Last Saturday Mid Western Gundog Open Show was held, IWS had classes and Best of Breed was Antdela Oleander (Ollie) who was also short listed for Best in Show and was awarded the Best Spaniel in the Show, the IWS judge was Josie Pretty and the Best in Show judge was John Thirwell Ollie is owned by Ant Andrews. Best Puppy in Breed was Holbain Muddy Sally owned by Pauline and Stuart Furber. On the following day was Yorkshire Gundog where Ollie again went Best of Breed under Eleanor Bothwell and then went on to win Best in Show where the judge was Patsy Hollings. Best Puppy in Breed was Doonbeg Heart & Soul for Pharises owned by Sandra Rawlinson she also went on to win the Minor Puppy Stakes under Patsy Hollings. She is just six months old and this was her second show having previously won Best Puppy the previous weekend at Leicester Gundog, she was bred by Chris & Keith Attwood, her dam is Doonbeg Smitten and her sire Gatewood the Entertainer  .

In the U.S.A. the Westminster Kennel Club held their prestigious show and IWS were judged on February, 10th  Best of Breed  for the second year in a row was Ch Poole’s Ide Then There’s Maude bred by Greg Siner and owned by Greg and Debbie Patterson her sire is Ch Madrona’s Mr Liam and  her dam is Ch Poole’s Ide First Water CD JH Best Opposite Sex was Ch Coomara’s Emerald Isle Warrior , bred by Paul Price & James Brennan , his sire is Ch Mystic Torin and his dam is Ch Jaybren’s Millish Macarthur and he is owned by Paul Price & Heather Brunles and the Award of Merit was won by Ch Poole’s Ide Bit O’Brit she was bred by Greg & Debbie Patterson and is a daughter of our own Fynder Freethinker who is owned by Judith Carruthers . It is nice to hear of the successes gained by our overseas members.

If any of you are going to Crufts please try and go to the Discover Dogs section, the breed will have volunteers on the stand on all four days, Marion Kong has obtained some new posters for the display booth and has organised the members who have kindly volunteered to give their time to be on display with their dogs and to answer the many questions from members of the general public who want to know more about our lovely breed.

Chris Attwood has asked me to mention an e-mail that she has recently received, it is from, the Animal Health Trust inviting you all to visit the Kennel Club Health Stand when you can to talk to veterinary advisors, scientist, geneticists as well as other experts on a variety of subjects of interest to you.

Pat Wake will again be manning the breed club stand at Crufts so please try and spare a few minutes to look at what she has for sale and have a chat to Pat and her helpers, all profits from goods sold go the the Association.

All the news from Crufts will be in the next edition of the Blog

Jean
01494783599/07941830666
E-mail jean.gomm@ntlworld.com

News from Debbie Robinson that the venue for the mingle next Sunday has changed as unfortunately  West Wittering Beach is unaccessible on the day- car parks, access road and footpath all closed for road repairs so the mingle has been re-arranged along the coast at Hayling Island the start is at the same time 10.45 for 11am walk at eh Ferry Boat Inn Car Park Ferry Road Hayling Island PO11 0DG

The walk will be on the beach so the dogs can have a smim and then back through the dunes to the pub, the dogs cannot go into the pub so will have to go back in the car but if the weather is nice they can sit outside in the garden with you.

Directions to the venue  As you drive over the bridge from the mainland onto Hayling Island keep driving south until the Solent is ahead of you, then turn right into Ferry Road and drive as far east as you can, past the golf course. The Ferry Boat Inn is the last building on the left before the slipway into the sea more details are available on the IWSA website.

_____

News from Vickie Norman-Massa that at the Leicester Gundog Show on February 15th her dog Fynder Sea Biscuit of Glenderry was Best of Brred where the judge was Mrs Bunce (adurni and then went on to win Best in Show Group 4 un judge Mr Griffith (Glanerch) well done, Vicky will be celebrating  a special birthday at Crufts.