My sister (Anne Barclay) has been a little unwell and I volunteered to walk her Portuguese Pointer as he is only 19months and likes his walks. A very different outlook to the Canaan Dogs, although he does sometimes think he is an honorary Canaan as it is also a breed that has not been overly exposed or bred but has been working quietly for centuries in its homeland, Portugal. As our eldest is still confined to a hospital environment the Canaan walks have been much shorter and less often. They are always very accepting of changes to their routine, as long as they still have their garden playtimes and sofa snuggle times they do forgive us. As we passed the shortest day in December it will soon be easier to walk them earlier in the day.
It is interesting to meet other breeds from around the world that have been untouched by the modern need to be the most popular and many still display more natural behaviours.
As with previous years, we start to look forward to Crufts and within minutes the house has become covered in a layer of lovely soft undercoat. They all take it in turns, one starts and then they all follow slowly. Here’s hoping our judge this year will have some still in coat to look at. Salmon oil here we come.
Alison Byrne