FOR CIRNECO DELL'ETNA

At Border Union, Anharbn Bluebayou at Allanbru won Best Import Bitch and BOS for Cathy Allan and Alan Leach.

Many congratulations and thank you for supporting the import classes with our breed.

The first half of the year has been busy with registrations now up to 16 with a further 6 born recently.

The Green litter is all settled now in their new homes and the Purple litter will be leaving after the BBQ/FUNDAY in June. Still no peace yet as we have the Orange litter to socialise and get ready for their new homes. Approximately 9 of these new puppies will be exhibited here in the UK and 1 will be campaigned abroad. I am adding three to my brood still allowing enough room for the new male coming at the end of this summer.

I have been quite disappointed in the reaction of some societies which whilst taking our entry fees (same price as non-CC breeds) we do not seem to be given much consideration when it comes to the group. We are only allowed to do a lap of honour, which suits some of us as we do not have to wait for the whole group to be done before starting off, on what is sometimes a very long journey home. However, we do have to be ready when called for the collecting ring and await the rest of the group dogs and judge during which time the handlers are seated under their breed name tags. It would be nice to have the same recognition by the societies by providing not only a chair but also an 'Import Register' name tag, which I have not yet come across at any show. I understand that not many import register winners stay for the group but neither do some breed winners. You as Societies, do benefit from our entry fee.

I am also still at a loss with the Kennel Club as to why the Import breeds cannot compete in the stakes classes, especially the Breeders stakes. Winning these classes does not affect the group or Best in Show so why should we be penalised. Junior Handling is also being restricted to shows that have import classes only. This cuts out a great deal of open shows which are the learning ground for many juniors.

With the cost of entries continuously rising, we pay the same fee as many other breeds and AVNSC but get 'no frills'. This is down to the societies themselves. Today, my attention was drawn to the entry fee at 'The Houndshow' the show that is run by hound people for hound people....hmmm.

CC entries £22. import register £20. now come on, this is getting ridiculous, £2 difference between a dog that can gain a Champion title and Best in Show compared to a dog that can win Best Import and NOTHING ELSE.

At this rate, there will be less Imports attending so less money in the society pot which has a knock-on effect of less interest in a new breed, lower registrations etc etc.

All breeds started somewhere back in the early days yet we are faced with this 'why bother' attitude today as if we don't count for anything.

Benching is another problem facing us. Usually we are benched in some far off tent miles away from our ring. Bath Championship is a prime example here. Benched in the far tent in the far corner yet we are to show in the BIS ring. No cages are allowed near the ring and no time allowed to travel back to the bench to change exhibit. My own dogs of which the society accepted four entry fees, had to stay in their crates outside the ring in the poring rain due to them being exhibited in almost consecutive classes. I am trying to help establish this breed in the UK by exhibiting and showing people the breed but I am constantly shoved in corners and rushed through classes which don't seem to matter to many.

Please give the Imported breeds the same considerations that you would give to any other breed.

Jill Morris

Jill@anharbn.com

22nd June 2011