Breed Notes 2022 was quite an interesting year for our breed and we start with the Judges. Always one of the most important features of the show, over the 41 shows, and apart from Crufts, which has required 2 judges since 1991, the only other shows to appoint 2 judges were just the Club Ch shows. Perhaps in the future, with entry numbers decreasing it could be a good time to review this situation, Yes, I understand that having two judges can increase the overall entry but in some cases, with just under 30 per sex maybe a change could be considered We have on our lists some 190 previously approved CC awarding judges with many more, approved, and waiting in the wings. There are also numerous aspiring judges setting out via either the JEP or through the old A2 system working their way to full approvals So, it is quite simple to work out, 27 General Shows, (Excluding Crufts) will need 27 judges! Unless change is made, the remaining 13 Breed Clubs may need another 26 – Giving a total of 53 – Of course that is if each judge only officiates over a single sex but many are judging dogs at one show and bitches at another! That makes a possible grand total 53 judges per year – that is without any new judges being appointed – so divide 190 (as at Dec 2022) by 53 – works out that an appointment could be offered once every 3.5 years! 15 New judges made their debut to the breed and with entry numbers falling due to possible changes in the cost of living, people being very disillusioned with the quality of judges, venues, and other factors no longer proves that a First Time Judge will always draw an increased entry. That fact is no longer true as some of our highest entries of the year have been drawn by established, knowledgeable judges in venues that are within reach of many 6 of these new judges were at Breed Club Ch shows and all for a single sex. The remainder, were appointed by General Ch Shows and most were termed as Non Breed Specialists. Shows were often a main talking point and a few “Partnership Shows” were held, there are still some issues around the holding of these with possible changes concerning the rules currently in place with regard to Judges and Judging at one and exhibiting at another. Let us all hope that the views requested by the KC were submitted in time, so maybe changes could happen! Venues are becoming harder to find and costs for these are rising, so much thought could be made by clubs as to the possibility of combining with a Gen Ch show. The RCBC, representing the majority of our breed clubs has been working behind the scenes on many aspects for our Breed. These include Health, (headed by our Breed Health Co-Ordinator, Sophie Wray-Ramsden); Shows, Breed Promotion, Judges and many other aspects. Should you have an item for discussion, please submit via your Breed Club and it could be discussed at Breed Council. There is no point in making comment via Social Media, which often results in prolonged discussions and frayed tempers. The RCBC is here to help and advise, so with the backing and support of all Clubs and Delegates, perhaps we can raise our Breed Profile. There is some other good news; our Breed has completed a KC Breed Film for the breed which should be available some time later in 2023 once the editing has been completed. This will be an asset for all, especially as it will be available to view on the KC web site. Talking of the KC, our Breed BEC (myself) has also been busy working with clubs and new judges on the requirements for all clubs to hold Breed appreciation and MCE Days for all. Please feel free to contact me for dates and help in organising. Concerning Health, an issue that has been in the forefront on 2022 was DM. Many of our owners have had, or are still having issue with this. Although there are currently “Bundles of Tests” including this available, it would appear from some of the published results we are some way away from fully understanding, not only the treatment but also the modes of inheritance. However, there is a database, available to all which shows, by name (and pedigree) of dogs with this condition. To help in the research, an on-line show was organised by Julie Growcott and supported by many who have had to live through this and the end result was a donation of £970 being sent to the UK Cure4DM Charity. Many others also donated fabulous rosettes, M& S Vouchers. As I write, the results of the show are yet to be decided but will be judged by Kathryn Everson from the Charity, who is deciding BIS. Now to the summary of the shows and winners for 2022, these calculations are based purely on the number of CC and RCC wins only through 2022 and unlike other “Top Dog” tables, points are not added for anything else. We had a total of 14 New Champions to add to the records, some of whom won all CC’s in 2022 and others won a few more giving them a title. There were 72 different winners of either a CC or a RCC over the year and a breeding analysis follows later. Alphabetically the following dogs won their titles, Brooklynson El Dorado (3+3); Camanna Codename (1); Chelborn Storyteller (3+1); Roughrigg Rag n Bone Man (2+6); Think of Me Prince of Sunlight at Gataj (1). In bitches: Artzaiak Selena de Salsina (2); Gillyflower Della Bucca Delle Fate (3+4); Ladnar Inkheart (2+1); Paris Venise du Bois des Amazones for Corisian JW (3); Serenlas Obsession, Starlenga All About Me (3+1); Tiganlea Too Good To be True (1+4) So, all the following put their paws on the ladder and won their first CC and include: Corydon Pol Roger, Demelewis Double Dare, Gataj Girls Best Friend, Kourika King Pin, Marvalan Spirit of Rock, Paulara No Where Man, Phreelancer Chill Phactor at Elshajo; Phreelancer Phaith Hill, Serenlas Pumpkin Spice; Sherlock Holmes of Moon River for Chantique, , Skabona Kiss From Heaven, Tiganlea Task Master at Trenic; Tiganlea Twinkling Star and Wassail Call The Midwife. Carole Smedley |
