All ready for Crufts, sandwich's made, instructions clearly laid out for those staying at home. Sorted out the most comfortable shoes, SKY box set to record the TV coverage and all set for a very long day of dogs and talking.

All the best to all that are going to make the annual trip to Crufts. I hope that you get what you want and have an enjoyable day if not enjoy your dog anyway.

Mr Steve Hall has an entry of 25 covering all the hound breeds on the IR.

The run up to Crufts also trigger's the start of a new show season. (Yes, I know we have some shows early in the year but Crufts is the real start). It also seems to be the time when we reflect on the past, old photos start to appear on Facebook or it may be just part of the Spring cleaning when the 2012 catalogues and all the doggy paperwork are put in order and boxed.

It's also the time to look forward, dates in calendars and diaries for the shows but for us on the Import Register we have to wait for the schedule to be released so we can see who the judge will be and possible order of judging, as the Kennel Club only publish the judges for the CC breeds for each show in advance. That’s just another price the breed has to pay for being 2nd class.  I know that 2013 will see some changes for the Import Register at key shows giving a little more recognition and support for our status, more on that as it becomes official.

It's always uplifting when you get more than you expected. I attended the Mexican Hairless Club (UK) breed seminar last week at KC building in Stoneleigh. A breed that has intrigued me and with them also being on the Import Register, I thought I would give it some support. Ms Ia Backstrom from Sweden gave the presentation. She presented the breed combining the FCI and UK (Provisional) standards but also explained various aspects of a breeds structure and it's impact on the breed. This was excellent and so well explained with the graphics and photos.

The knowledge and understanding of the relationship that any slight changes to the skeletal structure related to all breeds and it's impact on the movement and conformation made very interesting learning.

I thought we had it tough with a short coated breed but when you can see every wrinkle literally on a dog including scratches, abrasions, spots and all, there is nowhere to hide and so conformation is everything. Then you look a lot more closely at the skeleton of your own dogs to view it's potential for the ring or breeding. Well done to the Mexican Hairless Club (UK) for a well organised and presented seminar. It was also nice to speak to the owners and breeders who have the same issues with being such a small genetic breed and classified as Provisional with the Kennel Club. It confirms that WE ARE NOT ALONE.

The date for the Cirneco dell’Etna Club AGM has been set at the 26th May,Earlswood Methodist Church, Solihill, B94 5JH. It is a dog-friendly venue with use of a field for some doggie activities in the afternoon.  A program for the day will be issued closer to the day with the official paperwork.

Enjoy yourselves out there

Jill Morris

jill@anharbn.com

1st March 2013