The World Dog Show was held in Bratislava, an increasingly sprawling city, quaint contrasting with eclectic modern aspects, a truly picturesque rive running through overlooked by the stunning Bratislava Castle.
The extremely tiring drive from the UK was work every mile especially passing through the breath-taking scenery in Southern Germany into Austria prior to arriving in Slovakia. Arriving on the Monday prior to the show on Thursday, I did not get to see that much of the area due to my busy work commitments with the Eukanuba World Challenge Qualifying Event held at the World Show. The weather was very hot on the first day of the show when group 5 were scheduled.
The Canaan Dog is classified as Spitz and Primitive Type (Group 5) under the FCI. The show held inside large exhibition halls (Incheba) was subjected to stifling heat which was very unseasonal at this time of the year. Earlier in the morning there was a minor issue with the heavy show traffic, hardly surprising given the large number of entries (this is the largest World Dog Show in the history of the FCI). Therefore judging commenced later than scheduled, though Canaan Dogs were first in our ring therefore we had to be ready to exhibit as soon as judging started.
The breed judge was Damir Skok from Croatia, drawing an entry of10, he awarded an Excellent, CAC, CACIB, World Winner title 09 and BOB to Lorna Hastings’ home bred AKC, Lux, Irish Ch Lorianna Sirius Star (sire Int, German, Lux, Belgium, Dutch Ch Nizzana Hada for Lorianna, dam Int, German, Belgium, Dutch and Lux Ch Lorianna Lucky Star). This CACIV award gains Blaze his International Champion title. The other males that were exhibited received “Very good” therefore no other awards were given in males.
In the bitches Excellent 1, CAC, CACIB and World Winner title was awarded to David Hardt’s (from Germany) German Ch ICH Berish de Solemel, bred by Laurence Aries, sire is U’Nes Ha Bedouin de Solemel and dam is Babrees Sweet Talk (Bred by the UK’:’s Jill and Ian Terry). Excllent 2, res CAC, res CACIV was Inna Blayvas’ Int Israeli and Multi Ch Bat Yerushaim Shel Zahav, bred by Yuav and Dinna Teur (sire Jimmy Me Shaar Hagai, dam Chufa Givat Haradar). A CAC was also awarded to Laurence Aries’ Caril de Solemel in the Intermediate Class, graded Excellent 1. The other bitches exhibited were graded Very Good therefore not eligible to gain any awards.
The same weekend back home, Patrick and Barbara Gold’s Anacan Shoshana for Amiticia was awarded BB and BOB at SWKA under judge Dr Geoffrey Curr. There was an entry of 3 for 4 however the other dogs were absent. Well done to all of those who make the time and give their dedication to our breed.
Please feel free to send in your views to your column about our wonderful Canaan Dogs.
Lorna Hastings.