Lancashire Heeler Breed Correspondents' updates

Here, Lancashire Heeler breed correspondent Jacky Cutler (Our Dogs) has her say. These notes are not necessarily exactly as printed.

Please note that these views are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of other editors or contributors to this community site. (See terms and conditions of this site)

Jacky Cutler - Breed Correspondent OUR DOGS

These breed notes are as submitted to Our Dogs but may differ slightly from those published, as the notes submitted may be edited due to space constraints. The date given is the date submitted.

25th February 2010

At Ashton Under Lyne & DCS Joan Huck took Best of Breed with Ch Hotpot Sparkle for Leyeside, and she was also Group 4. The Simpson's Belinda Bell by Simonsville was Best Puppy and second in the Puppy Group. The Judge was Mike Forbes.

At Horley Show held at Ardingly there were no breed classes but Debbie Felstead showed Foveaux Mazin Maisie in the NSC and she was Reserve Best of Breed under John Carter, making them eligible for the RBOB Stakes, in which they were placed second from an entry of seventeen, so a good result for the breed.

One of the subjects raised at the Seminar held at the AHT was the question of insurance. Cathryn Mellersh was of the opinion that in the future insurance companies would not be willing to cover a condition if there was a DNA test available for breeders to use, and with the cost of having a lens removed now in the region of about twelve hundred pounds per eye this is something that puppy buyers need to be aware of, if they are considering buying a puppy from untested parents. Sadly there are still adverts for puppies being placed by some breeders who have not had their dogs tested before breeding. The Lancashire Heeler Club has a page on their website for Club Members to place adverts for puppies, provided that the parents have been eye tested and DNA tested where relevant and the breeder complies with the Code of Ethics. There is no charge for advertising and eligible breeders can also be placed on a list which is maintained by our Puppy Co-ordinator Chris Norman.

19th February 2010

The Lancashire Heeler Club Open Show was held at the new venue of Denshaw Village Hall, near Oldham, on Sunday 14th February. Judge Tommy Gibson awarded Best Dog and Best of Breed to Chris Norman's Ch Normansville Lone Star with Reserve Best Dog going to Margaret Davies' Tapatina Fechin at Ronleydon. Best Bitch, Best Opposite Sex and Reserve Best in Show was the Swann's Plaisance Night Sky over Swanndale, with Margaret Davies again taking the Reserve with Ronleydon Amber Falls. Best Puppy was Bill and Ginnette Simpson's Belinda Bell by Simonsville and Reserve was Judith Hancock's new baby Hawkhill Uncle Albert, who also won the Norman Johnston Memorial Puppy Stakes. Best Veteran went to Joan Huck's thirteen year old Doddsline Crafty Lad at Leyeside with the Lagonegro's Davigar Lady Padme at Giandani in Reserve.

Special Open Liver and Tan was won by Jackie Cartledge with Ch Foxthyme Oliver Cromwell ShCM and she also took the Joy Smith Memorial Open Stakes with Ch Leonine Ivy of Ryslip, and Joy's husband David came along to present the trophy.

The Club Stall was ably manned by Kaydie Binns and she did a roaring trade. Refreshments were master minded by Club Chairman Sarah Whybrow with help from Joan Huck and Barry Allison, who had once again brought along his meat and potato pie speciality. I was on tea serving duty, and everyone was invited to have a free drink and biscuits or cake on arrival. Margaret McFarlane took charge of the raffle which made around £75. Colin Russell was Show Manager and our Acting Secretary Brian Everill was kept busy as we had a visit from the KC Field Officer and also had to set out the hall and the ring with help from Bill Simpson. Our Steward for the day was Nigel Savage who did an excellent job as always. Newly co-opted Committee Member Debbie Felstead had travelled all the way up from Sussex and brought with her a rescue dog that she had been fostering to drop off to Tracy St Clair Pearce, ready for him to meet his new owners and go to his new home on
the folllowing Thursday after a quick trip to the vets, thus avoiding the need for him to go into kennels.

We had several visitors to the show and Mr and Mrs Eagle brought along their rescue bitch Millie and made yet another wonderful donation to rescue funds. Another of our recently rehomed rescue dogs 'Little' Oscar came to visit with his new family Mr and Mrs Duckett and their other Heeler Molly, and he had the chance to meet up with some old friends Pat and Gordon Taylor who had helped to care for him whilst in rescue and I was able to renew my acquaintance with him, having last seen him at Christmas. John and Joan Patrick also came along for a day out and we had lots of nice comments about the lovely atmosphere throughout the show.

The Judges Sub Committee had a quick get together and the Committee met after the show, so all in all we had a very long and busy but enjoyable day
having left home at four am.

Chris Norman distributed the latest copy of the Club's Newsletter and I am sure everyone will agree that she has done a magnificent job, with a very professional looking publication. There are several colour photos including the front cover and the finish is excellent. Just one minor error to point out, on page 15 where there is a map of the venue for the May Open Show it gives the incorrect date, with the show actually being on 2nd May and not as printed. Bob Norman was going to try to put in an amendment in all those copies which had not already been given out. The schedule for this show was also included, which will be at Roade Village Hall with Maggy Jones (Welshmoor) as the judge elect.

I am typing this having just got home from the Seminar on PLL held at the Animal Health Trust. This was very interesting and we learnt much about the research leading to the discovery of the PLL mutation from Cathryn Mellersh and were able to ask lots of questions, with particular emphasis being given to cases of Vitreal Leakage which have occurred in dogs that have been DNA tested as Clear or Carriers. It seems that although many dogs who have Vitreal Leakage do go on to develop full blown PLL not all do, and they are looking at the possibility of this being caused by a different mutation. Work is ongoing and further samples are being requested from dogs over ten years of age, to enable them to look further into this anomaly. We also had a very interesting talk from Claudia Busse, an Opthalmologist at the AHT who explained the clinical aspects of the condition in great detail, with some very detailed photographs of affected eyes. Fortunately Dr
Jeff Sampson was also able to be present and we bombarded him with questions on the genetic implications of this condition and also various other subjects such as the Kennel Club's Accredited Breeder Scheme and Breed Specific Schemes. Thanks go to Lisa Siggers and Diane Lowe for organising the day which was also well attended by people from other breeds that are affected.

11th February 2010

At Lowestoft, Sarah Whybrow's Traqdean Grem's Ilya was Best of Breed under Caroline Durn, but Sarah sportingly withdrew from the Pastoral Group, as the judge was yours truly. I gave the Group to a Pembroke Corgi, which turned out to have been bred by Mary Davies (Ermyn), who coincidentally owns a Traqdean Heeler in partnership. At Worthing Foveaux Nero (Bertie) was best AVNSC Pastoral Puppy and took second in the Pastoral Puppy Group.
He is owned by Mrs P Bridger in partnership with his breeder Debbie Felstead, who handles him.

Browsing through the Winter edition of the Breed Records Supplement I see that only seven litters were registered in the last quarter of 2009, containing thirty-one puppies. They ranged in size from a single puppy, to a litter of seven, with a six, a five and three containing four. Of the thirty-one just four puppies from one litter were liver and tan. Disappointing to see that one bitch has had three litters on consequent seasons in June 08, January 09 and September 09. Licensed breeders are not allowed to register more than one litter from a bitch in a twelve month period, but unfortunately there is no such restriction for non licensed breeders. I can understand breeders sometimes having cause to breed from a bitch on two consecutive seasons, but three times on the trot seems to me both unnecessary and unfair on the bitch.

Eye Test results under the KC/BVA/ISDS Scheme show one dog affected for PLL, with twenty-one unaffected for either PLL or CEA. There were none tested under either the AHT or ECVO Schemes. The first PLL DNA test results were published, with nine carriers and nine clears. Although it takes some time for these results to appear in print, they are published much sooner on the Kennel Club website, although it takes a fair bit of detective work to find them.

For anyone who wishes to have their dog DNA tested for CEA by OptiGen in the USA, there is a 20/20 clinic being held at the Border Collie Breed Council Open Day at Moira in Derbyshire on Saturday 1st May. A 20/20 clinic means that provided at least twenty samples are submitted at the same time, they will attract a 20% discount on the price, with a further 5% discount available if ordered online. The online ordering will go 'live' from 15th April - 1st May and the code to use for this clinic is BCCBC1051. Details: http://www.optigen.com/index.html or see the Health News Page of the Lancashire Heeler Community website.

The Kennel Club have issued a press release regarding the colours permissible when registering puppies, as some people try to use 'non standard' terms. In our breed only black and tan or liver and tan are acceptable colours, with any others being recorded as 'non recognised colour'.

Another Kennel Club press release gives news of a relaxation of the 'three per class' rule for societies who wish to run a second open show. If they schedule classes for minority breeds and they have a Breed Club supported entry, they will not have to count those classes in their total averages.
The Lancashire Heeler Club will be looking at supporting classes at certain shows again, as they used to do with the National Working & Pastoral Breeds Society Open Show, before they changed dates because of Manchester taking their date and subsequently clashing with the February Club show weekend.

The website DogLost has details of a Lancashire Heeler missing from the Banbury area near Oxford. Ten year old Minty went missing on 3rd February when her owner was seeing to his animals and thought she was in a barn. When he went to get her she was not in there and has not been seen since.
She is microchipped, but was not wearing a collar. This is the second Heeler to have gone missing recently as Tracy St Clair Pearce has also lost a male, who disappeared from outside her home in Colchester after they returned from a walk across the fields during the snow in January. Despite postering all round the area and contacting vets, rescue centres and the local paper there has been no sign of him, other than a possible sighting of some people with a small dog near their parked car in a country lane on the day he went missing. Details of both dogs are on DogLost at www.doglost.co.uk - lets hope they are both reunited with their owners very soon.

6th February 2010

Lots of numbers for you this week - first off, the DFS Crufts entries are 36 dogs, 37 bitches, totalling 73 making 83 entries for Albert Wight to judge, slightly down on last year by nine dogs and six entries.

Entries for the Lancashire Heeler Club Open Show are 57 dogs making 69 entries, with 19 NFC. For anyone who wants to get their dog DNA tested for PLL, we will have swab kits available. The usual price is £40 for the test, but if twenty or more kits are submitted together with one payment then they are offering a 10% discount. As we will be at the AHT for the PLL Seminar on the following Thursday, we will gladly deliver the kits for testing, so some of you might want to do this and get the reduction. The AHT have given us a provisional agenda for the Seminar which can be found on the website at www.lancashireheelers.org with booking details.

Back to the numbers, the latest figures for registrations are 31 in the last quarter of 2009, added to the previous quarterly figures of 31, 25 and 46 making a total for the year of just 133, which is the lowest in recent years, with only 2002 having a lower total of 125. Before that you have to go back to 1986 when only 113 were registered. During the year there were 13 export pedigrees issued, with five going to Finland, three each to Sweden and the Netherlands and two to Norway.

Bridgewater & DCS have a Premier Open Show on 28th March with three Heeler classes judged by Sue Garner (Aivlys). A Premier Show is one where in some breeds the Best of Breed qualifies for Crufts, although Heelers are not one of them, as there has to be more than three classes (or more than five if the breed is in Stud Book Bank E), with the judge being on a 'B' list or above. I would hate for someone to think they had qualified a dog for Crufts and then find out that the breed was not one of those with a qualification, not that I am suggesting any of you are that daft(!).

28th January 2010

Due to it being the beginning of the half term it has been impossible to find a specialist to do eye testing at the Lancashire Heeler Club Open Show on February 14th, so we are looking at having it at the May show at Roade.

Mike Forbes took three to be routinely eye tested at Manchester and Doddsline Marlon (carrier) and Troutop Galaxy (carrier) were ok, but sadly Doddsline Chloe is showing the start of vitreous leakage, and has therefore received an affected diagnosis. As Mike says, he wasn't expecting that, as Chloe has been DNA tested and declared only a carrier.

Still on the subject of DNA testing, Tracy St Clair Pearce was sweating on receiving the DNA results for a litter of three puppies when she found out that both parents were unfortunately carriers of PLL. Fortunately the results came back as one male (carrier), one female (carrier) and one female (clear). They are by Traqdean Heathers Horace out of Traqdean Kizzies Daphne and Tracy lost two puppies from the litter, so it is possible that either of these might have been affected, or indeed carriers or clear, such is the lottery of breeding carrier to carrier, you can get any combination.

I know there have been a few other anomalies in the results, although all the certificates for carriers state that there is a small chance of them becoming affected. There have even been some clinically affected dogs being declared clear, and I understand that further samples are being tested and the results examined to determine their actual status.
These cases will no doubt be the subject of questions and discussion at the Seminar at the Animal Health Trust on 18th February and in my opinion, anyone who is planning on breeding a litter of Lancashire Heelers should make every effort to be there. Regretfully, Lisa has reported that so far the response from people in other breeds has been greater than from the Heeler people.

News from Finland, where at Turku International Show under Danish Judge Kitty Sjong Best Puppy with HP (Honour Prize) went to Myheels Tuxedo (Lankeela Tipped For The Top - McHeels J-Lo) and BOS Puppy with HP went to his sister Myheels Tiffany. CC and Best of Breed went to their half brother Marmalade's Dream Weaver (Lankeela Tipped For The Top - Bellsmond Smoke Sign) so dad Ainsley has done me proud again.

Don't forget to check the website for news of open shows scheduling classes for the breed, and please let me know of any shows in your area so we can encourage entries and help keep the classes, as well as give Judges more opportunities to add breed classes to their CV's.

At Manchester Robin Searle was awarding his first set of tickets in the breed, and he found his Dog CC and Best of Breed in the Swann's Ch Swanndale Man in Black. Reserve Dog CC went to the Simpson's McHeels Hugh-G at Simonsville (Imp). The Bitch CC went to Ch Traqdean Vidaloca Florence owned by Sarah Whybrow and breeder Tracy St Clair Pearce with the Reserve Bitch CC going to Mike and Maggy Jones' Ch Doddsline Daffodil at Welshmoor, bred by Kay Critchlow. Best Puppy was Foxthyme Jenson, owned by Lisa Siggers and Diane Lowe, and bred by Enid Lord. He is by the Swedish Import Moonglade's Deal or No Deal out of Foxthyme Bridget Jones and is still only seven months old. At the other end of the age range, my Lankeela Lucky Heather who was fourteen years old last September won Veteran Bitch and then took Best Veteran. We must have had a lucky car, as out of the five bitch classes we had all the winners travelling with me, Sarah and Tracy, with
three Traqdeans and two Lankeelas taking the honours, although our journey was nothing compared to new exhibitor Aidan Mooney, who had come all the way over from Ireland with Simonsville Flamin Frankie. Not a cheap trip either, but he seemed to be ejoying his day chatting to lots of exhbitors, and he was rewarded with a Crufts qualifying place so hopefully we will see more of him and Frankie in future.

Bit of a shock to hear that Tegwyn Jones had been taken to hospital with what I believe was a heart problem, and many of the exhibitors signed a card for him to let him know we are thinking of him. What a worrying time this must have been for Christine. Lets hope he is soon on the mend and back in action.

21st January 2010

Good news from Pat Taylor who is a member of the Kennel Club's Accredited Breeder Scheme and has had a litter of puppies eye tested clear, and they are also genetically clear of PLL, as both parents have been DNA tested clear. They are by Simonsville Diamond Geyser out of Ronleydon Amber Sunshine Over Tapatina.

The Lancashire Heeler Club are pleased to announce that they are going to reinstate the Supermatch, which will be held after the AGM on 23rd May at Shenstone Village Hall. This will be open to dogs whose owners are fully paid up Club Members, and which have won a CC/Reserve CC/Best Puppy at a championship show, Best Dog/Best Bitch/Best Puppy/ at a championship show without CC's or at a Lancashire Heeler Club Open Show during 2009. It will take the form of a one against one knockout match and the overall winner will be awarded the Kathie Kidd 'Kalo' Memorial Shield with all entrants receiving a commemorative rosette. There is a full list of winners on the website www.lancashireheelers.org and although entry to this competition is free, it would help to know numbers for catering as there is also to be a free buffet after the AGM as a thank you to Club Members for their support over the past year. Please let me know the name of your dog if you wish to
enter and how many humans will need feeding.

Thanks again to Robert Rennie for keeping me up to date with shows in Scotland scheduling classes for the breed. They are Upperward of Lanarkshire Canine Society on 14th August 2010, Judge: Barry Blunden. Secretary is Ms M Robson, telephone 01698 792219. Also Kirkintilloch, Lenzie & District Canine Society on 24th October 2010, Judge: Pat Chadwick. Secretary Mr Bob Cross, telephone 01698 887776. The Caledonian Canine Society has a 380 class open show at Ingliston Showground, Edinburgh on Saturday 6th February 2010 with a Heeler class, but closing date for entries was Monday 18th January. Judge is Mr Keith Derry.

If you know of any open show societies scheduling classes for the breed please let me know and I will add them to the list of shows on the website.

14th January 2010

One last reminder to send your entries for the Lancashire Heeler Club Open Show on 14th February at Denshaw. Also a reminder that with effect from 1st January this year any dogs presented for health testing under the KC/BVA schemes have to be permanently identified by microchip or tattoo. The Club are hoping to have eye testing under the KC/BVA scheme at the February club show so make sure your dogs are either tattooed or microchipped if you are planning on getting them tested.

Whilst on the subject of eye testing, at the last meeting of the Lancashire Heeler Club Committee the Club's Health Committee made a recommendation that we should ask Jeff Sampson, the Kennel Club Geneticist, to instigate a Breed Specific Scheme for CEA/CH as we did for PLL. This will mean that any dogs DNA tested by the company Optigen in the US will have their results sent to the Kennel Club for publication in the Breed Records Supplement and on the Kennel Club database, with results appearing on future registration certificates. Once the scheme is up and running any results already received can be added to the database if the owner submits the certificate from Optigen. Although the test is for Collie Eye Anomaly/Choroidal Hypoplasia, it does not cover Coloboma, which some dogs may be diagnosed as suffering from, despite having a certificate stating they are either normal for, or only a carrier of, CEA/CH. More information can be found on the
Club's website www.lancashireheelers.org on the Health page.

At Crufts the Club will once again have a breed booth at Discover Dogs and Tracy St Clair Pearce will be organising the Heeler presence. If you have time to spare and a dog with a suitable temperament for meeting and greeting people, why not offer your services to chat to the public about the breed. Check the club website where you will find details of slots available on all four days, split into morning and afternoon sessions, although don't be put off if there are no vacancies when you are available, as we welcome any offers of help and will try to fit you in. Contact Tracy on by email at traqdean@aol.com or by phone on 01206 272736.

Bookings are starting to come in for the seminar on PLL to be held at the AHT on Thursday 18th February. Details on the Club website or contact Lisa Siggers on lisa.siggers98@googlemail.com or by phone on 01255 886234.

News from his breeder Anna Niiranen that on 10th January at Kajaani International Show in Finland, Marmalade's Dollar Sign (Lankeela Tipped For The Top - Bellsmond Smoke Sign) was BOB and got the CC under Finnish judge Mrs. Jaana Hartus.

23rd December

The closing dates for Crufts are approaching fast, with paper entries closing on 8th January but online entries still being taken on http://www.dfscrufts.org.uk up until 15th January.

Don't forget the closing date for entries for the Lancashire Heeler Club Show is 23rd January. The show is due to be held at the new venue of Denshaw Village Hall in Lancashire on 14th February. Schedules should be available online at http://www.lancashireheelers.org or from the Acting Secretary Brian Everill on 0161 794 0925.

Time for a round up of the judges for 2010, starting with Championship Shows with CC's for the breed. Manchester sees well respected Heeler judge Robin Searle award his first set of tickets in the breed. At Crufts Albert Wight takes centre stage, with Peter Bailey doing Birmingham National. Breed Specialist Margaret McFarlane takes on SKC in May, and at Southern Counties we have another experienced but first time CC judge in Robin Newhouse. At Border Union Patsy Hollings officiates, with Pat Chadwick taking control at Blackpool. Yet another newbie at East of England where Richard Kinsey runs the rule over the Heelers, and also in July Ellis Hulme takes on National Working and Pastoral Breeds. Another couple of first timers in August, our judge at Paignton is Kevin Young and at WKC its Donald Smith. Steve Hall is doing City of Birmingham and Jeff Luscott LKA. Still a few to be announced for next year, with Richmond, Darlington, Driffield, South Wales and the Lancashire Heeler Club still to be confirmed.

Championship Shows without CC's for the breed are few and far between, and we have lost classes altogether at some shows this year. Working & Pastoral Breeds of Wales sees Terri Cousins-Brown judging three classes, with Sue Pollock-Yule doing Bath, Frank Cane Windsor and Debbie Stansbury SKC in August.

17th December

Another year gone, and time to look at where the CC's went in 2009. We had eighteen sets, and in dogs Ch Foxthyme Oliver Cromwell ShCM topped the list with four, Ch Normansville Lone Star and Ch Doddsline Duffy ShCM both took three, Ch Swanndale Man in Black had two and five others took one each, Audaxus Blue Monday, Ch Hotpot Hell For Leather, Ch Welshmoor Father Jack, Doddsline Rockie in Telpoolwyn and Troutop Rolo. The astute ones among you will have realised that this only makes a total of seventeen, as the Dog CC at SKC was withheld. Two new male Champions were made up during the year, Ch Doddsline Duffy ShCM and Ch Welshmoor Father Jack.

In bitches, Ch Traqdean Vidaloca Florence takes the top spot on five, with Ch Doddsline Daffodil at Welshmoor on four, Ch Simonsville Briony JW and Ch Foxthyme Eliza both on two and on one each we have Hotpot Kiddie Cate by Cheinban, Ch Swanndale Black Tulip, Ch Hotpot Sparkle for Leyeside, Marmalade's Briolette of Bellsmond (Imp Fin) and Jazz Mustang Sally Traqdean (Imp Fin). Two new bitch Champions were made up, Ch Simonsville Briony JW and Ch Hotpot Sparkle for Leyeside.

10th December

Horsham & District CS have given us classes at their midweek show at Ardingly, on Thursday 18th March, with Jane Lilley (Kensing) judging. On 28th March Bridgewater & DCS have classes at their show at the Hand Equestrian Centre, with Sue Garner (Aivlys) judging.

Working & Pastoral Breeds of Wales have just three classes next April and our judge is Terri Cousins-Brown (Dobrany/Dorianblue). I understand she has Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and Old English. Rather disappointing to note that a group show does not give us a judge from our list.

After Totty's fast track lesson in sitting and staying, I am pleased to report a quick follow up to her Good Citizen success - we won the 'musical sits' at the training club Christmas party!

By now you should have received the latest Chairman's Bulletin from Sarah Whybrow, together with a schedule for the Lancashire Club Open Show on 14th February at the new venue of Denshaw Village Hall, in Lancashire.
We hope to have eye testing at the show, and don't forget that from 1st January any dogs that have any of the BVA tests will have to be permanently identified by either microchip or tattoo.

Margaret McFarlane reports that sales of the 2010 Calendar are going really well, and it looks like we will be ordering a reprint. As all profits are going to Rescue, this is indeed good news.

The Lancashire Heeler Club committee are having a meeting on 28th December,
so if you have anything you wish to be discussed please let the Acting Secretary Brian Everill have details, or speak to any committee member.

3rd December

At Hyde & DCS held on 15th November Maggy Jones judged the breed and awarded Best of Breed to the veteran Open Class winner Ch Doddsline Kristen, owned by Kay Critchlow. There were no puppies or juniors entered and the other class was won by the Green's Doddsline Mr Sam.

On 21st November Bill Simpson represented the breed at the Northern Top Puppy competition with Simonsville Hurley, and went right through to the semi final, only being beaten by a Beagle that won the overall competition.
Margaret Davies represented the breed in the adult competition with Ronleydon Amber Falls.

29th November 2009 was an historic day for Heelers in Holland - the first time they could be shown was at the European Winners Show in Amsterdam and there were seven Heelers entered. The results were as follows:

Best Puppy : Marmalade's Early Bird - Wendy Annijas
Dog CAC, Veteran CAC, Winner Amsterdam '09, Best of Breed: Foxthyme Herbie Goes Dutch, Dk & Fi. Ch - Hannie Warendorf.
Bitch CAC, Junior CAC, Junior Winner'09, Winner Amsterdam '09: Marmalade's Dutch Diva - Trudi Willems & Dick Koster.
Bitch Res CAC: Foxthyme Miss Marpeline, Dk & Hu. Ch - Trudi Willems & Dick Koster.
Bitch Veteran CAC Sukelyas Bangle - Dick Koster.

Herbie and Abby (Marmalade's Dutch Diva)are qualified for Crufts 2010 or 2011. The judge was John Wauben (NL). There were a lot of very happy 'relatives' when the results were announced, as Anna Niiranen of the Marmalades Kennel bred Abby, her father is Lankeela Tipped for the Top and mother is Bellsmond Smoke Sign, so Anna, Lyn Bell and me were all over the moon. The well known Herbie and Marple were of course bred by Enid Lord. The day was tinged with sadness for Trudi and Dick, as they had only just lost their Foxthyme Captain Hastings to liver cancer at the much too young age of eight days before his eleventh birthday. Dick also reports that they spent two days manning the Discover Dogs Booth at the show, and there was a great amount of interest in the breed. He took what he thought was far too much paperwork, but ended up bringing home very little, as everyone wanted information on the breed. Foxthyme Miss Moneypenny was the star of the
booth, with everyone making a fuss of her and wanting to take her home. A great start for the Heelers in Holland, and there are already plans underway for a big event in 2011 when there are several shows planned over the course of a week.

A few weeks ago in a moment of madness I decided to try for the Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze Award with Totty (Lankeela Top Totty). At that point she had not even been taught to sit, so after an intensive course of training at my local obedience club I entered her for the test on 28th November, having done a 120 mile round trip to find a test, which I am proud to say she passed with flying colours. My only concern was with the one minute stay, as during training she had been reluctant to stay put when amongst other bigger dogs, and as the dogs there were all strange to her she was allowed to do this bit on her own and fortunately stayed for the full minute. I found she was more secure doing the sit than the down, as she is so small and seemed to be intimated by dogs looming over her. I have to say I was more nervous waiting for the test to begin and during the one minute stay than I have ever been while showing!

The December Kennel Gazette confirms some more CC judges for next year, with first timers Mr K Robin Newhouse at Southern Counties and Mr Kevin Young at Paignton. At Border Union Patsy Hollings officiates and National Working & Pastoral Breeds sees Ellis Hulme back in the middle after having to withdraw from Crufts this year due to ill health. There is confirmation of the Crufts judges for 2010 and 2011, being Albert Wight and Jack Bispham respectively.

27th November

At the Special General Meeting held on 22nd November 2009 to consider a motion of 'No Confidence' in four committee members, the motion was defeated by a majority vote.

As the Secretary resigned following the vote, the members present nominated and voted for Mr Brian Everill to become Acting Secretary until the next AGM. If you go to the website http://www.lancashireheelers.org you will find a further statement regarding the meeting from the Acting Secretary Brian Everill.

At LKA Jean Lanning has an entry of 40 dogs making 44 entries. Don't forget the Heelers are on the Sunday this year, the first time this show has gone to two days over the weekend. We are the fourth breed in ring 26. This is one of my favourite shows and I am really looking forward to it, as I have not done many shows this year.

Robert Rennie from Scotland rang me with some news about his bitch Lucy (Mrs Higgins at Millirenn). He had taken part in an inter club obedience competition with her, and she did really well, losing very few marks. When the results were called, Lucy did not feature in the placings, which was a great surprise to Robert and his fellow club members. When they queried this, it turned out that the steward had confused the marks for another dog, and Lucy had in fact won the class she was in. At the time they told him it was too late to do anything about it as the prizes had been given out. His club took this up on his behalf and at a meeting it was agreed that there had been a mistake made, that he should have been awarded first place, and his club should have got the points for her win.
However, they decided to allow the results to stand as awarded on the day, but to present him with a trophy for his 'win'. Robert is understandably very proud of Lucy and together with his other bitch they are taking their club's intermediate test in a couple of weeks. I am sure they will do the breed proud. Robert also reports that all three of his dogs have been DNA tested clear for PLL, and as Lucy and Caeseur Lad are the parents of a litter they will all be genetically clear through parentage.

Don't forget to let Jan Jones have any DNA test results to put on the website, and if any LHC members have litters they can now put them on the website, provided they meet all the requirements with regard to health testing.

Lowestoft, Oulton Broad & DCS have a Members Limited Show on 7th February with two Heeler classes. Lowestoft usually try to give us a judge who knows the breed and they requested a shortlist of names. From these they chose Caroline Durn (Fujiyama) who is on the club's 'C' List, and attended the seminar held in Norwich a while back. I can provide schedules if anyone wants one. The closing date is 9th January, and yours truly is doing the Group and BIS. It has a very civilised start time of 11.30, although when Sarah Whybrow judged here a couple of years back we didn't realise it was a late start, and arrived at the crack of dawn to find no sign of a show, and thought we had got the wrong date.

Lancashire Heeler Calendars for 2010 are now available from Margaret McFarlane at a very good price of £6 plus 90p postage (UK). They are full of lovely pictures of Heelers and are very good quality. They will be available at LKA but it would help if you could let Margaret know if you want one (or six!) so she knows how many to bring. They are going like the proverbial hot cakes and she sold over £100 worth at the SGM alone. Profit from the sale of the calendars is going to the Lancashire Heeler Club Rescue Scheme.

Talking of rescue, three more dogs were picked up from various locations and brought to the SGM for Sarah to bring back. Pat Taylor had kindly been 'fostering' one lad, who had a few issues but is starting to come round already. Judy Robjohns made a long round trip to pick up another boy, who we think we already have a new home lined up for. Ginnette and Bill Simpson picked up and brought down the other one, which was an older bitch who has already been delivered to a new home as a companion to an elderly lady who recently lost her old Heeler at fifteen, which she got from Dorothy Malins. Thanks to everyone who rallied round to help get these dogs sorted. As we go to press, I hear of yet another young male who needs to come in and be found a new home, so the rescue network will be once again be leaping into action.

The Breed Records Supplement shows that 46 dogs were registered in the third quarter of the year, making a total of just 102 so far, compared to 119 at this point in 2008, so it looks likely that the final tally is going to be less than last year, when 158 were registered in total.

20th November

At Huntingdon Colin Ashmore judged the breed and awarded 1st in Junior and Best Puppy to Trisha and John Bellinger's new baby Foveaux Narla at Heelstone (Lankeela Midsummer Michael Traqdean - Traqdean Livin Saline). This was Cassie's first show as she is just over six months old, and Trisha was delighted when she went on to take 3rd in the Pastoral Puppy Group. What an excellent start for this delightful youngster, who was not at all phased by all the goings on in the noisy indoor arena, which was being buffeted by very high winds and driving rain. First in Post Graduate was my Lankeela Top Totty, and her sister Lankeela Tutti Frutti took the Open class and Best of Breed. Totty and Tango are 'aunties' to Cassie, so it was a real family affair.

I had a call from John Carter to say that sadly his wife Sylvia passed away last weekend after a long battle with ill health. John has been a member of the LHC for many years, and this year gave his first set of tickets in the breed at East of England, where Sylvia was determined to attend to see him judge the breed. He has long been a supporter of the breed and attended many club shows with Sylvia, and they finally succombed to their charms a few years back and bought a puppy off of Anne Bowes. John rang me with details of Sylvia's funeral, which was scheduled for 26th November. They had been married for 55 years and been in dogs for over 50, so as you can imagine John is feeling totally lost at present, as is their Heeler Daisy, who has been keeping a vigil on Sylvia's bed ever since she passed away, being reluctant to even eat or go for a walk. She even fanged their poor cat, who dared to go and sniff the bed, and when John removed it Daisy then took to sitting on cushions that had Sylvia's scent on them. We agreed that sometimes we don't give these dogs enough credit for their intelligence or their depth of feelings. I am sure you will want to join me in sending John our very best wishes at this sad time.

Sarah Whybrow had a lovely phone call from the new owners of the rescue dog that went to Norwich recently, saying he has taken over the house, and they say that they definitely won't be returning him! Another success story for the rescue scheme, but no time to rest on their laurels, as another three dogs are waiting in the wings for rehoming.

Results for DNA tests are starting to slow down a bit, but there are now over 200 clear dogs worldwide with just over 100 carriers at the last count. Affecteds continue to be in single figures, with only two previously unknown cases so far discovered from the results that have been made known by their conscientious owners. Sadly one of these is a very young puppy, whose prospective owners are still happy to have him, despite being made fully aware of all the implications by the breeder.

Lancashire Heeler Calendars for 2010 are now available from Margaret McFarlane at a cost of just £6 including packaging, although postage is extra. They will also be available at LKA on 13th December. There is a lovely picture of a Heeler on each page doing typical Heeler stuff and a collage of all the pictures on the front cover, so they will make nice stocking fillers.

Don't forget the OUR DOGS diary is also now available, the mention of which always reminds me of the late Kathie Kidd and also makes me realise just how quickly the years pass by. Talking of which, I see that the Birmingham National Championship Show next May is now available to enter online!

12th November 2009

With shows thin on the ground there is not much news to report other than that the DNA test results are still showing a higher percentage of clears to carriers, with very few affecteds. One strange phenomenon that has arisen is that some dogs who have been diagnosed with vitreous leakage, which was previously considered to be the early stages of lens luxation, have been receiving clear test results. This is of course good news for anyone with a dog diagnosed, especially if they had already been bred from, but further research will no doubt shed some light on this.

In the Miniature Bull Terrier breed notes there was an interesting suggestion concerning the use of two different sires on one bitch, to widen the gene pool even more from less litters. Early indications are that the Kennel Club would have no problem registering puppies from two different fathers, provided of course DNA tests had been carried out to identify which puppies were by which dog. This would be especially useful for older bitches who might not be able to have many more litters. There would also be a valid reason for requesting permission to register puppies from a bitch who had already reached the age of eight, if she were clear and obviously in good health.

These questions and more will no doubt be asked of the speakers at the seminar being organised by the Southern Miniature Bull Terrier Club on 22nd November at Crick Village Hall, with Cathryn Mellersh and Sarah Blott from the Animal Health Trust. This starts at 12.00 and details can be obtained from Jane Meakin on byzantine.mbt@btinternet.com who will I am sure be pleased to let you have details. Unfortunately this is also the date of the Special General Meeting of the Lancashire Heeler Club, but hopefully we will be able to get a report of the seminar with the answers to many questions.

Don't forget to let Jan Jones have your DNA test results (either original email or certificate) if you want them published on the website. This is a very good way of letting the puppy buying public know who is testing, and hopefully will encourage them to only buy from breeders who test and make their results known.

6th November 2009

The Kennel Gazette for November arrived on time despite the postal strikes, and gives details of three more judges for 2010. They are: Margaret McFarlane (SKC - May), Donald Smith (WKC - August) and Steve Hall (City of Birmingham - September).

Results are still coming in steadily from the DNA tests, and the latest worldwide figures give approximately 100 clears, with about 70 carriers, and just four affecteds, three of which were already known about. This is a significantly higher proportion of clears than many of us were expecting, which can only be good for the future of the breed. Some people have requested their results and received them the very next day. Jan Jones is adding names to the list on the website if owners submit their results email or certificate (http://www.lancashireheelers.org).

Sarah Whybrow and I have spent the day getting another rescue dog into his new home, where he is to live with a little Patterdale cross bitch. The new owner has already bought him a new bed, collar and lead as well as loads of toys. The only thing he is missing is his 'bits' which were removed by my vet this morning! Three more enquries have been received for dogs to come in, so any offers of homes will be more than welcome.

29th October 2009

All members of the Lancashire Heeler Club should by now have received a notice giving details of the Special General Meeting which has had to be rearranged for 22nd November. If you have not received notification, please contact the secretary. Unfortunately this is the date that we had arranged the breed seminar on, so this has had to be postponed for the time being and we will be looking at another date in the New Year.

The DNA test results for dogs whose blood/cheek swabs had been submitted to the AHT have been coming through thick and fast, and the AHT are to be congratulated on the speed with which the results have been made available. I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of clears that have been identified, and although there have been quite a lot of carriers as well, which we fully expected, the split is very roughly fifty-fifty, with results from both this country and Finland, plus one from Holland. In North America, the University of Missouri is also offering DNA tests, and a few results have been received. At the time of writing out of all the test results issued there has only been one affected dog that had not been previously identified, and this was related to one who was already affected. The owners of the dogs tested are to be congratulated on making their results known. I wonder how many of the results from the 400 odd samples stored will actually be requested and how many will be made public. If you have ever previously submitted a sample to the AHT, either taken at a club testing session, group or individually, you can request the results by email, which will not cost you anything. In addition, certificates are available at a cost of £10. If you wish to submit a new sample for any dog, you can download a form and send it in with a cheque for £40 to get the result. Forms for both can be downloaded from the AHT website.

One question that has been the subject of much discussion is that of identification of dogs when submitting samples. Mike Forbes queried this, and was told the answer is that one would be very foolish to attempt to fake a DNA swab as the sample submitted is kept on record to safeguard the AHT. If a dog subsequently developed PLL from a previously clear sample, then the DNA will be compared. A fraud would be so easy to prove and the consequences for the perpetrator pretty dire. Likewise, a dog can be retested at any time and the result should always be the same. In addition, don't forget that from 1st January next year all dogs being submitted for any health testing under the KC/BVA schemes will have to be permanently identified by either microchip or tattoo.

I am pleased to confirm that the donation of £1,500 which the Lancashire Heeler Club sent to the AHT has been acknowledged, and I am sure it will be put to very good use, as they have quite a few people working on the testing scheme.

Some of you will remember Cyril Locksmith, who often used to steward for club shows in East Anglia, and was a good friend of Kathie Kidd, who knew him from Corgis. Cyril sadly died last week, and condolences are sent to his wife Joan and his family.

Judy Robjohns has sadly had to say goodby to Lottie (Sarcasha Field of Dreams) at the grand age of sixteen and a half. Bred by Sarah Whybrow, Lottie was a daughter of Tushielaw Clyde and Chollagem Able Mable, and had a very long show career, more recently accompanying them to shows as a companion for their young bitch Martha. Sympathies go to Judy on her sad loss.

Olwyn Rees recently took Dylan (Normansville Arizona - Assistant Sheep Dog) to a show where he came second, which pleased Olwyn no end, as this was his first time out since a major health scare and they both enjoyed their day immensely. Glad to hear he is back on form and no doubt we will soon be hearing more of his 'tales'.

Rescue recently took in two lovely young males who had to be rehomed through no fault of their own, and I am pleased to say that they have now both been found new homes. Many thanks to all who helped in the process, and especially to Anne Bowes, who provided kennel space for them. Ali who works for Anne spent a lot of time with them, and I think he was sorry to see them go. Good news also about Jasper, the older lad who recently passed through rescue, who has really fallen on his feet and is living a life of luxury. Rescue have another middle aged male coming in who will need a new home once he has been assessed. He has a few issues, but I am sure the right home is out there for him somewhere. Contact Sarah Whybrow if you think you may be able to offer him another chance in life.

Colchester schedules are now available, where Mike Forbes has his first crack at judging, and the show is on Sunday 20th December. Colchester always try to give us a breed judge and details are available on their website http://www.colchesterdcs.moonfruit.com with entries closing on 23rd November.

22nd October 2009

Exciting news from Hannie Warrendorf in Holland, who writes:

Very good news from Holland, on November 1st the Dutch Kennel Club recognizes the Lancashire Heeler !! The temporary register will be closed, and dogs with a 3 generation pedigree who were in the temporary register will be transfered to the NHSB (normal register). From November 1st we can show our Heelers at all shows in Holland, and win CAC's and make them Dutch Champions, Junior Champions and Veteran Champions!!!

The first show where we can celebrate this will be the biggest show of the year, the Winners Show in Amsterdam on Sunday November 29. The Winners Show is very interesting for showing, Best Dog and Bitch will get the title "Winner Amsterdam'09", and the CAC counts double!! The juniors will get the title "Junior Winner Amsterdam".

Next step will be to get recognition for the club, and become a member club of the Kennel Club, so we can officially take care of the breed in Holland. This all happend very very quickly, and we have to work out all the rules and possibilities for registration, so more news about that later. We have a club website, it is not finished yet, but we will try to publish news if there is news. www.lancashireheelerclub.nl

Congratulations to the Heeler owners in Holland who have worked long and hard to bring all this to fruition.

Don't forget that it is now possible to download forms from the AHT website to submit samples for DNA testing for PLL and to request results for samples already submitted.

At the request of the Lancashire Heeler Club the Kennel Club has approved a DNA testing scheme for PLL in the Lancashire Heeler, which is offered by the Animal Health Trust (AHT), http://www.aht.org.uk/. This will mean that copies of all future test certificates issued by the AHT will then be added to the dog's details on the registration database. This will trigger the publication of the test result in the next available Breed Records Supplement. The result will also appear on any new registration certificate issued for the dog, and on those of any of its future progeny.

14th October 2009

Sue Hewart-Chambers judged the breed with CC's at South Wales, which this year changed date and venue to Builth Wells. Dog CC and Best of Breed went to Ch Foxthyme Oliver Cromwell ShCM, owned by Jackie Cartledge and breeder Enid Lord. Bitch CC was the Simpson's Ch Simonsville Briony JW. Reserves were Chris Norman's Ch Normansville Lone Star and Christine Jones' Swanndale Black Dahlia at Herwr JW. Simonsville Hurley was once again Best Puppy for the Simpsons.

8th October 2009

The Lancashire Heeler Club has sent all members a Notice of a Special General Meeting to be held on Sunday 1st November, at 11.00 am at The Jaguar Club, Coventry. Please contact me if you have not yet received a copy. Enclosed with the Notice is the latest Chairman's Bulletin, in which Sarah Whybrow gives the lowdown on what has been happening in the Club recently and what is planned for the coming months.

If you have ever coveted a copy of the Heeler 'bible' - i.e. Kathie Kidd's First Book of the Lancashire Heeler, which is now out of print and rarely available, a copy has been donated by the Club Chairman and will be raffled, with the winning ticket being drawn at Crufts. They can be purchased from Audrey Bancroft at shows, or bought online from the Club website. Tickets are just £1 each, so don't forget to buy yours, and you may end up with a very valuable book in your collection.

I shall now be away sunning myself for a couple of weeks, but hope to be able to keep in touch with whats going on in the Heeler world thanks to t'internet. Lets hope there is lots of news for the column when I return refreshed and ready to get back into the fray.

1st October 2009

The Committee of the Lancashire Heeler Club have received a requisition for a Special General Meeting which will be held on Sunday 1st November, at 11.00, at The Jaguar Club, Coventry. Please note that this is not as previously advertised, and all members will receive written notification in due course.

At Gt Yarmouth Open Show Barry Blunden (Licassa) judged three classes of the breed and from a decent entry of twelve found his Best of Breed in Tracy St Clair Pearce's Heelstone Abbi Traqdean, bred by John and Trisha Bellinger. Best Puppy was Tracy's homebred Traqdean O'Faith, who was also fourth in the Pastoral Puppy Group.

At Driffield Freda Marshall judged the breed and awarded the Dog CC and Best of Breed to Audrey Bancroft's Ch Doddsline Duffy ShCM. Bitch CC was a first for Tracy St Clair Pearce's two year old Jazz Mustang Sally Traqdean (Imp) who was bred in Finland by Eija Kansanaho, and is by Lausteph Clancie Traqdean out of Jazz Honky Tonk Moon. This is the second Finnish import to take a ticket in less than a month, and completed an excellent week for the Traqdean kennel. Reserve Dog CC was awarded to Bill and Ginnette Simpson's eight month old dog puppy Simonsville Hurley (Tapatina Adwen at Duncandale - Simonsville Victoria) who was also Best Puppy. Bill was totally stunned and for once almost speechless. Reserve Best Bitch was Margaret Davies' Ronleydon Amber Falls from Limit.

At the Yarmouth Show Carol Wicker who shows Manchester Terriers brought me a brochure for the Van Dal shoe company, which had a picture of a Heeler on the front cover and also inside with a lady modelling boots on the beach. After a bit of detective work I managed to contact the owner and find out that the dog was bred by Anne Bowes by Bowanne Bolshy Bert out of Bowanne Madam Butterfly, and is now aged thirteen. He belongs to the photographer Pete Huggins, who also has Bowanne Bits 'n' Bobs and one of her sons. His dogs have featured previously in advertising campaigns, and he says the temperament of the Heelers is ideal as they love the attention and quite happily pose for the camera. If you google Van Dal Shoes there is a picture of the Heeler in their online catalogue.

Talking of photos, don't forget that Jan Jones needs pictures of Heelers which will be published online so people can vote for their favourites, which will then feature in the 2010 Lancashire Heeler Club calendar. Full details on the club website www.lancashireheelers.org where you can submit pictures or you can send your prints to Jan direct.

A ten year old dog that recently came into rescue has now gone to a lovely new home where he is being spoilt rotten. Jasper has really landed on his feet, and his new owners have been sending regular bulletins on his progress. There are currently a couple of younger dogs looking for homes, through no fault of their own, so please contact Rescue Co-ordinator Sarah Whybrow on 0790 990 1410 if you think you may be able to offer one of these young lads a forever home.

Entries close for LKA, the last champ show of the year, on 14th October (posted) or noon on 21st October (online at Higham Press). Don't forget that this year for the first time Heelers are on a Sunday (13th December) and our judge is Jean Lanning.

Jackie Reid is once again co-ordinating the Heeler presence at Discover Dogs being held at Earls Court on 14th and 15th November. If you are able to help out and you have a dog who would be suitable to 'meet and greet' the public please contact Jackie to offer your services.

24th September 2009

I start these notes with a sentence that I had feared I may never be able to write - "A DNA test for PLL will be available from Monday 19th October 2009". The Animal Health Trust has now put details on their website, and explain that as they have limited resources, they are unable to consider any requests for this test before October 19th, without exception, and cannot issue any testing kits before that date. Testing kits can be requested by email on or after October 19th to swab.request@aht.org.uk although if you do not have access to email you can telephone on 01638 555621 or fax on 01638 555666. Breeders and owners will be able to test their dogs using a simple test kit. It will be possible to collect DNA from dogs to be tested via a simple cheek swab which will be included in the test kit, along with all information, necessary forms and full instructions. Check the website nearer the date for confirmation of price. Owners who submitted samples for the PLL research prior to September 1, 2009 may request test results using a form that will also become available on this website on October 19th. The Lancashire Heeler Club will be making a page available on their website for owners to submit their results, and I will of course be happy to publish any results in this column, if people let me have a copy of the certificate. It will then be up to us as a breed to publicise the fact to Joe Public that there is a test available, and encourage puppy buyers to only buy from breeders who have had the parents tested before mating, and the puppies tested if one of the parents is a carrier. There will be no need for anyone to breed an affected dog ever again, although of course carriers may still occur, until we have bred the condition out totally, hopefully within a very few generations.

At Darlington Tegwyn Jones found his Bitch CC and BOB winner from Junior, Doddsline Daffodil at Welshmoor (Ch Doddsline Kristen - Artistic Lady), owned by Mike and Maggy Jones and bred by Kay Critchlow. This is of course Daphne's third ticket, and I think at sixteen months she must be one of the youngest dogs in the breed to take the title of Champion and in a very short space of time. Her first two tickets came from Raye Parry at Blackpool and Derek Smith at City of Birmingham. Taking the Reserve CC was Ch Traqdean Vidaloca Florence, owned by Tracy St Clair Pearce and Sarah Whybrow.

In Dogs, it was a first CC from Limit for Tony Powell and Doddsline Rockie in Telpoolwyn (Doddsline Todd - Doddsline Milly) bred by the late Norman Johnston. This must be a lucky show for them, as Rockie of course had a Reserve CC from Julie Swann here last year. Reserve was Judy Spooner's Audaxus Blue Monday and Best Puppy once again the Simpson's Simonsville Hurley. I also understand the Simpsons won the Breeders Class, so well done to them.

The Lancashire Heeler Club has received a requisition for a Special General Meeting, notice of which appeared in the Dog Press last week. As there may have been some uncertainty over the actual date and venue for this meeting, please check the Club website for the latest information. All members will receive official notification by post in due course.

18th September 2009

I had rather a busy but very enjoyable weekend last week, with Richmond on the Saturday where I was judging, and the Lancashire Heeler Club Show on the Sunday. At Richmond I awarded Best Dog, Dog CC and Best of Breed to Chris Norman's homebred Ch Normansville Lone Star (Haralice Harryo - Normansville Oklahoma), which Chris tells me is his ninth ticket. Reserve Best Dog was awarded to Mike and Linda Forbes' Doddsline Marlon (Doddsline Daniel - Doddsline Gina) bred by the late Norman Johnston. Best Bitch and the Bitch CC went to Lyn and Bob Bell's youngster Marmalade's Briolette of Bellsmond (Imp) TAF (Ch Rantalauken Exodus - Axa's Power Of The Eye) bred in Finland by Anna Niiranen, with the Reserve CC going to Christine Jones' Swanndale Black Dahlia at Herwr JW (Plaisance Don Borondon at Swanndale - Ch Swanndale Black Tulip). Best Puppy was Mr & Mrs Bailey's Bellsmond Dorothy (Tapatina Warlord - Rosanyos Painted Lady), handled by Wendy and bred by Lyn Bell. Best Veteran was Chris Norman's Normansville Idaho, (Ch Doddsline Lord at Swanndale - Foxthyme Savanna at Normansville) aged eight.

After the long journey back to Norfolk, it was up again at the crack of dawn to travel to Chesterton Community Centre, near Newcastle-Under-Lyme, the new venue for the Lancashire Heeler Club show. The hall was really good, with plenty of room for a spacious ring, which was resplendent with a new set of green mats and a very impressive white chain fencing all round, which was made and donated by Audrey Bancroft and Joan Huck and set up with the help of Bill Simpson. The kitchen was well equipped and Sarah Whybrow our Club Chairman supervised the catering, with help from Joan Huck, Chris Norman and Barry Allison. The 'dish of the day' was a very well received meat and potatoe pie with red cabbage which was generously donated by Barry and Marjory Allison, and followed by trifle brought by Joan Huck and cherry pie from Chris Norman, so overall the kitchen brought in a good profit for the club.

There were so many raffle prizes on offer that I decided to do an impromptu tombola, which together with the raffle brought in £90, tickets for both being sold by Jan and Pete Jones. Generous donations had been received from exhibitors and others who could not attend, and all in all the show will have made a very handsome profit. Everyone was treated to free tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival and I am sure the visitors to the show couldn't fail to have been impressed by the professional manner in which the show was run. Our efficient Show Manager was Colin Russell and the stewarding was once again undertaken by Brian Everill who kept things ticking over nicely. Jackie Reid sold catalogues and booked in exhibitors and visitors, under the Kennel Club's scheme to encourage new people to bring their dogs in when they visit shows. Audrey Bancroft ran the Club Stall which looked very well stocked, and took in the region of £300.

Margaret McFarlane provided information on the PLL situation and cheek swab kits for people who wanted to supply samples for the Animal Health Trust, who had requested further samples from random dogs to give them an idea of the overall position with regard to PLL in the breed, now that they have identified the mutation and will be shortly releasing details of the DNA test. We had a visit from the Kennel Club Field Officer who was very impressed by the arrangements and especially the fact that two of the committee had already been on the Kennel Club Food Safety Course, which is now a requirement if food is to be sold at shows, as is the need for a Risk Assessment to be carried out, which Brian Everill had taken care of. Finally, Secretary George Stevens and Acting Treasurer Bob Norman took care of all the paper work and financial arrangements involved in running a show, so as you can see it really was a team effort. A new initiative from the Judges Sub Committee was for B list judges to be able to attend the show to observe and discuss the breed standard and placings with experienced judges, which has been approved by the Kennel Club when they recently accepted our revised criteria for the Judging List, and we were pleased to welcome Geoff Duffield as the first such attendee, who also had the opportunity of going over some dogs after judging. Copies of the Judging List will be sent to the relevant show secretaries and are available from Bill Simpson or myself on request and will also be available on the Club's web pages shortly.

Now for the actual show results. Colin Ashmore was our judge and for his Best in Show he chose Jackie Cartledge and Enid Lord's Ch Foxthyme Oliver Cromwell ShCM, which continues Enid's excellent tally of successes at Club shows, even though she was not there to see it, as she is laid up due to needing an operation on her back. I am sure everyone will want to wish her well and hope we see her back in the ring before too long. Reserve Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex went to Bill and Ginnette Simpson's Ch Simonsville Briony JW, and Reserves were Audrey Bancroft's Ch Doddsline Buscuits by Cheinban ShCM, which must have been very pleasing as Bicky has undergone a major operation not long ago, and Ch Leonine Ivy at Ryslip who was also Best Veteran, making Jackie Cartledge's long trip well worthwhile. Best Puppy was the Simpson's Simonsville Hurley (Tapatina Adwen at Duncandale - Simonsville Victoria) with Reserve Best Puppy going to Margaret Davies' Ronleydon Amber Bee Bee (Tapatina Fechin at Ronleydon - Tapatina Eavan at Ronleydon).

There were two new Stakes classes in memory of the late Kathie Kidd and Colin Stevens, both former Chairmen of the Lancashire Heeler Club. The Kathie Kidd Memorial Stakes was won by my Lankeela Legend Hasit ShCM, which was very satisfying as Kathie awarded Del his Stud Book Number at a Club show many years ago, and he was also the winner of Veteran Dog here. The Colin Stevens Memorial Stakes went to Ch Doddsline Duffy ShCM. Chris Norman's Normansville Idaho won the Special Liver and Tan class. Last but not least one final result was the Junior Handling class which I had the pleasure of judging, and although there was only one entry, eleven year old Matthew Ingham gave a very good account of himself, handling one of the Simpson's dogs. Matthew is Barry and Marjory Allison's grandson, and he showed great skill and patience with his dog in the handling class and also in the breed, both with his table work and floor patterns. In addition to the Junior Handling winner's rosette, there was a special one donated, and it was indeed superb, with many layers of ribbon. After judging Joan Huck our Cup Steward did a very efficient job of distributing the many lovely cups and trophies on offer, and after clearing the hall we stayed behind for a brief committee meeting, a report of which will be placed on the Club's web pages and in the next newsletter by the Chairman Sarah Whybrow, so that members are kept fully informed of what the Club has achieved and has got planned for the future.

Read DOGS WORLD breed correspondent, Margaret McFarlane's breed notes.

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