Hello to all Canaan followers.
When exhibiting a rare breed with, perhaps, not the best reputation in the showing fraternity, positive feed back is always welcomed. It was truly wonderful to speak to Sue Dykes again at the Scottish Kennel Club. She has judged the breed twice in recent years and has first-hand experience of visiting the original Shaar Hagai Kennels in Israel in her younger days. To have her complement our dog and pass on appreciation of him from a previous group judge is so rewarding and means we are not necessarily fighting a loosing battle, to have the breed viewed in a positive light in the world of exhibiting.
I asked a question on Facebook for owners and exhibitors in the US about who were owner handlers and who paid for a professional to exhibit their dogs. There was a mixed set of answers. Some feeling that to get any awards above best of breed in their herding group, a handler was essential especially on the west coast. Many have had a good level of success and their larger shows do also have more exhibitors than even our Crufts. As far as I can remember there has only been one dog exhibited here and at Crufts in this way and on that day, he was awarded Best of Breed. When a well-known international handler is used here or abroad, does it take away the joy of winning any awards? It often leaves a question was it the handler or the dog? Could the dog have achieved so much with the owner? As was pointed out the professional handlers practice and practice. Its their job to get the dogs in the ‘ribbons’ and make the most of what nature has given them. I think we still have to rely on the judges to see the dogs as they are, be aware that there are tricks of the trade to hide faults and really get hands on. I am not sure that would want any of my Canaans to be promoted and campaigned in such a way but as they say, any publicity is good publicity. The world dog show was held at the end of September and beginning of October in Brno, the Czech Rep. Also, there were specialities the day before, there was one entry for this and Judge Kristina Vanickvoa, she found Exc1, Best of Breed and Best Veteran in Ava od Dvou Cedru owned by Diana Prouzova and Milan Prouza. The WDS the day there were two present for Judge Claudio de Giuliani and the results were as follows: Exc1 CAC, CACIB FCI World Winner 2021, Bashe Storytelling owned by Ludmila Kamelenkova and Exc1 BOB, BOV FCI World Veteran Winner 2021 was Ava od Dvou Cedru owned by Diana Prouzova and Milan Prouza. Well done to both exhibitors, hopefully in the future there will be more Canann Dogs present when the travel conditions are improved.
More next week from over the water with results from New Jersey and the Morris and Essex Dog Show.
Alison Byrne