Hi Folks, the first milestone for the year has been reached and very successful with the Cirneco dominating the ring and winning Best Import Register at Crufts 2013 from an entry of 25. There were 20 Cirnechi entered winning 6 of the 8 classes. The principle winners were: Best puppy, Brown's Colistos Nando to Nakarat. Best Dog, Moore & Farleigh's Hadranensis Remo with BOB. Best bitch: Farleigh's H. Violetta via Kinabula. Full results can be found on Fossedata.

The ring was very well placed in the Hound area in Hall 5 next door to the Pharaoh ring so it was great for me to be able to set up in one place and keep an eye on both rings. This was an added bonus for people to be able to compare the Pharaoh with the Cirneco.

The spectators watching the judging were all very supportive for the Import Register breeds and it was good to see and meet some overseas exhibitors and visitors to the Cirneco. The breed is continuing to attract a great deal of interest from people wishing to find out more about the Cirneco with many people coming up to us during the day and asking questions about the breeds history and suitability as pets. Many people were surprised to hear that Cirneco’s are bred and are available in the UK. They must have assumed that because they are on the Import Register they were only to be found outside the Country, so more education is needed by the Kennel Club and the Cirneco dell’Etna Club to get the message across. Any potential owners should understand that the reason the breed is on the Import Register is because they have been established in this Country and that several breeders have taken up the breed to get it promoted and registered at the Kennel Club. The opportunity to obtain and own the Cirneco dell’Etna is already a reality in the UK. Admittedly they are few in number but for the breed to grow, potential owners need to know the availability is here in the UK and they can be a fantastic pet in any home.

From being on the Sunday last year to the Thursday this year, the difference in space to move around was welcomed when attempting to get 5 dogs and all the baggage in to the halls and then back out to head for home. Then in to the car park for a 2 hour sit in the van with a picnic of the days leftovers. I don’t know what had happened but the West Car Park was at stand still all the way on to the M42 slip road.

We returned on the Friday for shopping and to visit friends and must say that it was very pleasing to see on both days that the walkways and halls were being kept poo free. With so much going on and so many people to see it was two very long days. Once again the TV coverage of Crufts was great to be able to watch each evening. A little disappointing that the Import Register did not get much TV coverage and the lap of honour was not seen with the Groups.

Because it was the first time for the Import Register at Crufts, both main dog papers decided to launch features or supplements about the breeds from the Import Register. I feel this caused some dilution of support for the features which failed to make the real impact that a single concentrated feature would have had.

Crufts 2013 has been progress and can only take the breed forward which is all helped by the dogs themselves being such ambassadors and so self-promoting that people can not just walk past without being drawn in to say hello. (maybe it's us humans that are getting in the way).

Discover Dogs was another success for the Breed attracting more visitors to the booth all wanting to find out more and leaving educated and smiling. (hopefully the Club web site will have some of this years photos uploaded soon)

Just a note to confirm that the Cirneco dell’Etna Club AGM will be on the 26th May and not the 19th May as previously sent out via e-mail by the Club to it's members.

Only stepping forward

Jill Morris

jill@anharbn.com

11th March 2013