NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS
‘Edition Dog Live’ organised by Edition Dog Magazine took place in Halls 1 & 2 at the National Agricultural and Exhibitor Centre Stoneleigh Park near Coventry, this was where we held our most recent Ch show in partnership with City of Birmingham Ch show. Following on from its success of last year ‘Editon Dog Live’ went from one to two days held on 17th and 18th October. It is rather like Discover Dogs when it was held at the Excel, with Breed Booths (although these were not in either Group or Alphabetical order but this may follow if there is continued success), and a shopping village with everything an owner might need for their dog and much more. There was one very major difference though in that those attending could take their own dogs. There was good advice for owners when booking a ticket, as not all dogs might not be happy in such a busy environment. There were more than 200 exhibitors, with various activities in the arena, including demonstrations of gundogs, mantrialing, and agility with visitors and their dogs being able to try some activities. Lucy Heath showed how to teach you dogs tricks and new for this year a dog classroom with practical training sessions and guidance to help owners understand how to work with their dogs. There was a play zone for interactive games with the Association of Pet Trainers there to give talks and answer questions. Dr Paul Manktelow known from Channel 4 Crufts was the official veterinary expert. There were plenty for food outlets for owners and a bespoke doggy pub called the Sniff Inn. It was stressed throughout the event that the welfare of the dogs was at the heart of the weekend, and with free parking and such a variety of events it was hoped that it would be even more popular than last year.
With a numerically small breed such as ours events like this are so important in getting the breed better known and being able to talk to prospective owners about the character of the breed, something we have really missed since DD at Excel stopped. There are a number of Buhunds doing various activities, but we need a wider audience. The club has to thank Lisa Strong for organising everything for the breed and going up on the Friday evening before to set up the breed booth with all the photos, then returning the next day with Eris (Ch Leggatts Dancing Queen At Draccus). Thanks also go to Sue Crocker and Jasmine Freeborn who also went with Franny (Leggatts Superstition) and Norman (Leggatts Midnight Rambler). Lisa and Eris and Jasmine with Norman went into the arena as part of a parade, this was called the Breed, Purpose and Personality Display with discussion. Eris demonstrated how the breed was examined on a ramp (Lisa took her own ramp for this purpose), when being judged in the show ring followed up by moving around the arena to demonstrate how a judge assesses movement. There are several great photos of them on the Buhund forum with Dr Paul Manktelow and Laura Crombie who narrates the group finals on Channel 4 Crufts coverage. Lisa returned on the Sunday together with husband Alex, Eris, Raven (Draccus I Have A Dream ai) and Loki Snowflake. Lisa told me she was asked if Eris could be part of the Top to Tail demonstration to point out things to check on your dog on a weekly basis as a health monitoring check, as they had been impressed on how steady she had been in the arena the day before, with the examination being done by Dr Paul Manktelow. Of course, they took part and there was also talk about “The well-bred dog and the responsible breeder” which included health screening and what the Buhund is tested for before being bred from. Lisa what a great weekend for the breed and a great compliment to you and Eris.
Very exciting news from Lucy Beatrice Stevens Zuki aka Leggatts Fly Like An Eagle has gained her Expert Trick Dog title. This means they can now work towards her Champion title which involves showing different abilities and recognition of using different body parts for tricks (rear end awareness, paw marking and nose marking for example). Only a few Buhunds hold the Champion title worldwide, but none have gained it in the UK yet and no Black Buhunds have gained it. That sounds very exciting Lucy. Noodle (Ch Leggatts Jive Talkin) also has worked up to Advanced with her mum Tissy (Leggatts VoulezVous) in Novice. Lucy says she can assess trick titles but obviously not her own dogs, this has to be done by another assessor. You will have read earlier in the notes that Lucy Heath showed how to teach your dogs tricks at Edition Dog Live, so obviously becoming popular and something you can do indoors and not have to worry what the weather is doing outside.
Lucy and Zuki also recently attended a Beginners Barnhunt Workshop in East Sussex where they had a fantastic time learning new skills, putting Zuki’s nose to work to find hidden scent. There were 4 dogs taking part each having a turn to find the correct box with the rat scent out of three boxes. Zuki apparently started to cheat by taping every box in the hope of getting another treat, so had to learn the treat was only available when the correct box was found! Lucy said they enjoyed the workshop so much that she is looking at entering a few competitions in the New Year joining the other Buhunds that are already competing.
I have a clear eye test for Chris & Bridget Curnow’s Draccus Yin(Magnus) who is out of Eris by Ch Tapui Haraldsson at Jjavacobe JW.
I finish with Congratulations to Millie Lambert who with her home bred Ch Strutmoor’s Gon’n Dun It JW ShCEx OSW (Gunna) continues to be Top Buhund Our Dogs /Royal Canin.
Margaret Deuchar margartedeuchar@gmail.com
Any 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