Many years ago, in the early days of exhibiting Canaan Dogs, there was no import register as there is now, so the first people saw of breed was in the Any Variety Not Separately Classified classes at open and championship shows. Being in the Utility Group we are often along side smaller and fluffier and ‘cuter’ breeds – these are eye catching in a different way. Then through the work of the exhibitors and the breed club at the time, classes were scheduled for the breed. Slowly over the years, with the number of exhibitors having peaked and now decreasing, as in other breeds, we are losing some classes. Locally to us in the south east, Maidstone was and still is the nearest venue to us. Our very first show was there, an Open Show hosted by the Gravesend and Medway Canine Society and our second show was in the new forest, the Bournemouth Canine Association Champ show. Despite there being many more exhibitors back then, we still managed to qualify for Crufts as there were no more than three in the class. Both of these shows have now removed the classes for Canaan Dogs. There are still a few open shows that have breed classes and a number of champ shows, this means that when we do have new exhibitors they are usually thrown in at the deep end and their first experience is often at a Championship Show. Sometimes with no show training beforehand. Thankfully many judges are very understanding and generous when it comes to those who are clearly over whelmed and looking a little unsure.
So, with that in mind we have been attending some shows more locally to us, especially as my sister is eager to show her Import Gundog so we go along to keep her company and support the societies. Today was one of those occasions. We left at a civilised time of eight o’clock and made the 40-minute journey to Maidstone and attended the first show there since lockdown (as far as I know – please let me know if that’s not right). I rarely expect to be placed in the AVNSC, the other breeds are often more well-known and there are many quality dogs exhibiting at this time. Today we were judged by Claire Sharp and were delighted to be awarded a VHC with Sulu – Micha de Solemel at Nizzana (Imp Fra). It was a lovely class and that added to the pleasant day we had already been having. Thanks to Claire Sharp for appreciating our boy.
We will continue to attend Open and Champ shows when we can in AVNSC classes when we can. It never does any harm to be there and a few people today came away having met and stroked and been kissed by a Canaan Dog that had never met (or heard of) them before. Also because of being there we were delighted to have news of Norma Barnes; the older breed supporters will remember that Norma and her husband Brain were stalwarts of the breed many years ago and were on the committee of the breed club when we were first introduced to Canaan Dogs in 1998. Brian passed away some years ago and Norma is still well but now living in a nursing home not far from their own residence.
It’s worth the time out whether we are placed in a class or not to meet and give any information on the breed that spectators may want.
Alison Byrne