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SALUKI (GAZELLE HOUND) BREED NOTES

SALUKI NOTES WEEK ENDING 14th April 2000

The Saluki Welfare Fund's Health Seminar held on 26 March was a great success. Delegates have taken the time and trouble to write in congratulating the Fund on such a well run seminar and on their foresight for putting on such good speakers. After all the hard work it is very gratifying to hear people's appreciation. A copy of the Programme and the Seminar Notes of Dr W Jean Dodds are available to those who were unable to attend at a price of £4.50 from Mrs K Fisher, 23 Wychford Drive, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 0HA.

Rescue Rescue are still looking for a home for an elderly dog of 10 years who just wants to cuddle up on a comfy chair after his daily exercise and be loved for the rest of his days. We are also looking for homes for young dogs. If anyone can offer a home please contact either Karen Fisher on 01279 833855 or Denise Rogers on 01302 771143.

Southeast Hound Club held their spring show at the Montem Centre, Slough last Sunday. There was an excellent entry on paper but unfortunately there were many absentees. Our judge was Mr Jerry Robertson who made the journey from Scotland. BOB was Ms Lynda Langton's Al Caliphs Suhayl. RBOB and BOS was our own Kasaque Isesi. Best Puppy was Mrs Daphne Tovey's Lusaki Rha Rhamen.

Pauline Kendall has kindly sent us some of her thoughts on winning the Hound Group at Crufts this year with her Ch Gulzar Al-Mutakabbir: "Showing dogs as a hobby can sometimes be disappointing and other times fantastic. Crufts was one of those magical moments, in the thirty five years of being owned and showing Salukis, we would savour for the rest of our life. Firstly, it was the breed judge, Rosemary Lewis, who showed no indication that she was interested in our Champion Gulzar Al-Mutakabbir until she looked up after assessing all the dogs in the class and beconed to us for first place. Then on to gain the CC and eventually putting us through our paces for BOB. Feeling elated and at the same time in shock, we left the ring ready to go into the hound group. Our group judge was Dr Monica Boggia-Blace, who was extremely professional and efficient in her approach to the hounds. In her selected six, she began with the Afghan, Beagle, Dach, Irish Wolfhound, such a long way from "S" for those of us who were on the end of the line, thought she might run out of places by the time she reached us-not so. She knew exactly what she wanted and low and behold she beckoned to Brandi, then the Whippet. By now the adrenaline was running through my veins, to get this far was fantastic, we all moved again and without hesitation she pulled Brandi out for the Hound Group winner. Completely overcome by it all, we were taken into the pressroom where we met with a barrage of flashlights and photographers. Brandi was fascinated by all the attention and the photographers trying to talk at once. A friendly KC representative rescued us for the mayhem, taking us to a quiet room with fitted carpets, benching for the dog, food on the table. Brandi was given water and roast turkey, which he relished, on the spot. Here we were able to relax to get ready for the big ring.

By now our big moment had arrived, we were feeling completely relaxed, being quite oblivious of the crowds, noise and the razzmatazz. The curtain was raised and a fanfare of trumpets announced the Best in Show with each group winner having their respective place in the ring. The Saluki was announced, Brandi took one look at the great big ring with a glint in his eye, off he went using his long flexible limb to advantage. It came time for Brandi to be assessed by the judge with the spotlight now on us, Brandi holding his own, not moving a muscle, looking fantastic with the green carpet enhancing his cream coat, black desert eyes and exquisite outline. The judge approached with a friendly eye to eye contact, assessment over and off we went again. We were each given one more chance to move again and the final assessment was make with the Kerry Blue being awarded Best in Show and the Cocker reserve. Still feeling elated we left the ring being greeted by the public and the complementary remarks made about our Brandi. A delighted Rosemary Lewis told us her mother, Helen Baker, had done the same thing at Cruft Centenary Year 1991 when Ch Jazirat Bahiyya was awarded CC and BOB, then went on to win the hound group. Still on a high we left for home where Harry and I never stopped talking about the exciting events that took place during the day. Brandi now completely relaxed in the back of the car laying on his back with his legs in the air snoring his head off, dreaming perhaps, of the wonderful human friend who make such a full of him, not knowing , what a super star he had been on the day"

Michael Williams (101547.503@compuserve.com)

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