NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS
For some time, the KC has offered breed celebration lunches, those interested in a breed attend a lunch which includes a tour of the Photo and Book Library and the Gallery, during which they try to show those attending anything they have on your breed. We had been planning to do this just before the pandemic stopped everything, but finally on August 21st Buhund owners and those who just love the breed made their way to the Royal Kennel Club in Mayfair from the North, South, East, West and Wales, by train, coach and car. For some it was a very early start, but I think all who came thought it was well worth the early start. Ian Joyce came which was lovely as he had the last Buhund hearing dog, Hettie bred by Michael Quinney she was by Kirsty’s Tapui Tane, Dr Ruth Price who used to work for hearing dogs and had two failed hearing dogs Tean and Venn also came and was able to sign for Ian, so he did not miss anything. We started with Heidi Hudson Curator of the Photographic Collection, some of the photographs have been donated by various people, including dog clubs, and breeders, and they are always happy to accept photographs, books and articles. Heidi said they were very pleased to be able to obtain the Dog World archives when the paper closed. Commercial photography started in 1850, and when photos were taken at Crufts there were probably only 5 rolls of film, now it is all digital and this year at Crufts 6000 digital photographs were taken. Queen Victoria was one of the first people to be photographed with her dogs, it was at a time that she was grieving as a widow after losing her husband Albert, and it showed her closeness to her dogs, and from then on people wanted to be photographed with their dogs. Diane Pearce was a very well-known photographer of dogs in the 70s and 80’s, she would take her cat with her, and we were shown photos of dogs with out seeing the cat and then the same dog when they could see the cat, the change in expression in the dogs was obvious! There are requests from all over the world for photos of certain dogs. One request form Australia came from a daughter requesting a photo of her mother’s dog competing at Crufts, they could not find a photo of the dog but did find the dog entered in a Crufts catalogue, so they sent the daughter a photo of it. The daughter was thrilled as she had been adopted and dog belonged to her birth mother, who apparently had only shown dogs as a cover as she worked for MI5! One of the most prized photos is one of an early retrieved type depicted from the first show in Newcastle in 1859. We also visited the library where there are books on every recognised breed, dog breeding and pedigrees, veterinary care, canine research material, various activities and of course dogs in art and literature. There were also rare dog books including the oldest De Canibus Britannicis (of English Dogges ) Dr John Caius 1570 it is so delicate we were not allowed to touch it, we were shown one particular page which showed almost the first groups ,the dogs were divided into gundogs, terriers, greyhounds and spaniels although there were not really approved of as it was not felt they were working dogs. There was also an exhibition showing the beginning of marketing and how pictures of puppies were used to sell products, it also showed the different advertising across the UK and the World. There were really old advertisements dating back to the mid-19th century, one showing the Spratt’s Pet Food, created by James Spratt his was the first commercial dog biscuit in 1862 , now there is more up to date advertising using water bowls, toys, badges and in some cases art work ,all helping to promote things that dogs might need .We then went into the Gallery for a tour with Marianne Walker, can’t say much about the Gallery except you need to go and see it for yourself, it is fantastic so many wonderful paintings and trophies and of course the Keddel Memorial Trophy for Best In Show At Crufts, apparently there is another one owned by a Brass Band! The oldest item the Kennel Club has is a Celtic coin dating back to AD 8-AD41. It had the image of a Hound on one side and the ‘Inscription of King of the Britons Cunobeline’ on the other, the name means Strong Dog, he was a king of pre Roman Britian. It was found on the bank of the Thames by someone searching for items that they could sell and was discovered at Bermondsey Antique Market. It is thought it would have been worn as a piece of jewellery. One of the most interesting paintings entitled ‘An Early Canine Meeting’ dated 1855 which shows the early beginnings of dog showing. They were often held in boxing clubs with members showing their dogs usually terriers. After the tours we went for a lovely 3 course meal with wine and coffee to follow in the member’s lounge. Most of us then made our way back to the Library and Gallery for more research. It really was a lovely day and David, and I were very spoilt as it was our 60th Wedding Anniversary present from daughter Debbie and she drove us there and back which was fantastic. The Gallery and Library are open Mon to Fri, and you can visit for free by appointment, so if you are in London I recommend you find time to visit.
I finish with the very sad news that Driffield Ch show had to be cancelled due to wind damage on the show ground, for those who do not know the show it is held on Wetherby Racecourse so very exposed to the wind , safety must come first but sympathies go to all involved knowing all the hard work that goes into the running of any show let alone a Ch show .
Margaret Deuchar margaretdeuchar@gmail.com