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SALUKI (GAZELLE HOUND) BREED NOTES

SALUKI NOTES WEEK ENDING 20TH DECEMBER, 1997

We have heard from Jenny Ziman that the Saluki stand at Discovery Dogs was excellent. I know most of the credit is due to Peter Yardley and Ken Allan for organising the presentation. Jenny noted that the pictures were exhibited in a most professional manner. I look forward to seeing them at Crufts when Discovery Dogs will again be available to see. Also I am sure that, anyone willing to help person the stand, during the four days of Crufts, would be welcomed.

We have been studying the information regarding the Kennel Club’s new ruling on attaining a Junior Warrant. I do not think qualifying for the award is relevant in attaining what most people want for their Salukis and that is the title of Champion. The Junior Warrant is a challenge and gives us something to attain with our young hounds. Its has been a reason to go to the Championship Shows and run around the country supporting the Open Shows. Now with the new rulings, we may never be able to attain the award. At the Championship Shows, where half of the points must be won, we usually have three dogs or more in our classes so that part of winning the award is possible. The second half, winning half the awards at Open Show where there must be at least three in the class will be near impossible. Very seldom, is the entries high enough at the Open Shows to have three in the classes, only if you enter all the classes and with a dog under eighteen month old it is doubtful if you could win the Open Classes. At some shows we only have one class. We do have a strong core of enthusiast that support the Open Shows and yet it will be nigh on impossible to attend enough Open Shows to ever fulfil the requirement set down by the Kennel Club. I must state that points gained from two shows in one weekend are not acceptable. You will be able to use only the awards gained at one of the two.... any of your comments will be welcomed!!!

That leads me to the situation that we have received two schedules this week. One from The Hound Association and the other from The Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club. In cold and dreary February we will have two shows to lighten up our days. Only unfortunately they are on the same day. What a pity as we like to attend them both. The Saluki Club Show is our Limited Show ( limited to members of the club) The judges are Mitzi Maryon for Dogs and Sheila Harmer for Bitches. The Referee is Tracy Larkin. The venue is The Recreation Hall, Centre For Epilepsy, Chalfont Common, Nr Chalfont-St-Giles, Bucks. Judging commences at 10am with dogs, bitches to follow. The Committee will be organising their usual catering. Its a relaxed fun day out. The Hound Open 98 is held at The Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry. The judge is Mr J Horswell and he has a classification of 5 classes which is quite good for an Open Show. Schedules can be obtained from Mrs S Rawlings on telephone number 01825 750520.

Everyone is entitled to express their opinions and, like Voltaire, although we may not agree with them, we should defend to the death the right to express them. However, there must be some responsibility towards accuracy and genuine knowledge when stating ones opinion. Last week I read comments from Gail Goodman, in the U.S.A., suggesting that the stratification of English society into social classes is directly reflected among the Saluki fanciers, in this country. Gail goes on to suggest that this situation does not allow for meritocracy but selectivity through status. This means that an unknown exhibitor cannot win with their exhibit, what the quality, unless their face fits. The effect of this is then said to be the production of ‘cookie-cutter’ or stereotype Salukis, lacking diversity. This is incorrect and is proven when looking at the Champions made up in 1997 of different origins. We are of course aware that the lines in this country are in general closely related but a first generation decendant of a desert import was made up a Champion and another achieved a Challenge Certificate. Nor is it unusual for newcomers, to showing, to win first prizes and Challenge Certificates. There is a reasonable amount of tolerance that has been developed in the U.K. and this should be applauded and enhanced.

This issue reminds me of my flight to offices of my company in Fort Wayne, Indiana. On transAtlantic flights everyone is reminded to reset their watches of between five to eight hours between the U.K. and the continental U.S.A. When approaching Fort Wayne on this occassion the pilot reminded everyone to set their watches back.........by twenty five years. Gail, you need to reset your watch or come to see the changes that have occured. We would be delighted to show you.

Michael Williams (101547.503@compuserve.com)

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