Formerly published in Dog World.

Please note that I have removed all show results from these notes as they already appear in at least two other places on the Club website, so you’re just left with my ramblings. Any comments, do let me know!

Kay Barret

01422 844567

mail@stranwith.co.uk

No news this year – even the weather never changes. To me this is the worst sort of weather prolonged rain, usually accompanied by high winds. I’m fed up of washing and drying towels and beds. Deerhounds are not a good breed to have in wet weather as past the youngster stage, it is very hard to get them off their bed and outside if it’s bad. Even my youngster who, as a puppy and junior, could often be found knee deep in a muddy hole in the field, now says she is too grown up to even go into the yard as this is just not the weather for her. Well, they do say that dogs are like their owners. Personally I feel like hibernating, and only keep myself going with the thought that the days are now getting longer again and winter can only last another three months at the most. Can’t it … ?

Kay Barret

The acting treasurer of the club, Mark Cheshire, has asked me to remind you all that membership subscriptions to the Club are now due.  The current rates are £15 for single and £20 for a joint membership which should be sent to:

Mr Mark Cheshire
Acting Treasurer, The Deerhound Club
Bocyde
Weston Road
Loxton
Axbridge
N Somerset  BS26 2XD

Please remember to change any standing orders that you might have, by contacting your bank.

Kay Barret

20.2.07

Sorry for the lack of notes but I haven’t heard any news in the breed. Talking of other news though, opening Dog World is now getting as scary as opening a national newspaper – first the hunting with dogs ban, which has affected our breed, then tail-docking, which doesn’t affect us. However I can sympathise, having had tail injuries and knowing what a problem they are. It seems like the government are short of something to do if they have to look round for issues like these.

Then there is the amnesty for dangerous dogs in Liverpool, probably initiated for the right reasons but, like most incentives like these, not particularly effective because only the responsible owners comply, rather than the ones that the law is aimed at, so these will be as ineffective as gun amnesties.

I do wish that the Kennel Club would take a more pro-active role with the government and with education of the general public. The anti-dog lobby are gathering strength and sometimes it feels like there is no one fighting on our side.

Anyone got any more cheery news?

Kay Barret

01422 844567

14.3.07

Glenis Peach judged at Crufts and made the owners of at least three hounds very happy with their first big wins. She gave the BCC and BOB to Sue Hird’s Claonaiglen Albyn at Cloweswood, handled by John Francis. This was her first CC. She is just over two years old and was bred by Sally Parsons and Alan McKinnon, by Brackenford Dalesman at Claonaiglen x Killoeter Girzie at C.

It was also a first CC for John Wiggan’s Killoeter Grilse, winning the DCC. He was bred by Nell Wilson in 2002, and is by Almondbank Bran x Chapeltower Alba.

The RDCC, another first, went to David and Angela Hall’s Canerikie Crocodile Cooler and the RBCC went to Nicola and Glen Bailey’s Greyflax a Kind of Magic.

BP was Heather and Sarah Helps’ Greyfriars Gille of Beardswood.

I thought the Crufts coverage on TV was better than it has been, they seem to be trying to get it right at least and it improves every year with better commentary and sight of more of the breeds and the breed rings. I enjoyed watching it, just sorry I couldn’t be there.

Kay Barret

I usually don’t like ‘doggy’ programmes but thought I’d watch ‘The Underdog Show’ to see what it was about. When it comes to anything to do with obedience and training dogs on TV, they seem to studiously avoid having anything to do with hounds (probably with good reason!) so I was quite amazed that out of the line up there were twoish – an Afghan bitch and an Irish Wolfhound x German Shepherd (rather an attractive rough coated black and tan unexaggerated hound). Call me a cynic, but then I realised that they probably thought hounds were ideal, as they would make it difficult and therefore entertaining.

I would have been happier if the handlers had all actually liked dogs but at least one made it clear he didn’t.

I thought the Afghan did rather well but sadly was voted off. I suspect it was because her handler was unpopular. In fact he ought to have been the most popular because right at the end he said that he’d been looking for a dog and was going to keep her. I hope any Afghan people watching, who might have been worried at first, were satisfied to know she’d have a life of luxury from now on. It was nice to know there was at least one happy ending.

Kay Barret

I was surprised at all the criticism of Scottish Breeds championship show, a show I’ve always liked. I hope that none of the complaints were from Deerhound people.

Deerhounds have coped with the balcony for as many years as I can remember and at one time were judged up there too – not the ideal ring as it had pillars in it but almost like having a private venue, no one minded at all.

My sympathies go to any disabled people, but I know that anyone would give them a hand or find them benching at ground level. For the rest, keeping an active breed like Deerhounds or Gordon Setters should mean that you are fit enough to get your dogs and belongings up and down a flight of stairs.

I hope that what is becoming a national tendency to complain is not going to hit the show world too. It is hard to find venues and people willing to run shows and we should be complimenting them for all their hard work.

Kay Barret

This year the Breed Show was held in Bromsgrove, at the Bromsgrove Hotel. Sadly I had to miss it this year but I’m told the staff were friendly and the weather was kind.

On the Friday as usual the AGM was held in the afternoon and resulted in three new members of the committee – Hazel Williams, who will be the Treasurer of the Club, David Murray and Joss Duddell. One person missing was Kenneth Cassels, who was in hospital for a hip replacement. He is now out and doing well.

On the Friday evening there was a Sixties evening with a band and fancy dress. There was also a young magician going round the tables impressing everyone with his tricks.

On the Saturday, a good ring was set up on part of the car park. Bryan Doak judged the dogs and gave BD to Jean and Robin Spencer’s Gentom Orlando of Talgavar, with RBD going to Elaine Day’s Demerlay Dorian Grey at Celticmoon.

Joss Duddell judged the bitches and gave BB and, with the agreement of Bryan, BIS to Sue Hird’s Claonaiglen Albyn at Cloweswood, shown by John Francis.

RBB went to her litter sister, Sally Parsons and Alan McKinnon’s C Orrin. BPIS was Helga Jansons’ Nixophel Crystal Amethyst.

The show dinner on the Saturday evening was followed by the annual trophy presentation. The Geltsdale trophy is still missing – another plea here for if anyone has any idea what has happened to it, please get in touch.

On Sunday Dr Margery McKinnon was the show referee and judged the special classes. The prestigious Rotherwood Stakes was won by Joan Wragg’s Neroche Halistra.

A great deal of effort goes into the running of the Breed Show and thanks must go to show secretary Joyce Bond and show managers Geoff and Jenny Grimshaw, assisted by John Francis and Dee Blatchford, for all their hard work.

Kay Barret

mail@stranwith.co.uk

John Francis and Dee Blatchford have written to say that they have had to have their champion Glantonmoor Aluinn (bred by Ros Brooks) put to sleep at eight years old. Last summer he had to have an operation to remove torn muscle from his hip and as a result of the sedatives given to him by the vet after the operation, he had fits every four or five hours for a couple of days. He made a slow but full recovery from this but then nine months later he had some more fits and his temperament changed, he was very disorientated and he became a different dog. Sadly the decision had to be made, for his own sake and that of the rest of the household, to have him put to sleep. He loved showing, winning his first CC as a junior and going on to win 11 in total. He had a larger than life personality and will be greatly missed at home where he was top dog.

Kay Barret

21.5.07

Diana Durman-Walters has telephoned to extend an invitation to any Deerhound owners living in the vicinity of Reading. There will be a Festival of Falconry at the Englefield Estate at Theale, near Reading on July 14th and 15th and, although it is primarily about falconry, it is also covering man’s relationship with hunting dogs from early history to the modern day.

Deerhounds were not instrumental in falconry directly but they, like many of the ancient breeds, were involved in early forms of hunting. The relationship between some sight hounds and falconry is interwoven through the centuries and it is this aspect that they would like to have symbolised at the festival.

Diana said they would therefore be most grateful if any members would be able to represent their breed by appearing with their hounds. This would need to be an experienced Deerhound owner who can answer questions on the breed, as it may be similar to Discover Dogs, and it could be either one or both days. If you can, please contact Diana on 01267 233864.

Anyone else is very welcome to go to the event, which is near Junction 12 on the M4.

For further information, go to www.falconryfestival.com

Kay Barret

01422 844567

30.5.07

Nicola and Glen almost didn’t go to SKC, after tragically losing their Ch G Skylark at just eight and a half. She had always had a healthy life until the week before when the vet diagnosed cardiomyopathy, though thought with treatment she would be able to lead a normal life. Sadly this was not to be and they lost her.

Home-bred, she was their first big winner, with 12 CCs and the enormous distinction of winning two consecutive Breed Shows in 2004 and 2005. She was very special to them and, despite being the quiet one of the household, will leave the greatest gap.

Prospective owners of Deerhounds tend to shy away from the fact that their life expectancy is not as great as some other breeds, though is reasonably good for a giant breed. Many of the breeds that live longer, still only have the same number of years of active healthy life but then go gradually downhill for five or six years, losing mobility and senses. Deerhounds, in the vast majority of cases, lead a fit, active and healthy life for at least eight to ten years until they suddenly succumb to some, often unusual, illness and go very quickly. This is much better for them and they have quality of life until that time, which is the important thing. However it is always heartbreaking for those that they leave behind.

Kay Barret

I think that Deerhounds are not a smelly breed at all and one can put one’s nose right into their coat without finding anything offensive (unless they’ve found something revolting while out).

I have a bitch called Canna who doesn’t even smell like other Deerhounds.

I’ve never thought to mention it before, but I was reminded at Blackpool, when for the first time I saw Canna’s brother and it occurred to me to sniff him to see if there was any familial similarity. (There wasn’t, although he did smell nice!)

But the thing is that Canna doesn’t smell like any Deerhound I’ve ever had, in fact she doesn’t smell like a dog at all, ever. She has a very distinctive smell, especially on top of her head, but it’s more like a perfume of sorts. It’s very difficult to describe a smell, but the nearest thing I could suggest would be patchouli (and I’ve never had any in the house – and she does smell like this all the time, wet or dry).

I would love to hear from any of you who have had similar experiences at any time.

Kay Barret

South Eastern Hound Club are holding their celebration 40th Open show on 2nd September at Bewbush, Crawley, West Sussex and it is also their 3rd Premier Show – to celebrate the occasion they are offering cake and bubbly for everyone plus lots of sponsorship, prize money, prizes and goodies. Founder member Dagmar Kenis is kindly judging BIS. Traditionally they have ringside parking, gazebos and sunshine and many people take picnics.

For a schedule please telephone Val & Gordon Meer on 01435 868408 or Joyce Ridley on 02083 046976 or e-mail southeasthound@AOL.Com - schedules can also be downloaded from www.fossedata.co.uk and will be available at the Hound Show.

I am very grateful to Linda Aldous who, as well as sending me the above information, also contacted me regarding my Canna, who I wrote about in regard to her perfume. She mentioned that she has had Afghans for 35 years and has come across, very rarely, ‘perfumed’ Afghans. She says she first noticed in 1970 when she went to kiss her friend’s Afghan on the head and remarked that she must be wearing perfume, to be told by her owner that she always smelled like that. Since then she has come across a rare few, always bitches.

Gabriele Schroter has also written from Germany to say she has had a number of sighthound breeds and owned a cream Afghan dog who was perfumed. She has also heard of a number of other Afghans with this smell, particularly on their heads, and usually cream coloured. She says she remembers it as a mixture of eucalyptus and sweet hay and that it is always with the dog, whether dry or wet.

Canna’s aroma is nothing like eucalyptus, but is certainly sweet and slightly spicy. It is certainly always there, wet or dry.

It would be interesting to know if it occurs within certain lines and if it is just in sighthounds.

Kay Barret

mail@stranwith.co.uk

Leeds show has always seemed to be one of those that is always warm and sunny but, as with most other shows this summer, not this year. I felt very sorry for those who had anything to do with organising it (and other shows too) having to cope with the mud and car parks. There was a delay in getting into the estate and cars sliding on the way into the car parks. However by lunch time truck loads of bark chippings had been put down and it was relatively easy to get out.

Looking at the state of the ground, and this only the second day, it was no surprise to hear that they decided to cancel the Game Fair, though rather disappointing as it’s a wonderful day out with Deerhounds represented along with the other sporting breeds and the first year that I’d bothered to get advance tickets!

Kay Barret

15.8.07

I have just heard of the death on August 1st of Sharon McCrea of the Rohannis affix.

She was 51 and had been ill for about nine months. She didn’t show very much but her stock is in a number of pedigrees, particularly in Scotland. She had a litter by Shenval Druid, a son from which accidentally mated his mother to produce the Rohannis R litter. I can remember a puppy bitch class at Border Union where all six puppies entered and present were from this litter and like peas in a pod, as you might expect, and very appealing. Brian Spiers had R Righa from this litter, who went on to win a CC.

After Cath Keeley died, Sharon very kindly hand-reared a litter for Frank after their mother rejected them.

Our sympathy goes to Ian at this sad time.

Kay Barret

mail@stranwith.co.uk

NUTRITION ARTICLE FOR DOG WORLD

DEERHOUNDS

As this breed may be liable to distension, I think it best to feed quality rather than quantity and so from the time they are off puppy and junior food (fed more or less to appetite up to eighteen months), I feed the same food all their life - a reasonably high protein complete food that is fairly concentrated as I want to ensure that the stomach is not overloaded. Personally I feed a 27% protein racing greyhound food.

Deerhounds are not greedy feeders as adults and so unlikely to want to overeat and, unless getting vast amounts of exercise, need relatively little food for a large breed, though I strongly believe it should be of high quality.

Over seven years of age, when their interest turns to more sedentary pastimes like lazing on a sofa (though this is always a favourite) and mooching around hedgerows rather than racing around, eating comes higher on their agenda, and therefore it is usually necessary to reduce food intake as they may get overweight. (This is tempting for owners that have struggled to keep weight on them when they were younger, but not good for them in the long run). Exercise shouldn’t be strenuous but is still important to keep joints and muscles in good condition.

I would not use a diet specially formulated for older dogs as I have not had a problem with the diet I use and it is better when one has a number of dogs to feed them on the same diet so as not to cause dissatisfaction in those who would think the grass is always greener, or another’s bowl is more tasty.

Unless one has an oldie with a genuine dietary problem, I think special foods unnecessary and prefer to adjust the normal diet according to the weight of the hound in question and find them other things of interest to chew, important in an older hound to keep teeth in good condition.

Kay Barret

For those of you who are thinking of going to Lodge Park on Sunday, please be aware that due to new health and safety regulations, there will be no food available on the day. Gill Smith rang me about this and is very concerned that people may turn up expecting the hog roast as advertised or other refreshments. It sounds like it might be a good time to organise a late summer picnic!

Please note that the email address for Sue Reynolds, in the Breed Show 2008 information printed in the current Club newsletter is incorrect. It should read suereynolds-wickwar@blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks to everyone who wrote to me about perfumed Deerhounds, or dogs in general. There were some from the gundog group as well as hounds and new-mown hay was the predominant scent though there were other descriptions too. No one actually came up with a theory of why these individuals should smell of anything other than dogs – perhaps we need some scientific input.

Kay Barret

01422 844567

19.9.07

Sue Phillips won BV with Ch K Grey Ghost of Ladygrove and went on to win BVIG and then returned on the Sunday to win BVIS, a great achievement. As I’ve said before, I wish more older Deerhounds were shown, as used to be the case.

The Deerhound Club will be holding a seminar on Sunday 21st October, 10am until 4pm at Stoke Goldington Village Hall, Buckinghamshire MK16 8NR.

There will be a talk on Natural Healing for animals and owners with Aloe Vera. There will also be a session on understanding the Breed Standard, then in the afternoon a Kennel Club hands on assessment, for which there will be limited places which must be pre-booked. Lunch and refreshments will be available.  For more information ring Joyce Bond 01284 729142 or Rosie Sharp 01604 862360.

Kay Barret

mail@stranwith.co.uk

If anyone would like to be on the Judges’ List, would they please contact Sid Taylor for an application form as soon as possible. Her phone number is 01620 822180 or, preferably, email her at lyart@countryside-inter.net and put Deerhound Club Judges’ List in the subject line so that she knows it’s not spam.

The South East Hound Club are holding a seminar on Saturday 20th October at Joydens Wood Community Centre, Birchwood Drive, Wilmington, Dartford, Kent DA2 7NE. The subjects are Kennel Club Stewards, KC Conformation Hands-on and a workshop with Liz Dunhill on ‘Getting the best out of your dog’. There will be an optional light lunch. For more information please contact Linda Aldous on 01424 217796 or email shalar@madasafish.com

Kay Barret

01422 844567

The seminar has been cancelled due to lack of numbers. This is such a pity as such a lot of work goes into seminars and the best can be of enormous benefit and very enjoyable. Seminars used to be very well attended in the past so what has changed? Maybe the fact that everyone struggles to fit everything in these days, however people continue to go to shows, so it can’t be just that. They used to be called teach-ins, which does sound more user-friendly and more sociable. Maybe some subjects would attract members more. Let me know what subjects would get you out of bed at the weekend – or what do you feel you need to know more about?

Kay Barret

01422 844567

Kay Barret

Jean Rhodes has asked me to thank everyone who sent cards and good wishes or telephoned during her stay in hospital recently. She still has to take it easy at home and so Tom, with the help of grandson DJ, is having to cope while Jean gets increasingly frustrated at having to take it easy.

I have just heard that Brian Allwright has been having a fairly horrid time with
cardio vascular problems in recent weeks, including a spell in intensive
care. He is now home, but not back to full strength.

Eddie Hogan is also about to go into hospital to have a knee replacement operation. It was nice to see Lesley at Midland Counties as they don’t get to shows as often as they used to.

I’m sure you’ll join me in sending them all our best wishes and hope they are feeling better soon.

Kay Barret

mail@stranwith.co.uk

28.11.07

Recently I visited the offices of Opera North, based in Leeds and, while waiting in reception, I was amazed to see, on a shelf in the cabinet opposite displaying various trophies, a bronze Deerhound – the last place I expected to see such a thing!

There was no more information with it but later I managed to find someone who promised to find out a bit more about it.

The Deerhound 'trophy' was a Prudential Award for opera which they won in 1993 in recognition of innovation, creativity, excellence and accessibility. It was made by the sculptor Sally Matthews, whose work mostly centres around animals. They can only assume that she chose the design herself when commissioned to do a trophy by Prudential, who awarded the trophy.

Deerhounds turn up in the strangest places!

Kay Barret

01422 844567

Could members of the Deerhound Club please send in their wins for the following

trophies –

THE DEERHOLT - wins of Best of Breed at Open Shows scheduling five or

more breed classes. Champions are not eligible.

THE ST. ANDREWS CHALLENGE CUP - wins in Variety Classes - placings at

Open and Championship Shows to be listed.

THE PENTLANDS TROPHY - placings at Open and Championship Shows to be

listed. Confined to members who have not owned a Champion in the breed.

THE ROB ROY CUP - wins at Championship Shows . The owner having joined the Deerhound Club in 2006

Please send BOB wins and placings to the Cup Steward : Mrs N MacBean

Killoeter Cottage , The Red Road , Cardross , Argyll and Bute G82 5HH by

20th. January.

Classes have been put on at the Swansea and District CC and Jacqui Murray is the judge. Please contact Robin Paisey for details.

May I wish you all a very merry Christmas – don’t forget to keep chocolate, nuts, raisins and grapes, all of which contain toxins (and probably anything else that you want to keep for yourself!) out of the reach of your Deerhounds, especially puppies, who are bound to be more experimental.

Kay Barret

mail@stranwith.co.uk