The year that was - 2009

the year that was - 2009... chapter 1

Tuesday, January 5, 2010 9:25 PM

JANUARY 2009

January arrived a lot calmer and with less baggage this year than in the previous year. For the dog community, the usual highs and lows, fears, tears and smiles lay ahead, but on the whole, a year a lot less eventful than 2008.

Rather a mixed bag of experiences for the SHOWDOGS team, however - a hijacking, an internet hacker, the loss of a beloved show dog, and a nasty medical diagnosis brought more than a few extra grey hairs, but the thrill of success after trodding the campaign trail this year was extremely rewarding! Far more importantly, SHOWDOGS' popularity almost doubled on 2008 webstats during the year, reaching visits well into 7-digit figures. Huge thanks to our wonderful supporters around the world and here's to an even more vibrant 2010!

Globally, the recession tightened its grip and many found their campaign trails seriously curtailed. Clubs around the country recorded worrying reductions in entry numbers, so the need to attract exhibitors by offering top quality shows became a major factor. Towards the end of the year, signs showed the economy was starting to return to normal.

During the year, a number of new clubs were formed: Australian Shepherd Club of the Eastern Cape, Western Cape Boerboel Club, East Coast Sighthound Club, The Mother City Poodle Club, Imperial and Oriental Breeds Club of the Cape, and KZN Junior KC.

Several newly-formed clubs also held successful qualifying shows and are now qualified to present championship shows: Australian Shepherd Club of the Western Cape, Klun French Bulldog Club, and Natal Rottweiler Club. Natal Afghan Hound Association successfully requalified for a championship show in 2010.

During 2009, the following newly-qualified clubs held their first championshiop shows: Limpopo Bull Terrier Club, Grand Central Utility Breeds Club, Gold Reef Sighthound Club, and Junior KC.

SHOWDOGS wishes a long and successful future for each of these new clubs.

Still celebrating their success at being voted in by the exhibiting public, the winners of the SHOWDOGS Shows of the Year - 2008 were announced at the end of 2008:

ALL BREEDS SHOW OF THE YEAR 2008: Pretoria Kennel Club

RUNNER-UP: Eastern Districts Kennel Club

SHOW WEEKEND OF THE YEAR 2008: Transvaal Midlands & Witwatersrand Kennel Clubs

RUNNER-UP: Durban & Districts & Pietermaritzburg Kennel Clubs

GROUP SHOW OF THE YEAR 2008: Pretoria Toy Dog Club

RUNNER-UP: Victory Toy Dog Club

SPECIALTY OF THE YEAR 2008: Australian Shepherd Club of Eastern Gauteng

RUNNER-UP: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of the Rand

At the start of 2009, a new system of evaluating clubs for the SHOWDOGS Shows of the Year Competition was introduced, whereby clubs earned points by means of regular submissions, and a two-week voting period allowed exhibitors to express their support. The system was favourably received by most club committees, who threw themselves whole-heartedly into earning points and exhibitor approval. Thank you to these clubs for their enthusiastic participation and support.

Later in the year, a security breach occurred when a club webmaster copied the SHOWDOGS voting application onto the club website without permission and without the necessary login codes, which laid us bare to a number of nasty hackers. At the risk of compromising the entire website, SHOWDOGS had to make the tough decision to terminate this popular competition. Hugely unfortunate for the clubs who were working so diligently towards earning points, but unavoidable.

Announced on Christmas Day 2008, the winners of the Eukanuba / SHOWDOGS Puppy of the Year 2008 were:

PUPPY OF THE YEAR 2008: BULL TERRIER - BUKAVI HUYE (MATTHEYS)

FIRST RUNNER-UP: SHIH TZU - DUNSTARS HEART OF FACE (AUCAMP)

SECOND RUNNER-UP: ITALIAN GREYHOUND - RAVILAIS MEGASTAR MOTH (ALLISON)

BUKAVI HUYE

A new innovation in 2008 was the Hill's / SHOWDOGS Veteran of the Year. The first winners of this new rating system were also announced on Christmas Day 2008:

VETERAN OF THE YEAR 2008: STANDARD POODLE - CH. LEMEULLEUR EVEN MONEY AT DOTCOM (VAN NIEKERK)

FIRST RUNNER-UP: AFGHAN HOUND - CH. XCITING XCLUSIVE TOUCH (WESSELS)

SECOND RUNNER-UP: SMOOTH-COAT CHIHUAHUA - CH. & CH. (UK) SALINACRUZ BLUE D'ZIRE (LIEBENBERG)

CH. LEMEULLEUR EVEN MONEY AT DOTCOM

Wesley Beckmann (National Junior Handler 2008) was invited to spend his school holidays in Queensland, Australia, where he worked in Erin Brown's boarding kennels and had the opportunity to handle several show dogs to excellent success. Here he is showing a Papillon, BIRIKINO DISCO FEVER (Brown / Dunkley / McGhie / Rasmussen), in the BIS ring, just a few days after arriving in Australia. Wesley will be representing South Africa at the International finals at Crufts in March.

While in Oz, he was invited to judge the Junior Handling Class. Here he is with his winner.

Wesley Beckmann in Australia

At the glamorous AnimalTalk Top 100 Awards Ceremony in Johannesburg on 17 January, the Top 10 dogs enjoyed the limelight after a year of thrilling success in the ring. The AnimalTalk Top Dog 2008 was 'Quadey', KUSA NAT DOG '08 CH. AGHA DJARI'S QUESTION OF HONOUR AT ACCOLADES owned by Ria and Tex Wessels. "Quadey" finished 2008 in tremendous style winning not only this highly sought-after title, but also the KUSA National Dog 2008 to cap a year of superlative performance. Quadey, Ria, Jane Kiefer (Handler), and Pat de Coning (Eukanuba) travelled to Long Beach, California in December 2008 to represent South Africa in the Eukanuba/FCI World Challenge. AnimalTalk hosts this sought-after Top 100 all-breeds rating system.

ANIMALTALK TOP DOG 2008 : AFGHAN HOUND - KUSA NAT DOG '08 CH. AGHA DJARI'S QUESTION OF HONOUR AT ACCOLADES (WESSELS)

FIRST RUNNER-UP: AMERICAN AKITA - CH. MELODOR GOLDEN BEAR AT MONTALA (STREAK)

SECOND RUNNER-UP: SCOTTISH TERRIER - CH. GLADWEN BLACK MAGIC (LOOCK)

THIRD RUNNER-UP: BEARDED COLLIE - CH. SCOTTSDALE OCEAN DRIVE OF ASHVALE (ASHTON)

FOURTH RUNNER-UP: IRISH WOLFHOUND - CH. SWORDSTONE FAOLAN (LAWSON)

FIFTH RUNNER-UP: LHASA APSO - CH. JALUS HIGH FLYER (PEDEN / AUCAMP)

SIXTH RUNNER-UP: CHOW CHOW - CH. KIMEKAI SON OF SAMURI (NICOLAU)

SEVENTH RUNNER-UP: ROTTWEILER - CH. MIPRET DUUK SECOND OF VONGERSHAN (SMIT / CARTER)

EIGHTH RUNNER-UP: AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD - CH. STAVROS B'LEVE IT OR NOT (GRAY)

NINTH RUNNER-UP: MINIATURE POODLE - CH. WARMING BLACK TROUBADOUR (BROWNING)

KUSA NAT DOG '08 CH. AGHA DJARI'S QUESTION OF HONOUR AT ACCOLADES

The glittering Supa 7 Spectacular at Carnival City on Saturday 24 January saw the country's top dogs and their bling-bedecked owners enjoying a lavish evening in good company and splendid ambience. The judge, whose identity was kept secret until the last minute, was Mr Enrique Filippini, of Argentina. Bryan Kelly's Whippet, CH. SOL Y SOMBRA PEPPEMINT CRISP OF COTTONCOVE took top honours. 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.

BEST IN SHOW : WHIPPET - CH. SOL Y SOMBRA PEPPEMINT CRISP OF COTTONCOVE (KELLY)

RUNNER-UP: AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL - CH. & KUSA NAT PUP '06 DENOVA GET OVER IT (BROOKES / ARCHULETA)

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW: BULL TERRIER - BUKAVI HUYE (MATTHYS)

RUNNER-UP: AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD- ROSEMERE I'M A FIREFLY FOR STAVROS (GRAY / VILJOEN / KENNEDY)

The Beauty and the Bling! While the rest of us arrived for Supa 7 at the Big Top Arena by car or similar dog-friendly vehicle, Kerstin Fehrsen and Isabella (CHELLERT BOLD PRINT) were 'carted' by the manager of their hotel right to the door! Talk about style...

Kerstin Fehrsen

Heidi Rolfes had a judging appointment at Manchester Dog Show Society Championship Show in the UK. She had a superb entry of Maltese. Her BOB winner, CH. BENATONE GOLD RING (Jackson), went on to win the Toy Group under judge Brenda Banbury.

Heidi Rolfes

Also on 24 January, Durban held their province's KZN Supreme Dog Invitational, judged by Doreen Powell:

BEST IN SHOW : ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL - CH. BARECHO MAKING WAVES AT WHITESQUALL (KRUGER / BURGER)

RUNNER-UP: WHITE SWISS SHEPHERD DOG - CH. AFRICAN ICE DIAMOND JUBILEE OF VASTON ICE (NAIDOO)

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW: GREAT DANE - DEHAVILAND PAIGES OF GOLD (HEGGIE)

RUNNER-UP: DALMATIAN - FALAISE FREE SPIRIT (SMITH)

FEBRUARY 2009

On the other side of the world, the Westminster Kennel Club Show was held on 9 & 10 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! Best in Show over 2,500 dogs this year went to a 10 year old Sussex Spaniel, CH. CLUSSEXX THREE D GRINCHY GLEE, owned by Ruggles, Dowd & Sommer. "Stump" is the oldest dog and only Sussex to have won this title at Westminster. He came out of retirement briefly for this competition, but will return to restful retirement, having beaten the USA's top dogs for this prestigious title. Best in Show was judged by Mrs Sari Tietjen.

HOUND GROUP: SCOTTISH DEERHOUND - CH. GAYLEWARD'S TIGER WOODS (BONTECOU)

TERRIER GROUP: SCOTTISH TERRIER - CH. ROUNDTOWN MERCEDES OF MARYSCOT (MUSSER)

SPORTING GROUP: SUSSEX SPANIEL - CH. CLUSSEXX THREE D GRINCHY GLEE ( RUGGLES / DOWD / SOMMER)

NON-SPORTING GROUP: STANDARD POODLE - CH. RANDENN TRISTAR AFFIRMATION (SOSNOFF)

HERDING GROUP: HUNGARIAN PULI - CH. CORDMAKER FIELD OF DREAMS (HUEBNER / BEAUDOIN)

WORKING GROUP: GIANT SCHNAUZER - CH. GALILEE'S PURE OF SPIRIT (HAYES / SANCHEZ)

TOY GROUP: GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS - CH. CILLEINE MASQUERADE (GREGORY / JAHLELKA)

CH. CLUSSEXX THREE D GRINCHY GLEE

SHOWDOGS' resident cynic found great mirth in contributions to a popular forum, which focussed on the apparent tendency of ALL judges to award prizes to dogs owned by well-known "faces". It seemed to have escaped a lot of these complainers that top exhibitors are "faces" because they show top quality dogs! Thus was born the first of a small series of cartoons to highlight the funny side of a sport some of us take so seriously.

MARCH 2009

The championship show season began in Cape Town with the Kennel Association show's annual Supreme Puppy Invitational, a prestigious competition for all Best Puppy in Show winners of the previous year.

SUPREME PUPPY OF THE YEAR: LABRADOR RETRIEVER - HOTSOUTHWIND FLYING HIGH TO TAPEATOM (HOWARD)

RUNNER-UP: TOY POODLE - NYANJA WHAT'S THE RUCH (ALBERTS)

HOTSOUTHWIND FLYING HIGH TO TAPEATOM

Kennel Association - 28 February:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr Martin Croeser (SA): WHIPPET - CH. SOL Y SOMBRA PEPPEMINT CRISP OF COTTONCOVE (KELLY)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr Martin Croeser (SA): DOBERMANN - CHALDONNE CHEKPOINTCHARLI (LUCAS)

Liesbeek KC - 1 March:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr Rodney Jarman (SA): ALASKAN MALAMUTE - SNO KLASSIC NANUKE KNOWSNOLIMITS (MARQUES / NISSEN)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr Maurice Baker (SA): DOBERMANN - CHALDONNE CHEKPOINTCHARLI (LUCAS)

CH. SOL Y SOMBRA PEPPEMINT CRISP OF COTTONCOVE

SNO KLASSIC NANUKE KNOWSNOLIMITS

Seen in the office at the Cape Shows... Did you also get dumped? Feel like trashing the judges? Everything gone to rot? Think the results were garbage? Entry fee gone to waste? Taking home a pile of rubbish? Well, don't feel too bad... you weren't the only one chucked out!
Photo: Very observant Ken Hull

"Ice" and "Lushka" caused a media stir after an accident on the N2 near Somerset West, during which Lushka was hit by a car and sustained a broken leg. Ice remained at his friend's side throughout the ordeal until they were both rescued. Through the media, the owners were located and reunited with the dogs, after surgery on Lushka's leg. At a local school, Ice made an honourable appearance to accept a medal for courage and bravery, presented to him by pupils of the school.

Many thanks to:
~ The lady who parked her white Palio in the lane, hazards flashing, to protect the pair and who called the AWS. She was on her way to a meeting but chose to stay and help
~ The gentleman in a van who gave the dogs water and was of great help
~ The lady vet who stopped to treat and take the dogs to the hospital

At the Crufts International Junior Handler Competition, Wesley Beckmann expertly handled a Boxer and an Irish Setter and was shortlisted to the Final 10 with encouraging support from an appreciative audience. Well done, Wesley - SA is proud of you!

The winner of the 2009 International Junior Handler Competition was the Brazilian representative, Maria de los Angeles Pineiro Aramburo, with a Pointer.

Wesley in the Final 10

Wesley Beckmann - National Junior Handler 2008

Crufts 2009 brought an international flavour to the results:

BEST IN SHOW: SEALYHAM - AM/CAN/SU CH EFBE'S HIDALGO AT GOODSPICE (GOOD / MIDDLEBROOKS)

RUNNER-UP: POODLE (STANDARD) - CH/AM CH AFTERGLOW THE BIG TEASE (LYNN)

HOUND GROUP: PHARAOH HOUND - INT CH NORTHGATE'S AS YOU LIKE IT (HALL)

GUNDOG GROUP: HUNGARIAN VIZSLA - SH CH/AUST CH HUNGARGUNN BEAR IT 'N MIND (CRAGGS / ARMSTRONG)

PASTORAL GROUP: OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG - AM CH VILLAS CRUELLA AT DIZZNY (WALLSTROM / CYDICK)

WORKING GROUP: BOXER - CH. WINIWUK LUST AT FIRST SIGHT (WARD-DAVIES / BROWN / HUTCHING)

TOY GROUP: PAPILLON - QUEEN BLESS JP ROYAL CONNECTION (ROOSENS / ABELOOS-DEVOS)

AM/CAN/SU CH EFBE'S HIDALGO AT GOODSPICE

There were a few South African connections of interest at Crufts and other shows in the UK:

~ Tammy Gilmour handled the Smooth Chihuahua, AFTERGLOW MIMI IMFURST (Lynn) to a Junior Bitch class win.

~ A Rhodesian Ridgeback bred by Arno van Wyk, INT/NL/LUX KAROSKLOOF TT SIMPLY RED (Schmidt & Jendrychowski), won the Veteran Dog class.

~ The sire of Astrid Ryke's new import from the UK, CH. MOUNTABOO SEASONED MAN AT PANTECLYN (Scanlan) won CC Dog and BOB.

~ A Miniature Smooth-haired Dachshund, CAN/AM CH GRANDGABLES MS SUPERNATURAL AT CARPAC (Hunt), bred by ex-South Africans, Guy Jeavons & Mark McMillan, was placed fourth in the Hound Group.

~ Rosemary Leaver had the opportunity to handle a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, AVALCIER SAKURA, to a Post Graduate class win over 24 entries at the CKCS Club Championship Show (UK). Runner-up in the class was a MILHILL bitch owned by Mike Gadsby (of Afterglow fame and RBIS at Crufts with his Standard Poodle).

Tammy Gilmour at Crufts

Rosemary Leaver at the CKCS Club Championship Show (UK)

Opening the show season in Gauteng was Vereeniging KC & Roodepoort & Districts KC.

Vereeniging KC - 21 March:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs S Limoges (Canada): AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD - CH STONE RIDGE MOVIN OUT AT STRATHAVEN (SCHULTZ)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs S Limoges (Canada): SAMOYED - VANDERBILTS PLAYING WITH FIRE OF ANNAN (EDMONDSON)

Roodepoort & Districts KC - 22 March:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs Pat Guild (SA) : LHASA APSO - CH JALUS HIGH FLYER (AUCAMP / PEDEN)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr M. Bungey (Australia): POODLE (MINIATURE) - BRAGANZA BEL ASTECA (BROWNING)

CH STONE RIDGE MOVIN OUT AT STRATHAVEN

CH JALUS HIGH FLYER

Jackie Browning had a judging appointment at the Canadian Kennel Club Purina National show, where she judged Labrador Retrievers and awarded Winners Bitch to TAPEATOM DREAM AWHILE, a girl bred by Betty Howard (SA).

Jackie Browning judging in Canada

The final weekend of March belonged to Winners of the SHOWDOGS Show Weekend of the Year - 2008 'Wits and Midlands', with the following results:

Transvaal Midlands KC - 28 March:
~ Best in Show: Mrs Linda Buckley (Australia): IRISH WOLFHOUND - CH. SWORDSTONE FAOLAN (LAWSON)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs Linda Buckley (Australia): WHIPPET - SMITHVALE SIMPLY SPLENDID (SMITH)

Witwatersrand KC- 29 March:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mrs Glenys Alexander (Australia): IRISH WOLFHOUND - CH. SWORDSTONE FAOLAN (LAWSON)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mrs Glenys Alexander (Australia): WHIPPET - SMITHVALE SIMPLY SPLENDID (SMITH)

CH. SWORDSTONE FAOLAN

A major row erupted between two show-holding committees, set to hold their respective shows during one weekend at the same venue. With neither committee budging, the announcement was made that one show would be held on the lower fields at Goldfields, and the second show, the following day, on the upper fields. The long-suffering exhibitors conjured the prospect of carting all their equipment up the hill.

While spending time in Johannesburg between two show weekends, SHOWDOGS was hi-jacked on 31 March, and the familiar blue microbus plus all our show equipment, cash, cards and cellphone were stolen. Elrena, who had been driving alone, was held at gunpoint then dropped off at the side of the road near Tembisa, where she was rescued and escorted to the police station. Although we were devastated that everything had been lost, we were (and still are) immensely thankful that the dogs - who were not in the car at the time - and Elrena were safe and unharmed.

At that point, the dog community rallied to help in the most phenomenal manner so that within a day friends had offered support and helped us to hire a car, replace some essential equipment and head off to the next show! We shall always be indebted to doggy friends. Thank you all so much.

APRIL 2009

The month started with an announcement that SHOWDOGS had been sold:

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Please note that the SHOWDOGS Team have sold this website and domain.
The content, however, will continue in a slightly altered form, along with news and information on
Koi fish, Burmese cats and Arabian horses.

(A link to the new website address contained the usual message for this time of year - April Fool! )

The popular Port Elizabeth shows experienced difficulties needing to find replacement judges at the last moment, but the show weekend progressed smoothly, even if exhibitors had to dodge road closure for the Iron Man contest!

Uitenhage KC - 3 April:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs Shirley Bloomfield (SA): POODLE (STANDARD) - CH ESCORTS AMADEUS LE NOIR AT DOTCOM (VAN NIEKERK)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr Rodney McDowell (Ireland): SAMOYED - VANDERBILTS PLAYING WITH FIRE OF ANNAN (EDMONDSON)

Walmer & Sub KC - 4 April:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr Maurice Baker (SA): DACHSHUND (STANDARD LONG HAIR) - CH. ELVEDEN WALK THE LINE (BIRD)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs Shirley Bloomfield (SA): SIBERIAN HUSKY - FOXFIRE DRESSED TO KILL (ANDERSON / BATTEY)

Port Elizabeth - 5 April:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr Rodney McDowell (Ireland): GREAT DANE - FAIRMOORS COUNT FABIO (BECKMANN)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr Maurice Baker (SA): SIBERIAN HUSKY - CH. FOXFIRE DRESSED TO KILL (ANDERSON / BATTEY)

CH ESCORTS AMADEUS LE NOIR AT DOTCOM

CH. ELVEDEN WALK THE LINE

CH. FOXFIRE DRESSED TO KILL

In April, SHOWDOGS launched the SHOWDOGS Best of Breed Leaderboard - a point system that recognises a dog's achievement at breed level. A dog earns points according to the number of dogs it beats to win a Best of Breed, plus one point for himself. This new system was received with great enthusiam and suddenly, there was a fresh incentive for many exhibitors.

The dispute between the two show-holding committees continued, and there were rumblings of boycotts from irate exhibitors...

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: POODLE (TOY) - NYANJA WHAT'S THE RUCH (ALBERTS)

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: PEKINGESE - CH. CALMADY THE WIZARD OF SEAWIND (RYRIE)

NYANJA WHAT'S THE RUCH

CH. CALMADY THE WIZARD OF SEAWIND

The Winners of the SHOWDOGS All-breeds Show of the Year - 2008, Pretoria KC, had the following results:

Pretoria KC - 25 April:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mr Richard Paquette (Canada): ROTTWEILER - CH MIPRET DUUK SECOND OF VONGERSHAN (SMIT)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Mr Richard Paquette (Canada): POODLE (MINIATURE) - BRAGANZA BEST FOOT FORWARD OF MARESOL (NETO)

Eastern Dist. KC - 26 April:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr Z. Yu Feng (Taiwan): ROTTWEILER - CH. MIPRET DUUK SECOND OF VONGERSHAN (SMIT)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr Z. Yu Feng (Taiwan): POODLE (MINIATURE) - BRAGANZA BEL ASTECA (BROWNING)

CH. MIPRET DUUK SECOND OF VONGERSHAN

Barbara Gillett (Old English Sheepdogs) had a narrow escape after the Melody cruise ship, on which she was sailing, was attacked by pirates off the Somalian coastline on Saturday, 25 April. The ship's security detail returned fire, startling the pirates, who gave up and turned around. Nine suspects were arrested.

A well-known breeder was exposed for questionable breeding practices, which culminated in a major outcry amongst fanciers of the popular breed. Disciplinary hearings were held, but the outcome was not favourably received by aggrieved parties. The resident SHOWDOGS cynic wondered at the possibility of one of these dogs being presented to a South African equivalent of a German Keurmeister to attest its quality and breed type...

MAY 2009

The May weekend in Durban found the following results:

Highway KC - 2 May:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mr M Texeira (Brazil): ROTTWEILER - CH MIPRET DUUK SECOND OF VONGERSHAN (SMIT)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mr M Texeira (Brazil): SIBERIAN HUSKY - FOXFIRE DRESSED TO KILL (ANDERSON/BATTEY)

Natal Coast KC - 3 May:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mr M Benites (Brazil): DACHSHUND (STANDARD LONG HAIR) - CH SCHARMLEUCT MACTAVISH OF ELVEDEN (BIRD)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mr M Benites (Brazil): SPANIEL (ENGLISH SPRINGER) - WHITESQUALL GOOD VIBRATIONS (KRUGER)

CH. MIPRET DUUK SECOND OF VONGERSHAN

CH SCHARMLEUCT MACTAVISH OF ELVEDEN

In any competition environment, there has to be conflict between competing parties. Two longstanding rival families in one group pulled out all the stops this month and let rip at each other, causing much mirth for the rest of us.

Last year we watched the "Weirdie" litter grow up (Irish Wolfhound puppies reared by a Bearded Collie), now meet the "Borgies"! Danielle, Eileen Ashton's Beardie, came to the rescue and adopted 5 orphaned Corgi puppies, whose mother died in whelp. Di Darroll and Margaret Cole's 5 tiny babies were adopted immediately by Danielle; given a thorough cleaning and directed to the milkbar where they could very quickly be found snuggling in between 3 substantially larger blue Beardie babies.

This year, the National Handlers competition was hosted by the Northern Tshwane KC on 16 May and found the following winners:

NATIONAL JUNIOR HANDLER 2009 - Graeme Graham (who will represent South Africa at the International Junior Handler Competition at Crufts in 2010)

RUNNER-UP - Tracey van Greunen

FINALISTS - Shayna Smith, Duncan Scott

NATIONAL CHILD HANDLER 2009 - Amy Kiefer

RUNNER-UP - Hayley Mitchell

NATIONAL OPEN HANDLER 2009 - Cheryl Jacobs

RUNNER-UP - Stuart Davies

Graeme Graham

Tracey van Greunen

Amy Kiefer

Hayley Mitchell

Cheryl Jacobs

Stuart Davies

Northern Tshwane KC - 16 May:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mr Robert Lucas (Australia): BULLDOG - WOLGEMUTH YABBA DABBA DOO (MULLER)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mr Geoff Kill (Australia): MALTESE - LIBRA MY LION KING (GOUWS)

Western Gauteng KC - 17 May:
~ Best in Show: Judge Mr Geoff Kill (Australia): AMERICAN AKITA - CH MELODOR GOLDEN BEAR AT MONTALA (STREAK)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mr Geoff Kill (Australia): PEKINGESE - KI-LULU CHEGE OF SEAWIND (RYRIE)

WOLGEMUTH YABBA DABBA DOO

CH MELODOR GOLDEN BEAR AT MONTALA

Western Gauteng KC hosted the annual Golden Paw Challenge for Group Winners. There is a handsome cash prize for the winner.

GOLDEN PAW WINNER: IRISH WOLFHOUND - CH. SWORDSTONE FAOLAN (LAWSON)

1ST RUNNER-UP: SAMOYED - CH. IKILIIKKUJAN ROYAL ENVOY FOR FOXFIRE (BATTEY)

2ND RUNNER-UP: POMERANIAN - CH. XANTAH ACE THE MATCH (FOURIE)

Ch. Vongershan Arragon

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 Greg Eva (SA): CHOW CHOW - CH. KIMEKAI SON OF SAMURI (NICOLAU)
~ Best Puppy in Show: Judge Mr Greg Eva (SA): SIBERIAN HUSKY - BEDARRA ACQUIRE THE FIRE (BATTEY)

Port Rex KC - 25 May:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs Doreen Powell (SA): GREAT DANE - CH. FAIRMOORS ALIAS MR FINDLAY (BECKMANN / FOXWELL)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs Janet Wang (SA): SIBERIAN HUSKY - BEDARRA ACQUIRE THE FIRE (BATTEY)

CH. KIMEKAI SON OF SAMURI

CH. FAIRMOORS ALIAS MR FINDLAY

JUNE 2009

Coinciding with a fresh bout of abuse amongst certain exhibitors in and out of the show ring, Swine Flu landed in South Africa, causing its own havoc. Poor Piglet became the butthead of many jokes!

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

Outeniqua KC - 13 June:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr Coen Huyzers (SA): LHASA APSO - CH JALUS HIGH FLYER (AUCAMP/PEDEN)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr Mervyn Heroldt (SA): DACHSHUND (MINIATURE LONG HAIR) - SCHUSBORG RUSSIAN STORM (SCHULTZ)

George KC - 14 June:
~ Best in Show - Judge Mr Mervyn Heroldt (SA): LHASA APSO - CH JALUS HIGH FLYER (AUCAMP/PEDEN)
~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr Coen Huyzers (SA): DOBERMANN - TRUENORTH PIAZA DONNEHAUS (LUCAS)

CH JALUS HIGH FLYER

Cape Town Metropole released its latest Draft Animal By-law. Read more about it here.

The Docked Breeds Association of South Africa has a new website that contains a lucid explanation of many of the issues raised in recent years. If you have connections with a traditionally docked breed, you will find this site interesting. Read more about it here.

A blinkered forum contributor, called "Alice" decided to take umbrage at the colour scheme of a certain breed club - orange, white, and blue - (conveniently forgetting about the colour scheme of a popular dog food that frequently sponsors generous prizes) and suddenly accusations of white South Africans not being able to embrace the country's 10-year old democracy became a huge issue. The possibility of parking your white vehicle next to orange and blue cars, suddenly became the most important threat to our the country's transformation! You gotta love dog people!

ILL HEALTH

~ In early February, Jose Fonseca was recuperating after a serious illness.

~ Tony Williams was admitted to hospital in serious ill health during April.

~ Marthie Muller (Stormwind Bassets) suddenly took ill at ringside at Western Gauteng show and was rushed to hospital.

~ Peter Nancarrow suffered a severe injury, leaving him unable to judge at the Transvaal Terrier Club show.

NEW ARRIVALS

~ Stephan Kemp and Carmen Schnider-Kemp (Satsanga Siberians) announced the birth of a son, Nicolas Michael on March 2 at Sunninghill hospital. Nicolas arrived a bit unexpectedly at 31 weeks, and weighed in at only 1.39 kg. Although little Nicolas still needed to spend some time at Sunninghill NNICU to put on some weight, he and Carmen recovered speedily.

~ Clinton and Vashnee Naidoo (Vaston Ice White Swiss Shepherds) welcomed a baby girl, Riyanka, born on 7 May.

OBITUARIES

~ Fredy Maurhofer (Past Chairman of the Witwatersrand Kennel Club) passed away on 3 April in Switzerland after a long illness.

~ Jane Kiefer lost her mother, Betty McCracken, on Friday 19 June.

~ Peter Muller (Stormwind Basset Hounds) passed away peacefully on 26 June after a long illness.

Sincerest condolences to family and friends

RAINBOW BRIDGE - Losing a canine companion is never an incident without pain and sadness. This semester, we said farewell to: