SUSSEX SPANIEL ASSOCIATION

NEWS AND VIEWS - SUMMER 2011 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2011

July 2nd: Windsor show 8th: East of England show, Peterborough 22nd - 24th: CLA Gamefair - Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire 22nd: Leeds show

August 2nd: Paignton show, Devon 6th: National Gundog show 15th: Bournmouth show 21st: Welsh Kennel show 28th: Scottish Kennel show

September 4th: City of Birmingham show 11th: Richmond show 18th: Darlington show 24th: SSA Champ show 30th: Driffield show

October 7th: South Wales show 9th: Clumber, Sussex, Field Spaniel Match, Berkshire 12th: Gundog Society of Wales show 15th: SSA Field Trial 28th: Midland Counties show

November 12th: Gundog breeds of Scotland 12th & 13th: Discover dogs, Earls Court 1, London

December 10th: LKA 11th: United Spaniel Association Seminar

For show information please visit the following websites:

• www.fossedata.co.uk • www.highampress.co.uk • www.sussexspaniels.org.uk • www.thekennelclub.org.uk

Other useful sites

• www.champdogs.co.uk • www.unitedspaniel.com • www.british-heritage-dog-breeds.co.uk SSA NEWS AND VIEWS SUMMER 2011

Sat writing this on my maternity leave in anticipation! We have yet another jam packed newsletter for the summer edition with hopefully, something for everyone.

As this newsletter deadline is a little sooner then usual, the Sussex Gathering at Parnham will be covered in the winter newsletter. Please contact me if you wish to contribute to the article.

It is always nice to hear from different members who wish to send in information for the newsletter. Many thanks must go to Julia Lewis, Ros Ham, Louise Judge, Jeremy Hackett, Tim & Barbara Little, Stewart Morton, Sally Blackett, Ann Mcgloon, and Herman & Ineke Mulder for the articles they sent in.

Our normal contributions are in this edition including Chris & Vivien Wakefield in the hot seat for the breeders profile. We are very grateful to the Wakefields for the overseas travel and representing they do for our breed.

Liz Bowe (Belcam) is our Judge for the Championship show in September. A small piece about Liz is written further on and I am sure she is looking forward to her appointment.

Other items that may be of interest are the health matters and the lovely rescue stories. Daphne has kindly written a piece about caring for your Sussex over the seasons with regards to grooming tips.

Sadly, we have had to say goodbye to some lovely Sussex already this year. A small tribute to them is further on in the newsletter. They each achieved alot in their careers and have left behind some lovely children.

On a lighter note...Sussex have had a good start to the year; we have had some group shortlists and two new champions already this year at the shows! We have also had a couple of Sussex pass the working certificate which Louise Judge writes about further on. Well done to all those that are keeping the flag flying in the trying financial times.

Please note that we have many new and fresh judges coming up at shows with and without CC’s this year and next. Please try and support these people as much as possible. Alot of money, time and effort goes into travelling to these shows and judges do not wish to turn up after a 500 mile round trip to find only one Sussex to judge! Please check the dates for your diary to find which shows you could support.

Hope to see some of you during the rest of the year with my new addition!

Kelly

Kelly Jefferies - [email protected]

*The front cover picture is from the training weekend in Holland.*

Disclaimer: “The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the SSA or its officers and committee.” SECRETARY’S LETTER

Already time to write again and we’re earlier with the news as Kelly will soon be busy with her own maternal duties.

Puppies It’s late May and there are a few litters on the SSA Breeders List, with more planned in the coming months. Good news and let’s hope that all goes well for everyone. Enquiries have become a bit flat as they often are coming into the summer plus the poor economic climate doesn’t help. 2011 First quarter KC registrations are 4 litters - 17 puppies plus one import.

Stud dogs and bitches for breeding enquiries The Committee are concerned to hear reports of cross- breeding involving Sussex Spaniels. The Sussex is a unique, though vulnerable, breed and over the past 30 to 40 years breeders have followed the dedication of those early names such as Joy Freer, Faith Gilham and the Lancaster’s in striving to preserve breed type and as far as possible produce quality dogs. Indiscriminate breeding could dilute those efforts and reduce the Sussex to just another brown spaniel.

We are asking that those with a dog or breeding from their Sussex bitches be vigilant with enquiries from people wanting a stud or puppies. The SSA committee members are always available to give help or advice. Better still come along to one of our events and talk to others about any plans you have, as it’s important that we promote the true characteristics of the breed.

It may well be that in the future we might need to breed out to another breed but this would only be done in consultation with you, the SSA members and the Kennel Club. As you know this is a very special breed and we don’t want its value as a unique pedigree breed to be devalued.

Working The working side was busy this spring. Bill Cadwell arranged a very successful training weekend in March and then went over to Holland in April to organise another one. More on this from Bill in his news further on in the newsletter. Bill has offered to help anyone with training when he is at the Ch Show. There is room outside on the lawn to do this and this is a good opportunity for those of you with any queries or problems with training.

AGM & Open Show At the AGM we said a fond goodbye to our retiring Patron, Lady Trevor who had been with us for a great number of years. We were delighted that Jeremy Hackett became our new Patron. Jeremy is a huge supporter of the SSA and has really raised our profile with the publicity he generates with his Sussex. Sadly Charley his most famous Sussex Spaniel died recently just short of her 17th birthday. Dog World newspaper wrote a lovely tribute article to Charley and once again Jeremy was able to give a good plug for the breed and the Club. After the AGM we were out on the lawn for the Open Show judged by Mark Boswell, in beautiful warm sunshine. Proceeds of the raffle went to SSA Rescue, boosted by an auction which included Hackett’s “Charley & Browney” Keyrings. Chris Wakefield ran the Auction plus a Grand National Sweepstake, in the end a grand total of £311 was raised. Thank you all! Remember even if you don’t want to show, you are still very welcome at the Shows. We’re always interested to meet up with visitors with their dogs. It’s a family day out and more relaxed than the general Championship Shows.

SSA Rescue & Rehoming Rescue had more than its fair share of problems earlier in the year and at the AGM, Liz Bowe of SSA Rescue, proposed a plan for more financial help for Rescue from Breeders. I’m sure all of us who breed could one day find one of our breeding in Rescue. This happened to a couple of ours, and we’ve always been grateful to SSA Rescue and those members who ended up helping. Liz’s news is further on in the Newsletter.

SSA Ch Show 2011 As you’ll see from the enclosed schedule the Championship show (24 September) is being judge by Liz Bowe (Belcam). Judging the special classes is Jinty Gill-Davis an experienced judge of other gundog breeds and presently on our C List.

Ch Show Judges The SSA Judges sub-Committee (JSC) looked into the frequency that the A1 List Ch Show judges, those who give CC’s, were being asked to judge our breed. It was found that some were judging with no more than 17-20 months between appointments. Whilst this does not contravene KC rules, it does mean they could draw a poorer entry the 2nd time. Judges could be judging the same dogs and if the dogs had not been successful the 1st time, exhibitors would be reluctant to enter again a short time later. The KC look at Challenge Certificate allocation and stud book bands and take account of entries at shows and low entries will be detrimental to our breed averages. We have a good number of judges on the SSA A1 Judges List and earlier this year the JSC wrote to the Championship Show secretaries requesting that they don’t select judges who have officiated in the last 2 years. This should lead to a greater spread of judges and also encourage those judges on lower lists to gain more experience and move up the ladder. As judges are invited well in advance of Shows, it may take a couple of years before we see any effect. The JSC will continue to monitor the situation.

Ch Show Medals The Committee have agreed to the purchase of a 10 year supply of Joy Freer medals and judges plates from Tower Mint. These have been handed to the CC winners and judge at our Championship Show for many years and we were delighted to be able to continue awarding these as we know that they are treasured by the recipients. Mavis Lancaster has kindly offered to sponsor these for 3 years and we really appreciate this offer.

The Club Shop Still spending money! New tea towels are on order and further on you can see the pretty design that has been produced for us by Sandra Coen. New packs of note cards are now in stock with 5 new photos. Plus we shall have our 2012 calendar at the Ch Show. Thank you to those people who send photos for the calendar. If your photo is not featured I’m sorry. It may be that the quality or size was not quite right; it’s always up to the printers. However please keep the photos coming in. They need to be full size and sent by email or disk.

Facebook The SSA Facebook page has been a great success, now with 132 members. We’ve been able to keep everyone up to date with news of events. Members have been posting photos, making friends, sending news, links, plus queries and questions which we have all been able to respond to. It has brought everyone together, the companion, working and show owners. It’s well worth joining up. Not everyone is a SSA member, but hopefully we can persuade them to join us with your help. Contact Kelly or me if you’re not sure how to join Facebook. Fun Weekend 2012 Vicky Watts confirms that the Estate Manager is happy for us to use the farm where she lives for our Fun Weekend next year. This will be run in aid of SSA Rescue. The location is Downton Castle near Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 2LQ. The weekend 9-10 June 2012 is planned. This is the day after Three Counties Show - Gundog Day (Friday 8 June) at Malvern, which is about ¾ hr from Vicky’s. We’re looking forward to this new venue and hope everyone will join us. I’m told it is a beautiful and quiet area, with lots of nearby walks for the dogs. Yes, you can take the caravan and also the camping gear. There’ll be more news later in the year when plans are firmed up. Please let us know of any new ideas you may have, to make the weekend more fun for everyone.

Code of Ethics The Kennel Club have altered Clause 2 of the mandatory section of our Code of Ethics, with the insertion: ‘or who carries out a caesarean section of a bitch’. As we have to inform all our members of this new directive, an updated copy of the SSA Code of Ethics is printed further on in this Newsletter for you to read.

Many thanks to our groups of volunteers and their dogs for representing the breed at all the Game Fairs this year, it’s really appreciated. Thanks also go to everyone who helps us in whatever capacity, we’re lucky to have you. Thanks to Kelly, for another excellent newsletter.

Sheila Appleby Honorary Secretary www.sussexspaniels.org.uk

These will be available soon. They will be £8.00 each. The picture is copyright Sandra Coen. WORKING REPORT

The training weekend held in Wiltshire in March went very well with many encouraging young Sussex in the making. The weekend was taken by myself and Ron James. Ron took the slightly more advanced dogs and I had the novice dogs and handlers!

Many handlers complimented the standard of training and said they would happily have paid more money! This was encouraging both for the club and for the future of the Sussex as a working dog.

Following the training day there was a working assessment with the following results:-

Puppy 1st Kat Edge with Nutmeg 2nd Philip Gadsby with Bella.

Novice 1st Julia Lewis with Nelly 2nd Kat with Nutmeg 3rd Sally Vowles with Wrigby 4th Helen Smith and Wendy with Jess

Open 1st Paul Shawyer (WSS) 2nd Sandie White (WSS) 3rd Julie Shawyer (WSS)

Thank you to Kat and Delia who sourced the ground and accommodation.

I look forward to seeing some of you at some tests or trials in the future.

Bill

Bill Cadwell [email protected]

Date for your diary: Walked up day & Field trial to be held on 14th & 15th October at the Bryn Shoot in Powys. Contact me for more details. KENNEL CLUB WORKING GUNDOG CERTIFICATE, ON LIVE GAME

January 31st 2011, Held at West Harting Down Shoot, West Sussex.

On the last day of this years pheasant shooting season, Chris and Carol Page of the Clumber Spaniel Club, held the Working Gundog Certificate. With the kind permission of Mr Mark Boulton the game keeper, at the West Harting Down shoot in the very rolling Sussex downs!!! The shoot is 528 acres, and I think we worked most of it! (Well it felt like that by the time we finished!)

We had 18 dogs entered. 15 Rare breed spaniels. (4 Sussex, 1 Field, 4 Welsh Springers & 6 Clumbers). 1 Cocker and 2 Flatcoat Retrievers.

Mr Derek Deans and Mr Mike Leflay were our assessors for the day.

The dogs were all being assessed for the whole day, from 0900 to 1600. (Unlike a field trial where the dogs are judged individually over 2, 20 minute runs).

On the working gundog certificate the dogs not only have to show their natural Hunting and Retrieving abilities, they are also marked on Control, does the handler have any?? Does the dog work quietly? As continual barking & whining is a failure. Obedience, dog walk to heal off the lead, work within a reasonable distance from the handler, sit to shot, come back when called (always handy!!) & Temperament, is the dog nice with people and other dogs?

On the day we were split in to teams, 7 spaniels and handlers forming 1 beating line with the guns walking within the beating line as if on a days rough shooting, The other 7 dogs and handlers acting as stops at the end of the drive, the assessors were in behind the beating line watching the dogs hunting and flushing the game, the flatcoats walked behind the beating line to pick up any shot game along the way. We then swapped over so the assessors could watch the 2nd beating line. Once we had covered this area of beech wood, we moved further along the valley in to an area of mixed cover, ash, yews and oaks, pine plantation as well as big chunks of brambles and bracken. The guns were lined out “on the peg” with the flatcoats behind the guns ready to pick up, and the 1st team of 7 spaniels providing the beating line.

Being the end of the season the pheasants were wise to the day’s events, the spaniels put up a few birds which were duly shot and retrieved by the dogs the judges sent. Once we had covered this drive we swapped teams, relined out the guns and the picking up team and beat through area surrounding one of the pheasant pens. 2 dogs were put in the pen to flush out the birds inside. Then we continued the drive towards the guns, again more birds shot and retrieved.

After a short break for lunch we all set off again, this drive we regrouped as 1 beating team with the guns walking with us past pen three, this is where Henry had his hic-cup on his retrieve!

With brambles in a tangle round his chest, and a bird in his mouth he couldn’t go forward, he tried reverse but the bird didn’t fit through the bramble hole either, so he put the bird down to get himself out of the tangle, as he had put the bird down (I later found out) he’d failed the certificate, as this counted as a refusal to retrieve. I admit I was disappointed but “them” is the rules! The final drive of the day was past pen one, down in to the very bottom of the valley, all of the spaniels made up the beating line with the guns on the peg, this drive provides very high birds, a challenge for any gun, but perfect for the flatcoats to show what they are made of while the assessors concentrated on assessing them.

We all then crawled, scrabbled and hauled ourselves back up the side of Mount Everest to the cars, where we had the nails biting wait to see if we had passed. 9 of the 18 dogs passed. The Flatcoats, the Cocker, 3 Clumbers and 3 Sussex. The dogs that didn’t pass did get an advice sheet from the assessors, stating what areas of the dogs training need more development ready for next time.

Congratulations to Jane Edge and Hilary Huckle with the Flatcoats, Chris and Carol Page with 3 Clumbers and the Cocker, and to Kat Edge, Ann Moon and myself Louise Judge with the Sussex.

The ones of us showing at Crufts, had our certificates presented to us yb Mike Townsend, Vice Chairman of the Kennel Club, Hilary Gould, Administrator of the Kennel Club Field Trail Department & Paul Rawlings, Chairman of the Working Gundog Committee.

Left: Paul Rawlings, Louise Judge, Mike Townsend, Hilary Gould & Deanway Foxtail Lily at Opalreef (aka Izzy)

Right: Ann Moon, & Deanway Storm Warning (aka Storm)

Left (bottom): Kat Edge & Tawnyka Golden Caramel (aka Tansy)

May I say a huge thank you on behalf of the Sussex, to Mark the game keeper for letting us have the ground for the day, to Derek Deans and Mike Leflay for assessing our dogs, the guns for getting the birds for us, and to Chris and Carol for, as always organising and making sure the day was a great success.

I hope this award will be run again during the next shooting season, so let’s get those Sussex ready to pass. (Yes, Henry that does include you. Much to your disgust, a lot more practice on retrieves from brambles is planned!) Happy Training!!, Louise (nearly always seen in green). FROM OUR NEW PATRON (Jeremy Hackett)

Dear Members,

I was astonished to receive a letter from Lady Trevor inviting me to take over from her as Patron of the Sussex Spaniel association. I was a little reticent at first but her indomitable charm won me over. My reticence lay in the fact that whilst I am passionate about the Sussex my knowledge is scant to say the least but Lady Trevor assured me that the committee had full support for the proposed appointment.

I feel honoured and privileged to be your Patron and will do my best to promote the SSA in every possible way though Lady Trevor will be a hard act to follow.

Like many people I had never heard of the Sussex breed though for many years I had owned an American Cocker Spaniel. A chance visit to Battersea Dogs Home some 14 years ago changed all that. It was on a passing whim that I dropped into Battersea, having never been before I was curious. That was when I saw my first Sussex, Charley who they told me was about 3 years old and I was immediately smitten. The staff at Battersea took her out of her cage and began to paint a very black picture of Charley, they said she had been abandoned, badly treated and was depressed (well wouldn’t you be) and had been with them for nearly 3 months.

Several people had taken her but brought her back explaining that she was too difficult. At that point I decided against taking her on but she played on my mind and so a couple of days later I went back and asked if I could take her on trial. Battersea very responsibly wanted to see what my living arrangements were but I was more concerned about what Charley would think.

When I collected her I sat her in the front seat of my Range Rover and she seemed to immediately perk up. I had decided to take her to Badminton Horse Trials for the weekend to see how she behaved with large crowds, she behaved impeccably so I phoned Battersea and said I would keep her.

It took Charley some time to settle down and would howl if a left her even for a few minutes but gradually she regained her confidence and became the most remarkable companion. I would take Charley everywhere with me, to the office where she was adored by the staff. Except the day she scoffed a lunch that had been prepared for some visitors! She would accompany me to the Hackett shops and one day whilst we were both in our Sloane St shop she was wandering around and being pampered by a customer who wanted to know all about her.

The customer explained that she was the Editor of an American magazine called Town and Country and she would love to do a story about Charley and Hackett. It was the beginning for Charley of a long relationship with the press and she featured in publications all over the world, dam it she was becoming more famous than me. The author Will Self a neighbour of mine once in his Evening Standard column described Charley as a low slung silky hound which I thought was a very apt description. Charley also appeared in our brochures alongside Jonny Wilkinson, Robert Pattinson and Mathew Goode but she never let it go to her head, she never threw tantrums always turned up on time and as soon as a camera was pointed at her she took up a pose.

Some years ago having completely fallen in love with the Sussex I thought it would be good for Charley to have a companion so I bought my second Sussex from Sussex and called her Browney (I know it’s not a very original name but it went well with Charley) suffice to say they never really hit it off and their characters were so different. Charley was shy and a little aloof where as Browney is a real flirt.

Sadly after almost 17 years I had to have Charley put down, I had been hoping she would pass away in her sleep. I have buried her in the garden wrapped in her favourite blanket that she had slept on for many years under my bed, I do miss her; does Browney miss her? not a bit of it after all she thinks she’s top dog now.

I really enjoyed my day at the A.G.M. And I know that Sheila will keep me posted about forthcoming events and which I will attend whenever possible because I still have a lot to learn about that breed which is the wonderful Sussex Spaniel. Have a very Sunny Sussex Summer. HEALTH MATTERS (Ann Moon) The following information was published in the Clumber Club magazine. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener which is not considered harmful to humans but is harmful to dogs if ingested is found in confectionery, dental hygiene products and a binding agent in many medicines. More importantly it is found in many sugar substitute products and in manufactured baked goods such as cakes and biscuits. It triggers a sudden release of insulin which causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar and can lead to liver damage.

Following on from my report at the AGM, the Kennel Club Mate Select programme is up and running and is found via the Kennel Club Website and certainly makes for interesting reading. You must be careful and put in the correct registered name of your dog to obtain the breeding co-efficient. Our breed average is 22.6% - this is considered to be quite high. As you know the Kennel Club will not these days register puppies from for example a brother and sister mating and this programme will hopefully enable us to reduce the co- efficient but with our limited gene pool.

Kennel Club & British Veterinary Association - HIP DYSPLASIA SCHEME Sussex Spaniels hip scored during 2010 - Taken from the KC Breed Records Supplement

The Score is given for each hip (right: left) and a total. The lower the score the less degree of hip dysplasia.

Quintic Damson 7:6 = 13 Jubilwell Beast Of Bodmin 6:6 = 12 Belcam Classic Clover Of Patchinghall 24:24 = 48 Deanway Tiger Lily 38:37 = 75 Jubilwell Mars At Nyrrela 42:42 = 84 Jubilwell Mashona At Pindani 39:43 = 82 Meggamooch Queen Of Quests 18:15 = 33 Quarr West With The Night 9:8 = 17 Conundrum Angel 45:33 = 78 Deanway Distant Storm 32:29 = 61 Deanway Storm Ranger 3:5 = 08 Jubilwell Miranda 8:18 = 26

For more information regarding the scheme: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/313 Ann Moon Health Co-ordinator, Telephone 01622 744334; Email [email protected]

CARING FOR YOUR SUSSEX THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS (Daphne Bailey)

Many things to do with your dogs general appearance are on going throughout the year but the seasons and weather do play a big part.

Spring - After the recent hard winters, Spring can be a time for knuckling down and getting your dog in tip top condition. I always try to groom my dogs daily. I use a Spratt’s 73 metal comb and a pure bristle brush for the body and a coat king if needed. For the feathering I use a Spratt’s 71 & 70 metal comb and a cushion mounted slicker brush with rounded tips. I trim once a week and spray with a coat conditioner. During this session I also check the ears, with a weekly clean, look at the teeth because infected gums can affect the whole body, examine feet and nails which may need attention, and also the coat for hot spots etc, which can save you a vets bill. Doing this you will see if anything is wrong. If you get into this routine it won‘t be hard on you or your dog. I can hear you saying I haven’t time, well spend less time on Facebook; what’s more important? A spayed or castrated Sussex may need to be clipped off at least twice a year as the coat will sometimes go very woolly. If you cannot do this yourself, take to someone who knows what they are doing, there is no need for it to look like a cartoon character.

Summer - By Summer everything should be looking good, ready to be attacked by Fleas, Lice, Ticks, Midge’s, and anything else nature can throw at you. Thankfully there are lots of products on the market to help cope with these. We all have our favourites, and I think if something is working for you, don’t change. Grass seeds can be a nightmare, check daily after your walks, as these can soon penetrate and go unnoticed causing a lot of trouble weeks later. If I think one has gone in between the toes I soak the foot in salt water. This will draw it out, I then rub Manuka honey into the opening, this is good for healing. You may be lucky enough to live near the sea, and your dogs usually love it, but it is best to rinse the sea water out of your dogs coat as this can make the coat harsh. We have a paddling pool for this purpose, and also for them to cool down during hot weather. Road surfaces are also repaired during the hot weather so tar can get onto your dogs feet; I have used butter to remove this. Don’t bath your dog too often without using a good conditioner, as you will be taking all the oil out of the coat. This can aggravate hot spots and develop into eczema. All coats are different textures and what works for one may not work for others, so there is a lot of trial and error. I don’t usually recommend products that work for me to other people, but I have used Yumega for some time with good results on my dogs, I prefer to feed something from the inside especially during the winter, rather than lots of sprays onto the coat.

Autumn - Autumn is a month to get ready for the Winter, bitches are often in season so may need extra supplements to keep them in condition. Also the oldies may need supplementing to help with mobility through damp cold periods. If your dog is to be clipped get this done before it is very cold, so that it gets a good covering over its body.

Winter - Winter can be hard on your dogs coat and condition, so be prepared for the snow and ice. The ice is only a problem if your roads are salted as this can make the feet sore and they will want to lick them, rinse with warm water when you come in from your walk, if you haven’t broken any limbs yourself. The snow collects in large balls on the feathering, so these must be soaked in warm water, trying not to pull the coat out as this is a rather laborious job. The other option is a coat or trouser suit, I only like to use these when I am really desperate. You can oil the coat with a baby oil, which will help to prevent knotting. I know we all increase the heating in the winter but this is not good for your dog, so if we do have to make cuts on the heating bills at least this is an advantage for the dogs living indoors. We now have undocked tails, these can split during the cold weather, and if kennelled these are very difficult to get healed. If dogs are indoors they can be watched more carefully. Several people have mentioned Frozen Tails, this is not a seasonal problem and usually occurs after the dog has been bathed. The tail hangs forlornly down and can be painful, it usually recovers after a few days. After a bath make sure you dry thoroughly especially underneath the base of the tail. Don’t leave to dry naturally on a cold surface.

There are no hard and fast rules, mostly just commonsense. If you get into a routine it will make life easier for you and your Sussex. SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT EAR PROBLEMS WITH OUR SUSSEX SPANIEL BITCH (Stewart Morton)

Disclaimer – this article is based on our personal experiences and of the treatments which we have had for our own dog, and is not to be regarded as veterinary advice, or used in substitution for advice and assistance from a qualified veterinary surgeon.

Many of the News and Views readership will remember us from the adventures of Basil, our Sussex dog, who shared our lives for over eight years, and the light hearted articles which recounted his exploits and adventures. Unfortunately, this article is of a more serious nature, as it relates to our experiences with our current Sussex bitch, Paws, and the problems which we have had with her ears, and how we have tackled these over a four year period. Paws is not, though a four year old, as we rehomed her several years ago, and she is nearing eleven now, though other than the problems which I am going to describe, she has, so far (touch wood) been in the rudest of health, and is more like 11 months than 11 years.

She started to show signs of ear problems, as I say, about four years ago, and in that regard, we were lucky in two areas - first, we now have an excellent vet who looks past the obvious, and also knows his limitations. Second, we have Paws insured for vet’s bills with no age limit and also no time limit on specific conditions.

We probably had been looking after Paws for about a year when that unmistakable smell of an ear problem started to appear. Once you’ve had problems with ears, you know that smell right away, and it is not to be ignored. So a trip to the vet, a look in the ears, a diagnosis of an ear infection, and a course of Leo and Synulox was prescribed. After a couple of weeks, the symptoms abated, so that, we thought, was that. Not so, the problem was back within a month, and a stronger course of antibiotics including an injection was prescribed. Again, this only worked for a while, and the vet took swabs from both ears, and a diagnosis of Pseudomonas came back, but only in the right ear, and resistant to some, but not all, antibiotics and gentamicin was prescribed. Oddly, the left ear showed no sign of pseudomonas though it did have a yeast infection which needed a totally different medication which was an oral anti-fungal drug, Sporanox, and the treatment seemed to work effectively. However, we were warned that pseudomonas might become resistant to antibiotics and also was a virulent and difficult to treat infection.

The pseudomonas did return, and to cut a long story short, it finally mutated to be resistant to most conventional drugs, and had caused Paws’ eardrum to rupture. Our vet said that his armoury was just about exhausted and that to make sure that there was no knock on effect to the middle ear, the next step was to consult a specialist. Luckily one of the referral practices with which he works has a really good dermatologist who is also an expert on ears, who could carry out video otoscopy, and also had a very positive approach to pseudomonas control. So we met the specialist, who made a very thorough and professional examination, explained a lot more about the structure of a dog’s ear, and also of the mechanics of the procedure which was going to be carried out. She showed me a copy of an article from one of the veterinary journals, and I was most encouraged when I saw that she was the author of the article, and the illustrations were of her carrying out the procedure. I was also encouraged as when I was waiting to be seen, I met a gentleman who was also having his Newfie treated by the same vet, for the same condition, and he was seeing dramatic improvements.

The result was much as our first opinion vet had concluded – multi resistant pseudomonas in the right ear, and a fungal infction oin the left, and the photographs of the ears showed just how much damage the infections had wreaked with both eardrums ruptured. A hearing test showed that Paws was almost 50% deaf in both ears. A course of a preparation of Flamazine 50/50 with distilled water was given for the pseuodomonas, and a steroid mixed with an ear cleaner, Triz EDTA plus an oral anti fungal for the fungal infection. We were then warned that the fungal infection was a cause for concern as it was causing small pockets of swollen tissue in the ear, which needed to be controlled. Four weeks later, and the pseudomonas was coming under control in the right ear, but we still had to work on the left to try to control the swellings.

Fast forward six months, as I was confined to home due to having had a serious fracture, and we were continuing to follow the course of treatment in both ears. Then Paws’ left ear started “the smell” and a trip to our first opinion vet, who diagnosed that her right ear was OK, but she now had pseudomonas in the left ear. It was essential to get back to the specialist again as soon as possible. Again, Paws had to have otoscopy which showed that the swollen tissue in the left ear had not gone down as hoped, and that the pseudomonas was probably lurking in that tissue, and hence it had to be reduced as quickly as possible. The specialist carried out micro injections of steroid into the tissue, prescribed a maintenance medication for the now almost cured right ear, and a witches brew mixture of a strong ear cleaner, gentamicin, a steroid, and dimethyl sulphoxide. By now her hearing was getting better in the right ear, and worse in the left. Eight weeks later, great progress was being made, and we agreed to one last otoscopy in a further six weeks, by which time the photos were showing virtually normal ear canals on both sides, and her hearing much improved. The vet was delighted with the outcome.

Since then, we’ve had a further unusual problem with Paws ears, and this has affected her balance. One incident was so bad that an emergency vet diagnosed a stroke as she was down on one side, with her head well over to the right. Our first opinion vet ruled out stroke, vestibular disease, and most other conditions, and said that he needed assistance with a diagnosis, as the symptoms were either an unusual ear problem or a neurological problem. So yet again the specialist had to be consulted, and a CAT scan proved that this was an inner ear mass which appeared to be a polyp. Surgery was carried out, and when the middle ear was opened, the mass turned out to be some sort of semi solid substance which was possibly the result of previous infections travelling beyond the eardrum before it healed, this has now been drained, and hopefully Paws has started to show signs of recovery. We have, however, been told to stop her from jumping, climbing stairs, etc. Nail her feet to the floor comes to mind to achieve that!

In conclusion, pseudomonas is a difficult, though not impossible condition to treat, but it does take a great deal of work between vet and owner, and also it might be necessary to encourage your vet to think a bit beyond the more normal and obvious treatments. If you are unlucky enough to have a dog with multi resistant pseudomonas, endeavour to get into the care of a specialist who has the equipment and expertise to go the extra mile. RESCUE REPORT (Liz Bowe)

Thank you to everyone for their cards and phone calls after my riding accident at the beginning of January, they were very much appreciated and my broken pelvis has now mended. My enforced inactivity seemed to coincide with several Sussex needing new homes. Three in January, one in February, and two more since then.

During that time I had time to reflect on the way Rescue/ Rehoming runs.

Fortunately through the kindness of other members assessing homes and dogs for me, with phone calls and emails, expenses were kept low. One Sussex did have to be kennelled for a time, due to circumstances, and obviously, as I wasn’t able to look after my own dogs I couldn’t have him at the farm.

Rehoming dogs is not easy, as the emotions of the people who are rehoming the Sussex are difficult to deal with, and each case has to be handled slightly differently. Sometimes the owners don’t want to tell the breeder, others feel they have failed the dog as they can’t deal with it’s behaviour.

Sadly people’s circumstances change, ill health, job changes, children, where there were none, other dogs in the household. Sussex spaniels, when they are not happy let you know they are not happy, and not every owner can deal with that. That’s when the Rescue/Rehoming is called. Placing the dog in a different home is sometimes the answer, advice is sometimes all that is needed. They are a strong willed breed and not for everyone.

It has to be remembered that although the potential puppy buyers say all the right things to you when they come and see the puppies, they may have no idea of what living with a Sussex spaniel is like. So to all breeders PLEASE outline to the new owners that the first six months is very important, the firm but fair policy has to be installed by then, as does grooming, nail trimming etc.

Although we would appear to be in a sound financial position, this eary we have incurred costs due to one of the dogs having to be kennelled for a period of time. In the last few years I have been in the position of being able to keep dogs at the farm at no additional expense to Rescue, but this is not always possible.

Obviously I had to leave my own dogs to my family to care for, whilst I was bed bound, and couldn’t have any extra here. In the future, and for the time being at the farm, this situation will arise again, and the finances could dwindle quickly. Whoever takes over doing Rescue and Rehoming may not be able to keep these dogs at their home either. With this in mind to keep funds in an adequate position to deal with this possibility, I believe a small voluntary donation could be made by breeders of £10 for each puppy sold. With approx. 60 puppies born each year, 10 being kept by the breeders, that would make a donation of around £500 a year. This is the amount one dog has cost us this year alone. Even a voluntary sum of £5 per puppy would help. Without any income, the scheme has expenses of nearly £200 per year, which still has to be met.

Some dogs we rehome are five or six years old, nine years in one case. The financial circumstance of the breeder will have changed in those years, and they may not be able to help, but if we get small donations at the time of selling the puppies, it will help if we have to rehome one in the future. At some stage a Sussex you have bred could end up being rehomed by Rescue. It is also possible that in future one of the Sussex outcrosses will come up for rehoming, with the Association having no dealings with the breeder. There is no stigma attached to having something you have bred having to be rehomed, but it is a reality.

MEGAN (Liz Bowe)

In the late Autumn of 2006 a young bitch (approx. 5 months old) was returned to her breeder. A young family showed interest in having her and took her just after Christmas.

Sadly after several months this home wasn’t working out and she once again was returned to her breeder. The breeder then found her another home, but she didn’t settle with their other dogs, and I set out to find her another home.

Fortunately I had an enquiry from a family up in the Wirral. The couple had grown up children, no other dogs and the wife had just retired as a teacher of young children.

Delyth Ferguson kindly vetted the home for me, and we both felt that this finally could be the right home for Megan. When I collected her in October 2007, she lay down on her side, curling her head round, holding one of my hands firmly in her mouth, while I clipped the lead on with the other hand. When I stood up, she let go of my hand and there was no mark on it. I knew then that this was not a vicious bitch, just a very frightened and confused one. The following is Megan’s story.

RE-HOMING MEGAN (Tim & Barbara Little)

We wouldn’t be without Megan now. She is a real character, loving, fun, stubborn and naughty. But we adore her and she is at the centre of our family. But it wasn’t always like this. It all started when we decided the time was right to have a dog, so we made contact with Liz Shewell (Bowe) about a rescue Sussex. Liz was extremely helpful and was honest about Sussex in general and Megan in particular. Megan was a difficult dog due to her negative experiences, being passed from pillar to post.

We knew we had the patience and plenty of love to give this troubled dog. I was a teacher in a socio – economically deprived area, handling some challenging children with many problems. I knew the challenges ahead would be similar. We had a home visit from a couple, who had Sussex in the past, but brought their son’s dog Dyson to see us. Once we saw him we knew we were doing the right thing by adopting Megan.

The day arrived when Liz kindly drove from Northampton to Coventry to pick Megan up and brought her up to the Wirral. We fell in love with Megan as soon as we saw her, but could see she was a challenge. After signing forms and gladly giving a donation to the Association we were on our own. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy and Megan’s fear aggression kicked in straight away. The only person she tolerated was Tim and our son Rob. She didn’t want to be handled by the women of the family. Megan employed every avoidance tactic to get out of being handled. We wondered if we had done the right thing. There was tension between all of us. Then we decided to get a behaviourist on board. Kate was very good and helped us a lot how to handle Megan. The most important thing was to begin understanding her and the reasons behind her behaviour and fears. We began to teach her to a few commands. Megan was a quick learner.

Weeks turned to months and then years. We had Megan spayed, which helped enormously. We continued to employ the techniques Kate shown us and with immense patience, love and understanding, like the challenging children I taught, life began to get easier. It was a constant round of positive reinforcement and analysing how we could do things better. We have found a network of great people too, who now deal with Megan.

As we have grown in confidence so has Megan. She adores Tim, but as she spends most time with me, she has finally accepted me as her Mum. I understand her little foibles now and her anxieties. In return she has rewarded us with so much love, smiles and trust. She still has problems, but they are fewer now. Liz does a marvellous and important job for these unfortunate dogs. Without her we would never have come across Meg and our lives would have been the poorer for it.

A TALE (TAIL?) OF THREE SUSSEX RESCUES (Sally Blackett)

One day way back in the 90s I jokingly informed my boss that the very next time his beloved Springer came to stay for the weekend I would refuse to give him back. Jasper was much loved by our family too. So Michael came up with an idea! His daughter had a 15 month old Sussex bitch who needed a new home as she did not get on with her toddler (who we later discovered was, among other things, in the habit of kicking the poor dog). Would we like our own spaniel and a rare one at that?! Rapid Internet research revealed an adorable looking breed and much more special than a mere Springer!

Within a few short weeks ‘Rosy’ arrived – an adorable ‘brown furry thing’ (BFT) - who ran into the house and immediately rolled over in complete submission for cuddles and simply melted our hearts. There was no doubt that she was a sad little being who had been traumatised by her previous experiences but we simply smothered her with love and affection and soon she regained her confidence and fitness with long walks along the seafront and adventure in the New Forest. Before long she was ruling the roost in pure Sussex fashion. The kitchen was simply not good enough when the family members in the house slept upstairs! The same applied to the car boot – why could she not sit on the back seat with the other children? A chair in the dining room window became her throne and woe betides anyone else who dared to sit there! Yes, we were soft but what the heck? Rosy was the love of our lives – not just ours but the whole extended family too. She loved to sing – especially ‘Happy Birthday’. So a habit developed that all little nieces and nephews would expect a birthday call from the Blackett household to hear the chorus led by our beloved BFT! ‘Tinkerbell’ left us prematurely aged just 7 and a half. We were heart broken but so grateful for just over 6 fun filled years. She was of course irreplaceable and so I returned to full time work and life moved on … Our children grew up and left home but still there was the regular comment about ‘getting another dog …’.

In mid 2009 I gave up work and guess what? Within a day or two the cry came ‘Can we now get another dog?’ We? Will and Sophie were by now in their mid twenties, independent and living away from home. Nonetheless I was sent links to Battersea Dogs Home and other such hints! Jeff, my husband, was in two minds but adamant that no other breed than Sussex was acceptable! So I had a quick look at the SSA website and the rest is history. Again within weeks we were the utterly delighted and proud new owners of not just one but two more beautiful BFTs! This pair were sad victims of a divorce – a loving sacrifice from a previous owner who could no longer cope with two dogs on her own.

We collected ‘Dulcie’ and ‘Higgins’ from Liz at the SSA Fun Day and have not looked back since! Their full pet names are Dulce du Leche (after caramel confection from South America) and Henry Higgins (after My Fair Lady). A friend remarked that these names conjured up an image of a parlour maid and butler! No such luck – these two do not contribute in any way whatsoever to the household chores! Indeed the constant deposits of fur and every conceivable petal, twig and grass cutting onto floors and carpets just create more work!! Actually I tell a lie – Henry the Higg is very good at dishwasher prewash! On arrival D & H were somewhat overweight and unfit. We soon put that right with daily ball chasing runs on the Epsom Downs and long walks in the Surrey countryside. What true Sussex characters! Dulcie is the boss – she keeps Higgins firmly in his place and is not the politest of hostesses when canine visitors invade ‘her territory’. Higgs is my complete shadow, very affectionate and follows me everywhere. If I am honest he is a bit of wimp and will settle for a quiet life rather than taking on his older companion. I am pleased to report that this ‘couple’ have done their bit for the Sussex population having produced a litter of 3 many years ago. We have met one daughter and two grandchildren – all of whom are fine specimens of the breed.

If I have any sadness about adopting this wonderful pair it is that they are mature dogs, now 11 and 9 years old, and thus their time with us will be ‘shortish’. That said I was delighted to read about ‘Charlie Hackett’ who lived into her 17th year! So we shall continue to enjoy every new day and pray for long and healthy lives for Dulcie and Higgins. And just maybe when dear Dulcie goes to join Rosy in that kennel in the sky we might at last have a puppy … as a companion for Higgs of course!! But failing that our door will be forever open to any Sussex, young or old, needing a loving home. OPEN SHOW 2011 (Judge: Mark Boswell)

Puppy Dog - Entries 2 - 1st Graham’s Belcam Over to You at Nyliram. 7 ½ month old chunky lad. Correct size and shape for age, nice legs and feet. Head will hopefully develop, moved and showed well. Presentation good. B.P.I.S. 2nd William’s Belcam Moon Man. Litter brother to 1, just needs time for body. Correct size and tail carriage.

Junior Dog - Entries 3 - 1st Wakefield’s Julius of Tonispada at Norriss. Very promising young junior, size correct, head and body will develop with maturity. Moved well once settled. 2nd Basey’s Yorkham Beaujolais. Pleasing to go over, good bone and type, moved okay. 3rd Hughes’ Quintic The Countryman.

Special Yearling Dog - Entries 1 - 1st Dean’s Milligan Daytripper to Mountdown. Very smart 20mnth old upstanding male. Nice coat and condition, correct coat colour, good head, eye and expression, pleasing front and rear action. Moved and showed well. Best dog and Res. B.I.S.

Novice Dog - Entries 2 -1st Wakefield’s Julius of Tonispada at Norriss (Imp.Bel) Naf. 2nd Graham’s Belcam over to You at Nyliram.

Graduate Dog - Entries 1 - 1st Boniface’s Belcam Kings Ransom. 4yr old dog, nice size, correct coat and colour. Pleasing head and eye, good front assemble, moved well.

Post Grad Dog - Entries 2 - 1st Shankland’s Jubilwell Mars at Nyrrela. Very masculine in head, loved his size and shape. Correct topline and kept it on the move. Presentation A1, with age should be a very impressive dog in this lovely breed! Res. Best Dog. 2nd Boniface’s Belcam Kings Ransom. Limit Dog - Entries 5 - 1st Bowe’s Belcam Percy Verance. Liked his size and shape, pleasing to go over and well bodied. Moved and presented well. 2nd Ashcroft’s Torshca Teddy Ready Go. Have judged this lad recently and when he settles down, can be up there with the best. Presentation A1 as one expects from this exhibitor. 3rd Swietalski’s Belcam Kingsmark at Bowswizzler.

Open Dog - Entries 2 - 1st Cadwell’s Jubilwell Thor. Have always admired this male, has all the qualities of a great sire that one is looking for. Moved well and presented in good order. Just would like a little more of him to complete the picture!

Bred by Exhibitor Dog - Entries 0 Not Bred by Exhibitor Dog - Entries 1 - 1st Gasher’s Narddamway Mack the Knife. 5yr old dog, nicely made, moved and showed well.

Special Beginners Dog - Entries 3 1st Boniface’s Belcam Kings Ransom 2nd Basey’s Yorkham Beaujolais 3rd Hughes’ Quintic the Countryman.

Special Working Dog - Entries 1 - 1st Moon’s Deanway Storm Warning. 5yrs old, good size and shape, bodied well, moved and presentation okay.

Veteran Dog - Entries 4 - 1st Graham’s Sh Ch Nyliram Night on the Tiles SHCM. So much has been reported on this well known dog, and just to say I think he has all the great qualities that are required to attain the winning he has done. A credit to his owners. 2nd Wakefield’s Sh Ch Ir/Ned/Lux Sh Ch Zaphod of Tonispada at Norriss (Imp Bel). Another dog that has all the qualities of a top dog, this, in my opinion, has been passed onto his offspring. 3rd Perkin’s Quarr Woodlander at Quintic.

Puppy Bitch - Entries 4 - 1st Wakefield’s Norriss Northern Cassandra. 11 month old bitch of correct shape and size. Moved well once settled, the more she moved the better and more settled she became. Should make a tidy bitch. 2nd Bennett’s Sovaroma Solstice. Sweet feminine 6 ½ month old girl. Pleasing to go over, needs to settle and hopefully grow on. 3rd Bennett’s Sovaroma Spring Loaded.

Junior Bitch - Entries 4 (A1) - 1st Hunter’s Glenbrows Patience. Loved this young bitch, full of quality. Pretty head and eye, good head and body, moved well. 2nd Edge’s Tawnyka Totally Nutmeg. Pretty bitch throughout, nice head and expression, good body. Needs to grow on to fulfill the overall picture. 3rd Ham’s Yorkham Shiraz.

Special Yearling Bitch - Entries 1 - 1st Ham’s Yorkham Shiraz. Nice type and full of herself. Needs to settle and requires owner to be a lot firmer with her please!

Novice Bitch - Entries 3 - 1st Kenyon & Smith’s Jubilwell Mashona. Typical Sussex bitch, correct head and body, moved well and presented in good order. A little more height would benefit. 2nd Wakefield’s Norriss Northern Cassandra. 3rd Chamber’s Jessemyns Arun Victoria. Graduate Bitch - Entries 5 - 1st Bowe’s Belcam Miss Demeanour. Another nice type from this well known kennel. Pleasing head and eye, good body and tail carriage, moved okay. 2nd Kenyon & Smith’s Jubilwell Mashona. 3rd Cadwell’s Jubilwell Malteaser.

Post Graduate Bitch - Entries 2 (A1) - 1st Appleby’s Quarr West with the Night. Stood alone in this class, very smart girl. Liked her overall outline, legs, feet and body moved okay. Just needs a little zest in her step to get to the top.

Limit Bitch - Entry 4 (A1) - 1st Appleby’s Quarr Topaz. Another nice type from this exhibitor. Good size, correct body and head, super eye and expression. Should have a good show career. 2nd Prince’s Narddamway We’ll Go Dreamin. Smart bitch, good head, body and moved well. Presentation in good order. 3rd Brown’s Rangatira Good As Gold.

Open Bitch - Entries 4 - A very good class but all so different. 1st Ashcroft’s Sh.Ch Meggamooch Lucky For Torshca. Star of the day, top draw bitch, super head, neck and shoulders. Correct body, legs and feet. Moved and showed well, presentation A1 as one has come to expect from this exhibitor. Well done! Best Bitch and B.I.S. 2nd Bennett’s Sh Ch Sovaroma Ruby Tuesday. Really liked her type. Size, body and head good. Moved and showed well, worthy champion. 3rd Watts’ Sh. Ch. Jubilwell Teazer of Stoweridge.

Bred by Exhibitor - No Entries Not Bred By Exhibitor - Entries 3 (A1) - 1st Watts’ Sh. Ch. Jubilwell Teazer of Stoweridge. Was unlucky to meet the 2 that beat her in previous class. A quality bitch, nice head and body shape, correct length of back, moved and showed well. 2nd Prince’s Narddamway We’ll Go Dreamin.

Special Beginners Bitch - Entries 2 - 1st Chambers’ Jessemyns Arun Victoria. Pleasing bitch to go over. Showed and moved well, in good condition, would prefer more leg. Presentation good. 2nd Ham’s Yorkham Shiraz. Special Working Bitch - Entry 1 (A1)

Veteran Bitch - Entries 2 - 1st Edge’s Niriti Lady’s Mantle of Tawnyka. Another bitch I have always admired. Lovely head and expression, correct length of back, super body. Moved okay. 2nd Brown’s Rangatira Exquisite. Lovely type, moved and showed well, happy on the move. Enjoyed her day out!

Junior Handling The winner of the junior handling class was Lottie Craven shown here on the right with Jubilwell Thor (Mickey). CRUFTS 2011 (Judge: Christine Bexon)

I would like to thank all exhibitors for their entries, making this a special day for me.

VD (5) 1 Graham’s Sh Ch Nyliram Night On The Tiles, well balanced 9½ years dog of correct type & size. Nice shaped head with good stop & moderately low set ears, good angle to shoulders & correct stifle. Strong bone & good straight front. Moved well with a good roll; 2 Bennett’s Sh Ch Nyliram Captain Morgan for Sovaroma, lovely headed 8 year old, good depth of chest, nice topline, good stifle & hindquarters, good bone & in good coat. Pasterns not quite as strong as winner. Moved well; 3 Perkins’ Quarr Woodlander at Quintic, lovely dog from any angle, exudes type, excellent outline, good head, neck & shoulders, lovely feet & strong bone. Has so much to like.

PD (1) 1 Hughes’ Quintic The Countryman, youngster with excellent coat, condition & colour. Decent head shape, good stop & muzzle ratio, strongish neck, good depth of chest, just tends to stand a little 10 to 2 but has good hindquarters. Needs to develop more weight across his loins to advantage, but will get there in the end.

JD (2) 1 Basey’s Yorkham Beaujolais, dog, unfortunately the handler did not get the best out of this dog & needs to practice. Needs to develop more in head but has a lovely front & good topline & tailset, good depth of chest & strong body. Correct bend of stifle, shown in good condition & coat. Moved well; 2 Hughes’ Quintic The Countryman.

PGD (7) 1 Shankland’s Jubilwell Mars at Nyrrela, beautifully presented & handled of the correct size. Lovely outline & topline. Good shoulder placement. Well boned straight front, has a lovely head & eye, well placed ears, good coat. Nice deep body. Very happy & accurate on the move. CC, lost to bitch for BOB in maturity of body. I shall watch his progress with interest; 2 Maddran’s Papplesett Marquis VSOP at Narddamway, needs time to mature, but has all the essentials, nice head, strong neck & level topline, nice bone & stifle, moved well; 3 Majster’s Onyx from a Saturn Night, similar remarks to 2, has a better head than 2 but the handler did not make the most of this exhibit, as he has a better front when standing naturally. Good topline & tailset, tail held well on the move.

LD (8,2) 1 Gasher’s Narddamway Mack The Knife, lovely young dog with super topline & outline, good bone, straight forelegs, but pasterns could be better. I liked his really balanced head, has a good depth of body & nice hindquarters. Moved well; 2 Moon’s Deanway Storm Warning, nice dog with slightly wider front than 1, ever wagging tail, A really Dog CC - happy dog. Correct head & expression very Jubilwell Mars at Nyrrela good neck, has good body proportions, really owned by John & Grace Shankland well ribbed up & no waistiness. Good mover; 3 Swietalski’s Belcam Kingsmark at Bowswizzler, smaller type than I prefer & finer in bone. I liked the shape of his head & balance, he has a strong topline held well on the move.

OD (8,5) 1 Bailey’s Nyliram Old Ember at Daelyb, 5 years dog with excellent coat & condition. Good outline & has the required frill. Lovely head & eye, good straight front , deep body with no waistiness, ever wagging tail, good stifle & muscle; sadly lacking in a number of exhibits. Moved accurately with definite roll. RCC; 2 Maddran’s Meggamooch Jester at Narddamway, 6 years dog with lovely outline, super head with strong well shaped neck. Clean straight front, disappointed as his movement let him down; 3 Mertens-Marcelis’ Ch Bournefield Dandyboy, smaller type than previous winners, good topline, nice front angulation & hindquarters, good feet, moved very well.

WGD (1) 1 Chagnot & Schuehmacher’s Ushu De Chateua Ripaille, nice coat & condition for a working gundog, good bone & front, nice head with kind eye, good topline & tailset. Moved well. Would like an extra 2 inches on the length of his legs. GCD (4) 1 N Mack The Knife; 2 D Storm Warning; 3 B Kingsmark at B.

VB (8,5) 1 Edge’s Niriti Lady’s Mantle of Tawnyka, nicely balanced 8½ years bitch with lovely head & excellent topline. Lovely shoulders, well developed body with good quarters with correct bend of stifle. I was a little disappointed in her coat & condition though, but nevertheless moved very well; 2 Appleby’s Quarr Tanywood, sweet headed 8 ½ year old, would prefer more length of legs but has firm topline & good body shape. Gave a good account on the move; 3 Swietalski’s Bowswizzler Heiress Boudica, another bitch with a sweet head & lovely body properties, wider in front than 1 & 2 & again would prefer more length to leg, but moved OK.

PB (3) 1 Hunter’s Glenbrows Patience, lovely headed bitch & has really good body properties. Tends to stand a little wide in front but has good level topline & a pleasing deep body. Moved very well. BP; 2 Swietalski’s Quintic Vogue of Bowswizzler, longer on the leg than I would prefer but has a sweet head, good neck & shoulders & lovely coat condition & colour. Moved well. Needs a lot of time; 3 Ditton’s Quintic The Lady, litter sister to 2 & similar remarks apply but this exhibit is wild at the moment & again needs a lot of time.

JB (3) 1 Boswell’s Marquell Mia Nesta, nice sized youngster, needs to develop in head, I thought a little plain at the moment. Front not her fortune, but she is well off for bone, has a good topline & has a correct coat & was shown in lovely condition; 2 Q Vogue of B; 3 Edge’s Tawnyka Totally Nutmeg, short legs, sweet head, well developed body. Moved OK.

PGB (6,2) 1 Appleby’s Quarr West With The Night, lovely coat & colour, nice head with soft expression, really strong front, nice deep body with no waistiness, good shoulders, good stifle, well muscled hindquarters, moved very well with required roll; 2 Maddran’s Pappleset Remy Martin to Narddamway, taller than 1 & needs time to fill out. Good front, excellent head, nice deep body, moved well; 3 Moon’s Deanway Day Lily, wider in front than 1 & 2 but has nice head, decent body & moved OK with extra waggy tail.

LB (3) 1 Appleby’s Quarr Topaz, another nice headed bitch with a pleasing eye, good ear placement, has a deep body but just needs to mature a little & I think she will do well, has well placed shoulders, pleasing straight forelegs & strong hindquarters, moved well; 2 Prince’s Narddamway We’ll Go Dreaming, similar in type to 1, not quite the topline; tended to rise up a little at rear. Pleasing shaped head, strong neck, well laid shoulders & strong bone, moved well; 3 Edge’s Tawnyka Golden Caramel, another decent bitch, excellent topline & tailset, good head, nice body, deep chest, nice feet. Moved a little close behind.

OB (11,1) 1 Ashcroft’s Sh Ch Meggamooch Lucky for Torshca, stood out for style & soundness. Excellent shape to head, good stop, soft expression, lovely eye colour & set, correct length of neck, well laid shoulders, strong level body with good depth of chest. Hindquarters well muscled with correct bend of stifle. Beautiful colour & condition of coat. Excellent mover, won the CC & BOB on her maturity & faultless movement. Sorry to see her mess about in the group ring; 2 Bennett’s Sh Ch Sovaroma Ruby Tuesday, another lovely bitch with excellent outline, lovely head & expression, deep strong body with no waistiness, moved well. Not the condition of coat as winner. RCC; 3 Bailey & Boswell’s Marquell Jibby Bean, super bitch with lovely head & eye. Long neck & good topline, shoulders & stifle, not as positive on the move as 1 & 2.

FTB (1) 1 Cadwell’s Jubilwell Malteaser, shorter on the leg than I prefer but has nice head properties & was presented in excellent coat & condition. Needs to develop in body but moved well. Bitch CC & BOB - GCB (3) 1 Q Vogue of B; 2 B Heiress Boudica; 3 Judge’s Sh Ch Meggamooch Deanway Foxtail Lily at Opalreef, decent head & front, Lucky for Torshca moved OK. Not presented in the best coat & condition & owned by Dee Ashcroft tends to stand bum high. THE BREEDERS PROFILE WITH CHRIS & VIVIEN WAKEFIELD (NORRISS)

We first came into contact with the Sussex Spaniel at Windsor Championship show in 1974. Chris had travelled down with our Labrador and had won our first ever card at championship level. Chris was in high spirits and looking for the bar when he came across the Sussex Spaniels being shown. He fell in love with them there and then!

Chris, having seen the breed at Windsor, found some pictures of Sussex and what little literature we could find was read and digested. We both agreed that we would like this wonderful old spaniel and set to work looking for a pup. An even harder task than it is now.

It would be fair to say that we had not thought about working a Sussex but we had fallen in love with the show scene and if we could have a show specimen it would be great but if not, it would not have been the end of the world.

We had to wait until the beginning of September 1977 to get our first Sussex. He was called Shipden Fleche and was bought for £60 from Mr & Mrs Muirhead in Norfolk. At the time a labrador puppy was about £25.

We hadn’t chosen a name for him, we bought a kennel and the little old man who came to erect it in the back garden was called ‘Clary’ and that was the name Fleche was given as they both had the same droopy expression!

Like buses, two came along at once and a couple of months later we acquired Topjoys Sara Sussex for £70 from Faith Gilham. She was to become our foundation bitch and in 1979 our first litter of Sussex was born, sired by Sh Ch Creswelshaw Hannibal. We kept a bitch but sadly her mouth was more undershot then her mothers and she was sold on to a friend. In 1980, we had another litter, this time sired by Clary. We kept Norriss Boogie Baby who spent all her life with us and won three reserve challenge certificates.

Why breed? We wanted to breed from our Sussex to keep pups to show and enjoy. We also wanted to create our own line. We often hear the expression ‘for the good of the breed’ neither of us thinks its worth producing puppies for the sake of it and judging by some we have seen at fun weekends etc, bred by obscure breeders, very little thought has gone into the mating or the rearing if the pups and at best they could be called brown spaniels.

Having run and been involved in rescue for many years, we think it is better that registrations remain low and that more thought is given to choosing a sire. Also, all too often these days temperament is not given preference when breeding and in the last 15 years we consider temperament has declined in many cases.

Familiar faces When we first came into the breed we followed on just after Carol & Ifor Williams, atP Perkins and Ann Moon. In the establishment were Eileen Adam and Ted Orton (Sedora) and they were the two people who helped us the most. Eileen once giving us 1st of 23 AV puppies at Grimsby Open Show with Clary.

Ted was not always the easiest person to understand being far too erudite but he was helpful and gave me a great feeling for the history of the breed. He also imported alot of his historical knowledge to Pete Bailey who often helps with the archives. George & Mavis Lancaster, Ann Findlay and Faith Gilham were all well established exhibitors by the time our Sussex hit the show ring. Daphne Dodson was the chairwomen of the SSA and a great character. To say it was one big happy family would be a lie, there was far more back-biting and nastiness then than there is today.

Sadly we lost the most outstanding character in the breed when Dot Gardener died. We became good friends with Pat & Sally Leslie who owned the litter brother to Clary and to this day are often joined in the bar by Carol & Ifor of course many more great friend have come into the breed since we joined.

Achievements We did not achieve our first CC until 1984 when we won two in succession with Clary. Its a wonderful feeling to win that first CC and however many CC’s or RCC’s you win after, I don’t think its ever quite like the first.

Shipden Fleche (Clary) was also to become our first show champion winning his 3rd CC at the age of 12 and remains the only Sussex to date to win his title from beginning to end as a veteran.

We have bred 9 champions over the years who hold 13 champion titles between them.

Best Example To us, the best dog we have ever owned and bred is Sh Ch Norriss Boss Hogg. He was the correct height, had food length of neck and back, correct shoulders, a lovely head and an outstanding mover. He really had balance!

Breed standard We would emphasise balance in the standard, there are far too many short necked, short backed Sussex in the breed. They are just square, brown spaniels and are NOT Sussex. Mrs Freer would have had a fit if she saw them. As far as health goes, we would not change the standard of the breed as we feel the make up of a well bred Sussex is fine. Docking - with regards to docking, it would be fair to say it has not really effected us in any way.

A good breeder We feel that a good breeder should not over breed their bitches and should in general be looking to keep a puppy to run on. This we know is not always possible nor is there always a puppy worth keeping. Don’t have too many dogs, be able to give each dog the care, love and attention it needs and deserves. Dogs are not there to enhance your income, they are there as part of your family and a Sussex with enrich your lives given the chance and reward you with far more then many.

Future For those of you just starting to breed, don’t just seek advice from one experienced person in the breed, speak to as many as you can. Put all the advice together, then take the points you think are the most relevant and follow them. Use your own brain and wits. Look at the dogs you think fit the breed standard and would enhance your breeding. Know the faults that need correcting in your bitch. Don’t listen to the rubbish you might hear i.e. There are only two stud dogs worth using’ its BULL! If we all did that, the breed would be dead and gone. Follow your instincts. Watch the judging, watch the dog in the ring. Don’t go home after your class. Watch and learn! Most of all, look to improve your stock, but always put temperament first. Who wants a top winning dog that wants to bite one and all! JUDGES PROFILE WITH LIZ BOWE (BELCAM)

It was in 1984 I became aware of the breed so when I heard about the Sussex Spaniel Championship Show at Binley Woods in September of that year, I went along for a better look at the breed.

It was difficult not to like them and I bought my first Sussex puppy in the December.

As with all first time Sussex owners, you learn that they are not like other breeds, and she (Fudge) was no exception to that rule.

But their expressions and attitude to life had me hooked.

My first judging appointment was in 1993 at North Western Counties Spaniel Club, with a wonderful entry of 16 Sussex to judge.

In 2002 I first gave CC’s at Richmond, giving the Dog CC and BOB to Sh Ch Daelyb Just Jiving and the Bitch CC to Ch Meggamooch Gypsy at Waldmeister.

To be asked to judge the Association’s Championship Show is a big honour. I have lovely memories of exhibiting my dogs at the show, not least of course with having been the proud winner of the much admired Joy Freer Medals on five occasions.

Sussex Spaniel shows have a lovely happy feel to them, and I look forward to having the pleasure of judging our lovely breed.

Since I kept a dog puppy from Fudge’s first litter in 1986, I have owned seventeen Sussex. Only two weren’t bred by myself, but were half my breeding. Twelve of these have Stud Book numbers, and include six Champions, not including the two Champions owned by other people. My dogs are fun, family, farm dogs first and show dogs secondly.

When judging I look for a balanced dog with substance and active movement. The dogs should have broader dog heads and the bitches that soft expression that makes you smile. Needless to say the expression ’fit for purpose’ should be true in a breed that should be able to go beating all day, so they should have good muscle tone. The true golden liver colour is neither too light nor too dark, and is lovely to see.

I have found it difficult to pinpoint any of the dogs I have judged as to being the best example of the breed, as all my top prize winners have had different merits and been worthy of their wins.

I only award CC’s in Sussex, although I have judged other gundog breeds at Open Show level. I also judge horses and ponies at local shows. Having horses and ponies for fifty years helps keep your mind on confirmation. If the construction of a horse is wrong it will give you an uncomfortable ride and not stay sound in to the bargain. Watching a good dog, whatever breed, and a good horse moving gives me great pleasure. GOLDEN OLDIES

Sh Ch Bardings Brown Bear JW Sh CM -

Teddy was born in 2004 by Sh Ch Meggamooch Invincible of Waldmeister and Bardings Baltic Amber. He won 9 CC’s, 4 RCC’s, 8 BOBs and was top dog 2008 (dog world) and top sire 2008 (our dogs). His many wins at open shows include 10 BIS and 7 RBIS aswell as numerous group wins and placings.

Sadly missed by Chris & Shani Hastings.

Ch Jubilwell Godrevy -

Poppy was born in 2002 by Niriti Red Admiral and Jubilwell Tudy. She was only lightly shown but still managed to achieve 4CCs, and 1 RCC including the CC and BOB and Crufts 2007. She was a fantastic worker and was awarded a COM in a field trial to make her into a full champion. We are unsure of the last Sussex bitch to have achieved Champion status through the field trials.

Sh Ch Belcam Im the Man - Liz Bowe

Basil was born December 1998, homebred from my first Champions Jack and Chloe. He was Top Puppy 1999, Top Sussex 2005. He won 9 CC’s, 7 with BOB, and 17 RCC’s. His last CC came from Veteran at National Gundog, 2007, and then he retired to Wiltshire to live with Jean and Owen Rees who wanted an older dog as a companion. He was Top Sire (puppies) in 2004/2007 and 2008, and Top Stud Dog in 2007/2008/2009 and 2010. He sired six Champions, the last Champion being made up this year. He also featured in the Sussex Spaniel Book and passed his Good Citizen Bronze without going to any classes. Basil was a gentleman of a dog, easy to show and live with, and I am proud of the legacy he has left behind. SIX DAYS (Ann McGloon) The call came on Monday afternoon while I was at agility class with Beryl and Winnie. Elijah, a young man from California had been reported missing by his family and they had expressed great concern for his well-being and mental health, according to the report from the Oregon State Police (OSP). We were asked to help find him. So, for the next two days, Josephine County Search and Rescue scoured the east side of the freeway adjacent to Interstate 5’s northbound Manzanita Rest Stop where Elijah’s abandoned car had been discovered. The busy rest stop is just outside the small town of Merlin where our SAR headquarters building is located so we didn’t have far to travel for this search. On Tuesday, five K9’s and a large ground team spent the day searching the area for any clues or sign of the missing.

I had both K9 Winnie, my trailing dog, and K9 Beryl, my air scent and cadaver dog, on hand that day. While ground searchers and the other K9 teams deployed, I waited for a scent article to arrive from California and was briefed again by the OSP officer in charge. The last probable citing of Elijah had been six days earlier at the freeway rest stop. “Six days,” I thought. I explained to the officer that my dog and I would do our best but six days is an old trail, the weather had been stormy for the last week with high winds and heavy rainfall, and the contamination of the scene—thousands of cars and their occupants pulling in and out of this busy rest stop—would make it extremely difficult if not impossible to pick a trail up and determine a direction of travel. I wasn’t holding out much hope; Win and I had never trained on such an old trail and the area was now further contaminated with the fresh scent of familiar ground searchers and K9 teams as they canvassed the area.

A short while later, another OSP trooper pulled in and retrieved a large box from the trunk of his car, walked over to my vehicle placed the box down and went back and sat in his police car. The scent articles had arrived. The box was full of items belonging to Elijah. With gloved hands, I carefully opened the box and extracted a pillow case. Once Win was harnessed my flanker and I were ready to give it a try. I had already decided to not start Win where the car had been abandoned but instead decided to work him around the perimeter of the rest area along a concrete barricade where Elijah’s scent might have collected and where it might remain. I leaned over and showed Win the pillowcase, “Take Scent, Find’em,” and Win immediately began circling. He then pulled me directly to the trooper’s vehicle, the one who had delivered the box of belongings, and jumped up with his front paws on the cars hood. Cross-contamination? “Nope, not him Win,” as I re- scented him and asked him to circle. Win then went to check out another Officer who was standing near his vehicle but his body language immediately said, “not him.”

With all the people in our immediate area checked off some mental list in Winnie’s head, my brown dog started searching along the concrete barrier that encircled the east side of the rest area. He put his paws up on the top of the barricade several times and tried to jump over. On the other side was a small irrigation ditch filled with water. We found a way over the wall and Winnie started working along the irrigation ditch and heading north. He was working quickly, pulling hard into the harness, zig-zaging through the heavy brush as he crossed several small creeks and trotted across through wet muddy ground. To me, he seemed to be working too fast and I knew searchers had just been through the area. “Had he jumped trail?” I wondered. We passed by a trash-strewn transient camp but after a quick sniff of some of the debris, he gave it no notice. We existed then out of the thickest brush and into a clearing where a stream flowed west under the freeway. I had my flanker check the drainage pipe as best he could, nothing. I saw searchers about ¼ mile away standing on a hill and still wondered “if Win was on the correct scent.” I re- scented him.

Win continued north paralleling the freeway. I was thankful for the wire fence that also paralleled the freeway; Win stayed right on the fence-line as we headed north, huge semi-trucks barreling past us just a few feet away. I held the line tight. He gave the trucks no notice. We now had passed the searchers and Win had taken us to a road (again paralleling the freeway) that entered Sportsman’s Park, the local gun club. A car passed us by. Then a few seconds later, Win’s head went up in the air like it does when he captures air-scent of who he is following; he pulled toward the hill to our east. I marked the position on my GPS. He circled a bit and then headed up the road following the speeding car. Did Win think that the missing was in that vehicle? I was losing confidence. The car had stopped at the gun club’s office and Win went over to the two gentleman that had been watching us, sniffed them, and then with his body language he signaled “not him.”

We told the gentleman who we were looking for and asked if the hillside, where Win’s head had raised, was clear to search. It was part of the archery course and we were assured no-one was out today. As we took Win back down the road, he showed mild interest along one corner of the gun club’s small pond and where it linked to the pond’s out-take. Mm. Win then worked up the steep hillside to the east but when we crested the hill, his interest faded. I told my flanker that I think if he had it, he lost it, but inside I’m not even convinced he ever had it. We walked back down to the road. I started to turn back south toward the rest-stop and Win planted his butt in the middle of the road and looked north not budging. “Okay, so where Winnie?” I re-scented him.

Winnie then headed off the road and back through the brush toward the freeway. Although there were some nice trails built for the archery course, Win didn’t follow them. We again found ourselves along the freeway fence line heading north; with him showing some interest in the wet hollows and then nothing as we crested small rises where the wind and sun would destroy our scent clues. Winnie was getting tired. We had been out nearly three hours. We crested one-more hill and below us was a father and son on the archery range shooting at hay-bales but also in our general direction. My flanker called down to them so we could proceed down the hill in safety. Winnie paid no attention to the father or to the little boy. At this point Win was turning back south and I just wasn’t sure of anything. We were done. We called on the radio for a ride back to the rest stop.

Upon returning, I debriefed with the OSP officer in charge. I explained the difficulties of the task again, but noted that Win did display some body language indicators that he was in scent at times. I described it as it felt like he “never locked onto a trail but instead was connecting dots—those areas where scent pooled—heading north as least as far as the gun-club’s archery range” but despite that I wasn’t confident enough to run up to the local casino and put money on it.” Ground searchers were deployed further north, all along the east side of the freeway.

One of the other K9 Teams was also back for debriefing and her dog had alerted along the main stream but couldn’t follow up on the scent. She asked if I would work Beryl along the same creek and see if B showed any interest. She kept the location of K9 Mara’s alert secret so I wouldn’t be influenced and perhaps inadvertently cue my dog. I reported back that Beryl had a change of behaviour, showing some interest but did not alert.

We compared locations and they were virtually identical.

At day’s end, no major discoveries were found. Two of the K9’s showed some interest in an area along a stream but were unable to follow- up on whatever scent they had captured and Win had worked north but “it was such an old trail.” We studied the terrain and wind patterns and decided the best course of action would be to search a scrub and wood covered (and tick infested) piece of land the following day just south of where Mara and Beryl had shown interest. We also mulled over the fact that we hadn’t searched the west side of the freeway although officers had done a quick check of the area where the stream re- emerged on the west side of the freeway. So, early on Wednesday K9 Beryl and Mara and support personnel cleared the parcel. After a short time of searching Beryl alerted to the presence of human scent by jumping forcefully on my legs and took my team through the dense brush. The only thing discovered, however, was a large transient camp where several people were living; probably what Mara and Beryl had scented the day before. But, no sign of Elijah.

Update: On April 1, 2011 several mushroom hunters reported finding the body of a deceased adult male in an isolated wooded area about one mile northwest of the northbound Manzanita Rest Area along Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass. OSP, with the assistance of Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue members, recovered the body positively identified as ELIJAH SHREWSBURY, age 24.

Win had been right; he had determined the direction of travel. The location where Win had put his head up into the air, as if he was catching air-scent, was just across the freeway (due east) of where Elijah was eventually located. Prevailing wind direction in this area is from west to east. The freeway became a mental-barrier to us as searchers; we were all focused on the east side of the interstate, the side the rest stop is located on. Elijah had crossed the freeway.

K9 Winston (ShootingStar Raptor, NJP, CGC) and K9 Beryl (CH ShootingStar West w’the Nite, RA, AJP, OAP, NFP, NA, NAJ, NAC, NJC, CGC) are certified Search & Rescue dogs for Josephine County, Oregon and have responded to searches throughout southern Oregon and northern California. HUNTING SEMINAR IN THE NETHERLANDS (Herman & Ineke Mulder) During the SSSi gathering in Wales last year we had a hunting demonstration by Bill Cadwell. During those demonstration we got the idea to invite Bill over to the Netherlands and organize a hunting seminar at our own property. At Easter, the weekend 23 & 24 of April 15 dogs and their handlers were standing ready for the lessons.

It was the hottest Easter ever in the Netherlands. Never the less the handlers were so enthusiastic and so curios to learn that the dogs automatic showed their best skills. The first day was the day to learn the basics and everyone got tips and tricks from Bill to get the best out of their dog.

At the end of the first day there was a test for the fastest retrieve. The test was won by the Clumber spaniel Ferdinand, handler Linda de Ruiter-Hartman. Second became the English Springer spaniel Dizzy, handler Thijs Roggekamp.

A barbeque ended the first great day and at that time the question came, are you going to organize it again next year? And we had still one day to go! A better compliment you can not get!

The second day we went to a real hunting field at Overloon. A little village near our home town. Thankfully the wood gave some shade for the dogs and their handlers. It was hot that day. It was the day of testing. Bill made three groups, the beginners, some experience and experienced. There was a obedience test, a hunting test and a test for retrieving. It was great to see what the dogs had learned in such a short period of time. Everyone had fun and was pleased to see that with the help of Bill their dog had more skills than they ever thought it would have! The winner of each group went home with a bottle of champagne. It were a great two days and for sore we are going to organize it again!

On Monday we wanted to show Bill & Julie something typical Dutch. Marieke & Ron got the idea to visit the Keukenhof. We went there with nine people, a baby and nine dogs, eight Sussex spaniels and a black Labrador. It was great, but we had problems going inside. Al the Japanese people wanted to take pictures from the dogs, when we got 1 EURO for every picture, we would be rich! At the Keukenhof we walked between the tulips in so many colors and shapes. Fantastic! We had a lovely time and want to thank Bill & Julie for everything. When you want to visit Holland you are always welcome to stay over! DON’T DESPAIR IF YOUR SUSSEX GROWLS OR SNAPS AT YOU! (Julia Lewis)

When Bramble, our first Sussex, was about nine months old we couldn’t work out what we were doing wrong. At times he’d growl at us and I used to tell him off, thinking I wasn’t being strict enough. I’d bend over him and scold him, not realising I was making it worse.

What I didn’t know then is that Sussex can be growly and defensive and that this is caused by an underlying fear-aggression, or lack of confidence. Unwittingly I was encouraging Bramble to become aggressive, believing I had to “be the boss”.

He snapped at the trainer at our obedience class. When I tried to remove a burr, or look at his feet, he’d snarl. He’d growl at Paul when he tried to put his lead on.

During this time Mrs Leslie gave me excellent advice, when we met briefly at a show, which was never to withdraw my hand if he snapped. She said this as she was trying to trim Bramble’s paws and he was objecting strongly.

The low point came at our gundog class when the trainer, a tall man, approached us to demonstrate how a dog should walk on a slip lead. Bramble growled. “I’m not having that,” the trainer said. He flipped him on to his back and bumped him up and down on the ground. Bramble then bit him on the hand. The man repeated the “punishment” and got bitten again.

As a novice owner I thought he must know best but it was unhelpful. Bramble growled all the more, especially at tall men.

The turning point, and the start of my turning him around, was a remark my vet made after he had examined a spot on his ear and it taken three of us to hold him still, the vet sitting astride him on the surgery floor, the vet nurse and me either end. It was like trying to pin down a ferocious bear.

He was not a vicious dog, the vet said, but a dog that had a fear of being cornered.

Once he’d said that, it became clear that every time Bramble had growled, snapped – or bitten - was when I or someone else was “looming” over him or making him feel cornered in some way.

The poor dog desperately needed help and we needed to adopt a “positive” approach and make him feel so confident that he didn’t feel the need to lash out or bite. Fortunately he always had a very soft mouth, thanks to Paul’s play-fighting sessions with him, so on the few occasions when he did bite he only made dents in the skin.

I read Jan Fennell’s The Dog Listener and took her advice of not greeting him straight away when coming home nor acknowledging him when leaving – accepted practice, nowadays. That calmed him almost instantly. He used to bark non-stop at visitors, so I followed her suggestion of leading him into the kitchen, then letting him back into the living room when he was quiet.

It was obvious I needed to get him used to being handled all over, using treats, I practised trimming his paws, looking into his mouth, and so on – all things I should have done when he as a puppy. It was a question of gently insisting until he let me. If anyone approached him in a way he feared – staring at him as they walked towards him with hand outstretched – or several children ran up to him, I’d stop them, explain the situation and hand them treats to give him.

A behaviourist friend, who believes a dog growls when it is feeling uneasy, told me it is vital not to do anything that destroys your dog’s trust in you. He maintains there is never any need to scold or punish a dog, only to stop it doing what you do not want it to do, and to put in place boundaries. That made sense to us, so we applied his advice.

We no longer reacted to any growling, nor showed that we were fazed by it, turning our backs or ignoring him, never backing down. If he was on the lead and lunged at another dog or person, I’d just check him quickly, saying “no”, then let the lead go loose again. I discovered I must keep the lead loose – keeping it taut encourages a dog to be defensive.

We also took pre-emptive action in situations where he might feel cornered. If he was sitting beside me when we had guests, I’d quickly get up before anyone leaned over me, or get him off the sofa in time, distracting him with one hand and taking his collar with the other.

Paul came up with a “nose to nose” approach when Bramble growled at him, which had an extraordinarily calming effect. It was literally that – he’d put his nose to his.

At the vet’s, the advice was to restrain him until, realising he wasn’t going to be hurt, he’d give in and be still. It worked. I could hold him on my own but the vet wanted him muzzled, so I got him to wear one.

The main thing was not to be frightened of him and to be confident ourselves. Playing with him helped enormously – I taught him to retrieve and to find things around the house, a great party trick when we had children visiting. Otherwise we took him almost everywhere we went, on holiday, to pubs and into shops that allowed dogs and included him in our social life. On Wimbledon Common he was always off lead, meeting people and dogs every day.

Gradually the aggressive behaviour went away. We relaxed, as did he. He turned into a devoted, loving dog. We adored him. Everywhere we went he attracted attention – and compliments. Hardly a day passed without someone approaching us to ask about him or wanting to stroke him. By then he loved the attention and would “smile” at everybody. People would remark on how calm and friendly he was, and not believe me when I told them how difficult we had once found him.

Once or twice the old defensive behaviour re-surfaced. I stupidly put him into a fun show and, unused to the situation, he snapped at the judge bearing down on him, as he did when someone disturbed him when he was asleep. But I was not worried because I knew that had he bitten, he would have done no more than grab a wrist.

Two Sussex I knew were put down for “going for” someone and that made me sad. They need not have been had their owners known what to do. If I can turn a growly Sussex around, I’m sure anyone else can.

Do read Ian Dunbar’s brilliant book Before and After Getting Your Puppy. It gives useful information on handling and socialising a dog as well as how to develop bite inhibition, get your dog used to having his collar grabbed, prevent food guarding, etc. Alternatively, see the information on his website www.dogstardaily.com. Feel free to email me if you need more information: [email protected]

MOVING INTO CALMER WATERS? SHARING THE EARLY MONTHS WITH MY FIRST SUSSEX SPANIEL (Ros Ham)

Introduction: I was planning to retire from my full time, active NHS job in November 2009 and knew I would then have the energy, time and space to have my first dog. (We had had dogs as children and my other siblings already had dogs). I had spent the previous two to three years attending dog shows, including Crufts and Discovering dogs, reading about various breeds, talking to breeders and lastly contacting the SSA secretary. I had read the SSA book and leaflet, and thought a SS would be a suitable breed for an active rural lifestyle in a home with two early retired adults. I also thought I would be helping a breed with low numbers. Sheila, the SSA secretary was extremely helpful and although an older puppy was available, I waited until after I retired as I knew I would have my hands full with a puppy.

Arrival: Maisie arrived on January 8th after a long snowy journey from Cambridgeshire. She howled from the moment we left the breeder’s house, when she was put into a carry box and when we couldn’t stand it any longer, sat on one of our knees all the way home to Dorset. After trying to get her to eat and settle in the crate we went to bed. The piercing howling continued and after a long tiring day, she spent the first night with me on the sofa (first mistake?)

The crate training was fine when we were in the same area but at night she would howl for hours and hours and hours. After trying various things we eventually settled for the crate outside our bedroom door. Peace and sleep at last! Crate usage continued but in the end it was used to keep her confined to one area and calm her down rather than as her choice place to sleep and rest.

Feeding was another matter. She had come to us on Vitalin puppy and Nature diet. Both were a struggle and she was a very reluctant eater from the beginning. This was both exasperating, worrying and time consuming. Another problem was we were also attending classes at this time and the treats they used/recommended seemed to make things worse. It all came to a head in May when the vet said take her off everything except chicken and rice and only use the Vitalin as treats. This worked to some degree but she only ate the chicken! On examination in May the vet said she was a ‘drama queen’ as she would not let her examine her and this was when a cloth muzzle was used by the vet for the first time.

I was used to dogs that ate everything/anything and this was the complete opposite and a shock and worrying – though in hindsight I should have just left her too it. Dog trainers insisted on food down for 20 minutes they remove but for days she ate nothing! (Other spaniel owners I have met since, just leave it down for them all day). Then I was told by a ‘behaviourist’ she was having too much protein and that was why she ‘bites’ but I said she isn’t eating anything! Numerous types of kibble have been tried; tripe and the BAWF diet (does not like raw meat) and friend’s dogs have eaten all the remaining trial packets! Now at 18 months, she is eating once a day but remains fussy/picky except with any meat, especially lamb. Food goes down and after hours she will eat. Two types of treats (Pedigree Schmackos or Natures: Menu chicken or beef) are eaten but only when she feels like it so using them as training rewards is a waste of time.

Attention: I found the demanding attention seeking excessive, tiring, and the sleepless nights did not help. We were both exhausted by her antics and even the dog sitter needed a strong drink and a lie down after two hours! She was so demanding/energetic/excitable and we all simply found it hard to keep up! We had builders/decorators (and with the plasterer’s Jack Russell to run around the garden with every few hours) from the time she arrived until May, so there were lots of people and noises and machinery around to be socialised with. (Others have since mentioned to me that SS are more demanding than other breeds which made me feel ‘normal’ and not odd).

Training and Socialising: At week 9, we first attended the vets 3 classes (free) with other puppies for information and advice. We then attended an 8 week course at the local agricultural college Kingston Maurward (£60) and it was at these classes we were recommended to use harnesses which Maisie hated. Anything over the head she hated and so putting on the harness or the car seat harness left me with hands in shreds from her puppy teeth. We (including family members who looked after her on various afternoons) gave up on both as we could not stand the ‘fights’ any longer. (You may say ‘she won’ but there is more to life that fighting/cajoling a dog for weeks on end!)

We attended Kennel club classes locally (£4/visit) and moved from the puppy class to the bronze group. However she hated the enclosed village hall, the closeness of the other dogs, the tutor who towered over her and dragged her across the room one for a retrieve exercise but we persisted – off and on - until the test in December. Result - 9 out of 10 as she did not like the same man trying to look at her name tag and ‘had a go at him’ – failed. Gave that up!

I contacted a local behaviourist to see if she would give me any suggestions about various problems I was having. She suggested clicker usage, a DAB and that dogs liked blue items. (£50). I then joined her smaller Obedience classes in Poole in July with only 6 dogs (£68/6weeks). I was met with ‘Why have you got a Sussex?’ Our neighbour has one at it howls all day when left. “One went for my dog....etc, etc.” Upsetting - but we continued until Maisie decided she did not like the tutor who had taken her off me for a few exercises and then she would not let her come near. Water sprays, stones in tins (as distraction items as previously advised) were not allowed and treats were ‘thrown’ towards Maisie before the tutor approached to try to stop her going for her. When I stopped going I received a shocking email saying that I had a problem dog and that if I did not continue with the classes I would have very bad problems in the future. I was shocked at the lack of professionalism from this industry and was not going to be threatened so did not return.

Gundog training. We started attending the local Purbeck group every two weeks from early summer and I learnt a great deal from the two patient tutors but the ‘teething/ mouth’ when you put a gun-dog type lead on her (i.e. over her head) continued and she started to hate going in the back of my Jazz car. One trainer said I should not tolerate this and hit her hard. She ‘bites’ back. I persisted with these classes but she seems to have lost interest now. Ring craft classes: We started to go to these classes (£4) in the spring this year hoping it would help her being handled by others and introduce her to a calmer activity. This was abandoned after a couple of months as she would not reliably be examined by the tutor and ‘went for her’ at the last class we attended. I decide such a display and disruption for others in the class was not the way forward.

Dog walker and walking companions: Since the autumn she has been with a dog walker two mornings a week spending time with her dog and family (£30/day) and being groomed by her after swimming in the river. We also walk once a week with two other gundog breeds. So socialising is not an issue!

The Vet Visits: In September I took her to the vet for examination about her ears – which she did not like to be touched and scratching/itching. Maisie would not be examined, would not allow the vet to apply the cloth muzzle and so I was sent to the vet’s ‘behaviourist’. This turned out to be a ex-police dog handler/trainer where I was taught how to put on a Baskerville muzzle and was again told I had a ‘dangerous dog’ and that I needed to go back for more lessons and that she was eating the wrong food and was getting too much protein!! After a few sessions, I gave that up as I felt he simply wanted the money, did not understand spaniels and was a con at £30/visit for a ‘street – based’ lesson.

In October after her first season, she had a urinary infection with rigors and when I took her to the vets she again would not allow examination even though I now had the Baskerville muzzle on. With resistance and fighting this came off, the vet then played with her on the floor, antibiotics were prescribed and all was well. In January I dreaded the appointment for her annual vaccination. But we went and she hated it. The muzzle came off in the ‘battle’ but the vet persisted with me trying to hold and distract her, and keep the muzzle in some position, the injection was completed. Sedation was suggested for future appointments and she was labelled as ‘unpredictable’ in their notes. She does not like the application of the monthly Advocate which either ends up as a game or a battle.

Grooming started from the first class and Maisie was never very happy with this. I persist and she is calming down and tolerating it for longer now. The vet gave us some ear lotion Clean Aural which I put down her ears. BIG MISTAKE as this has taken lots of corrective work to allow her to let me clean her ears with soaked cotton wool with the same product, which is what I should have done at the beginning. (Thornit canker powder was not recommended by the vet even though some SS breeders recommended this). A Groomers taster day course (at the local agricultural college) was informative and the tutor learnt to ‘keep clear’ of the potential ‘bites’ when coming to demonstrate.

Issues to date: 1.Anything involving her head and she would go to ‘bite’ the person. This ranged from Kennel club examiners from bronze course, Ringcraft staff, vets and some people when she is on the lead. This remains unpredictable so I need to be alert when she meets people. 2.Getting into any car. She continues to turn round and try to ‘bite’ whoever is helping her get in or out of the car. Treats do not help. 3.Howling when on her own for a short while at any time of the day/night – thank god we do not live in a semi! 4.Muzzle. Not yet able to get this on regularly but keep practicing. 5.Scratching. Not yet sure what the issue is.

What has never been a problem: 1.Long car journeys IF she can see out! 2.Destroying the furniture, carpets etc 3.Being left for a few hours but would prefer to be taken with us! 4.Very friendly with other dogs and people when off the lead 5.Food guarding/sharing with others 6.Keeping near on walks and good with whistle training 7.Being on the sailing boat 8.Helicopter to Isles of Scilly 9.Hotels - after the initial howling on being left 10.Other dogs in her home 11.Taking Panacur paste

What would have been nice: 1.Diet recommendations from experienced people which would have saved me pounds in opened and wasted bags of foods. 2.Ear advice 3.Grooming tips for puppies 4.Forum to ask questions. (The American website forum was suggested but is mostly chat between friends which I did not find helpful). 5.Age/stage to attend classes (Kennel club, gundog, Ringcraft) as Maisie seems now not to enjoy what she could do earlier and so I am not currently going to any classes. 6.More good books to read as I now have. 7.Links with other ‘companion’ owners to share experiences and tips and feel that you are not the only one having problems. 8.Perfume free hand cream so it is not licked off as soon as it is applied.

Conclusion: For me, having a SS has been more than I expected both with time, problems, cost and emotional stress. I have been upset on numerous occasions but have now learnt to be one step ahead and avoid situations that will cause problems.

I have found a patient vet at last and know there is a behavioural unit at Bristol vet school which is not far away! Maybe being in a 2 adult home has been the issue, maybe being the only dog, maybe not being hard enough from day one (but conflicting advise of how to manage such behaviour has not helped our relationship) but I feel new owners should be aware of the time and issues that may be involved in choosing a SS.

I have also learnt how unprofessional the dog training industry is and how it needs to be urgently reviewed/regulated in my opinion, which is also a current topic in dog magazines.

So to any new owners I would say, be prepared, be informed, establish good, reliable links that have currency and are not outdated, listen to others but think for yourself and do not expect ‘experts/breeders/trainers’ and others to have all the answers. Each dog is different! When ‘Maisie is good ‘she is very, very good and when she is bad she is horrid’!

Good Luck! JUDGES LIST FOR 2012

Boston & District (New!) Peter Harper

Manchester Kay Kenyon

Crufts Carol Coode

WELKS TBC

Birmingham Dog Show George Clarke

Scottish Kennel Club Russel Mosedale

Bath TBC Southern Counties TBC

Three Counties Brenda Banbury

Windsor Colin Woodward

East of England Gordon Talbot

National Gundog Jill Holgate

Bournemouth Julie Cadwell

Welsh Kennel Club TBC

SSA Ch Show Chris Hastings

City of Birmingham TBC

Richmond TBC

Midland Counties Joy Hartley JUDGES LIST 2011/2012

A1 Breed A1 non Breed A3 Breed B Breed Specialists Specialists Specialists Specialists Mrs S. Alderson Mr M Armstrong Mr M Boswell Mrs S Appleby Mrs D Ashcroft Mrs D Arrowsmith Mrs C Brooks Mr J Appleby Mrs D Bailey Mrs B Banbury Mr J Goodwin Mr J Butkus Mrs C Bexon Mrs D Barney Mrs J Graham Mr I Deans Mr C. Bexon Mr A Brace Mrs E. Harper Mrs J Cadwell Mrs E Bowe Mr G Clarke Mrs K Kenyon Mr P Harper Mr C Brown Mrs V Foss Mrs G Simpson Mrs G Shankland Mrs G Brown Mr M. Fowkes Miss J Walsh Mrs C Coode Mrs K Gorman Mr T Graham Mr M Herwin Mrs J Hartley Mrs P Hollings A3 Non Breed B Non Breed Mr C Hastings Mr J Horswell Specialists Specialists Mrs G. Hay Mr F Kane Mrs J Holgate Mr B Bunce Mr R Hall Jones Mrs P Lester Mr M Keely Mr L Cox Mr A Jury Mrs S Marshall Mr R. Mosedale Mrs V Day Mrs C Jury Mrs J Miller Mrs M Hathaway Mrs K Keely Mrs A Moss Mr C Holgate Mrs P Leslie Mrs D Mowbray Mr M Howes Miss S Leslie Mrs T Short Mrs E Hughes Mrs J Minns Mrs F Somerfield Mr W Ironside Mrs A Moon Mrs R Sowton Miss B Johnson Mrs E Moore Mr J Thirlwell Mr E Lockett Mr C Muirhead Mr G Talbot Mrs F Marshall Mrs P Perkins Mr G Williams Mr R Morris Mrs B Purkis Mr C Woodward Mr M Quinney Mrs S Sevastopulo Mrs A Webster Mr C Wakefield Mr F Whyte Mrs C Williams Mr I Williams

C list Mrs D Gorse Mrs M Meredith* Mrs P Rowlands* Ms K Amey Mr G Harran* Mr D Miller* Mrs C Swietalski Mr P Carpenter* Mr T Harrison Mr D Moss* Mr H Taylor* Mrs P Butler-Holly* Mrs G Horrocks* Mr C Page* Mrs S Taylor* Mrs S Connolly* Mrs C House* Mrs C Page* Mrs L Thorogood* Mrs L. Cooper* Mrs A Howes* Mrs A Pamment* Mrs H Tye* Mr L Forfar Mr L Hunt* Mrs J Park* Mr G Underwood* Mrs H Fry * Mrs K Jefferies Mrs M Pearson* Mrs M Waddell* Mr R Garner * Mr I Layfield* Mr J M Phillips* Mrs S Woodbury Mrs J Gill-Davis* Mrs C McDonald* Miss J Pretty* Smith* Mrs S Goodwin* Mrs W Manning* Mrs J Revill*

* Non Breed Specialists SSA GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS Part 1 All members of the Sussex Spaniel Association undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.

Club members: 1) Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.

2) Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch may report such operation to the Kennel Club.

3) Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.

4) Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.

5) Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.

6) Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.

7) Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.

8) Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.

9) Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.

10) Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.

11) Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.

12) Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.

13) Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not accompanying a dog).

14) Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate. Part 2 15) A Breeder shall only breed from those Sussex believed to be as free as possible from known serious hereditary defect and which are not suffering from any acute problems. It is strongly recommended that all breeding stock be examined under the KC/BVA Schemes relating to the breed, i.e. hip scoring. At all times the improvement of breeding stock must be the primary consideration.

16) Stud dogs owners should satisfy themselves as to the suitability of the bitch.

17) It is recommended that bitches should not be bred from until at least eighteen months of age or after the second season (whichever comes first) and should not be bred from more than once a year. Normally no bitch should be expected to produce more than three litters.

18) No puppies should be sold under the age of eight weeks. The breeder shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the suitability of prospective owners.

19) If puppies are sold on breeding terms, a breeding contract must be endorsed by the Kennel Club

20) Members should give very serious consideration before proposing and seconding new members for entry into this Association.

Whilst Part 2 of the Code of Ethics is issued in an advisory capacity, it is hoped that members will abide by it.

MEMBERS PHOTOS WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS 2010-2011

Jill Mountford in Chichester Philippa Remers in Ovingdean Kena Magee from Tetbury Gyllian Sampson in Pocklington Mrs & Mrs Halsey from Newdigate Mr & Mrs Higham in Suffolk Jo Maxwell in Chatham Barry & Jan Coumbes from Harrietsham in Kent John & Verna Palmer from Staines Pete Tubb & Debbie Kent in Horsham Dan & Jo Parsons from Welwyn Keri & Paul Coates from Shropshire Karen & Malcolm Usher from Waterlooville Tracey & Dave Bangert living in Emsworth Hugh & Mary MacDonald from Chesterfield Alison, Richard & Harriet Chambers from Melton Mowbray Nicole Lawson in Newark Lyn Hunter from Wellington Valerie Learmouth in Croyde Devon David Newman from London Belinda Redrup & Jon Harms in Tavistock Tessa Williams in Banbury Yvonne Donnellan from Southbourne Philip & Debbie Majester in Barnstaple Fiona & Pat Field of Weston Shropshire Anita & Paul Goodwin from Derby Gemma Perry from Christchurch Gordon & Lesley Nesbitt in Northumberland Mr & Mrs Lark in Peterborough Doug & Susan Dyer from Ramsgate Mary & Tony Brazier from London Dawn Bakewell from Coalville

What a good year this has been with so many new members, already they have been with us a while and joined in with our fun and show events.

Many are now friends on the Club Facebook page. PUPPY REGISTRATIONS FOR 2010

Taken from the Kennel Club Breed Records Supplement

Mr M Boswell - 18/11/09 1 dog, 1 bitch - Sh Ch Ned & Ir Ch Penygader Olympus x Marquell Kitilla Ice

Mr C & Mrs G Brown - 11/12/09 2 bitches - Sh Ch Belcam Willie Gofar ShCM x Rangatira Good As Gold

Mrs J Brown - 16/11/09 3 dogs, 3 bitches - Sh Ch Bardings Brown Bear JW ShCM x Jubilwell Fursty Ferret

Mrs D Dowson - 27/02/10 1 dog, 5 bitches - Mattdogs Bailey x Sweet Caroline

Miss K Edge - 12/12/09 1 Bitch - Jubilwell Thor x Tawnyka Golden Caramel

Mr T & Mrs H Harrison (KCAB) - 07/02/10 3 dogs, 3 bitches - Belcam Kings Ransom For Glenbrows x Belcam Maggie May For Glen- brows

Mr J & Mrs P Perkins 13/01/10 3 dogs, 7 bitches - Quarr Woodlander at Quintic x Niriti Rainbow Dreams At Quintic

Mrs E Bowe - 27/08/10 4 dogs, 1 bitch - Deanway Storm Warning x Sh Ch Belcam She’s The One

Mr S & Mrs C Magee - 11/07/10 2 dogs, 2 bitches - Deanway Storm Warning x Eaakha Bewitched

Mrs A Moon (KCAB) - 15/08/10 3 dogs, 2 bitches - Jubilwell Beast Of Bodmin x Millcroft Firefleur tA Deanway

Mr & Mrs Wakefield - 21/05/10 3 dogs, 2 bitches - Sh Ch Ir Sh Lux Ned Ch Zaphod Of Tonispada at Norriss x Lux Ch Norriss Yea Gretel

Mr R & Mrs P Wood - 31//05/10 1 dog, 3 bitches - Sh Ch Bardings Brown Bear JW ShCM x Tawnyka Eowyn

Mrs V Bennett (KCAB) - 25/09/10 1 dog, 4 bitches - Quarr Woodlander At Quintic x Sovaroma West Country Gold

Mrs V Bennett (KCAB) - 27/09/10 1 bitch - Sh Ch Nyliram Captain Morgan for Sovaroma x Sovaroma Ruby Tuesday

Mr M Boswell – 02/10/10 5 dogs, 1 bitch – Glenbrows Scrumpy Jack x Marquell Impulse

2010 Puppy Registrations – 68 NIGEL DISTEMPER

Crufts First day for us this year, which meant either having a day’s holiday off of work, or throwing a sickie. Poor Sue Alderson got caught up in bad traffic and by the time she got moving again, she would have missed all her classes, so she decided to go back home.

We were first in the ring for our Judge Christine Bexon and she had a really good entry and judging by the filled ringside, our breed gets far more notice than it used to. At one time we could have been at a breed club show such was the disinterest of the general public...that was when we could have huge parties and nobody disturbed us!

As usual we had plenty of overseas visitors and exhibitors which is always a treat, and I know Shani Hastings were very pleased to see Pluis Davern after a gap of 5 years. Pluis and her friend Natalie did all 4 days and plenty of shopping. They were off to Scotland for the week after, doing the Whisky trail....I do hope they managed to get on the correct flight back to the USA!

It was TOWIK’s Umptytum birthday.....lets just say it had a 5 attached to it, so everyone signed a card and she was mightily embarrassed when Sally-Ann-Leslie-Bainbridge led those around into a chorus of Happy Birthday.

Chairman Grace was laid low with a miserable virus, so sadly couldn’t be with us, and Liz Bowe was still recovering from her accident,but the hon president was beetling around in her motor chair, saying as usual it was going to be her last Crufts....we’ll see!

Chris and Vivien were doing sterling work on Discover Dogs and everytime your diarist walked past it was always busy...it’s a real feat of stamina, especially for the dogs, but they cope with it all so well.

It’s a long long day and the feet ache and the voice goes the following day...not surprising when you think how Sussex folk can gab!!

SSA Open Show The weather was a treat for early April, which meant we could be judged outside at Baginton. We had the AGM beforehand which all progressed smoothly accompanied by Bacon Butties and cups of tea.

Poor Bill Cadwell was on crutches...no Julie hadn’t kneecapped him, but he’d had to have an operation on them...but it hadn’t slowed him up at all! It was lovely to have Sue Trevor at our meeting, although sadly she was retiring as our patron.

Mark Boswell was our judge, looking very smart in his suit...has anybody ever seen him getting changed around the benches at shows??? He did it at WKC one year and your diarist nearly passed out! There was a lovely garden party atmosphere and as usual plenty of food coming from the excellent catering staff in the kitchen.

Chris Wakefield did a sweepstake for the Grand National with cash prizes down to 4th place....the Chairman managed to have 2 placings and went home with a fortune in her pocket! As ever the raffle was excellent and this year all proceeds were going to rescue. Shani H managed to win a whirring gadget containing batteries which raised a few eyebrows, but she was assured it was a whisk for Cappuccinos!!!

Championship show round-up We seem to have been getting in the ring very late this year. At WELKS Bir Nat and SKC, it’s been around 2.30-3pm which is far too late, but it’s always been the same, and the exh are pretty much like the dogs...stocial.

Welks was a sunny if windy day and although only a small entry, it was a very enjoyable day, although I understand some people didn’t get to the pub until late! The Wakeys didn’t have far to go though, they were caravanning in one of the most beautiful showgrounds we go to.

Bir Nat was indoors, but again a fun afternoon. Tom Graham was our judge and looked like a male model, although he assure me the suit had to be back in the shop first thing Monday morning.

SKC...had everything....horizontal rain...wind and sun. In fact the wind was very blustery and cold so the hardy souls that turned up were very brave! Again Chris and Vivien were caravanning and poor Chris had lost his windmill and his bumble bee had broken...he was totally bereft. It was made worse by the fact that Vivien had put her foot down and wouldn’t let him have a skateboarding gnome for the front of the caravan.

It was suggested that if the rain got any worse we’d get Tom Graham to make us a submarine from all the parts he has stored in his shed!

NEWS IN BRIEF

NOSE TO TAIL OF SUCCESSFUL DOG BREEDING - The Annual seminar of the United Spaniel Association takes place on Sunday 11th December 2011 at the Village Hall at Stoneleigh near Warwick.

Speakers for this event are: Bill Lambert from the Kennel Club who will talk about the latest initiatives to help breeders.

Peter Rolph, an eminent solicitor and expert on the law relating to dog ownership, breeding, and puppy contracts.

Steve Dean, best known as the Dog World vet, who will talk about mating, whelping, and puppy rearing.

The seminar is open to everyone, not just spaniel enthusiasts, and the cost is only £15 to include a welcome pack, all refreshments and a lunch.

Tickets are available from the secretary:

Mrs Gina Bowers, Meadowcroft, The Belt Road, Gainsborough DN21 1QA. 01427 811405 / [email protected]

For more details about the event visit the web site: www.unitedspaniel.com Sussex Spaniel Association

www.sussexspaniels.org.uk