July 2007
In the midst of winter, only two weekends of All-breeds shows attract attention - east to warm Durban and extreme west to Namibia. Winter is traditionally time for Group shows and Specialities.
The Durban weekend saw Pietermaritzburg KC celebrating their 100th show with a complete panel of overseas judges that teamed up with Durban & Districts KC and the array of Group Clubs and Specialities to offer exhibitors a bumper three-day festival. Durban & Districts KC, under Judge Mr S. Delmar (Ireland): ~ Best in Show: Great Dane - Ch. Auldmoor's A Cornish Lass at Fairmoor (Beckmann / Foxwell) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Miniature Schnauzer - Saskatoo Bend The Rules (Gale) Pietermaritzburg KC, under Judge Mr L. Ribas Silva (Brazil): ~ Best in Show: Pomeranian - Ch. Xantah Little Miracle (Fourie) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Siberian Husky - Foxfire Casino Royal (Deavall)		Ch. Auldmoor's A Cornish Lass at Fairmoor	Ch. Xantah Little Miracle
The dog community was shocked to hear of the brutal murder of Clare Paine in her home on 4 July. Clare had devoted most of her life to breeding and exhibiting Dachshunds under the "Guntamini" affix and made an enormous contribution to the breed. Her enthusiasm and knowledge played a huge role in preparing successors to continue her legacy. The following day brought the news of the loss of Kobus Reyneke of the Miniature Dachshund Club of the Rand, who passed away unexpectedly on 5 July - a further shock to Dachshund people, having just lost Clare Paine in such terrible manner. Later this month, on the 23rd, Robert Johnstone, of Pentasia Rough Collies, passed away after a long illness. Robert was passionate for his favourite breed and was particularly proud of the achievements of his youngest dog.
The annual trek to the west - Namibia - took place at the end of the month. Die-hards made the long journey to support these clubs, but it would be encouraging if more exhibitors would make the effort to help restore these club shows to the levels in previous years. Windhoek Dog Club, under Judge Ms C. Immelman: ~ Best in Show: American Cocker Spaniel - KUSA Nat Pup '06 Ch. Denova Get Over It (Archuleta / Brookes) ~ Best Puppy in Show: English Springer Spaniel - Tanjo Hot Shot for Lotsafun (Thomson) Hochland Dog Club, under Judge Mr G. Robinson: ~ Best in Show: Poodle (Miniature) - Warming Black Troubadour (Browning) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Bull Terrier- Brasshead Aussie Idol of Bukavi (Mattheys)		KUSA Nat Pup '06 Ch. Denova Get Over It	Warming Black Troubadour
August 2007
August started with another weekend on the warmer coast. Zululand KC , under Judge Mrs L. Rathnum (India): ~ Best in Show: Standard Poodle - KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent (Kiefer / McQuarrie) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Beagle - Morninghunt William Wallace (Hauptfleisch) Northern Natal KC, under Judge Mrs B. Simpson: ~ Best in Show: Italian Greyhound - Ch. (USA) Bo-Bett's Red Buttons of Canta Libre (Parkhouse) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Pekingese - Calmady The Wizard of Seawind (Ryrie)		KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent	Ch. (USA) Bo-Bett's Red Buttons of Canta Libre
And then it was time for Goldfields. Not quite meeting the thousands of entries as in previous years, the show was nonetheless a success and enjoyed by many. No sense in hankering after the past.... the time is ripe to lend support so that Goldfields can find its new identity and forge ahead in a new direction. Goldfields hosts the annual Dog of the Year Competition for dogs and bitches with the most number of Best of Breed awards gained during the previous year. A panel of four judges selected the following winners: DOG OF THE YEAR 2007: Ch. Le Pommier The Gladiator (Swanepoel) RUNNER-UP: Ch. Swordstone Faolan (Lawson) ~ Best in Show: Standard Poodle - Ch. Le Pommier The Gladiator (Swanepoel) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Beagle - Morninghunt William Wallace (Hauptfleisch		Ch. Le Pommier The Gladiator	Ch. Swordstone Faolan
During lunch at Goldfields, Sheila Baker, who was on the judging panel, took ill and was rushed to hospital. Her husband, Maurice, accompanied her and a replacement judge was found at short notice. Although Sheila's condition remained serious, Maurice was able to return briefly to finish his judging assignment. Sheila remained in ICU for some time before being discharged.
September 2007
The weekend after Goldfields was the turn of the Free State shows in Bloemfontein. While the sound system was a bit off, the catering was amazing...! Northern Free State KC, under Judge Mrs S. Carter: ~ Best in Show: Pekingese - Calmady The Wizard of Seawind (Ryrie) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Lhasa Apso - Jalus High Flyer (Peden) Bloemfontein KC, under Judge Mrs L. Megginson: ~ Best in Show: Pekingese - Calmady The Wizard of Seawind (Ryrie) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Pomeranian - Shelewa's You Will Be In My Heart (Shelew-Schubert) Kimberley KC, under Judge Mrs D. Powell: ~ Best in Show: American Cocker Spaniel - KUSA Nat Pup '06 Ch. Denova Get Over It (Archuleta / Brookes) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Staffordshire Bull Terrier- Kelev Dazzling Beauty (Grek)		Calmady The Wizard of Seawind	KUSA Nat Pup '06 Ch. Denova Get Over It
Tragedy struck the committees of Grahamstown and Queenstown Kennel Clubs shortly before their show weekend. Jeanie van Reenen, long-time committee member and wife of chairman Andre van Reenen, passed away suddenly.
With heavy hearts, however, the Grahamstown and Queenstown committees rallied together and presented a fine show, with numbers up on the previous year's entries. Queenstown & Dist KC: ~ Best in Show - Judge Mr D. Hull: Standard Poodle - Ch. Escort's Amadeus Le Noir at Dotcom (van Niekerk) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs G. Morison: Lhasa Apso - Jalus High Flyer (Peden) Grahamstown & Dist KC: ~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs L. Brand: Standard Poodle - KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent (Kiefer / McQuarrie) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr F. van der Spuy: Pomeranian - Shelewa's You Will Be In My Heart (Shelew-Schubert)		KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent	Ch. Escort's Amadeus Le Noir at Dotcom
Next up in mid-September was the Vereeniging KC show, under Judge Mr W. Wakfer: ~ Best in Show: Standard Poodle - KUSA Nat. Pup. '07 Calmady Why Not A Rose at Xantah (Fourie / Prior) ~ Best Puppy in Show:Siberian Husky - Kamchatka Hip Hip Hooray (Joubert)			KUSA Nat. Pup. '07 Calmady Why Not A Rose at Xantah
Back on the eastern shores, the Port Shepstone shows were well attended: Hibiscus KC, under Judge Ms E. Thomas: ~ Best in Show: Welsh Springer Spaniel - Ch. Kazval Classic Example of Chalcopyrite (Elliott) ~ Best Puppy in Show: Lhasa Apso - Jalus High Flyer (Peden) Margate KC, under Judge Mrs E. Hogg: ~ Best in Show: Rough Collie - Mirriyuula Juz Outa Oz (Guild) ~ Best Puppy in Show: English Springer Spaniel - Barecho Making Waves at White Squall (Kruger / Burger)		Ch. Kazval Classic Example of Chalcopyrit	Mirriyuula Juz Outa Oz
October 2007
October is traditionally a very busy show month, starting with Sasolburg KC: ~ Best in Show - Judge Mr M. Landsberg: Standard Poodle - KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent (Kiefer / McQuarrie) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr N. Kay: Lhasa Apso - Jalus High Flyer (Peden			KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent
The Spring Weekend, comprising TKC and SALKA, also incorporate the invitational competitions, Supreme Dog of the Year (for all Best in Show winners of the previous year) and Junior Dog of the Year (for dogs and bitches earning the most number of Best Puppy certificates during the year before): SUPREME DOG OF THE YEAR: Standard Poodle KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent (Kiefer / McQuarrie) RUNNER-UP: Rottweiler Mipret Duuk Second (Pretorius) JUNIOR DOG OF THE YEAR: Bull Terrier Rhinestone Rumour Has It of Malycwa (van der Merwe) RUNNER-UP: Great Dane Ch. Fairmoor Alias Mr Findlay (Beckmann / Foxwell)		KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent	Rhinestone Rumour Has It of Malycwa
			Ch. Youngstead Innes
TKC KC: ~ Best in Show - Judge Ms C. Roberts (Australia): Saint Bernard - Ch. Youngstead Innes (Bedier / Bezuidenhout) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs R. Kemp (Australia): Lhasa Apso - Jalus High Flyer (Peden SALKA: ~ Best in Show - Judge Mr R Malo Alcrudo (Spain) : Standard Poodle - KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent (Kiefer / McQuarrie) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr J. Forbes (Australia): Standard Poodle - Marechal Family Ties (Thomas)
For many looking forward to a Cape holiday, almost the rest of the month was spent at the Cape shows: Breede Rivier Vallei KC: ~ Best in Show - Judge Mr J Lim (Australia): Scottish Terrier - Ch Gladwen Black Magic (Loock) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mr T Horchner (Australia): Australian Shepherd - Sentikki Skyman of Stavros (Gray) Cape Town KC: ~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs D Zipperer (Australia): Scottish Terrier - Ch Gladwen Black Magic (Loock) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs C Egerton (Canada): Basset Hound - Tidalwaves Glengarif (Matthee)			Ch Gladwen Black Magic
The final weekend of championship shows were the turn of Hottentots Holland and Western Province: Hottentots Holland KC: ~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs A Cuthbert (Ireland): Maltese - Ch Libra Dare To Dream (Gouws) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs J Rusby (Canada): Australian Shepherd - Sentikki Skyman of Stavros (Gray) Western Province KC: ~ Best in Show - Judge Mrs J Rusby (Canada): Afghan Hound - Ch Agha Djari's Question of Honour of Accolades (Wessels) ~ Best Puppy in Show - Judge Mrs A Cuthbert (Ireland): Boxer - Jentay Baron Bedazzler (Swart)		Ch Libra Dare To Dream	Ch Agha Djari's Question of Honour of Accolades
November 2007
With the championship show season at an end, the year began to wind down with a series of provincial invitational competitions and special shows.
The World of Dogs and Cats, organised by Brian & Sharon Blades plus a small band of willing workers, circulates between the major centres. It takes the form of a pet fair, with a range of exhibitions to delight and inform the general public. Part of the proceedings, which took place in Durban this year, included the prestigious Challenge of Champions for all newly-declared champions CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS: Dobermann - Ch. Escada Empire Von Cobra (Lucas / Trebbin )			Ch. Escada Empire Von Cobra
This year, the KwaZulu Natal Top Dog Invitational formed part of the World of Dogs and Cats. A panel of three judges officiated: Mr S. Warry (Australia), Ms J. Browning, and Mrs L. Wilson. KZN TOP DOG: Siberian Husky - Ch. Foxfire Charlie's Angel (Deavall / Anderson) RUNNER-UP: English Springer Spaniel - Barecho Making Waves at White Squall (Kruger / Burger) KZN TOP PUPPY: English Springer Spaniel - Barecho Making Waves at White Squall (Kruger / Burger)			Ch. Foxfire Charlie's Angel
In the Cape, the Western Cape Top Dog Invitational was held as an evening event followed by a sumptious dinner and copious bottles of Cape wine! Judged by Mr N. Kay, the winners were: WESTERN CAPE TOP DOG: Australian Shepherd - Ch. Thornapple Phoenix Fire of Kirkyle (Farmer ) RUNNER-UP: Italian Greyhound - Ch. (USA) Bo-Bett's Red Buttons at Canta Libre (Parkhouse) WESTERN CAPE TOP PUPPY: French Bulldog - Florian De Noir Beatitude (Kasselman)			Ch. Thornapple Phoenix Fire of Kirkyle
The DOGS PC Best of the Best Challenge, in Gauteng, was judged by two Australian judges, Mr S. Warry and Mrs K. Eldred. BEST IN SHOW: Irish Wolfhound - Ch. Swordstone Faolan (Lawson) RUNNER-UP: Schipperke - Ch. Lynderry Magnum PI (Berry) BEST PUPPY IN SHOW: Pomeranian - Shelewa's Yoiu Will Be In My Heart (Fourie)			Ch. Swordstone Faolan
December 2007
The American Kennel Club (AKC), the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and Eukanuba teamed together to stage the Eukanuba World Challenge in California, USA. South Africa was fortunate to be one of the selected countries to take part in this event. The dog selected by the Kennel Union of South Africa for this event was the 2007 KUSA National Dog, Ch. Marechal Positive Accent (Usher), a Standard Poodle owned by Tracy McQuarrie and Jane Kiefer. "Usher" performed exceptionally well in the World Challenge, making it to the shortlist of ten. Following the competition, Usher also had the opportunity to compete in a few local shows in the US, where he earned two major wins. Hearty congratulations to Jane and Tracy!			KUSA Nat Dog '07 Ch. Marechal Positive Accent
The Christmas Charity Show has become an institution at Christmastime in Gauteng. Organised by Carol and Joe Field, the event has grown from humble beginnings to an immensely popular event that raises huge amounts of money for charity. Aside from breed class judging that is somewhat different from the norm, a popular highlight is the fancy dress competition, usually judged by a local celebrity.
Two brand new clubs held their first shows in December: the Junior Kennel Club and the Grand West Utility Breeds Club. Both had very successful shows and look forward to similarly successful events as they work their way to qualification for championship status.
The year ended on an exceptionally sad note with the passing of several well-known dog people. On 2 December, Prof Jamie Fisher passed away. Jamie, along with his wife Trish, showed and bred Old English Sheepdogs under the "Baggytrews" affix for many years. Although not active in the show ring recently, Jamie will always be remembered for his fabulous sense of humour and his genuine love of Old English Sheepdogs.
On 8 December, Andre Mocke passed away after a sudden heart attack. Andre was a Pekingese specialist and still very active, officiating as an All-breeds judge both locally and overseas. His last judging appointment was at the Cape Shows in October. Also on 8 December, Mrs Evelyn Hynd passed away. A Boxer enthusiast, she had been very active on the Western Province Boxer Club for many years.			Andre Mocke
The dog community was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Sheila Baker. Following her illness at Goldfields and a long and difficult recovery in ICU, Sheila never fully regained her stength and slipped away on 23 December. Always in close partnership with husband, Maurice, Sheila was a very interesting and knowledgable lady and extremely active in judging and show administration.			Sheila Baker
On 24 December, Lothar Rohmer, retired All-breeds Judge and KUSA Representative, passed away peacefully as closure to a full and active life in the dog community. Shortly after Christmas, we heard of the passing of Corne Buitendach, a well-known and much-loved Boxer breeder in Natal.
The dog community lost way too many well-loved people this year. They were all important in their particular ways and they all played a vital role in the nurturing of our sport and interest. Their passion for dogs made them special people and their expertise will be missed by many. SHOWDOGS expresses warmest condolences to the friends and family of all these wonderful people with the wish that the good memories will soon replace the pain of losing a loved one. We shall remember them.....
And finally, after a couple of weeks of daily voting, the winners of the SHOWDOGS Shows of 2007 were announced: ALL BREEDS SHOW OF THE YEAR 2007: Durban & Districts Kennel Club RUNNER-UP: SA Ladies Kennel Association SHOW WEEKEND OF THE YEAR 2007: Transvaal Midlands and Witwatersrand Kennel Clubs RUNNER-UP: TKC Kennel Club and SA Ladies Kennel Association GROUP SHOW OF THE YEAR 2007: Cape Hound Club (for the second consecutive year) RUNNER-UP: Working & Herding Association, Gold Reef SPECIALTY OF THE YEAR 2007: Bearded Collie Club of Gauteng RUNNER-UP: Bouvier des Flandres Club of Gauteng
Amidst much speculation and anticipation, the winners of the Eukanuba / SHOWDOGS Puppy Points System were announced following the usuall count-down from Top 100 down to Top 10. PUPPY OF THE YEAR 2007: Pomeranian - KUSA Nat. Pup. '07 Calmady Why Not A Rose (Fourie / Prior) FIRST RUNNER-UP: Lhasa Apso - Jalus High Flyer (Peden) SECOND RUNNER-UP: Beagle - Morninghunt William Wallace (Hauptfleisch) Congratulations!			KUSA Nat. Pup. '07 Calmady Why Not A Rose
Forward to 2008!
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