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Meet Our New President Although very well known to most people in Welsh Springer Spaniel circles we would like to introduce our new club President, Mrs Debbie Roberts (Cwrt Afon). Following the untimely death of our previous president Kath Morgan in September 2016 the members at the 2017 AGM decided that the position of Club President would remain vacant for one year as a mark of respect. At our 2018 AGM Debbie, who has had a long association with the breed, with our club and was a partner in the well known Cwrt Afon kennels, was elected as our new President. Debbie still holds the Cwrt Afon affix under which she is currently showing her German Spitz. Debbie has a tough act to follow in the footsteps of the previous two presidents Kath and Len Morgan, but we are confident that with her many years experience and commitment to our club, she will fulfil the post with great enthusiasm.
Thanks To The Judges and Stewards The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales would like to extend their thanks to the judges and stewards who helped make our Breed Shows of 2018 a great success. (More photos on centre pages)
Above: Jan Rees presents thank you gifts to Miss Dawn Ritchie (Slapestones), judge at the Open Show in February and right: Mrs Anne Le Maitre (Vannelmead) judge for the Special Awards classes.
Above: Jan Rees presents thank you gifts to Mrs Anne Worth (Sarabande) who was judge at our Open Show in September and right: Mrs Collette Perkins (Brent) judge for the Special Awards classes.
At the Championship Show in March the judges were: DOGS: Jennifer Murray (Priestbeck) and BITCHES: Debbie Robets (Cwrt Afon). Richard Morris, Julie Williams and her daughters acted as Stewards. Jan Rees is pictured on the left presenting gifts to each of the judges. Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales
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Chairperson’s Report 2018 Wishing you all a Happy and Successful New Year. Well 2019 is upon us, where does the time go when you are having fun! Yes we have certainly had another fun packed year, albeit a very busy one with our Championship Show again being the highlight of which we are very proud. At our last AGM in February, we had a change of Secretary, Jan Janes ‘retired’ and Sue Evans took up the reins plus husband Terry joined us on the Committee. We haven’t let Jan go far though! Thank you Jan for such sterling work. We also gained a new President in Debbie Please go to: Roberts (Cwrtafon). facebook.com / Most of all once again a massive ‘Thank you’ to all the WelshSpringer Committee who have worked extremely hard to make the SpanielCSW year such a success. “Like” us and you With last year’s turmoil at the Kennel Club and all the will be kept up to uncertainty about the new Judges Competency date with club Chairperson, Jan Rees with Lloyd Framework we were finally able to go ahead and run a news. very successful ‘Breed Appreciation Day’ last Autumn. their Open Show in Cwmbran on 14th July, the date we This day was for aspiring Breed Judges who fitted the normally keep for our Summer Rally, so we have made criteria and we were the first WSS Club to hold this new the switch around and will hopefully hold our 2019 venture. A huge amount of work for our small committee, Summer Rally in September. Holding shows in but a super day indeed, you will see from the full report conjunction with other societies might be happening inside. more and more with struggling entries and hard to find This year (2019) our usual September Open Show will venues in the dogworld today. This will be a new venture clash with Darlington Championship Show so we have for us so please come along and give us your support. had to change the date. We have teamed up with Gundog On the Working side, we plan to hold several ‘Have-aSociety of Wales to hold the event in conjunction with Go’ training days just to see if we can attract some possible new ‘workers’ amongst us or even members who just want a better trained dog, it is very rewarding and, of course, what Welsh Springers are meant to do! All our activities are always advertised on our website www.wsscsw.co.uk or Facebook page – welshspringerspanielCSW so look out for the adverts, and please get in touch and have a great day out. Our final outing of the year at Christmas was at Oxwich Bay on the beautiful Gower Peninsular with some 30 Welshies all racing around the beach, just a wonderful sight and finishing up in the local pub with its roaring Hands-on session at the Breed Appreciation Day fires for a rather fine Sunday lunch just finished off the year in style. It’s very satisfying when other beach walkers remark on all these ‘welshies’ madly enjoying themselves without any problem speaks volumes for our efforts at breed promotion. We look forward to your continued support, if you have any thoughts or ideas on what you would like to see us do, more walks, more training, ringcraft, grooming etc. then please let us know and you can be sure we’ll do our best to fit it in and let’s make 2019 another memorable year, it‘s over to you.
Have fun! Christmas Beach Walk at Oxwich Newsletter 2019
Jan Rees (Chairperson) email: Castle_typica@hotmail.com
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Officers and Committee Who’s Who in the Club – 2018
Mansel Young
Debbie Roberts
Jan Rees
Sue Evans
Jan Janes
Karen Lancett
Lesley Breeze
Mary Evans
Anita Shears
Terry Evans
Patron: Mr Mansel Young
Assistant Secretary: Mrs Jan Janes
President: Mrs Debbie Roberts
Treasurer: Mrs Debbie Roberts
Life Members: Mr T Davies Dr A Christie Mrs E A Jones
Joint Health Group: Delegates: Mrs J Rees, Mrs J Janes Reserve Delegate: Mrs K Lancett Trustee: Mrs S Evans
Vice-Presidents: Dr A Christie Mrs A Davies Mrs C Green Mrs A Young Mrs D Roberts Mr B Shears Ms M Simmons
Mr & Mrs M. Young Mr & Mrs J Derrick Mrs Jan Janes
Cup Steward: Contact the Secretary Mr T Davies Mr M Green Mr M Young, Mr & Mrs J Derrick Mrs J Janes Mrs E A Jones Mrs Jan Rees
United Spaniel Association Delegate: Mrs A Shears Committee Members: Mrs Mary Evans Mrs Lesley Breeze Mr Terry Evans
Chairperson: Mrs Jan Rees
Web Site: Mrs J Rees (content) Mr Terry Evans (Design & Photography)
Vice Chairperson: Mrs Debbie Roberts
Newsletter Production: Terry and Sue Evans
Secretary: Mrs Sue Evans
WSS Rescue and Re-homing Scheme UK Co-ordinator, South Wales & Three counties Representative: Mrs K Lancett
e-mail: welshspringerspaniel.csw@gmail.com
General enquiries email address: welshspringerspaniel.csw@gmail.com Website: www.wsscsw.co.uk Photo-Gallery Website: www.wsscswgallery.wordpress.com Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors and reproduced in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the WSSCSW
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Secretary’s Report A happy new year to all our members and breed enthusiasts! This year has seen a lot of changes for the Committee of our Club, a new President, Mrs Debbie Roberts, a new Treasurer, also Mrs Debbie Roberts, and I took over from Mrs Jan Janes as Secretary. I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to Jan, for her many years as Secretary, for guiding me through the learning process, they are big shoes to fill, I can never hope to have as extensive a knowledge of the Breed as she has, but I know she will always be on the end of the phone to answer any of my queries. Thanks also to Jan Rees, for encouraging me to get involved in the Club all those years ago, when I was a showing novice, ‘we’ll just have a bit of fun’ she said, and we did, a lot of fun, and so it continues. I would like to thank my fellow Officers and Committee too, for their support and encouragement, entrusting me with this post. Starting the year, there was a visit from KC Field Officer Mr Bob Dyke, at the February Open Show, and, when we told him the Secretary would change at the AGM, he had to come again for the Championship Show. Then due to Secretary, Sue Evans the change of venue, he had to visit the September Show as well, in Earlswood. In the end we were all very pleased to receive Certificates of Excellence for all three of our shows - a strong indictment of all the hard work the committee put into staging these events. Some of our planned events were severely curtailed by the weather – a hoped for St Davids Day Walk around Cardiff Bay was cancelled due to a snowstorm – remember The Beast From The East? Summer activities were also severely curtailed by the weather, such as the Beach Barbeque and Funday Rally, – this time for being too HOT! I had never expected to be typing these words, Welshies and their people being so hardy, I rarely have to cancel an event! We did manage to catch up with several of our members’ days out, as you’ll see later. We have planned to run a Seminar several times in recent years, but other club’s dates clashed, and venues unavailable, but this year we were successful in offering a Breed Assessment Day, which was held in Dingestow, and attracted a large number of applications from Breed specialists and Non-breed judges, eager to expand their knowledge. I look forward to meeting many of you during the coming year, at shows, at Training, and just doing the everyday stuff Welshies love! Sue Evans (Secretary)
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – 2019 Open Show Annual General Meeting Championship Show
10th February 24th February 24th March
Open Show
14th July
Rally & Dog Fun Day
15th September
Drill Hall, Chepstow. Mrs Julie Frost (Bushwacker) Ponthir Village Hall, Ponthir, Gwent Chepstow Leisure Centre Dogs – Mrs Pam Tew (Pamicks) Bitches – Mrs Sue Aston (Tasa) Cwmbran Stadium Leisure Centre, Mrs Jane Sutherland (Jacranella) Venue and details TBC
Dates for other events such as Training Days, Working Days and Informal Walks are yet to be confirmed – please regularly check our Website or Facebook page for up-to-date details. Newsletter 2019
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Treasurer’s Report All shows return healthy profits I think that this is now my third term as Treasurer and firstly I must thank Keith and Annie for all of their hard work in the previous years which made it much easier to pick up the reins, again. 2018 has been an exceptionally busy year for the club. We have as usual held three very successful shows. Our February Show was one of the biggest entries that we have seen for some years. Along with the Special Classes, which were held during the lunch break, a great profit was returned. Indeed, all of the Club’s shows have returned a profit. This is a great achievement when you consider the falling entry numbers across all breeds. I thank the membership for their continued support of the club. In the Autumn the WSSCSW were the first club to hold a Welsh Springer Treasurer, Debbie Roberts Breed Appreciation Day. Jan, Sue and Terry provided an array of valuable and interesting resources for all of the participants to take home with them. Even with this expense the club was able to return a profit. Looking at expenditure. Club supplies have been heavily invested in. We have purchased a number of new items for the members including several types of bag, ring clips, badges, pens and key rings. The members like the new products and it is expected that the coming year will see the stock levels decrease. The year was rounded off with the Christmas beach walk. Again, this was an enjoyable day. The weather was dry, unlike last year, and this time we were able to walk to the far end of the beach. Lots of Welsh Springers and the odd German Spitz strutting their stuff in and out of the water. This is an event that we do not seek to Spot the Spitz joining fund raise. It’s the Club’s day to give something back in our Christmas to the members. A tea/coffee or soft drink was beach walk purchased for all of the participants as a welcome before we took to the beach. Debra Roberts (Treasurer)
Membership Reminder
Can we please remind you that Annual Subscriptions are now due: Single Member: £4.00 Joint Members: £6.00 Junior Members: (under 18) 50p If you have not already renewed your membership can you please send it to: The Secretary: Mrs Sue Evans, Never forget again! Subs can be paid via Direct Debit. You can download a form from the website or contact the Secretary.
Newsletter 2019
A few of the new items of WSSCSW merchandise available at our Club Shows
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Presentations & Celebrations Club Patron Mansel Young had a busy time presenting the various annually awarded trophies at the club’s Championship show in March – many congratulations to all winners, we hope you have fun this coming year trying to defend your trophy.
Typica Breeders Trophy
Wyesider Trophy
Tim and Honor Harrison’s ‘Glenbrows’ kennel, were winners of this year’s Typica Breeders Trophy – Honor is seen (above left) receiving the award from club patron, Mansel Young, at our Champ Show.
The Wyesider Trophy is awarded to the Top Dog or Bitch born in Wales. Awarded this year to Nigel and Anne Worth’s Sarabande Perfect Storm (AI) Sh CM – pictured (above right) is Nigel receiving the silver plate from Mansel Young at our Championship Show.
Tregwillym Points Trophy
Flowers For Jan Our long-serving secretary Jan Janes has done very well for flowers this year. First of all, on her retirement from being Club Secretary she was presented with a wonderful bouquet and gift card at our AGM. Later in the year at our Open Show in September the club presented her with a potted floral display to celebrate her and husband Barrie’s Silver Wedding Anniversary. Fortunately for us, Jan is not going anywhere just yet as she is our new Assistant Secretary and still a major part of our Committee.
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Also known as the Cliff Payne Trophy, this trophy is awarded to the club member who has gained the most points with the same dog throughout the year. This year’s winning dog Pamicks Field of Dreams is pictured (above) with owner Pam Tew as she collects the trophy from patron Mansel Young at our Champ Show in March. Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales
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Mansel and Avril Our patron Mansel and his wife Avril celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary in September 2018. As they were absent from our September show due to a holiday to celebrate the occasion the committee decided to mark their anniversary with a gift of Welsh crystal. Mansel and Avril, founder members and long term officers/committee members of the club have continued to support us following their retirement several years ago. I visited them at their home following their return from holiday to make the presentation. They were both delighted with the gift and we look forward to their support for many years to come. Congratulations to them both. Jan Janes
Thank You Julie, A Presentation was made by Jan Rees and Jan Janes, the Club’s Joint Health Group Delegates, to show our appreciation to Julie Revill on her retirement as Secretary of the Joint Health Group, and to say a huge Thank You from the WSSCSW for all her hard work over the many years. Newsletter 2019
Silver Pheasant Working Trophy The Silver Pheasant Working Trophy was awarded to Debbie Yates with Isfryn Spotless for Federyn. She was unable to collect her trophy at our AGM so we delivered it directly to her and Debbie was so pleased she gave us these few words describing her working year. It was a privilege to be awarded the Silver Pheasant Working Trophy last year. Dery (Isfryn Spotless at Ferderyn) and I had enjoyed a very successful year competing in Working Tests and gaining our Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificates on Dummies and Game. I like to run young dogs in Tests as they provide a great foundation for the dog’s future working career, which is where my passion lies. Before the shooting season starts I help with dogging in, using the dogs to push back wandering birds. During the season I spend over 50 days picking up on 2 main shoots, with the dogs retrieving mainly pheasants, partridges and ducks. I also enjoy rough shooting over the dogs, and especially then cooking and eating what they have flushed and retrieved! I am pleased to say Dery now excels in all these roles and even gives my Labradors a run for their money on long retrieves. Dery is following in Fergus’ (Kazval Country File) pawprints. Having worked 10 full seasons, he will be 12 in March, but is sadly now totally deaf so his working days have reduced considerably this year and I have to be very careful to work him only where he is safe. Outside the shooting season both Dery and Fergus still fly the flag for Welsh Springers, representing the breed at numerous Game Fairs and Country Shows, and Dery is a valued member of Derwent Valley Gundog Display Team who give gundog demonstrations to raise funds for the Debbie Yates Air Ambulance.
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My Working Year by Jane Sutherland (Jacranella) Looking back at 2018 it’s been a rollercoaster ride! Some significant changes of direction for us, a change in career for one of us and so a house move for all of us. Somewhere in all this turmoil there still had to be time for gundog training. I have five Welshies all at different stages of training, so time has to be found for all levels of training. Senior bitch Nell, is a seasoned veteran in the field but she still needs to keep her skills up to date, so still some retrieving work to practice her direction work and plenty of practice at steadiness exercises, lots of stop whistle to make Jane Sutherland with Nelson sure that the brakes still work! Living at home with Nell are her three daughters: you to find new solutions – and to keep a sense of Amelia, Daisy and Grace, and her son Nelson. All of humour - something that can be surprisingly hard them are trained to work in the field and I am to do on your own! bringing them on in stages, although this year with Add to this, the opportunity to train in an all the stress and upheaval has proved something of environment tailored to the training classes, and a challenge! you can progress with your training much quicker, Fortunately our new home has plenty of space for training, and the opportunity to join some new shoots, local to our village, and so some sort of training could be squeezed in whenever we had a chance. All of the pups moved on in their retrieve work, graduating from cold game to warm game and we have begun introducing them to the excitement of the Shoot Day, although not all at Nell once quite yet! This year has been a chance to focus on Nelson a bit more, so we have been working towards working gundog tests. Like all of us who train our gundogs I find it enormously beneficial to join a mixed training group. It is easy to become discouraged when you train on your own, working in a group helps you to see your challenges in a new light, helping
Amelia
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and have a lot of fun in the process. Encouraged by the other dogs Nelson was inspired to jump much higher fences for retrieves and follow the example of others to learn to push through hedges and other barriers, including a line of dogs and people, hunt for birds out of sight and retrieve them to hand. He also learnt the joy of an audience and the fun of having a good bark when asked to do certain commands! So having tried hard to put the basics in place – hunting, steadiness to flush and shot, retrieving to hand and being quiet in line, it was time to introduce some more advanced directional work at distance. This allows the handler to direct their dog onto a retrieve that they know is there, but the dog hasn’t seen, and also to stop and redirect the dog whilst hunting.
Nelson
Retrieving game Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales
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Once we had moved house by the autumn, and settled in, I decided to screw up my courage and enter Nelson and myself for a Field Trial. We made the ballot and were drawn to run 18th in the field. A very long and nerve-wracking wait before we got our first run under one of the two judges, we drew some very thick cover along a deep ditch with a stream in the bottom. Nelson rose to the challenge and really got to grips with the brambles and thick undergrowth, working the whole of the bank and stream bed, managing to find and flush three pheasants, although none of them presented a clear shot for the team of guns. So we managed to make it through to the end of our first run without being put out! Only four of us had a second run, so not such a long wait this time, and he hunted really well again, in some white grass and young trees. All went well until a cock pheasant made a run for it out of the grass, under his nose
Nelson
and he ran in. Out of the cards, but a good day and I was very pleased with his first trial. Next step for Nelson was his Working Gundog Certificate, which he achieved, on dummies not game, at the beginning of December. Next step will be the test on game, so we shall be working for that. There is still the remainder of this year’s shooting season to enjoy, and some hard work to put in with the girls to bring them up to Nelson’s level of training. They all have different aspects of the
Nelson waiting patiently
training that they enjoy more than other parts and so it is important to approach each session with fresh eyes. Looking ahead to the spring, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to train in a rabbit pen – another advantage of joining a training group is the chance to use facilities that are difficult to incorporate into your own training routine. A rabbit pen is a costly and time consuming training aid to maintain, just for your own use at home. It also requires a lot of space that not many of us have! Despite the relative shortness of the Shooting Season, just a few short months every year, there are plenty of working tests, assessments and training groups to get involved with. There are certificates to be worked for and targets to achieve in your group. And if you never join a shoot, enter a working test or take any certificates at all, it is still great fun with like- minded people who all face the same challenges training their own dogs. And at the end of it all, you can enjoy training your Welsh Springer, and forging a close bond with him, giving him the chance to fulfil the instincts that generations of breeding have given him. Whatever you decide to do, I urge you to give gundog training a shot. I am looking forward to 2019, and all the challenges that it will bring!
The Jacranella pack: L-R, Nell, Amelia, Daisy, Nelson and Grace
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JACRANELLA FIT FOR FUNCTION FULL OF FUN
BRED, OWNED & MUCH LOVED BY JANE & CRAIG SUTHERLAND 10
Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales
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Positivity Only In Training Starting out as a force free dog trainer has definitely had a positive impact on dog welfare, my own mental health and hopefully that of many others! The relationship with my own dogs has improved immensely too. I work on the premise of telling the dog what to do, rather than telling it what not to do. For example if a dog jumps up the norm is to start telling it to get down and pushing the dog off, but this just leads to frustration for both dog and owner. To teach the dog to ‘get down’, the dog has to jump up first whereas what we actually want is for the dog to offer us a sit. So if we really reinforce a dog offering us a sit, then this alleviates the frustration and confusion and gives us a happy dog and owner. The last year also saw me become an accredited trainer for “Canine Hoopers” which is a fun low impact sport suitable for all. This is again taught in a force free manner, helping develop the bond and relationship between owner and dog.
I always set the dog up to succeed and the best way to do that is to make it fun for dog and owner. I hold all my training outdoors to prepare the dogs for real life and get them to work around real life distractions. I also have the added distractions of horses, goats, chickens and ducks as well as my pet pig Rosie. As well as preparing the dogs to ignore the other animals, they’re also very entertaining for the owners! Helping people to enjoy their dogs by making some simple changes is so rewarding. When I see the smile on people’s faces when they achieve a new behaviour with their dog is such an incredible feeling. People can be desperate by the time they contact me so there’s no better reward in knowing that you’re helping both live together in harmony. Zoe Phillips
‘HAVE A GO’
GUNDOG TRAINING DAYS
The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales is planning several Training Days this year with expert Gundog Trainers. We aim to encourage owners who would like to ‘work’ their Welsh Springers or just want to find out what it involves. “Gundog” training is not just about making your beloved pet dive about the undergrowth retrieving dead prey - it can mean having a dog that will sit, stay and walk to heel and so become a pet you can trust and be proud of in every social setting. Look out for the adverts on our website (www.wsscsw.co.uk) and FaceBook page (facebook.com/welshspringerspanielcsw) and get in touch. The days will be very informal and we can guarantee that you and your dogs will just love them. Come along and give it a try ~ we look forward to welcoming you.
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Isfryn Lady Grey of Gilstonia a.k.a. ‘Isla’ ISLA has been successfully shown in the ring during 2018 and has also worked in the Field. Winning 1st in PUPPY AND BEST HUNTER at 18 months at the WSSC Working Assessment, her first Test Owned, loved and handled by GILL COOPER and bred by TINA SMITH
Dutch/Int. Sh.Ch. Isfryn On The Spot Bred by Tina Smith
Owned by Maaike Groot Photo: Steve Davis, Countryshots Photography
Isfryn King Leir at Blythway Harri has had a good start to his show career going Best Puppy in Show and equal Runner Up Dog of the Year at SEWSSC. He also showed us that he has brains as well as beauty by coming 2nd in puppy at the WSSC Autumn Assessment Test 2018. He continues to delight us with his joyful, mischievous character. Harri would like to congratulate his siblings on their achievements so far in the ring and in the field. Paul and Fiona Stevenson blythway@yahoo.com
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Wales Needs YOU! Clare Williams says Welshies can excel at “Canicross” I was delighted when I was asked to write a short piece for the newsletter to highlight another sport that Welshies can excel in, so here’s a blatant plug for our sport Canicross and hopefully some of you will be so inspired that you might consider joining Team Cymru at this Easter’s forthcoming Furnations in Pembrey Country Park over Easter. So what is Canicross? Canicross is the sport of trail running with your dog. The dog wears a specially fitted harness (to spread the load) and the human wears a hip belt too, rather like a clinging harness. We are attached with a bungee line and the idea is that the dog runs in front, assisting the human. In South Wales, there are clubs in Bridgend, Cardiff, Neath and Swansea to name but a few. Competitors are not elite athletes, we come in all shapes and sizes e.g. we have a 60+ Male in our team who runs with a daschund and my favourite, the sweetest little Pembrokeshire Corgi bitch - it’s about having fun and creating a bond with your dog rather than setting records. The Furnations is about participation, so everyone who competes wins points for Wales plus, if you want, you can wear that magnificent Ddraig Goch!
Photo by MBW Photography.com Newsletter 2019
I started Canicross in 2010 when Nye was one year old and just a little bit crazy! The aim was for me to lose weight and for me to leave him a little calmer when I went to work. Instead of walking our 2 mile (40 minute) morning walk, we started to jog it. Believe me, it was slow at first literally but slowly and steadily we made progress. I was dropping weight and Nye just loved it - we celebrated every morning with huge high fives, something we still do after every run. We started competing in Canix races in March 2011 and haven’t looked back, racing regularly all over the UK with many wins or podium places. Nye enjoys this sport so much and I can’t express it strongly enough. He loves to see his harness brought out of the bag but he is even more excited when he realises we are at a race, to be honest, he’s pretty crazy about it and I have to work hard to control him at the start. For the last four years we have travelled further afield competing in week-long events in France. The Trophee de Montagne in August in the Alps and at the Trophee de Sud Bourgogne i.e. Burgundy (nice wine!) in November. In each event we have attended, we have gained a podium place with the top spot on two occasions. It is becoming much more competitive with huge purpose bred dogs but we will continue to do our best and fly the WSS flag! As Nye turns 9 this January 2019, little Owain Glyndwr (Owi) has joined the team and at 17 months he is already proving to be a star. I started him very slowly but he did a few races in November’s TSB and I’m sure he will do just as well as his big brother. If you are interested to learn more, please get in touch at K9Cymru@me.com. Remember, WALES NEEDS YOU!
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Isfryn Lady Godiva at Fireglow JW a.k.a. ‘Nerys’ d.o.b. 22.03.17
(Islanza Lookin For Spot (AI) x Isfryn Hocus Pocus JW)
During 2017/2018 Nerys enjoyed some wonderful results in the ring culminating in gaining her Junior Warrant in July 2018 and a Reserve Challenge Certificate in October 2018. Thank you to the judges who have made this possible. We’re looking forward to some more fun in and out of the ring in the future. Bred by Tina Smith, Owned by Ruth Waller
Isfryn Spot the Difference Trebettyn a.k.a. ‘Flynn’ (Islanza Lookin For Spot (AI) x Isfryn Lickety Split)
RCC at South Eastern Welsh Springer Spaniel Club many thanks to judge Sandra Bell. Proudly owned and loved by Tom and Julie Williams.
Isfryn Spotless at Ferderyn a.k.a. ‘DERY’
(Islanza Lookin For Spot (AI) x Isfryn Lickety Split)
Dery is pictured here with her half brother Pete Isfryn Peeping Tom JW (Islanza Lookin For Spot (AI) x Isfryn Hocus Pocus JW)
Both Dery and Pete have their KC WGC on dummies and game Bred by Tina Smith, Owned by Debbie Yates
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Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales
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OPEN SHOW The Drill Hall, Lower Church Street, Chepstow. NP16 5HJ
SUNDAY 11th February 2018 Judge: Miss Dawn Ritchie (Slapestones) BEST IN SHOW (AND BEST VETERAN) - Harrison’s: Sh Ch Glenbrows Picture Me Now JW (left centre) Reserve Best In Show & BOS - Lancett’s: Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili (left) Best Puppy In Show - Waller’s: Isfryn Lady Godiva at Fireglow (right centre) Best Veteran In Show - Harrison’s: Sh Ch Glenbrows Tribute to Weslave JW (right) Best in Show Lineup
Judge’s Comments Many thanks to the committee for the invitation and the exhibitors for supporting the show, I was delighted with my entry. I would also like to thank my two super-efficient stewards, Brian and Anita Shears, who ensured the day ran smoothly.
Best Dog Line-Up
Best Bitch Line-Up
BEST DOG (centre)– Harrison’s: Sh Ch Glenbrows Picture Me Now JW RESERVE BEST DOG (left)– Barkley’s: Sh Ch Cherryheaths Mr Mischief JW ShCM BEST PUPPY DOG (right)– Worth’s: Sarabande Lord of the Dance (AI)
BEST BITCH (centre) Lancett’s: Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili RESERVE BEST BITCH (left) – Harrison’s: Sh Ch Glenbrows Tribute to Weslave JW BEST PUPPY BITCH (right) – Waller’s: Isfryn Lady Godiva at Fireglow
Full list of results and the Judge’s critique can be seen on the club’s website at www.wsscsw.co.uk Newsletter 2019
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CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW Chepstow Leisure Centre, Chepstow, Gwent
SUNDAY 25th MARCH 2018 JUDGES: DOGS: Jennifer Murray (Priestbeck) • BITCHES: Debbie Roberts (Cwrt Afon) REFEREE: Jan Rees (Typica) BEST IN SHOW - Ritchie’s: Slapestones Eros JW (left centre) RESERVE BEST IN SHOW & BOS - Graham’s: Ferndel Cover Story About Nyliram JW (left) BEST PUPPY IN SHOW - Worth’s: Sarabande Lord Of The Dance (AI) (right centre) BEST VETERAN IN SHOW - Harrison’s: Sh Ch Glenbrows Tribute To Weslave JW (right) Best in Show Lineup
Judges’ Comments – In their critiques both judges expressed their thanks to the club and committee for making them welcome and complimented us on such a well run show. Dog Judge, Mrs Jennifer Murray (Priestbeck) said “I was looking for what I considered a typical welshie , sound and fit for purpose with plenty of substance and with a merry and active temperament. I think I found this in my winners”. Bitches’ Judge, Debbie Roberts (Cwrt Afon) said “ I was amazed at the wonderful entry. At the start of each class, to look around the ring and see a class with a high number of bitches with little absentees was a massive compliment and left me feeling very emotional and I thank you all for your support”.
Best Dog Line-Up BEST DOG (centre) – Ritchie’s: Slapestones Eros JW RESERVE BEST DOG (left) – Caldwell & McDowell’s: Bowdonia Only The Brave For Cerysan BEST PUPPY DOG (right) – Worth’s: Sarabande Lord of the Dance (AI) 16
Best Bitch Line-Up BEST BITCH (centre) – Graham’s: Ferndel Cover Story About Nyliram JW RESERVE BEST BITCH (left) – Lancett’s: Coedybrain Nia At Cwmbeili BEST PUPPY BITCH (right) – Revill’s: Julita Rhubette Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales
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ALMOST 120 Welsh Springer Spaniels and their owners descended on Chepstow Leisure Centre in March 2018 for the South Wales Club’s Championship show. Mrs Jennifer Murray (Priestbeck) judged the Dog section in the morning session with 76 dogs entered in 16 classes. While Mrs Debbie Roberts (Cwrt Afon) judged the Bitch section, in the afternoon, with 101 entries across 16 classes. The high quality of the dogs presented made the judges’ work difficult - highlighted by the fact that they had to call on the services of Show Referee, Jan Rees, to decide the BIS. Both judges said in their critiques that it was a very enjoyable show. The club is very grateful to them for their expertise and fair play. Throughout the day the show was under the scrutiny of a Kennel Club field officer who awarded the club with a Certificate of Excellence for the organisation and quality of the show. A special thanks goes out to all those members who helped make it such a successful day. The photos here by photographer Terry Evans show what a busy day it was.
Full list of results, the Judges’ critiques and many more photos can be seen on the club’s website. wsscsw.co.uk Newsletter 2019
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OPEN SHOW Earlswood Memorial Hall, Shirenewton, Chepstow, NP16 6AW
SUNDAY 16th September 2018 Judge: Mrs Anne Worth (Sarabande) BEST IN SHOW - Ellis’s: Shannara Total Eclipse ShCM (left centre) RESERVE BEST IN SHOW & BOS - Lancett’s: Sh Ch Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili (left) BEST PUPPY IN SHOW - Pick’s: Llon Mairwen o’r Mwmbwls (right centre) BEST VETERAN IN SHOW - McIlwaine’s: ShCh Glenbrows Band of Brothers for Benoveor JW ShCM (right) Best in Show Lineup
Judge’s Comments I was delighted to be asked to judge the WSS Club of Wales Open Show and thank the committee for their kind invitation. It was a modest entry of 38 dogs making 50 entries but there were some quality dogs present and I was very pleased with my winners. As always there was a lovely atmosphere and a Judge: Mrs Anne Worth (Sarabande) very warm welcome from the committee.
Best Dog Line-Up BEST DOG – Ellis’s: Shannara Total Eclipse ShCM (centre) RESERVE BEST DOG – McIlwaine’s: Kamunting Cast Away to Benoveor JW (left) BEST PUPPY DOG – Wren’s: Llon Lewys at Gwynmarren (right)
Best Bitch Line-Up BEST BITCH – Lancett’s: Sh Ch Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili (centre) RESERVE BEST BITCH – Pick’s: Llon Blodyn Ymenyn (left) Best Puppy Bitch – Pick’s: Llon Mairwen o’r Mwmbwls (right)
Full list of results and the Judges’ critiques can be seen on the club’s website at www.wsscsw.co.uk
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SPECIAL AWARDS The WSSCSW schedule special classes at our shows to encourage and help develop up-and-coming judges. If you have already judged the breed and are already on a club C list and would like to be considered to judge these classes at a future show can you please contact the Secretary.
AT OUR OPEN SHOW IN FEBRUARY: Mrs Anne Le Maitre (Vannelmead) judged three Special Award classes in which there were 34 entries. The photo above shows the class winners: (Left to Right). KATH MORGAN MEMORIAL JUNIOR DOG OR BITCH Harrison’s: Glenbrows Valentine KATH MORGAN MEMORIAL POST GRADUATE DOG OR BITCH Brown’s: Bowdonia Ozzie LEN MORGAN MEMORIAL OPEN DOG OR BITCH Ellis’s: Shannara Total Eclipse
AT OUR OPEN SHOW IN SEPTEMBER: Mrs Collette Perkins (Brent) judged three Special Award classes in which there were 12 entries. The photo above shows the class winners: (Right to Left). SPECIAL JUNIOR DOG OR BITCH Cemis’: Taimere’s Talk About Me SPECIAL POST GRADUATE DOG OR BITCH Jones’: Julita Rumours at Trosley LEN MORGAN MEMORIAL OPEN DOG OR BITCH Lancett’s: Sh Ch Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili
WSSCSW Merchandise
It gets busy around our merchandising stand on show days Newsletter 2019
If you come along to one of our shows make sure you check out the Club Shop. There’s loads of desirable products for sale with the club logo or other Welsh Springer images – these include: n Sweatshirts n Polo & T-Shirts n Jackets n Bags n Hats n Gilets n Mugs n Pens n Coasters n Cards n Badges n Books There’s always plenty of new items available and very often some last season’s bargains. But if we haven’t got the item you fancy in your size or colour we can usually order it for you – just ask. 19
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COEDYBRAIN
Where breed type is paramount This is Billy aka Cwmbeili Gwilym Coedybrain Llon Ddraig Goch x Sh Ch Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili DOB - 11 April 2016
A quiet year in the showring due to family commitments but Billy has still enjoyed a busy time. A family day out at the lake
Photo: Arlene Tester
Winning Post Grad Dog at WSSC Championship show. Five other first prizes at Championship shows in 2018
Enquiries and visitors are always welcome. Jan & Barrie Janes • e-mail coedybrain.jan@hotmail.com 20
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From Puppy to Champion
Nia at 14 weeks
Sh Ch Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili Owned by: Mrs Karen Lancett Bred by: Janice & Barrie Janes Born: 7th September 2013 Sire: Sh Ch Ferndel Aeron Magregor Dam: Sh Ch Coedybrain Nelli Nia was the second born of three bitches, the cheekiest of the litter, always full of energy and up to mischief as a puppy.
Nia at 2 years
Although only lightly shown, Nia has consistently been rewarded in the showring. Nia was awarded a Reserve CC by Mr Tim Harrison in May 2017 at The Scottish Kennel Club. Her first CC came a few months later at Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland awarded by Mrs. Barbara Attwood in November 2017. A Reserve CC was awarded to Nia by Mrs. Debora Roberts at The WSSCSW Champ show in March 2018, and then her second CC on 1st July 2018 at Windsor Championship Dog Show, awarded by Mr. Nigel Worth.
Photo: Tim Jennings
Nia at 5 years
She didn’t have to wait long for her third and crowning CC, which was awarded in August 2018 at National Gundog by Mrs. Anita Shears. A further Reserve CC followed, awarded by Mrs. Jane Howarth at South Wales Kennel Association in October 2018. Nia’s breeders, Barrie and Jan Janes, and I are immensely proud of her achievements in the showring and we would like to thank all of the judges who have thought so highly of her. Newsletter 2019
Photo: Julie Revill
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Nia (Sh Ch Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili) Nia at Welsh Kennel Club Open, Jan 2017
The WKC Open Show in January 2017 was the start of Nia’s real successes in the show ring where she won Best of Breed and Gundog Group 1 under Mrs Yvonne Billows. Two months later, in her first Limit class she gained her Stud Book number under Mr. Mansel Young at Crufts. She was beaten in only two classes that year, but one in which she came second, she went on to take the Reserve Bitch CC under Mr Tim Harrison in May 2017 at Scottish Kennel Club. Janice & Barrie Janes, Nia’s breeders and I are immensely proud of her achievements. As well as her show ring successes she also provided us with a beautiful litter of seven puppies in April 2016 sired by Llon Ddraig Goch (Stephen Pick). She proved herself to be a very caring and devoted mother. Three of the puppies, Cwmbeili Gwilym, Cwmbeili Morgan & Cwmbeili Madlen, are each enjoying their own successes in the show ring. A second litter of puppies is planned for this Spring – we are eagerly awaiting their arrival.
Photo: Jan Rees
Many thanks to all the Judges who have thought so highly of her.
Mr Mansel Young, Crufts 17 – ‘Possesses real Welsh head … loved her overall balance and type’.
Miss Vicky Reynolds, WSSCSW Feb 17 – ‘the best of conformation’.
Mr Tim Harrison, SKC May 17 – ‘absolutely correct type, paint her black, she’d still be a WSS in outline
Mrs Anne Worth WSSCSW Open (Special Classes) – ‘difficult to find anything you may want to change with her’
Mr Nigel Worth, Windsor July 18 – ‘Always liked this bitch … Loved her head and expression … well balanced body… well angulated rear… in her prime’
Mrs Jane Graham, Midland Counties Oct 17 – ‘What a lovely bitch this is, feminine throughout’.
Mrs Barbara Attwood Gundog Breeds of Scotland Nov 17 – ‘she has everything needed, superb for type, real Welsh girl’.
Nia’s first litter, April 2016
Cwmbeili Madlen at 16 weeks in Summer 2016
Cwmbeili Coedybrain Nia at Cwmbeili and Cwmbeili Madlen, proudly owned and loved by Mrs Karen Lancett.
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Gatherings and Dog Walks Throughout the year we like to arrange informal dog walks. We say “informal” because there’s no training, no showing, just socialising and enjoyment for dogs and humans alike. We simply announce on our website and Facebook page that we are going to meet up at a suitable location and off we go for an easy walk with our ‘pack’ of Welshies. We usually choose a location where there’s a nearby café and facilities. We keep the walks fairly short (4 miles max.) and undemanding, and we’ll find an area where we
can let the dogs off their leads to let them race around enjoying themselves free from the constraints of the showring or working training ground. It’s a great opportunity for both the dogs and their owners to socialise and it’s a relaxed atmosphere for new members to join us and find out more about the breed. There are loads of photos of these events on our website - go and see if you can spot yourself. If you have any ideas for a suitable location in the coming year please let us know and we’ll arrange a Welshie day out.
Summer Dog Walk and Get-together at Parc Cwm Darran In the weeks leading up to our planned picnic and dog walk at Parc Cwm Darran we experienced one of the hottest summers for many years. The heatwave was not very good for our dogs at all and as a consequence not many members were due to turn up. But as it turned out the summer’s heatwave ended with a vengeance and we were greeted with thunderstorms and hailstones. The few hardy souls who turned up persevered through the storms and we had a lovely walk around the forestry roads and the lakes, and the dogs didn’t complain about the cooler weather. At the end, instead of our planned picnic, we all descended on the cafe at the visitor centre and cowered away from the rain that was now bouncing off the pavements. A good time was had by all despite the inclement weather and the dogs were certainly glad to get a dip in the cooling waters of Cwm Darran.
There’s always a group photo on our dog walks
You can’t relax when there’s a Welshie about
End of the heatwave
NEW ZEALAND WELSHIES We usually get a message from Rhun and Alison Evans, stalwart club members who emigrated to New Zealand a couple of years ago (complete with their Welshies) and here they are again on Mt Gray ttp 4 – “…probably the best walk we’ve done so far in NZ, a 5 hour round trip and a brilliant summer’s day and brill day out” said Rhun. The photo shows them with their Welshies Ryan and Sammy and their friends William and Lynette McGrath. Newsletter 2019
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Gatherings and Dog Walks We asked our members to tell us about one of their favourite dog walks and it’s great to see that you all like to get out to enjoy our lovely countryside as well as giving your Welshies the exercise they need - here’s just a couple of examples.
Northamptonshire’s Welsh Relations
Kenfig Pool & Sker/Morfa coastal path walk.
Alan Brown told us about one of his favourite dog walk areas with historical Welsh links. What connects Northampton in the centre of England to Wales? Well actually, it’s Welsh Lane, one of the oldest animal Drover’s Roads in Britain! A part of Welsh Lane crosses Hunsbury Hill Country Park and connects Banbury with the Nene Valley Way, going east to the old port of Wisbech or south to the London Smithfield Meat Market. The Drovers Road was used to bring sheep and Welsh Black cattle from Wales to the largest cattle market in the country at Northampton. The Welsh House in Northampton’s Market Square is where the Drovers deals were done. It’s said the Drovers lads welcomed the attention of the local farmer’s girls! Could this be why many families along the Drovers route bear names of Welsh origin? Today, the ancient Green Lane is used as a recreational route linking with the 84 acre Hunsbury Hill Country Park. The Country Park is centred on the Iron Age Hill Fort dating between the 7th & 4th centuries BC - the earliest known settlement in Northampton. It is a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument – just like Twmbarlwm near Newport that I know is a favourite playground of the Evans pack of Welshies . Hunsbury Hill Country Park is a favourite among local dog walkers for the beautiful diverse landscape that it offers in keeping with its County Wildlife Site status. There’s a small museum and you’ll find many varied routes amongst pleasant well wooded and open grassland, that is great for our ‘Welsh furry friends’ to run around freely letting off steam and exploring safely away from any roads. In short, this is a great place to go with any dog. You might imagine hearing in the wind a Drover singing Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau but you’ll certainly see our Welsh Springer Spaniel Ozzie enjoying his daily exercise there and disappearing down a rabbit hole!
Paul Stapleton told us about his Favourite Welshie Walk near his home in Porthcawl. Our walk starts with a short drive accompanied by our three Springers, Meg, Gwen and Jenny (two Welsh and an English) to Kenfig nature reserve. Here you’ll find ample free car parking, visitor toilets and an exhibition centre, there are also two country pubs within 2 minutes for those who like pre/post walk refreshments. We choose to let our 3 off their leads and head down to Kenfig pool. The pool is the largest natural lake in Glamorgan and is regarded as a notable wildlife habitat and it is one of the last remnants of a dune system that once stretched from the Ogmore River to the Gower peninsular. Once our three have had a cooling down swim and finished chasing the ducks we head off to the coast. There are numerous routes towards the coast to suit all needs whether you prefer flat or the more undulating terrain across the dunes. Our walk takes us on a flat route that is a mile to the beach, it takes us along a path that crosses a few fairways of the Pyle & Kenfig golf course. Just before we hit the coastal path we pass Sker house, said to be haunted by the captain of a ship that was wrecked on nearby Sker Point, and Elizabeth Williams. Williams’ father locked her in a room of the house to prevent her from running off with her lover and legend has it she died in that room of a broken heart. It’s about twenty minutes to Sker beach which is dog friendly all year round, two miles of sandy beach and the coastal path runs alongside. We walk the full length of the beach down to where the River Cynfig enters the sea. It normally takes us around 80 minutes to walk the 4 miles in all but you can of course turn around at any point. This is a beautiful coastline with views of Swansea, Mumbles and across the water to Minehead and Ilfracombe on the English coastline on clear days. I hope you try this walk one day and maybe it will become your “Favourite Welshie Walk” too.
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Christmas Get-together and Beach Walk Oxwich Bay, Gower – 30/12/18
Going Walkies? If you are planning an interesting dog walk and fancy the company of a few more Welshies, why not announce it on our Facebook page? Give the time and place you intend to be there and, you never know, a few others may turn up - no fuss, no obligations - you may strike up some new friendships and get your dogs better socialised too.
Newsletter 2019
For the fourth year in a row we decided to have our Christmas get together at Oxwich Bay on the Gower peninsula, Swansea – we obviously like it there – we know the dogs do. Nearly 40 dogs turned up with their accompanying humans. We had our customary cup of coffee at the Oxwich Bay Hotel before all lining up for the obligatory group photo – I think we got everyone in the pic although a few dogs were still in the cars at the time. At least this year the weather forecast was for a dry day and it was – although it was very overcast and a small shower at the end of the day brought a lovely rainbow over the beach. The tide was high when we started out on our walk which was OK because it meant the dogs stayed more together as they chased around having a great time splashing through the waves. There were a couple of new faces with us this year and we hope they enjoyed joining in the fun – maybe we’ll see you at the next organised walk in the spring. All the dogs were very well behaved and proved to be a great advert for the breed and it was nice to get compliments from other beach users as they admired the spectacle of so many Welshies in one place. Although yours truly had a frisson of worry when one of our dogs, Megan, disappeared. Half way down the beach we realised she wasn’t with the group so we back-tracked to the hotel where we found her ingratiating herself with another family trying to scrounge some food off them. It goes to show, that at 10 (nearly 11) years old, she still has the ability to scent her way back to where we came from and wait for us. After the walk, and with all the dogs dried off and snoozing happily in the back of our cars, we drove on to the King Arthur Hotel where we had a smashing meal together – that rounded the day off quite nicely for us and I, for one, can’t wait to do it all again next year. Terry Evans
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Breed Appreciation Day Our long planned seminar finally took place on Sunday 25 November 2018 at Dingestow Village Hall, which is a lovely community hall located in the beautiful Wye Valley between Raglan and Monmouth – a location the club has used in the past for our summer rally. After many weeks of gathering relevant information on the new Kennel Club’s Judges Competency Framework, researching archive photographs and dealing with enquiries arising from the new JCF we felt that the package for the day was complete. The committee had researched photographs, paintings and other breed information and decided to decorate the hall with as much information as was available. We also included printed breed standards, yearbooks, club handbooks and newsletters. All this was put on display for the candidates to refer to and get a true insight into the breed’s evolution and standards. The Kennel Club’s Breed Education Co-ordinator Pat
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Butler-Holley had agreed to attend in her new role and to help guide us through the day. I must offer my personal thanks to Pat for her invaluable help in dealing with the many questions that arose while we were in the planning stages of this undertaking. We had spoken to Stephen Pick (Llon) several months earlier and he had kindly agreed to be our guest speaker giving a talk on breed history and the Kennel Club standard. Stephen had prepared quite a substantial amount of information and committee member Terry Evans worked with Stephen to create an informative power-point presentation to supplement the talk. One of Stephen’s own dogs was used as a model for the breed standard together with two dogs kindly brought along by Julie Williams and Nigel Worth. This was quite an undertaking and proved to be very informative with Stephen discussing how the breed has developed since the early nineteen hundreds to become the Welsh Springer as
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we see them today. He also made comparisons with the English Springer. There were more than thirty people attending the day with most candidates opting to take the new multi-choice examination on the breed standard in line with the KC Judges Competency Framework. Each candidate was required to attain an eighty per cent pass rate. The talk was followed by a hands on session with all candidates being given the opportunity to go over several dogs with the support of a mentor who dealt with any queries arising. I would also like to thank the mentors each of whom was a top breed judge with many years experience
of the breed behind them and their input into the day was truly invaluable. Several other candidates who were well advanced in their gundog judging careers chose to take part in the hands on assessment in the afternoon session. This consisted of them having to judge five dogs and place them in an order in line with the placing of the days assessors. They were then required to write a critique on each dog to explain their decisions. As the weather was kind to us we were able to take the five dogs outside on to the grass for the candidates to assess movement, this proved to be a very valuable session. Both the multiple choice examination and the hands on assessment were very successful with the majority of candidates passing on the day. Candidates were given their certificates on the day together with a feedback form to enable us and the KC to assess the success of the seminar. Both on the day and later by post and email we received very positive feedback with people expressing their thoughts on the presentation and overall quality of the seminar. Thanks once again to Stephen for his excellent presentation, to Terry for his excellent power point and to Pat for her continued support. I would also like to say a big thank you to Sue Evans and Anita Shears for the excellent lunch they served, to the committee for their efforts and the people who offered their dogs as models. Thanks also to the candidates who supported us in this, our first venture and for the way they participated in making this day the huge success it proved to be. It was an extremely busy but enjoyable day and we look forward to providing another seminar in the future. We are more than happy to offer support to any other club undertaking a seminar for the first time. Jan Janes (Assistant Secretary)
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PAMICKS Pamicks Field Of Dreams JW (aka Cheri) – 1xRCC (Pamicks Believe You Can JW – 1xCC Pamicks Girl in a Whirl) We are so pleased with Cheri’s year winning 7 postgraduate classes at Championship shows concluding with her winning RCC at East of England under judge Jinty Gill-Davis Cheri relaxing in the show ring waiting to be seen by the judge.
Mick & Pa m Te w ~ www.pamicks.co.uk
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The Joint Health Group is made up of two delegates from each of the four Welsh Springer Spaniel Clubs: The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club, Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales, South Eastern Welsh Springer Spaniel Club and the North of England Welsh Springer Spaniel Club and has an independent Chairman. It meets 2 – 3 times annually to discuss and monitor any health matters within the breed and delegates report back to their respective committees. Health Reports and updates are published in Newsletters, Year Books and on respective websites.
JOINT HEALTH GROUP REPORT Health Report from the meeting of the WSS Joint Health Group – held on 13th May 2018
CANINE GENOME PROJECT Update from Louise
As you already know, we selected a Welsh Springer Spaniel with Epilepsy to be whole genome sequenced as part of Give a Dog a Genome (GDG). The sequencing has now been completed by the external laboratory and the data has been made available for us to download. What happens next? The amount of data generated for each sample is enormous, around 80-90 Gb. To put that into perspective, data from only 10 dogs will fill up the average modern personal computer, and the processing of the data will use the full capacity of the computer for months. As a result it takes time (about 1 week) and a great deal of computing power to download and process the data so that it is ready for analysis. Once we complete this stage the Welsh Springer Spaniel Epilepsy data will be ready for further analysis. The data will be added to the genome bank, and will begin contributing to studies in other breeds immediately. In addition, the data will be made available to other scientists for use in their own studies, and your breed has therefore made a vital contribution to genetic research affecting the welfare of dogs worldwide. Analysis of the data to attempt to identify any variants that contribute to Epilepsy in Welsh Springer Spaniel will take far longer. Please be aware that it is entirely possible that we will not be able to identify any variants that contribute to this condition at all. You will continue to receive any general GDG updates, but apart from that we will contact you only if there is something specific to the Welsh Springer Spaniel to report. If you don’t hear from us, it means that we are still in the analysis stage and have not found anything of significance. I would once again like to thank you and the breed community for participating in Give a Dog a Genome. Louise and the rest of the ‘Give a Dog a Genome’ Team
GLAUCOMA A meeting took place on Tuesday 23rd January to discuss the pilot scheme regarding eye testing and the grading of each eye. The meeting had been arranged to include the J.H.G.(Delegates), Sheila Crispin (Head Eye Panellist
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BVA), James Oliver (Opthalmologist), Catherine Mellersh (AHT) and Katy Evans (KC) below is a summary of this meeting. The new grading scheme allows the collection of data for research, which could be a 5 to 10 year project. Mention was made of using ultra-sound technology and it was said that this would be years away as it was exceedingly expensive. (A figure of 100,000 dollars was mentioned for the equipment) The use of photography in testing was addressed and whilst it would be great to have this it is not without problems. For repeatability it would require the same person to do it, it is expensive as it would take 20 to 30 minutes per dog. The dog would need to keep still for a considerable time whilst having photos taken from different angles and the repeated replacing of the lens. This would have to be done as a research project rather than routinely and would need funding. (It might be difficult to get approval for research, as it may not be ethical) 20-30 dogs were mentioned at first dropping to at least 20 to get a minimum of 12 dogs for this research. James mentioned that £20,000 to £25,000 has already been spent on the breed. We were told that closed angle glaucoma is not likely to be a single gene but multiple genes and even environment factors could be involved. It is a complex problem which will take more time to develop a DNA ‘tool’ because of more parts being involved. It was stated that there is no such thing as a pass or fail when testing so these terms should not be used. Also, we will now possibly be getting a reduction on repeat testing; the reduction on the second and third test per dog will amount to 10%. Catherine Mellersh confirmed that they will not give up and that they are committed to getting to the bottom of this condition. The 6 breeds for which a test is already available all have different mutations of open angle glaucoma. Although it looks the same in all it is genetically different and each breed has a test relevant to that breed. A comment was made that by the year 2020 there is likely to be 100 million people on the planet with open angle glaucoma. Huge differences can be found according to race, it being common in African nations. Whilst treatment and surgery works well in humans, it is very different with dogs. Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales
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Discussion regarding a database of affected dogs was discussed and this will be looked into but the problem is that ordinary Vets may treat a dog and remove an eye, but to be of use it really needs to have been checked by an eye specialist to confirm the exact diagnosis. A check will be made that all grade results are visible on Mate Select. (if your dog’s results are missing or incorrect then email copies of the certificates to breeder services) Thanks and appreciation was expressed to the JHG, the breed clubs and especially to the owners of all the dogs tested for the support given to this project. It was agreed by all that the pilot scheme should go ahead. Some discussion regarding breeding ensued and it resulted in the advice that Grade 2 should be bred from to prevent restriction of the gene pool. A grade 2 should preferably be mated to a grade 0 which has been tested within 12 months of the mating and is at least 5 years old. We would be interested to know how the support of testing and research of the WSS community relates to other affected breeds with regard to: (a) Coordination via similar Health Groups/Health Coordinators? (b) What sort of numbers are being tested as % of breed registrations? (c) Organisation of testing sessions via Health Groups/BHS (d) Reporting and publishing the names of dogs that develop Glaucoma. Answers a) Breed health coordinators of Schedule A & B breeds for goniodysgenesis/glaucoma were contacted during 2013 & 2014 and invited to participate in the AHT research into goniodysgenesis (PLD) prevalence and the genetics of goniodysgenesis and glaucoma in affected breeds. The majority of those contacted were keen to participate and 7 breeds were enrolled onto the study. The same mechanisms were used to collect data for each breed: • Examination of dogs at shows • Breed education days at AHT • Contact of owners of previously examined dogs by BVA (to ensure confidentiality) b) i) Numbers being tested as part of BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme The BVA was contacted to provide data but only had sufficient time to provide that for a limited number of Schedule A breeds. Breed
Average annual registration (2014 – 2017)
Average annual tested (2014 – 2017)
% being tested
Welsh Springer Spaniel
335
65
19
Basset Hound
565
45
8
English Springer Spaniel
10,160
170
2
Newsletter 2019
b) ii) Numbers tested as part of AHT research into PLD/goniodysgenesis Seven Schedule A & B breeds Breed
Numbers examined for PLD prevalence studies (as published) 230
%
Golden Retriever
Average annual registration (2014 – 2017) 7245
Hungarian Vizsla
2265
112
5
Border Collie
2040
102
5
Flat Coated Retriever
1220
170
14
3
Basset Hound
565
198
45
Welsh Springer Spaniel
335
227
68
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
110
95
86
c) Many breed clubs organise health testing sessions at shows including eye examinations under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. For all 7 breeds that participated in the AHT research (free eye testing for research), the AHT assisted in the organisation of all of these sessions in the same way. d) No single database exists for all breeds which records number of dogs affected by primary angle closure glaucoma. This would be extremely difficult (nigh on impossible) to coordinate. For its part, the Eye Scheme only assesses the risk factor for primary angle closure glaucoma (namely goniodysgenesis/PLD) and not primary angle closure glaucoma itself. Responsibility is usually assumed by the breed clubs to monitor health within their individual breed. Some breeds have developed comprehensive means of recording primary angle closure glaucoma cases in their breeds such as the Border Collie which holds a database. The Dandie Dinmont clubs also monitors health very closely. These are the annual data of numbers affected with goniodysgenesis (PLD)/numbers tested) for the Welsh Springer Spaniel: 2017: 8/75 (10.7%) 2016: 10/70 (14.3%) 2015: 5/42 (11.9%) 2014: 5/81 (6.2%) 2013: 2/66 (3.0%) Since the meeting a new pricing structure has been introduced by the BVA and is listed below. FEES Number of dogs
Charge per dog (inc VAT) Including certificate
Routine eye examination: 1 dog
£47.50
(£57.00)
Extra dogs in same ownership
£42.08
(£50.50)
Group Testing (25 or more)
£33.33
(£40.00)
Examination of dogs over 8yrs of age
£28.33
(£34.00)
Per Dog-separate examination
£47.50
(£57.00)
Gonioscopy (Performed at the same time as a routine examination:
£42.08
(£50.50)
Gonioscopy:
continued overleaf
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wsscsw.co.uk There is a 10% discount (when presenting the previous certificate) for a repeat Gonioscopy exam. Repeat Gonioscopy (presenting previous cert) 10% off current price Litter screening: 1-3 puppies
£29.17
Per puppy thereafter
£9.17
(£35.00) (£11.00)
Duplicate copy of certificate
£30.00
(£36.00)
James Oliver will be holding an eye testing session at the WSSC Championship Show on 1st Sept. bookings will be taken by Julie Revill email to: julita@furzelands.demon.co.uk (tel: 01621 840346)
FITTING No new cases have been reported. Please remember that it is important to keep reporting any new cases of fitting to help us to work towards a genetic test for this awful condition.
CANCER SURVEY There is still time to help with this project and you can include all dogs present and past just go to: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/spaniel_cancer_survey Update from Mark Dunning We have just over 330 completed surveys which is great, more are trickling in all the time. The student working on the project is just finishing her end of year exams and we had planned on getting this analysed over the next few months. We have a breakdown of breeds that have completed the survey and I will get this to you ASAP. Nevertheless, I think to date this has been a very successful survey and I hope this will lead to a more focused project once we have analysed this one.
ALABAMA ROT (CRGV) Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV or ‘Alabama rot’) is a serious disease which has only recently been recognised in dogs in the UK. Although CRGVA can be very serious, the number of dogs affected with skin lesions and kidney failure remains low (56 confirmed cases across the UK between Nov. 2012 and May 2015). Initial presentation with skin lesions (and occasionally in the mouth, which can look like bites, sores, wounds or stings), dogs are typically otherwise asymptomatic. Over the subsequent one to nine days they develop clinical signs referable to acute kidney injury (AKI). Some dogs will present with skin lesions and AKI concurrently and rarely dogs present with AKI prior to the development of skin lesions. Any age, sex, or breed of dog can be affected. PLEASE BE VIGILANT! Check your dog regularly and if in any doubt seek veterinary help. Arlene Tester, Secretary (arlene.tester@mailfence.co.uk)
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Health Report from the meeting of the WSS Joint Health Group – held on 28th October 2018 The JHG is delighted to report that it was successful in the application for a grant from the funds held by the now defunct CDB. We were granted £1000 to help our future work.
GLAUCOMA An eye testing session took place at the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club’s show on the 1st of September where 15 dogs were tested by James Oliver with the following results: 8 dogs graded 0 4 dogs graded 1 0 dogs graded 2 3 dogs graded 3 Thanks go to Julie Revill who organised the testing session and to Judy Yacoub who gave up her day to run the session. Hopefully there will be another eye testing session at next year’s WSSC show with agreement from the club.
FITTING No new cases have been reported. It is important to ensure that all cases are reported to enable the research to continue. If you know of a dog that is fitting which has not been reported can you please ask the owner to contact the Secretary or pass the details to the Secretary so that she can contact the owner. The more information the AHT has the nearer we progress towards a test for this condition.
CANCER SURVEY We have no further updates on this survey at present we will keep you informed of any updates when we have them.
CANINE GENOME PROJECT There will be further updates when any progress is made. The Welsh Springer Spaniel has reached the stage labelled as: ‘Suitable DNA identified, and sent to commercial lab for sequencing’. An information sheet, which may be of interest to members, is available to download on our website. The chart shows the progress of all breed groups involved in the study. • Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales
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TAIL FROM THE USA Cookies or Bisgedi
One of our American enthusiasts Kristie Hedges from Atlanta, Georgia wanted to make a new biscuit jar for her two Welsh Springers Jasper and Jaime and got in touch with us as she wanted to label it in Welsh. She set about her task making the jar from scratch painting it to look like a Welshie but Jasper and Jaime think that it steals their ‘Bisgedi Cwn’ and are not so sure about it! Thanks Kristie.
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