NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS
So, Crufts is over for another year, the main memory in the breed will be Marie Corin and Bergen aka Kligenthal Almuric winning their first CC with BOB and representing the breed in the group. Marie wrote- “Well no body was more surprised than me when Bergen was awarded his first CC at Crufts (I will not lie I shed a little tear) then blow me down BOB as well. Being out in the big ring was just an amazing experience which I will never forget -it is not everyday you have a lifelong dream come true! Thank you to everyone who has been so lovely with your support and comments, it means a lot.” Congratulations once again looking forward to writing about your next two. The other memory was not nearly so nice it will be of snow, at least it was not so bad as LKA many years ago, when exhibitors had to stay in the halls overnight as the police would not let them travel, that is still talked about by those that were there, but it was still very unpleasant and caused travel delays with I know dogs in other breeds missing their class.
Discover Dogs as we all know is such an important part of helping to get the breed known and understood by potential owners. It is however very tiring for owners and dogs alike having done it many times in the past, Time did it when he was just 6months and Fizz just adored doing it, he would lay down straight away and would wait for the cuddles, there was one person at DD in London who came back both days to see us, but then said could he actually see Fizz the right way up! It is hard to put it into words how great it is to have volunteers each day often travelling back and forth, and giving up their time to be on the breed booth. This year was to prove quite difficult for a couple of reasons. The Kennel Club always want to know many weeks in advance how many people will be on the stand each day, how many passes and car passes are required all of which do have restricted numbers. I asked on the forum for volunteers, it is difficult for people to commit weeks ahead, things come up and bitches come into season so many things can happen. I was therefore very grateful to have so many volunteers. The ideal it so have a least three people and their dogs each day so they can have time out during the day. Lisa Strong does a fantastic job since she took over from me a few years ago in looking after the stand, sorting out photos etc and setting it up and taking it down on the last day. This year she also produced a booklet called ‘Otto’ about the Buhund who belongs to Robbie Jones and his family, it contained sayings about Otto written by Robbie’s son and was very much appreciated by him and many of the children who visited the booth. Unfortunately though , this year things did not go quite according to plan, a week before Crufts Alex Strong went down with Covid, and then the Sunday before Lisa, luckily by this time Alex was testing negative, so the plan was that he would take the stand up on the Thursday and then go home but in the end, Lisa recovered quicker than Alex, so on the Thursday morning in all that bad weather, she bravely took everything up and then went back home to rest. On Thursday the booth was manned by Nancy Kent with Toby aka Leggatts Dakota at Knytsahll who also battled the weather and queued to get in along with Paul Martin with Ulfie aka as Wolfen Dancing With Wolves, they are seasoned representatives doing it numerous times also in London. Lillian and Mike Rumsey with Anja aka Ch Arnscroft Di Nah May and Darcy aka Kata Syndattir Av Fjeldvidda At Wheatshade (Imp Ned) joined them along with and first timers Kim Ainsworth and Ellie aka Leggatts Helena, Kim said Ellie enjoyed meeting her public. Toby of course won BP the next day in the breed. Nancy has not done DD for some years and said she could not believe how busy it was especially with the awful weather. The weather did improve in the afternoon but the snow came back with a vengeance the next day when we woke up to blizzard conditions. It was of course breed day and amazingly everyone made it with Penny and Tom Glibbery manning the breed booth with Indy aka Rikarlo Grant, Penny and Tom found the breed originally through DD. Lisa was feeling a bit better and came back and after watching the breed she joined Penny and Tom on the breed booth. When we left the hall, it was like a different month, most of the snow had disappeared an it was much warmer, that was short lived however as it started to freeze as soon as it was dark. The next day Sue Crocker and Jasmine Freeborn came back with Noor aka Knytshall Noor Ul Ain who had won the veteran bitch class on the Thursday and Noodle aka Leggatts Jive Talkin. They were joined by Lucy Beatrice Gilbert with Zuki aka Leggatts Fly Like An Angel she won the puppy bitch class the day before, and at the other end of the age scale there was Marinda Taylor Smith with Bulah aka Ch Ailort Just In Time who is 15yrs young, on the Sunday she also went into the Activities Ring and came out with a first in the ringcraft display, against all sorts. The last day saw Alex and Lisa come back with Loki, Lucy and Zuki were also back again and they were joined by our BOB winner Bergen with owners Marie and Adam Camm. I gather all 4 days were very busy with a great deal of interest in the breed. Virtually all the dogs that were on the breed booth were also successfully shown, which is a testament to the breed that one day they can be going round the breed ring and the next day spend being petted by numerous people and children. Thank you all so much your help on Discover Dogs, it is invaluable in keeping the breed going.
Keep safe everyone Covid is very much still around.
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