FOR CIRNECO DELL'ETNA

Firstly the Show news – At Bath Championship show Anharbn White Wedding took Best Import Register, her first show after having her puppies. Anharbn White Tiger was Best Dog. At Southern Counties, Anharbn White Rose was awarded the Best Import Register and on Wednesday at Three Counties, Anharbn White Wedding became Best Import Register and Anharbn White Tiger the Best Dog.

At Three Counties our Judge Mr Andrew Brace took a particular interest in finding out a little more about the breed. It was also rewarding that the Commentator in the Best in Show Ring for the Lap of honour actually gave time for us and recited some facts and a little detail about the breed to the audience waiting for the Hound Group to start.

I believe that the breed is starting to find some support and followers around the main shows which then brings me on to the whole topic about the Import Register.

Donna Cawley from the (IMA) Mexican Hairless has set up 'The Import Register Support Group' (IRSG) which has been created to support and assist people and their dogs who are currently on the "Import Register" in the UK. The IRSC can be found on facebook, where you will also find a petition which if you are in agreement with the content and are prepared to sign, will help show the Kennel Club the level of support that the breeds on the Import Register have.

The aims of the group are to get the Kennel Club to allow Import Register breeds to enter AVNSC and Stakes Classes at shows. The increased choice of classes will also allow any Junior Handlers to compete in Junior Handling classes if there are no IR classes scheduled at the show, which they are currently unable to do.

Allow the "Best Import Register" to compete in the Group competition. Schedule Import Register classes at Crufts. Publish clear Criteria for progression off the Import Register. At present the only guidance we have is "When the Kennel Club feel the breed is ready". Give full consideration to Import Register Support Group's proposals and give transparent feedback on each of the above proposals if it feels our requests cannot be granted.

The Cirneco dell’Etna Club has also opened a facebook page, details on the website.

The Anharbn pup’s are all growing and starting to leave for their new homes. It is exhausting just trying to keep up with them, endless newspaper and mopping but well worth it when you start to see the characters appearing especially little Kevin (the fruit bat). He may be the smallest little man around but he sure makes up for it with character and being the first in to the food.

Jill Morris

Jill@anharbn.com

13th June 2011