Norwegian Buhund

Breed Notes 9th April 2021 Margaret Deuchar

NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS

You will have read or heard I am sure that Windsor Ch show has now also been cancelled as they had problems securing the infrastructure they needed. It should have been the first show this year with CCs for the breed. I was sad as not only is it my favourite show as I love the setting just below Windsor Castle, but it is also my local show and this year I should have been judging. Most of you know that judges are booked several years in advance, I feel sorry for show committees as they try and sort out future judging appointments, also it is very disappointing for the judges that have not judged before and those that were giving CCs for the first time. The judges for Crufts are often booked 5yrs in advance as I was and I am sure those that have never judged at Crufts will have really been looking forward to it, although the pandemic must has caused some worries.

In my notes last week, I mentioned an Elkhound breeder and Exhibitor in the US who reads my notes and has followed the breed since her trip to Crufts in 1976, where she purchased some memorabilia. One of those was a figurine of a Buhund, lying as so many of them do with its legs stretched out behind them, it is how Time lies it is also nearly the same colour as him, so when the figurine was offered it to me, I had to say yes. Some of you who that have Buhunds and Elkhounds may know the name Maggie Mott, whose affix is Kamgaard and who has been breeding Elkhounds since 1964. You know I am always interested in Affixes, and Maggie told me that apart from using “K’s” in the registered names for show/breeding stock, they try to incorporate both names of the sire and dam in the name of the offspring or make some reference to it, not the easiest thing to do. Maggie also told me that her interest in Buhunds led to her judging at a show which she believes was the first speciality show for the Norwegian Buhund Club of America in 1998, although of course at that time it was not AKC sanctioned, as they did not have Championship status. The show was held in upstate New York and organised by Jan Barringer. The setting was in an old resort hotel in some rugged country, and to Maggie it felt as though they were in a Norwegian forest setting. A lovely dinner followed with all the participants staying and having a good time There were a good number of dogs entered from the US and Canada and although the type was somewhat varied, Maggie said she did find some individuals for the top awards. This show was one of the requirements which added greatly to the NBCA and the breed eventually being recognised by the AKC a few years later, and Maggie was pleased to have helped in this way. Only a month or so previously said she had won the American National Speciality with their Elkhound ‘BS’ (SBIS/UBIS American /Canadian/Bermudian Ch Windy Cove Norgren Wild Pride) under a well-respected Norwegian breeder/hunter and he had been taken along to the show for the ride. BS was quite taken with the Buhunds and flirted with some of the bitches! Maggie ended her email by saying she was going out to shovel snow, which was falling rapidly, the date was April 1st, but it was not an April fool unfortunately! Something we may be doing soon as we are meant to be having an Artic blast this week.

I finish with the sad news that another well known Buhund has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Di Stirling has had to say goodbye to her Ch/Ir Ch Arnscroft Kimura (Kato). Born on the 8th of February 2009 he was by Nor /Int Ch Kimura’s Didrik x Nor Ch Kimura’s Frida (Imp Nor). He was BP at Crufts in 2010 and he went onto win 5CCs and 11Rccs and gained his Irish title, he did not really enjoy showing so retired early from the ring. He sired two litters and produced three Champions when mated to Ch Arnscroft Di-Nahs -Mite the breed record holder. Neil Hood’s Ch Arnscroft Di Nah Sawr Us Rex ShCM VW and Di’s Ch Arnscroft Di or Comply, and across the pond the Am Gr Ch Arnscroft Di Sing An Aire owned by Joy Arney Fowler.

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.