NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS
It is Sunday 17th May, last Sunday the Prime Minister announced a slight releasing of the lockdown, but social distancing is still very important. On Wednesday the KC recommended that forth coming events be cancelled until the end of September, based on Government advice to restrict non essential travel and social distancing. I know there have been comments that this is rather far away, but with social distancing looking to be around for some time, it really would be difficult to hold most canine activities. There was talk about one area in the US trying to have shows with no seating, the exhibitors and judges wearing masks and the dogs going into the ring one at a time! While people are missing going to shows to catch up with friends if for no other reason, I really do not think that is an option. However, there are some training classes starting if they can be held outside, on a one to one like agility, but even here social distancing must be observed, and the equipment only touched by the trainer.
On a perhaps more positive note I expect many of you will have seen that the Charity Medical Detection Dogs, is hopefully going to start training six dogs (Labradors and Cockers) to see if they can detect the virus. Dogs are already used to detect some cancers, malaria and even Parkinson’s. The dogs are first taught to find the scent and are rewarded with a treat or toy; gradually they learn that when they find the scent they must show they have found it by standing still and indicating. The first problem to be overcome is to find out if Covid-19 actually has a scent, assuming it does the dogs then have to learn to distinguish between the patients who have it and those who do not. If they can, they could eventually screen 250 people an hour working in shifts, which would be especially useful at airports and ports, they would be used like the dogs that now search for drugs and explosives. The trial will be held in conjunction with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Durham University and will be supported with £500,000 from the government.
Although there are no face to face competitions there are a number taking place on line. Even before the Coronavirus there was Rally on Line if any of you are interested. Then there are also a number of shows, where photos are judged in different categories and without the judges knowing who the dogs are. One I mentioned last week was run by Addrienne Frost Treadwell, this was the second show she has run and the two have had about 1,000 entries, so many thanks go to Addrienne and her judges for all the work it involves. I told you last week that BIS and winner of the Ch class was Nancy Kent and Jacqui and Michael Cobb’s Ch Koromandel Best Served Cold At Knytshall (Jamie).The class for AV Not A Buhund was won by the head shot of a Malamute. The Activity class was won by Kelly Hayes with her photo of Bryn herding sheep, Bryn started by herding ducks at 5 months but was rather excited, so Kelly waited a few months till she was 8 months and introduced her to Sheep and she was a natural. Her full name is Kyon Norse Brynhildr The Bold born on 28th July 2016, by Can Gr Ch/Us Ch Kyon Langveis Reisnede x Can Ch Kyon Tora Tyri. The only photos with the handler in view were the handling classes. The adult on was won by Neil Hood handling his and Julian Collins Ch Arnscroft Di Nah Sawr Us Rex (Dino)he is by Ch /Ir Ch Arnscroft Kimura x Ch/Ir Ch Arnscroft Di-Nahs-Mite. Dino also won the Open dog class. The Junior Handler winner was Callum Gillies with his and his mother Kirsty’s Kimura’s Vera With Tapui (Imp Nor) she is by Nor/Swe/Dk Ch Kimura Peer Gynt x Nor Ch Kimura Nelly. The dog puppy class was won by Faye Adox’s Hagrid now 9months old he is by Ragnar x Raksha, the team class was won by a photo of Hagrid and his litter mates raiding the fridge! Best Bitch puppy Mike Woodson’s Norskedalen’s Abigael of Gabi-Lars born 2nd November 2019 bred by Mike and co owned with Kathleen & Roger Harris, his is sire GCHS CH Tsarshadows Ragnar Lodbrok breed and owned by Dawn Deeley & No I Norwegain Buhund AKC x Ch Hundehaven’s Maud bred by Catherine Lassessen and owned by Mike. The brace class winners were Sue Crocker’s mother and daughter Knytshall Noor Ul Ain by Knytshall Diamond Ted x Ch Trollheimen Elske to Knytshall(Imp Us) &Leggatts Vous Vous by Frostisen Winsome x Noor the photo was of them sitting on a log together. Veteran Bitch & BOS Mary Quinn’s Trelowen Lavalsa who is by Ch Trelowen Conar Tun.Veteran Dog and RBIS was a photo sent in by Else Turner but am afraid I know nothing about the dog. Best Junior was the Frostisen’s Trelowen Aviator by Ch Trelowen Conar Tun x Trelowen Kyoo .Ch Bitch Caroline Russell -Catt’s Au Ch/ Int Ch/ Am Gr Ch Delaroche Fjotunn by Au Gr Ch Int Ch Kimura’s Viking (Imp Nor )x UCH Au Ch Int Ch Rennedal’s Skjoldmoy(Imp Nor) and last but certainly not least winner of the Past Buhund class, Kerry & Fritz Frost’s Ch Frostisen Leif born 23rd May 1992 by Leitgards Kong Olav av Frostisen x Bikka av Gilde og Frostisen.
Stay safe everyone.
Margaret Deuchar margaretdeuchar@gmail.com
The views expressed in Margaret’s Breed Notes are hers and hers alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Buhund Club of the UK.