It’s been a busy few weeks and as lots of folk will still be busy over the next weeks-Easter and children home from school-we’re having a little rest! If “the rays” will reach to 37 deg 30N/112deg 10W there might be a few additions but if not we’ll “see” you on April 19th. Have a good Easter!
Monthly Archives: March 2010
An email received…
Please find attached a copy of the draft dog control bill that is being considered by the major political parties in the UK and is the subject of a bill to be introduced to The House of Lords by Lord Redesdale in the near future.
This draft has taken many meetings of The Dangerous Dogs Advisory Steering Group (DDASG) involving most of the dog welfare and veterinary organisations along with the Metropolitan Police and Wandsworth Council. The chair of our meetings is Superintendent Simon Ovens of the Met Police.
Please feel free to circulate this draft and I very much hope that it will be received favourably. As you will see in section 12, the Act is intended to replace several current laws including the DDA (1991) and the amendment (1997). Whether this is practical will be seen over the coming weeks but even if those bills are not fully repealed, we feel that the success of the dog control orders in enabling the police and local authorities to deal with both criminal and inexperienced owners of ANY dogs BEFORE serious incidents occur will eventually lead to the DDA becoming obsolete.
Do let me have any comments and suggestions. This draft is only for England and Wales but a not dissimilar bill is already at the second reading stage in the Scottish Parliament having been introduced by SMP Christine Graham. The DDASG has provided input to Ms Graham’s Bill although there remain some differences that we feel unable to support.
It seems that we have an opportunity to respond to DEFRA and also to inform potential candidates in the forthcoming election about the importance of finally removing breed specific legislation and replacing it with a law designed specifically to provide protection to the public.
Regards
David Levy
The draft is to big to attach onto here but Jean Rogers will forward it onto you with pleasure
Already it’s August!
As East of England and Paignton schedules arrive through the door it’s probably time to give an updat on 2010 Glen of Imaal Terrier judges.
Boston David Shields (no CCs)
Crufts Harold Gay (first time giving CCs)
National Terrier Anne Hardy (second time giving CCs)
Birmingham National Kathy George (second time giving CCs)
Bath Karen Forbes (no CCs)
SKC Alan Small (second time giving CCs)
3 Counties Jean Rogers (no CCs)
Blackpool Peter Chappell (no CCs)
East of England Margaret McDonald-Cross (no CCs)
Paignton Moira Barrass (no CCs)
WKC Mel Hardy (second time giving CCs)
Darlington Paul Eardley (third time giving CCs)
Belfast Jeff Horswell (first time giving CCs)
Glen Association Show John Bunting (second time giving CCs)
Got a couple of minutes?
There is currently a campaign that calls for the repeal of Section One of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. This is called a breed specific legislation as it relates to specific breeds or ‘types’ of dog. Thousands have dogs have been killed because of their looks, not because of any problem! This is patently unjust and now, as an election looms, maybe somebody will realise if enough people point it out so do take a couple of minutes to sign the online petition.
Nice!
In America the Kentuckiana Cluster is the second largest cluster in terms of entries in the land, second only to a California cluster in January. About a dozen terrier breeds had their regional specialties (Bedlingtons held their National there), the full roster of big name handlers, and all 28 Terrier breeds were represented in the Group so that says how big it is.
On two of the days Bruce and Curry were the only owner-handler in the Group Ring and on the third day they were joined by the owner-handled Bedlington so not an awful lot was expected in the middle of all those professional handlers. On two days though they were actually shortlisted in the Group so “nice one” for the Glen of Imaal Terrier and congratulations to Ch Coleraine’s Mandalay Royalty.
Wales bans “shock collars”.
Wales has become the first part of the UK to ban the use of electric shock collars. Use of the collar, in Wales, could lead to a fine of up to £20,000 or 6 months in jail.
Shock collars are a very emotive subject but a few Glen of Imaal Terrier owners around the world have used them and have been very impressed. One owner had to go on a half day course (with the Glen) before being allowed to purchase one. The idea was two fold:- was the dog “suitable” for a collar and would the owner be able to use it correctly. Of course a collar isn’t the answer in many, many cases but any piece of training equipment in the wrong hands can be cruel. The key is to use the appropriate piece of equipment for a particular dog, in the correct situation, and in the correct way but not in Wales anymore
National Terrier entries
Entries are out for National Terrier on April 3rd at Stafford Showground. Judge Anne Hardy will have 24 Glen of Imaal Terriers to go over.
…and then there was one.
Last year we celebrated three from the same litter arriving at their 15th birthday but then Veronica went just after Christmas. Soldier now stands alone because last Wednesday Murphy began the walk to be with the Family. Once before it had been realised that the call was being heard and, with heavy heart, it was expected he would go but Murphy stayed here because he was needed; he was needed for Joe and then needed for Ruth when Joe began his own journey.
It is somehow so fitting that the call came again on St. Patrick’s Day as Murphy did so much to register Glen of Imaal Terriers into the show world consciousness. For five years he was virtually unbeatable in the ring and everybody knew Murph-he WAS the Glen in the Group Ring-and now he walks with the Boys as Joe stands and watches and smiles at his dog who now, with The Family, stands easily alongside them.
Celtic Winner Results
When the Irish Kennel Club became an FCI member the St. Patrick’s Day Show became the Celtic Winners; whatever it is called it is still quite an event in the Irish Show calendar!
Best of Breed (Bitch Green Star) SE UCH, SLOVENIAN CH, WW-08 WW-09 SE V-07 SE V-08 ABBERANN TIFFANY
Best Opposite Sex (Dog Green Star) BALLYCLARE FINN MC COOL
Reserve Bitch IRISH ROVER’S LADY CINDY CRAWFORD
Reserve Dog ROMAINVILLE BODHRAN
Glen of Imaal critique-Crufts 2010
Crufts-Glen of Imaal Terrier
The first Crufts to be judged under the “new” breed standard and as the first Breed Specialist to award CCs at the event since the Glen of Imaal Terrier was awarded Challenge Certificates it was an interesting appointment. I was more than pleased with my main winners but I have to register concerns about the way the breed seems to be going.
The Glen got off lightly with the Kennel Club re-writing with just one word, slightly, being added to the description of the bow of the forequarters. It is understood why it was felt necessary to do this and it is acknowledged that, in the early 90s, quite an exaggerated front was seen in some Glens but the breed itself realised things had begun to go a bit far and mainly sorted its own problem out with there only being a couple of fronts today that I would consider excessive. One previous Standard change that was hardly commented on was the changing of the word “desired” regarding height, to “maximum” but never including a minimum to counter-balance this so how small can a Glen be? Early photographs, particularly the official St Patrick’s Day 1934 first breed classes, show dogs with daylight underneath and distinct legs so combining that with the construction of the breed anything under 12 inches or so might be considered a fault. Smaller does not automatically mean wrong though because of that most important sentence in the standard-maximum substance for the size of dog. It doesn’t mean fat, it means bulk made up of muscle, body and bone. A mature Glen should neither be a stick insect nor a slug. Even though there is no height difference between the sexes it should be no problem to tell whether you are looking at a dog or a bitch. The Glen of Imaal is not an easy dog to judge (or breed) if the basics of type and structure have not been fully grasped and the entry today leads me to think that such a fundamental principle has not been really understood since CCs were awarded in 2007 as I haven’t seen such a mixed entry in over 30 years!
Mixed entry isn’t a reference to mixed type. The Glen has always been a breed that embraced multi-type and thrived because of it. It is the reason that for years Glen of Imaal exhibitors were seen with slight consternation by many judges; they were a breed that actually wanted to know exactly why decisions were made & expected to debate it. People who knew the breed wanted to know if their judges did. A slightly old-fashioned system now, but Glens have seemingly not been altogether well served by changing judging to a seminar based activity rather than out in the real world talking to a lot of different people and actually seeing dogs.
The Glen structure isn’t unique, there are other achondroplasic breeds, but they are the only Terrier that did have to earn a working qualification before becoming a Champion and is still, legitimately, worked so form and function says there should not be a short upper arm so where has it come from? Is it that judges aren’t recognising the fault and getting it mixed up with some Glens being shorter on the leg or do some people not realise what it is? A short upper arm restricts forward movement. To the uninitiated eye a dog is moving properly, but rather than extending the front leg to pull it back the leg performs a more up and down movement. It can look spectacular and the dog can appear balanced rather than uneconomical in movement but the higher lift of the front feet gives lie to the Glen “covering the ground effortlessly”.
Maximum substance for size includes bone and in some of the younger dogs more was needed. The senior classes were excellent and bone can develop but the basis has to be there to lay down the frame for the adult Glen. Body shape, proportions and overall balance are all included in the overall picture and one or two were just wrong. Glens are not a long breed but there were some that certainly fitted this description and the longer coupling was compounded, in a couple of cases, by shortness of leg which totally distorts the balance of the dog and gives rise to a flat topline; something that is a complete antithesis for the breed.
Mouths for along time were a big problem in Glens but the improvements made here go from strength to strength with all dogs having good sized teeth and only two dogs having a poor bite but coats are obviously still a problem for some. A Glen of Imaal Terrier with a correct coat, and none here today were soft, is easy to look after; strip it and it grows & needing little work if kept on top of. The poor winter just experienced was manna from Heaven for growth & coat preparation of a breed that thrives in the cold so it was a bit of a surprise to have dogs with coats way past their best. Not everybody can strip at exactly the right time but not to strip at all does rather let the dog down in an entry that had some animals looking the best they have for years. The effort was noticed ringside as well because after judging some long term admirers and judges of the breed also said how well some of the dogs looked better than they had for years.
Veteran Dog: 1) Calloch’s Multi Champion Perfect Lionheart of South Wind Kalyani. The first of the multi-titled dogs and like his “younger brethren” in Open you can see he earned his awards. Classic Glen and good to look at, showed his age in movement by appearing rather stiff in front & behind.
Special Puppy Dog: 1) Croft’s Glenwellieka Flint of Flynn. Actually a better dog handled than viewed as his coat hid everything and correct shape and proportions are under there. When he finally settled there was good drive from a well muscled and nicely angulated rear. Best Puppy. 2) Hardy’s Amhard Freebooter. Smaller than one, nice head and adequately boned but his proportions at this age leave a bit to be desired.
Special Junior Dog: 1) Croft’s Glenwellieka Flint of Flynn. 2) Barnaby’s Kenocto Chief’s Song. A well up to size dog, with bone and muscle, that looks even bigger through sporting a huge coat. Rather close behind.
Post Graduate Dog: This class is always a difficult one as it is the only place the teenagers can go and in Glens twelve-eighteen months can make all the difference. 1) Horton’s Jeonty Highland Boy. A nice dog for his age with everything as it should be. Head coming along, rib and bone present, topline retains well both moving and standing, muscled behind. His conformation indicates he should have more to give in the movement department. 2) Ashcroft’s Romainville Typhoon. Another who handles better than his coat indicates. Nicely boned all through but is his own worst enemy as he stands in a way that does not flatter his shape and is inclined to half-passe when moving. 3) Roger’s Jeonty Wannabe Bauer. Handsome dog with nice proportions who needs to body up. The best put down of the three but today his movement was not up to it.
Limit Dog: 1) Garner’s Johnny Be Good At Romainville. This dog is a good illustration of substance for size. He is a smaller dog so it would be easy to think there should be more of him but he could never be mistaken for a bitch. A total showdog, including showing his handler up, in the best coat of the day. Nicely proportioned and an eye catching mover. Front structure slightly unbalanced but sound. 2) George’s Feohanagh Bryan at Romanville. Nicely boned dog, more of a “conventional” size, good angulation behind but tends to be unsound coming towards as he overpowers his own front.
Open Dog: The three well boned, well muscled, well put down, good headed dogs in this class were all Champions under more than one Kennel Club, all of a different type, all had points that made it easy to understand why top awards have been given in numerous countries and all are related to each other. 1) Welch’s Ch/Bel Ch Brockland Brayhead Lad. The better proportioned of the three, retained firm topline both on the move and standing, slightly straight behind but moved totally true. CC & BOB 2)Roger’s Ch/Bel Ch/Nl Ch Jeonty Wannabe Buster. Eye-catching dog with excellent rear drive, slightly let down by being not quite as good in front. Res CC. 3) White’s Multi Champion Abberann Conan AN Ch 6/7/8 CW 7/8/9. A master handler gets the best out of this dog but needing better rear drive and front extension was what placed him number three in the best class of the day. My compliments to all three owners.
Good Citizen Dog: 1) Barnaby’s Kenocto Chief’s Song.
Veteran Bitch: It was nice to see that Glens still continue to be competitive as Veteran is reached. 1) Seall’s Brockland Merrylegs for Bregorrey. I give this bitch Best Puppy at Crufts nine years ago and she is everything anticipated back then. Still retains her outline, shape, rib and proportions and moves with reach and parallel drive behind. Res CC. 2) Welch’s Bel Ch Brockland Brenna Anne. Another beautiful senior bitch who has retained her quality, now a little broad in front and tending to upright stance behind. 3) Forbes’ Ch Jeonty Hasaceilidh for Karensbrae ShCM. Lighter build all through, exceptional movement and balance, coat not of the quality or state of preparation.
Post Graduate Bitch: 1) Baldock’s Jeonty Maybe Daysee. 2) Sage’s Jeonty Lola May at Wickholm. Two litter sisters and very similar. Nice proportions, bone, rib and heads on the pair and both have balance and parallel drive behind. On the day it went to Daysee, despite still carrying her winter warmth in coat and body layers, as she was better balanced on the move and Lola May kept insisting on moving a little close at the front. 3) Smith’s Grizzlemarsh Dorathea. Nicely headed bitch that just did not want to move in anything like a settled manner.
Limit Bitch: 1) Seall’s Brockland Belle Bregorrey. Nicely packaged and presented, well shaped, good proportioned, smaller bitch who is balanced on the move and handles well but tends to stand over at the front and under at the rear 2) Allerman’s Emeldir Priness Astrid at Glenwellieka. Sound moving with nice outline and shape, needs more body and bone all through.
Open Bitch: 1) Roger’s Ch Jeonty Fern Grass. Beautiful wheaten bitch who has it all-well most of it. Bone & substance but still feminine, retaining topline both at the stand and on the move, good reach and drive, coat just at the stand off stage which made her appear fatter than she actually was. CC. 2) White’s Ch/IrCh Abberann Ennya. Well presented, well handled bitch with excellent drive but stilted in front movement. 3) George’s Romainville Miss Moneypenny. Stands well but lets herself down on the move by being too close, body shape and proportion better than her coat indicates.
Harold Gay (Judge)
Enthusiasts & Fanciers of Glens 