FOR CIRNECO DELL'ETNA

OK yes, it's official, the world has ended - well the end of a year anyhow.
A very fast year which seemed to start with January then jump to March, September then December, the months only punctuated with Dog shows.
Once again Cirneco's dominated the Import Register Class's with Best of 'Breeds' for 2012.

I have not checked the entries for all shows but as a breed it was represented at almost all the Championship Shows where we had Hounds on the Import Register.
I'm not sure that the same could have been said about the few open shows that also schedule Import Classes. At last count there are approximately 40 Cirneco's that are eligible to enter shows but there were only the few who actually supported the breed so thanks to Jackie, Michelle, Diane and me. It was also pleasant to see during the year Jen & Bert (Bert having recovered from his operations), Angharad, Toni, Kirk, Cathy and Anna who popped up at the shows they were able to get too with their Cirneco.
The breed did it's bit for the Kennel Club supporting Discover Dogs at Crufts and Earls Court and with 3 new imports registered in 2012, this will keep the numbers flowing. No litters in the UK during 2012 not without trying but these girls just do not want to play ball and have regular seasons.
For me the year did have some trips out of the UK to see foreign Cirneco's and specially visiting Finland at the Specialty show near Helsinki in July and more recently back to Helsinki for the Finnish Winner and Helsinki Winner shows in December. This time an indoor venue (well it was -5 outside and 2' of snow). Being greeted so warmly when first arriving on day one just made the whole trip worth the effort. What a jolly group of people and dogs. It was down to business straight away with an early start and from the dogs 'Lucky del Borgo di Practica Anharbn' was best dog and Best of Breed. Cainnech Beautiful Bella won best bitch . Lucky also got short listed in the Group. Back to the hotel for an evening of contemplation over the days events with Jackie, Liisa and Riitta (Kimblewick). Day 2 another early start for the breed and once again Lucky winning Best male and Best of Breed with Tirsa Della Baia Delle Sirene winning best bitch. Later that day Lucky won 2nd in Group 5 which is a huge achievement. I was pleased with my efforts handling Jokinen and Tango in the breed classes although Jokinen was a bit of a challenge, known to his friends as 'the sandwich guy' as he stole sandwiches at a show once, on this occasion the Swedish meatball given to entice him was snatched in a second and straight down without touching the sides. It was strange to move around a ring that did not seem to have any sides just corner markers but I managed. The Group Ring was a delight to see with it's light show as the dogs entered and an actual band playing traditional music to compliment the judges nationality. The announcer was so good that she could have done the Euro-vision Song Contest. She made it so special to watch. I really enjoyed my weekend, the company was so welcoming and complemented with the party after judging. I was a little disappointed with the lack of stalls around the halls but still managed to get lost until found by a search party sent out to look for me. (I think they really thought I had run off with little Tango who was with me). I did take a camera and had promised to take lots of photos, which I did, even managed video. Just as to the "what you see is what you get" didn't always work but managed to extract some memories from the 200+ photo's. As for the 10min of video of the floor while watching the Group ring, well that's what the delete on a digital camera is for!!. The show was over 2 days and had an entry of approximately 16,000 dogs. The organisation was perfect, rings operated like clock work, well sign posted and as for the cleaning crews, not a dog mess or pee in sight. Congratulations Helsinki and also to 'Lucky' and Inka.

Next year this will be a 3 day show and is already in my diary.
So in summary a bit of a nothing year with some highlights. 2013 needs to take the breed forward starting with Crufts in March with the Import Classes. The schedules are out so if you have taken the trouble to qualify then get your entries done straight away.

Best Wishes to all the Cirneco's, their owners and all who just like to see the breed at shows.

Jill Morris

E-mail  ~Jill@anharbn.com

20th December 2012