyer (Aucamp / Peden)

SECOND RUNNER-UP: Beagle - Morninghunt William Wallace (Hauptfleisch)

KUSA Nat Pup '07 Calmady Why Not a Rose at Xantah

At the AnimalTalk Top 100 Awards Ceremony in Johannesburg in January, the white Standard Poodle, KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent, bred by Erica Thomas Howe (Australia), owned by Jane Kiefer & Tracy McQuarrie and presented to perfection by Jane, was announced the AnimalTalk Top Dog for 2007. "Usher" finished 2007 in tremendous style winning not only this highly sought-after title, but also the KUSA National Dog 2007 to cap a year of superlative performance. Usher, Jane, Tracy and Pat de Coning (Eukanuba) travelled to Long Beach, California in December 2007 to represent South Africa in the Eukanuba/FCI World Challenge, at which Usher was short-listed in his section to the final 12.

KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent

The glamorous Supa 7 Spectacular took place at Carnival City on 19 January. The judge, kept secret until the last minute, was Mr Manuel Bourger from Portugal. Competition for this evening event is by invitation only for the Top 7 adult dogs in each group plus all Best Puppy in Show winners during the previous year. As you read through the rest of the year's review, you'll find it interesting to note that the RBIS Winner, Quadey (Afghan), was about to follow in the footsteps of the BIS Winner, Usher (Poodle)! Best Puppy in Show was Puppy of the Year 2007, KUSA Nat Pup '07 Calmady Why Not a Rose at Xantah.

BEST IN SHOW: Standard Poodle - KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent (Kiefer / McQuarrie)

RUNNER-UP: Afghan Hound - Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades (Wessels)

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW: Pomeranian - KUSA Nat Pup '07 Calmady Why Not a Rose at Xantah (Fourie / Prior)

RUNNER-UP: English Springer Spaniel - Barecho Making Waves at White Squall (Kruger / Burger)

KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent &
Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades

KUSA Nat Pup '07 Calmady Why Not a Rose at Xantah &
Barecho Making Waves at White Squall

Henry Strachan, Chairman of Pretoria Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, emigrated with his family to Australia to take up a good position in a Consulting Engineering company in Brisbane.

January was beset with another frustrating round of 'load-shedding' power outages, sparking numerous jibes and jokes against Eskom, the country's power provider. What can be more irritating than losing power while drying a wet dog for a show the next day?!

It's common practice to find a nursing mother to take over orphan puppies, but the bitter-sweet experience always elicits heart-warming interest. In January, Angus Peden lost his beloved Afghan Hound, Ch. Xciting Honey Bee at Lakemere, shortly after she had whelped a litter. A doting nursing mother was found in Juanita Crafford's Stafford, "Abby", who raised her 'Staffghans' efficiently and lovingly, probably wondering why on earth they were growing so fluffy!

"Staffghans"

OBITUARY - The year had hardly begun and the dog community heard of the loss of David Harwood (Suaviter Golden Retrievers) who passed away on Sunday 6 January after fighting illness for 7 years. His positive outlook, hard work and dedication, and wealth of knowledge will be remembered. A celebration of life service was held on 12 January in Cape Town.

FEBRUARY 2008

On the other side of the world, the Westminster Kennel Club Show was held on 11 & 12 February. This magnificent showcase of American champions attracts huge interest from fanciers around the world, enhanced in modern times with streaming videos available online within two hours of each event - almost like being there! Those who followed the videos would have noticed a familiar face or two - particularly in the Shih Tzu ring, where Erna Aucamp was showing her dog, Ch. Xeralane's Game of Chance under Judge, Mr Rob Curtis. This year's Best in Show winner was the public's choice - a Beagle, Ch. K-Run's Park Me In First "Uno", owned by Dowell / Dzuik / Woodring / Weichert.

Ch. Xeralane's Game of Chance

Ch. K-Run's Park Me In First

Locally, as the country sweltered under climate-changing heatwaves, ringcraft classes and open shows were well under way in preparation for the start of the new championship show season. Limpopo Bull Terrier Club held a very successful qualifying show in February and look forward to their first championship show.

In mid February, a breed standard comparison initiated by the KUSA Exco sparked furious controversy amongst concerned breeders. The motivation for such an exercise was strongly questioned and criticised, with fears that KUSA was considering the total adoption of FCI breed standards. Although this was denied by the President, Greg Eva, the controversy sparked dissatisfaction over KUSA's Federated Affiliation with the FCI and the potential restraints attached thereto. Fierce debates were taken over the following months to roadshows, meetings and forums, with some individuals forgetting their manners in a collection of ill-composed emails. Although an official proposal to investigate the reversion to Affiliate Membership was submitted to Fedco by the Western Cape Provinicial Council, and did not succeed, common opinion holds that it would be imprudent for KUSA Management to ignore the suppressed dissatisfaction in the hopes that it will disappear and, unless the matter is properly heard and addressed, the furore is likely to simply resurface and redouble at a later stage.

OBITUARY - The KZN community mourned the passing of Beryl Clemmett, a well-known Hound & Herding Judge and Dachshund breeder under the Kaltemberg prefix.

MARCH 2008

The championship show season began in Cape Town with the Kennel Association's 101st show on a field of rather long grass into which all the little dogs disappeared! The show also hosts the annual Supreme Puppy Invitational, a prestigious competition for all Best Puppy in Show winners of the previous year.

SUPREME PUPPY OF THE YEAR: Dobermann - Vom Illerdamm Hugo Boss (Lucas)

RUNNER-UP: Pomeranian - KUSA Nat Pup '07 Calmady Why Not a Rose at Xantah (Fourie / Prior)

Vom Illerdamm Hugo Boss

Kennel Association - 1 March :
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs G. Morison (SA): Bearded Collie - Ch. Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale (Ashton)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr R. Ryrie (SA): Great Dane - Fairmoor Count Fabio (Beckmann)

Liesbeek KC - 2 March:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr M. Baker (SA): Chow Chow - Ch. Kimekai Son of Samuri (Nicoloau)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Ms J. Jackson (SA): French Bulldog - Kassinja The Original (Kasselman)

Ch. Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale

Fairmoor Count Fabio

On the same weekend as the first Cape shows, the Cavalier King Charles Club of Western Cape held their first championship show.

Shortly after the Cape Shows Helen Theron - National Handler for the third time - jetted off to Birmingham to attend the 2008 International Junior Handlers Competition at Crufts, where she handled a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Liz Megginson was invited to judge Rhodesian Ridgebacks at Crufts this year and attracted an entry of 282 dogs from several countries!

Best in Show at Crufts went to a Giant Schnauzer, Ch. Jafrek Phillppe Olivier (Cullen) and Runner-up was a Samoyed, Ch. Vandreen Imperial Hermioni by Berezniki (Bobrowski).

Helen Theron

Ch. Jafrek Phillppe Olivier

Yvonne du Preez celebrated her 90th birthday on 12 March. This highly-respected and remarkable Ridgeback breeder had been invited to judge in Brisbane, Australia in June 2008 - how many other 90 year olds can do that?!! Sadly, Yvonne was not able to see this appointment through as it was to be her last birthday.

Yvonne du Preez

Vereeniging KC joined Roodepoort & Districts KC in the same weekend this year, although at different venues.

Vereeniging KC - 22 March:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs C. Redhead (Australia): Bearded Collie - Ch. Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale (Ashton)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs C. Redhead (Australia): Bull Terrier Bukavi Huye (Mattheys)

Roodepoort & Districts KC - 23 March:
~ Best in Show - Judge Capt. K. Hogg (SA) : Labrador Retriever - Ch. Adamasdor Rolls Royce (van Vuuren)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr M. Bungey (Australia): Bull Terrier Bukavi Huye (Mattheys)

Ch. Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale

Ch. Adamasdor Rolls Royce

After the tragic death of Julia Lawson's Irish Wolfhound during a caesarian, website visitors enjoyed following the progress of another 'orphan takeover'. This time, the willing mum was Eileen Ashton's Bearded Collie, "Fallon", who immediately bonded with her rather enormous 'Weardies'.

"Irish Weardies"

The final weekend of March belonged to Winners of the SHOWDOGS Show Weekend of the Year - 2007 'Wits and Midlands', with the following results:

Transvaal Midlands KC - 29 March:
~ Best in Show: Judge Ms E. Parker (Australia): Bearded Collie - Ch. Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale (Ashton)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Ms E. Parker (Australia): Bull Terrier Bukavi Huye (Mattheys)

Witwatersrand KC- 30 March:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mrs R. Williams (New Zealand): Scottish Terrier - Ch. Gladwen Black Magic (Loock)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mrs R. Williams (New Zealand): Bull Terrier Bukavi Huye (Mattheys)

Ch. Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale

Ch. Gladwen Black Magic

OBITUARY - Roy Aitchison (Cockleroys Rouch Collies & Shetland Sheepdogs) passed away suddenly on 22 March.

APRIL 2008

The month started with SHOWDOGS reporting that South Africa's "Funny Man", Leon Schuster, was going into production on a new film covering dog shows in South Africa, with working titles of "Dogumentory", "Die Brakke van Brakfontein", or "Bones Too", with a tagline "Some bitches deserve a little more respect than others". The story reported that Schuster's film would loosely follow the theme of the 2000 Hollywood hit, "Best in Show", and would include considerable footage filmed at the Port Elizabeth shows on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April and would follow this with further film shoots at the East London shows and the KUSA Nationals at the end of May. Exhibitors hoping to audition for a cameo role in the film were invited to click the link to fill in the application, where they discovered..... APRIL FOOL!!!!!

Leon Schuster

Meanwhile, debates around the FCI Affiliation issue (and various related areas of contention) continued to raise temperatures. In an effort to foster transparency, an email group was formed, called the Focus Group, which regularly circulated topical news and updates. Regardless of readers' points of view, it cannot be denied that the aim of thorough information dissemination was well met.

The Port Elizabeth weekend saw all four seasons in the weather, ending the weekend in a galeforce wind that was something frightful! This year, Port Elizabeth KC celebrated its 125th Anniversary. Mention should be made that PEKC is probably the only club that has use of its own grounds.

Uitenhage KC - 4 April:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr T. Williams (SA): Scottish Terrier - Ch. Gladwen Black Magic (Loock)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr J. Vasconsellos (Paraguay): Pekingese - Calmady I'm A Gem of Seawind (Ryrie)

Port Elizabeth KC- 5 April:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr J. Vasconsellos (Paraguay): Scottish Terrier - Ch. Gladwen Black Magic (Loock)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr L. Bazzurro (Uruguay): Labrador Retriever - Hotsouthwind Flying High to Tapeatom (Howard)

Walmer & Sub KC - 6 April:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr L. Bazzurro (Uruguay): Saluki - Ch. Fleetwind Wizard's Charm (McFarlane / Stadler)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr J. Peden (SA): Pekingese - Calmady I'm A Gem of Seawind (Ryrie)

Ch. Gladwen Black Magic

Ch. Fleetwind Wizard's Charm

The Terrier Club of the Eastern Cape (formerly the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of the Eastern Cape) held its first championship show during the Port Elizabeth weekend. Here's wishing the club many years of success ahead.

KUSA introduced the Accredited Breeders Scheme - a framework to encourage the breeding of healthy, well-adjusted dogs. The system lays down a series of requirements that a breeder must follow thus enhancing puppy buyers' assurance that the breeder has followed quality breeding and puppy-raising practices. Application forms can be dowloaded from the KUSA website.

Hosted by Pretoria KC, the Premium Puppy Competition finds a winner from all group-winning puppies during the previous year and the Champion of Champions Challenge is for champion dogs gazetted during the previous year.

PREMIUM PUPPY OF THE YEAR: Standard Poodle - Marechal Family Ties (Thomas)

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: Australian Shepherd - Ch. Stavros B'leve It Or Not (Gray)

Marechal Family Ties

Ch. Stavros B'leve It Or Not

Eastern Dist. KC - 26 April:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mr R. Natividad (Philippines): American Akita - Ch. Golden Bear at Montala (Streak)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Mr R. Natividad (Philippines): Rhodesian Ridgeback - Cartouche Hintsho (van Aken)

Pretoria KC - 27 April:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr T. Doxtater (Canada): Afghan Hound - Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades (Wessels)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr T. Doxtater (Canada): Shih Tzu - Midnightdream Jack Sparrow (Erwee)

Ch. Golden Bear at Montala

Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades

OBITUARIES - Engela de Vries (Eljo Standard Poodles) lost her battle with cancer in Cape Town on 5 April. Sadly missed by her husband, Johan.
- Benson Maketu, a highly talented and experienced groomer for Cynthia Barnett's Tip Top kennels was tragically shot and killed in a high-jacking incident near his home on 13 April.

MAY 2008

The May weekend in Durban found the following results:

Highway KC - 3 May:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mrs E. Bothwell (UK): Afghan Hound - Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades (Wessels)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mrs E. Bothwell (UK): Siberian Husky - Satsanga Divine Quest (Schnider-Kemp)

Natal Coast KC - 4 May:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mr D. Cavill (UK): Miniature Poodle - Warming Black Troubadour (Browning-Cristina)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mr D. Cavill (UK): Boxer - Soundhouse's Soliloquy at Montala (Streak)

Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades

Warming Black Troubadour

Further north, the following Gauteng shows were held where Western Gauteng KC hosted the annual Golden Paw Challenge for Group Winners. There is a handsome cash prize for the winner.

GOLDEN PAW WINNER: Rottweiler - Ch. Vongershan Arragon (Carter)

1ST RUNNER-UP: Miniature Poodle - Warming Black Troubadour (Browning-Cristina)

2ND RUNNER-UP: Hungarian Puli - Ch. Catsun Cherokee at Merrymead (Wright)

Ch. Vongershan Arragon

Northern Tshwane KC - 17 May:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mrs P. de Coning (SA): Irish Wolfhound - Ch. Swordstone Faolan (Lawson)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mrs P. de Coning (SA): Maltese - Satinboreas Sign of the Times (Rolfes)

Western Gauteng KC - 18 May:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr N. Trainor (New Zealand): Afghan Hound - Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades (Wessels)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mr N. Trainor (New Zealand): Maltese - Satinboreas Sign of the Times (Rolfes)

Ch. Swordstone Faolan

Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades

Down south, in the beautifully shady James Pearce Park, the East London shows took part in glorious weather.

East London KC - 24 May:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr W. Thompson (Canada): Bearded Collie - Ch. Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale (Ashton)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Ms J. Browning (SA): Boxer - Soundhouse's Soliloquy at Montala (Streak)

Port Rex KC - 25 May:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs R-M Cabion: Siberian Husky - Ch. Foxfire Pardon Me Boys (Deavall / Anderson)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr W. Thompson (Canada): Whippet - Oracet Queen O Hearts (Pienaar)

Ch. Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale

Ch. Foxfire Pardon Me Boys

Denise Ellis and her daughter Cheryl (Demlyn Yorkies) tragically lost their house, contents and show dogs in a devastating fire that swept through the house on Sunday afternoon, 25 May. They managed to save 8 of their dogs, but unfortunately the show dogs were all in Cheryl's bedroom, which was at the far end of the house. The house was razed in only half an hour and they lost everything. The dog community rallied swiftly to help and very soon raised enough resources and accommodation to offer the Ellis' temporary relief.

Cheryl Ellis

En route to the KUSA Nationals in Cape Town from Johannesburg, Stephanie Bridge, Audrey Lane, Rochelle Ehrlich and their dogs were involved in a serious car accident just outside Beaufort West. The accident occurred in the early hours of the morning and, while most of the dogs were returned to safety, two of Rochelle's Rough Collies went missing. Passing exhibitors and the Beaufort West Dog Unit lent valuable assistance and a search was launched for the dogs with posters put up and messages sent out far and wide. Unfortunately, no dogs were found, but some weeks later, a thin, matted, and slightly injured bitch was found crossing the road 10km from the town. Rochelle had a bitter-sweet reunion with the young girl, but the other bitch has still not been found.

One of Rochelle's young dogs

OBITUARIES - Sophia Langen (Von Sophia's Rottweilers) - a dedicated judge and breeder who served on the Genesis Rottweiler Club Committee and represented them on the Breed Council, passed away on 6 May.
- Ernie Meyer, Agility enthusiast, judge and administrator passed away after a short illness.
- The KZN community was saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Gareth Loggenberg, son of Pam and Leon, on 29 May, following a car accident in January, from which he never recovered.

JUNE 2008

Straddling May and June, the winter weather held out respectfully for a successful KUSA Classic in Cape Town. The evening National Event was characterised by a large supportive crowd and vibrant atmosphere.

A panel of international judges officiated at the Championship Show and KUSA Nationals. The following day, the FCI Africa International was held according to FCI rules, following FCI standards, eliciting mixed feelings from many exhibitors.

Wesley Beckmann won the title of National Junior Handler, which will entitle him to compete at Crufts in the International Junior Handlers Competition in 2009.

Following a rather unexpected musical serenade by one of the International Judges, Mrs P. Alsina-Nemirovsky, the 2008 KUSA National Dog was announced to enormous applause. The KUSA National Puppy and KUSA National Dog are permitted to add the title to their official names.

KUSA Nat Dog '08 Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades

KUSA NATIONAL DOG 2008: Afghan Hound - KUSA Nat. Dog '08 Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades (Wessels)

RUNNER-UP: American Akita - Ch. Golden Bear at Montala (Streak)

KUSA NATIONAL PUPPY 2008: Standard Poodle - KUSA Nat. Pup '08 Marechal Family Ties (Thomas)

KUSA NATIONAL JUNIOR HANDLER: Wesley Beckmann

Wesley Beckmann

KUSA Nat Pup '08 Marechal Family Ties

KUSA Championship Show - 31 May :
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs P. Alsina-Nemirovsky (Argentina): American Akita - Ch. Golden Bear at Montala (Streak)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr G. Paolucci (Argentina): Bulldog - Jenbarton Oliver (Canning)

FCI Africa International Show - 1 June:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr M. Duarte (Brazil): American Akita - Ch. Golden Bear at Montala (Streak)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs L. Brand (SA): Boxer - Tanyati Xhilaration (Hodgkinson)

Ch. Golden Bear at Montala

By the middle of June, the oil price had done some frightening double somersaults and drastic petrol price hikes occurred almost fortnightly until it reached R10.70 per litre - the highest ever. Naturally, these prohibitive petrol costs curbed travelling to shows for most exhibitors, and clubs felt the effect of reduced entries. As the year progressed under such inflated prices, the world's economy did not remain unaffected, resulting in threats of global recession. We continue to feel the effects of enforced belt-tightening and will do for some time.

The usual early morning winter frost greeted exhibitors at the Oudtshoorn weekend shows.

George KC - 14 June:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs J. Wang (SA): Afghan Hound - KUSA Nat Dog '08 Ch. Agha Djari's Question of Honour at Accolades (Wessels)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs J. Wang (SA): Basenji - Zahleka Halloween Queen of Marikate (Knight)

Outeniqua KC - 15 June:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs S. Carter: Standard Poodle- Ch. Escort's Amadeus Le Noir at Dotcom (van Niekerk)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs S. Carter: Siberian Husky - Kamchatka Suptstarr (Joubert)