15 January 2008

Venka, first hovawart to join the ranks of the NSARDA

I had promised an update on working hovawarts in our last breed notes and there is indeed some big news to announce. Last summer, a hovawart was awarded an NSARDA qualification for the first time. Pines Piccolo avec Spicemill 'Venka', who trains with SARDA Cantech, became the first Search & Rescue hovawart in the country.

Venka and handler James Dunn

The news made it to the local press, with even a minute of fame on TV! But as James would say: "The fuss in the press is not what matters, neither is the piece of paper saying that she is qualified, we are here to help finding missing persons." And this is what they have been doing as Venka and James found in December in Sussex the body of a man who had been missing for several months. Search teams always hope to bring people safe and sound back to their family, but in this case, they were at least able to bring closure to the family and allow them to finally grieve.

Fraiser, local hero dog

We often hear about dogs competing in obedience, agility or working trials. These dogs are doing brilliantly thanks to their owners' efforts. But it is nice to also give credit to the dogs who do "real life" work and who may not be talked about as much. Venka is not the only one. Rosetta, who belongs to Mr and Mrs Binns, does PAT work at Horton, as you can see on page 5 of the ORH News from May 2005. And hovawarts who have not been trained for specific work can also surprise you by rising to the occasion and "doing their job" when needed. Karen Shaw wrote recently: "Fraiser was in our local paper as a hero some weeks ago, he stopped some people breaking into our house one night when we were all in bed. Since then he has been spoilt rotten." Fraiser, who I know for his gentle nature, is really what hovawarts are all about, a faithful watchdog and a great companion.

Hovawart Club Show

The single biggest annual gathering of hovawarts in the UK was taking place at the beginning of October with the breed club show. Our judge was the lovely Ans Schellekens van Vught, a breed specialist from the Netherlands. She was thorough and very friendly to all competitors. Her BIS was Best bitch Sharpe and Betts' Pines Mercedes. BD went to Spencer's Pines Saxophone 'DJ', son of the BIS. RBB was Sharpe and Betts' Kynyaf Tiy of Pines CDex. UDex 'Orchid' and RBD Inches' Minches Chief River. Some new youngsters were also at the event and BP went to the very spirited Cromwell-Ahrens' Spicemill Ginger Root, grand daughter of the BIS and daughter of Search & Rescue Venka.

Discover Dogs

Discover Dogs in November was this year again very well attended and, I though it had for the first time somewhat of a Crufts feel about it, feeling confirmed by people on the trade stands. The hovawarts attracted many people. You can see some pictures from the Sunday on the Hovawart blog. It was a first for little Lily who took it all in her stride.

Those elusive Crufts qualifications…

LKA was taking place at the NEC in December and quite a few hovawart puppies made it in the hope of qualifying for Crufts. For many of them, it was their first ring experience and at such a young age, it was not easy. It was very disappointing that none of them made it, and especially frustrating for Christopherson's Pines Chanel who did 4th in AVNSC puppy bitch and Cromwell-Ahrens' Spicemill Ginger Root who reached the same place in AVNSC junior bitch. Only the first 3 places lead to the Holy Grail.

The only youngster with no pressure on his shoulder was Dunn & Brumby's Spicemill Saffron Stigma as he had already qualified at Richmond. And it is probably just as well as he decided that day that if he was very happy for judge SJ Hattrell to look at his teeth, she was not going to be allowed at the other end. No aggression whatsoever, but a bottom that consistently turned away from the judge… We will forgive him, he is young. But more ring training planned now before Crufts.

Sculley's blonde Schwarzwald Corona 'Sky' saved the day though by showing beautifully and reaching 2nd in AVNSC open bitch, thus gaining her Crufts 2008 ticket.

Stop News… Stop News…

And just as we are about to send these breed notes, we received news from Scotland. Craig and Sarah Hosie's baby arrived on 17 November. A little girl of 8lb and 8oz who they have called Kate. No doubt she will become a hovawart addict too and I hope we will get to meet her at shows.

Read the previous breed notes