NORWEGIAN BUHUND
The Junior Handling Association was established to support Junior Handlers and has been running for over 50yrs, it hosts prestigious competitions such as the Junior Handling Association semi-finals leading to the UK Junior Handler of the Year. Handling gives children and teenagers their own pathway into the sport with competitions designed especially for them. The Association was founded by the late Joe Cartledge in the 1970s, with his wife Liz Cartledge continuing his work in encouraging the younger generation. The JHA sees hundreds of members compete in various competitions across the country each year, it has played a significant role in the development of junior handlers many of which have gone on to become top judges, breeders and exhibitors. A number of Buhund owners came up competing in Junior Handling Competitions. The FCI countries, the Canadian Kennel club all have junior handling as does the US where it is called Junior Showmanship, there it started at Westminster dog show in 1933 but was not full recognised till 1971.The ages at which handlers can compete tends to vary in different countries. In the UK the ages are 6-11yrs and 12-16yrs. There are 14semi finals each year leading to the final now held at the RKC building in Stoneleigh in conjunction with the Junior Warrant Semi Final. It was previously held at Discover Dogs in London until sadly that folded as it was deemed by the RKC to be too expensive to run. The winner of this competition becomes the Junior Handler of the Year and represents the UK in the International Junior Handling Competition at Crufts. The competition was held on Saturday 3rd of October, there were 14 handlers 12 girls and 2 boys. Of the finalists it was the first time for 6 handlers with 8 handlers having been in the final before. The judge was Sarah Robertson of the Soletrader affix she won the competition in 1990, and then went onto become the first ever UK winner of the International Junior Handling Competition at Crufts in 1991.Sara has been involved with dogs for over 40yrs starting with Rough Collies and now with her husband she is best known for Petit Basset Griffon Vendees having owned or bred 100 UK Champions including the Crufts BIS in 2013 and Westminster BIS winner in 2023.
Those of you who have not watched these competitions the judge shortlists 6 handlers from the 14. There is then a break while the six get used to a new dog, they only have a few minutes to do this and this year all the dogs were Portuguese Water Dogs (very kindly lent for the event by their owners). There was an occasion when it was held at DD when Buhunds were the second breed. Once the handlers have shown the second breed, they are reunited with their own dogs and go back in for the placings, the winner was Amelia Tatterson with her Siberian Husky. I watched the competition live and what made it special was that for the first time for several years we had a junior handler who had qualified. Unlike many handlers who have come from families that show, breed or judge, for 11 yr old Bethany Guillod -Rees none of these applied she has only been handling and showing for 4yrs, so to get to the final was a great achievement, she was handling her and her parents Draccus Obsidian At Bucameraru (Ruby). Their qualifying semifinal win was at National Working and Pastoral Breeds Ch show. They may not have made the shortlist but what a great experience, and lovely to have a Buhund in the ring and in the many photographs.
Afterwards Bethany sent me a few lines about the day.
“It was an early start to the day, instead of sleeping on the journey, I was reading Junior Handling -The White Way (a book on JH by Marina White) for last minute tips. We arrived amongst a mass of Irish Red Setters who were having a show in the hall next door. This made me happy as they are also one of my favourite breeds. It was a lovely welcoming atmosphere with lots of other handlers giving good luck cards and gifts to each other which was a peasant surprise! One card was a lovely personalised Buhund -Eris, I think! We were all given a JHA finalist hoodie as a keepsake. When it was my turn, Ruby behaved well, with her tail up most of the time, and happily went on the ramp. There were obviously some very good and experienced, and older handlers there and it was a tough competition. Sadly, I was not shortlisted, but I was really proud of Ruby and getting this far winning the semis at NWPBS. Afterwards we had some lovely group and individual picture taken out in the sunshine, which hopefully we can share soon. We will be taking a short break now from the showing until the YKC finals at Crufts in March”. Thank you Bethany you should be justly proud a great achievement you will have to write an article for Bu News with the photos.
The same day Plymouth & District Canine Society held its Premier Open Show at The Matford Centre Exeter. The Buhund and AV Pastoral judge was Tracey Hill she awarded BOB to Ann-Marie Taylor and David & Mary Taylor’s Ir Ch Frostisen Blakk Zitter (CW26) Penny and RBOB to Jacqui Walmsley and the Frostisen Kennel’s Trelowen Amelia At Frostisen (VW) Bunny, she was also 3rd in AV Pastoral Veteran, and 4th in the Good Citizen Stakes under Jan Reynolds. Penny was 3rd in AV Pastoral Champion and 4th in the Open Stakes under Nicky Mackey winning £10 pocket money. So, a good day all-round keeping the Buhund flag flying.
I am sure you have all seen the sad news of the passing of Jane Lilley, she was one of the dog world’s most respected people. An accomplished breeders, exhibitor and judge as well as a popular journalist with a wealth of knowledge. She awarded CCs in Buhunds, I remember the last time so well as we all sat around waiting be judged and talking about the virus in China that seemed to be spreading, that was at Manchester Ch show on 17thJan2020, three months later on 26th March we were all in lockdown.
Margaret Deuchar margaretdeuchar@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