NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS
I am writing these notes on the first weekend in May, there were no Ch shows scheduled, but the following Friday 8th May would have been Pastoral day at Birmingham National, and VE day with the May Bank Holiday day being moved to the Friday. The National had planned a special VE Day Anniversary show, with ‘Vera Lynn’ opening the group proceedings every evening, and a parade by the Staffordshire regimental Mascot ‘Watchman’ the Staffordshire Bull Terrier & his handler Greg Hedges in full military regalia, a Fancy Dress Competition and Best VE Day Trade stand. Sadly of course none of this can now happen, but they have announced a VE Day Photo Competition. Just email a photo of you and your dog dressed up in your outfit of the VE era. Post them on the Anniversary album on the Birmingham National FB page, Val Foss is the judge. Entries close at midnight on the 9th May so be quick.
Born during the war I actually remember VE day, although living in Worthing in Sussex, there were not the celebrations that there were in London, but I remember my mother hanging out flags and asking her why, she said the war had ended but I had no idea what she meant. I had only known running home if the air raid siren went or being carried to the air raid shelter if it went off at night, I had a Mickey Mouse gas mask which happily was never needed, and even my doll had a ration book!
The Animal Health Trust has issued a statement which says, ‘further to the announcement on 22nd March 2020 that the AHT was facing imminent closure, the Trustees and Executive Committee are continuing to work towards a long–term strategy to save the charity. In the meantime, the AHT continues to make use of the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. A decision on the long-term future of the AHT is now expected at the end of May.’ For all concerned we can only hope that the charity is saved, we were hoping that sometime in the future they might find a DNA test Hereditary Cataract in the Buhund and could use the money we invested in their Give A Dog A Gnome.
Last week I said I would print the article Jacqui Cobb sent me about her affix, so here it is:- Knytshall:-I have been asked several times where does the affix Knytshall come from, and how do you pronounce it; so now in lock-down I have no excuse not to sit at the computer and explain. My original was Kibagare, but that was many years ago, a continent away and a very different breed. In my late teens and early twenties I had ‘Alsatians’, beautiful level top lined animals so different from the German Shepherds of today. By the 1980’s I had moved continents and breed, now with Borzois I needed to register an affix with the Kennel Club. Naturally I wanted my original affix, but the Kennel Club said no, although I don’t remember why, so I had to think of something else. At the time I was a teacher/resident house mistress at an International 6th form college that was housed in a Georgian mansion. Like many other Georgian mansions this one was merged with a much older pre-Tudor Manor house, and my flat occupied the original pre-Tudor kitchen, and our staff room cum dining room was the great hall where the knights of old held sway. I decided that Knight’s hall but spelt all as one word, Knightshall would be a great affix, and it certainly reflected the elegance of the Borzois. Again, I was frustrated by the Kennel Club. I could not have Kibagare,and I could not have Knightshall. Next I tried Knihtshall –No. So it was after various permutations of spelling that the KC finally granted me the affix Knytshall pronounced Knight’s Hall, even if the spelling is a bit awry.’ Thanks Jacqui.
There are a number of fantastic dog owners all over the country, including Buhund owners who for a few weeks now have been making scrubs, masks, bags, and hats for hospitals, care homes, paramedics and medical centres masks, which as you can imagine are so necessary and very welcome.
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.