LOWDOWN 2012 Summer

LOW

DOWN

THE SOUTH EAST BRANCH OF THE BASSET HOUND CLUB NEWSLETTER

NUMBER 9 - SUMMER 2012

Bumper forty-eight page issue!

The committee wish a very warm welcome to all our new members.

Please send details and photographs of your hounds to the editor of LOWDOWN (lowdown.newsletter@tiscali.co.uk) and we will print them in our New Hounds’ Gallery.

PRESIDENT Michael Errey

OFFICERS Chairman: Brian Malin

Hon. Secretary (also Branch Representative to the BHC): Frankie Roberts

Hon. Treasurer: Jayne Cooper

COMMITTEE Walks Leader: Chris Cooper

Walks Coordinator: Jean Miller

Webmaster: Derek Harris

Lowdown Editor: Tony Roberts

Walks Record Keeper: Jill Malin

Basset Hound Welfare: Sue Sampson

IGHT©SEBBHC 2011

© *

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily shared by the Branch committee or the BHC. The content of LOWDOWN is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission.

COVER IMAGE: BELLA BY LISA HUDSON

Additional copies of LOWDOWN are available at £2.00 each inc. postage. *

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PAGE 1 2 3 5 19 24 27 41 42 45 46 BACK

CONTENTS OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE THE EDITOR’S BARK by Tony Roberts FROM THE CHAIR by Brian Malin NEWS HOUND ELGAR & BRONTE – a love affair by Peter Robertson IGGY by Geoff Alderton & Tony Roberts WALKS REPORTS by Jean Miller SWEET BESSIE by Tony Roberts ME AND MY NEW LIFE by Grenadilla ‘Dill’ Harris EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY WINNIE’S WHEELBARROW NEW HOUNDS GALLERY

THE EDITOR’S BARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WOOF! WOOF! Hi, everyone, Welcome to issue number 9 of Lowdown - a bumper forty-eight pages!

Firstly, I think that you are in for a real treat reading this. Not I should quickly add because of my own input, but because of some really lovely contributions from our members.

No doubt, you will have already enjoyed seeing the stunning cover photograph showing six month, Bella, which was sent in by new member, Lisa Hudson. This beautifully captured moment was taken on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in Kent and was Bella’s first camping holiday with the family. Although looking a little apprehensive in this portrait, apparently, she soon fell asleep on the train and slept for most of the journey!

You will also greatly enjoy reading about Elgar and Bronte, a sweet love story submitted by Peter Robertson about his young Basset Hound and a Great Dane.

We also have a young hound’s impression of starting her new life with Miranda and Derek Harris – amazingly written by herself!

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Fulfilling Lowdown’s remit to inform as well as entertain, a large section of News Hound is devoted to what happened at this year’s Crufts, and its aftermath.

I suspect some Basset Hound pet owners may be unaware of the recent negative attention that our breed has attracted – even from previously friendly quarters such as the Kennel Club. These attacks, which have grown out of mounting pressure by rather militant ‘animal rights’ campaigns, could well lead to the decline of the Basset Hound that we have come to love and cherish. I have devoted quite a few pages of Lowdown to describe what happened.

On a much happier note, I am delighted to report that our Branch is continuing to grow and attract new members even in these difficult financial times - this cannot be said for many similar organisations. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome them and their hounds to the Branch and warmly invite them to come to our monthly walks and other fun events.

Let’s continue to celebrate and enjoy the company of this wonderful breed!

BY TONY ROBERTS

FROM THE CHAIR BY BRIAN MALIN Hi Everyone, VIVE LE PRESIDENT! If anyone deserves this accolade it is Michael Errey who, in 1967, became Treasurer of a small band of enthusiasts. The next year they became the South East Branch of the Basset Hound Club, so until this year's A.G.M (when he did not seek re-election) the task had been his for forty-five years during which time he has been an enthusiastic lover of Basset Hounds - Merrybeech being the joint affix with Avril.

Michael is the essential countryman and upholds its traditions. He was Master of his own pack of Welsh Foxhounds and then whipper-in of Burgis's Burgonet Basset Hounds - Avril being a keen follower.

So, thank you Michael, you now have the freedom to come to our meetings and events as before, but without feeling attendance is virtually compulsory. We look forward to your continued company.

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RING IN OUR NEW TREASURER A hearty welcome to Jayne Cooper. She was already on our committee as is her (rather less than?) better half, Chris. I know Jayne is naturally a little apprehensive but she is assured of Michael's assistance and everyone's wholehearted encouragement.

Now Jayne is an officer, will Chris have to salute her in future? Perhaps not. He might not do so in an appropriate manner!

SHAME ON YOU! Sadly, this year's Crufts underlined the Kennel Club as autocratic and oblivious to the concept of justice. A complete overhaul of attitude is well overdue.

Their rules make no allowance for appeal and the arbitrary opinion of those who plainly had no expert knowledge of the breed nor of the condition under scrutiny in relation to the Breed was deemed unassailable. Incredible!

At the very least, the findings and report of an acknowledged expert (obtained on the spot) should have been considered since the Kennel Club's appointed vet did not have the required specialist knowledge and experience of our Breed.

Heavy handed uninformed decisions have inevitably led to resentment meaningful support to to the breed Clubs (we were by no means alone) will bring appreciation and co-operation.

As things stand, with one ill advised act The Kennel Club have done our Breed and themselves a disservice - is that what they want? In the words of our fair minded judge, "the Kennel Club have shot themselves in the foot" - once again.

ON A HAPPIER NOTE I feel our Branch is holding its ground. When we were revived membership was roughly forty-five with an average of twelve on walks. We don't have final figures for this year but at last November membership stood at one-hundred and twenty-eight and Jill tells me current walks average twenty-nine.

However the important thing is not only to attract new members but to encourage all existing members to renew and to attend walks and events. If you can't manage anything else please join in on Fun Day - it really is just that!

As always I am only too pleased to put forward suggestions to our committee who work their socks off to provide an interesting programme. For myself, I remain ever mindful of their loyalty and support.

Tony's Lowdown and Derek's website are undisputed brand leaders (were I on Desert Island Discs an omnibus edition of Lowdown would be my book choice).

Frankie, in Secretary manner, shepherds us in her cheerful and easy way much appreciated.

BY BRIAN MALIN 4 | Page

NEWS

HOUND

All the news that’s fit to bark!

1. CRUFTS 2012 – THE UPROAR AND THE AFTERMATH Crufts 2012 proved to be the most memorable and controversial Championship Dog show in living memory - and for our breed, certainly one of the most upsetting.

I make no apologies for this rather long report of the situation, but these events could have far reaching implications for the breed beyond just the show ring.

Perceived problems with certain pedigree breeds surfaced some years back and were addressed in international fora such as the OIE (the World Organisation for Animal Health) and the Council of Europe’s discussions about the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW).

Even before the screening of the controversial television programme, Pedigree Dogs:Exposed and the ensuing publicity three years ago, and the publication of the 2010 Bateson Independent Inquiry into Dog Breeding which was commissioned by the then government, the Kennel Club has sought to demonstrate that it is doing everything possible to promote healthy pedigree dog breeding. A wholly laudable objective - one would think - and certainly one to which all responsible pedigree breeders would aspire and subscribe.

Using the battle-cry ‘Fit for function - Fit for life’, the Kennel Club brought in several measures which it believed would defuse some of the criticism it had received from the anti-pedigree dog lobby.

It instigated an Accredited Breeders Scheme (changed in 2011 to the Assured Breeders Scheme). This was a register of breeders who had adopted certain principles set out by the KC. To some of us, this scheme had some fundamental flaws and seemed more like a public relation exercise. For a mere £15 subscription and £10 each year, anyone, more or less, can join – and there is very little monitoring. The ABS has been criticised in several quarters for being ineffective. Certainly, the scheme offers nothing that a conscientious breeder would not already do.

Another far more significant measure was that KC Breed Standards were revised. For those unfamiliar with dog showing, these are the written blueprints against which all dogs in the show ring are judged.

Breed clubs were consulted as part of this process of revision and the final 5 | Page

standards were published in 2010.

A Basset Hound Health Group was established by the eight UK Basset Hound clubs to monitor and promote the health and welfare of the breed.

The changes made to the Basset Hound standard related to exaggerations excessive skin, being too low to the ground, the exposed lower lid of the eyes (commonly referred to as ‘haw’) etc. Basically those characteristics which give our breed such unique charm – though, of course, these are not so attractive when they appear overly extreme.

In addition to these, the KC also issued a list of ‘high profile’ (HP) breeds.

These are defined as: ‘A breed from time to time designated by the General Committee as requiring particular monitoring by reason of visible condition(s) which may cause health or welfare concerns.’

The Basset Hound was included on this list.

Fifteen breeds in total were added to the HP list: the Basset Hound was joined by the Bloodhound; the Bulldog, the Chinese Crested, the Chow Chow, the Clumber Spaniel; the Dogue de Bordeaux; the French Bulldog; the German Shepherd; the Mastiff; the Neopolitan Mastiff; the Pekinese; the Pug; the St Bernard and the Shar Pei. Prior to Crufts 2012, it was announced that all of the Best of Breed winners in the HP breeds would be required to have a health check by an independent vet before being allowed to compete in the Group stage of the competition.

If these health checks are considered important - and in principle no exhibitors would object to the principle that all show dogs representing their breed should be healthy – why isolate fifteen breeds? Why not vet all breeds? To discriminate seems totally unfair.

The KC stated that its motivation for the health checks was: ‘. . . . in order to ensure that the fifteen high profile breeds enter the group competition free of signs of discomfort or suffering associated with exaggerated conformation.’

The inspecting veterinary surgeons were instructed to specifically assess four areas of concern on the health front: eye disease, respiratory problems, skin disease and mobility issues. It was stated that no instruments or apparatus would be used in these examinations and: 'They will not be permitted to exclude dogs merely for aesthetic reasons or because of exaggerations alone unless these are causing some adverse clinical effect on its health or welfare'.

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With so much attention focused on the fifteen HP breeds, one could image that that the KC deliberated long and hard about who they would appoint to judge them at Crufts. Indeed they did. The Basset Hound judge was the vastly experienced and highly respected, Zena Thorn-Andrews. An international judge, she is qualified to award Challenge Certificates in every breed allocated them and was Best in Show judge at Crufts in 2007.

So, the scene was set for the ‘greatest dog show in the world’; and we all travelled up the NEC, excited as ever to be part of this event.

Hound day was scheduled for the final day of the four day show. Hearing news of the first three days of Crufts on More4 (the BBC has not broadcast it since the Pedigree Dogs: Exposed programme), one felt that competing the Basset Hound classes would be an interesting experience.

The Pekingese was the first HP Best of Breed to undergo and fail the vet’s examination and was prevented from being judged in the Toy Group. This dog was followed by the disqualification of the Bulldog, the Mastiff, the Neopolitan Mastiff.

Basset Hound exhibitors could read the writing on the wall when on Friday the Danish-bred Clumber Spaniel, Chervood's Snowsun also failed the veterinary inspection and was disqualified from taking part in the Gundog Group.

Though the vet’s reasons for failing these breeds were not officially publicised, the distraught owner from Croatia, Ms Lana Levai gave press interviews and explained that her five-year old Clumber bitch failed because the vet had said the dog had conjunctivitis.

The shock of the disqualification of this lovely dog spread far beyond the Clumber fraternity. Chervood's Snowsun was well known, having won champion status across the world and, ironically, had won the Bitch Challenge Certificate two years ago at Crufts.

Ms Levai denied that her dog had conjunctivitis and two days later had an eminent Viennese ophthalmic veterinary surgeon examine the dog. The result was that the Clumber was 100% clear with absolutely no eye health issues.

On Sunday, over one-hundred Basset Hounds descended on Hall 5 at Birmingham’s NEC – to my mind, many of them looking more hound-dog that usual.

Mrs Thorn-Andrews judged the classes with a practised professionalism – though perhaps appearing a little grim.

It was very evident that heads and movement were getting special attention – I have never before seen a judge look inside the hounds’ ears. This was a very thorough going over.

After sixteen classes, she awarded the Dog CC to Derek and Heather Storton’s 7 | Page

really lovely boy, Champion Buzz Lightyear at Dereheath; her Bitch CC to Rudy Smits’ Netherlands Champion Darwin’s Dream V Grunsen.

When judged against each other to determine Best of Breed, Mrs ThornAndrews chose Buzz.

Buzz certainly looked as good as I had seen him – an incredibly sound, healthy-looking dog and a credit to this always reliable and highly respected kennel.

Derek Storton with Ch Buzz Lightyear at Dereheath; and Judge Zena Thorn-Andrews (taken before the vet check).

(Photo courtesy of Derek Harris©2012)

After the normal photo call Derek – who handled Buzz – was approached by a KC official and asked to go to the veterinary health check.

It seemed like thirty minutes before a despondent Derek returned with Buzz, clutching a certificate which stated that the hound had failed the examination and would be disqualified from going on to compete at the Hound Group stage 8 | Page

of the competition. This also meant that his Best of Breed award would not be confirmed.

The vet had failed Buzz over perceived problems with his eyes.

This devastating news was greeted with incomprehension, sadness, and anger around the exhibitors; and many offered the unfortunate Stortons commiserations.

Rudy Smits – a German Vet, Basset Hound competitor and international judge - whose bitch had just been beaten by Buzz – inspected his eyes and found them healthy.

Derek said that the KC vet had remarked that, ‘For a Basset, he had good eyes’, but had added that she ‘was not judging him as a Basset, but as a dog’.

The irony here is that the Kennel Club appointed judge had assessed the hound using its own breed standard and found him the best; and yet a KC appointed vet has over-ruled this by not considering the dog as a Basset Hound.

We made the long journey home from Crufts - normally having had a brilliant day spent with our lovely breed - more than a little depressed. It seemed so evidently unjust that such brilliant breeders and nice people as Heather and Derek should have been so publicly humiliated.

No appeals by the six disqualified breeds had been permitted by the Kennel Club.

The judge, Mrs Thorn-Andrews, who had been placed in an invidious position, - awarding Best of Breed, but not having it confirmed - has since been reported in the canine press as saying that, ‘The Kennel Club has shot themselves in the foot’.

It was hard to disagree with this assessment.

After Crufts finished the new Kennel Club chairman, Steve Dean (himself a vet), issued a statement that boasted: ‘We were delighted to see that nine of the fifteen (HP) breeds passed the checks that were carried out by an independent veterinary surgeon. Although the individual reasons why six of the breeds failed will remain a private matter, between the owner, the Kennel Club and the vet, the overriding issue was related to eye conditions. This gives us a clear idea about the areas that still need to be improved but we are also able to see where there has been a great deal of improvement.

It is very encouraging to see nine of the high profile breeds pass 9 | Page

their health checks. I am aware some exhibitors were disappointed about those breeds that did not pass but this should not detract from the very real progress several of these breeds have made in improving breed health. The trend noted with eye problems is perhaps a signal that across all breeds we need to pay particular attention, when breeding, to the health of the canine eye to ensure dogs have the best chance of living life with good vision, free of discomfort.’

With reference to the parts of the breed standards which related to eyes, he added rhetorically: ‘Should we now not accept showing of haw and triangular eye shape’. (Ed: my emphasis) Given the circumstances, there seemed an implicit threat to the non highprofile breeds when it was stated: ‘In short the risk to health is greater for the 15 listed breeds but breeds can be added to the list if a case is made that health and welfare is significantly compromised by exaggerated conformation.’

The days immediately following Crufts were busy with postings of outrage and anger on the internet fora.

The Pedigree Dogs: Exposed website carried blogs gloating at the evident success of their anti-pedigree dog campaign.

The South East Branch committee sent the BHC and Derek and Heather messages of support in whatever actions they were considering taking. A statement of support for the B.O.B winner was issued jointly by all the B.H. clubs and the B.H. Health Group and posted on the Basset Hound Club website.

Before Crufts was over, a Facebook group had appeared called, Exhibitors Choice & Voice. This very quickly established itself, attracting 5,000 members.

It focussed the protests of many people in dogdom at the unfair way that the Crufts health checks had been conducted. Members sent in donations and a public meeting was hastily arranged for the Wednesday evening following Crufts.

One hundred and thirty breeders (including Heather and Derek Storton), exhibitors, and judges (many of them Kennel Club members) attended.

The meetings discussed various aspects of how the high-profile breeds were treated at Crufts. It was reported that the Pekingese Best of Breed was led straight from the show ring to the veterinary check and was denied water to drink when requested by its owner.

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Mr Storton gave details of how the vet examined the eyes of his Basset Hound pulling the lids in a way that a less sweet-natured dog would not have tolerated.

He said that the whole examination had lasted around twenty minutes in total.

This meeting agreed to form a new group called Canine Alliance (CA).

International judge and journalist, Andrew Brace, addressed the meeting. Also present were former Crufts Best in Show winning breeder, Mike Gadsby; and judge, breeder, and solicitor, Howard Ogden. These gentlemen were elected by the meeting to be part of the steering committee, with Martin Wyles as Chairman. Among the fourteen-strong committee was Basset Hound breeder and Basset Hound Health Group co-ordinator, Phil Freer.

A motion was unanimously passed which expressed concerns of unfairness, discrimination, and a lack of clarity and transparency in the way in which the health checks conducted at Crufts 2012.

It was clear that CA objected strongly to the fifteen breeds being segregated and treated differently to all others.

After the public meeting concluded, the CA steering committee held its first meeting.

On the 28th March, a three-person delegation from the CA steering group had a meeting with officials at the Kennel Club, at KC headquarters in Clarges Street, London.

The CA website included this detailed report which I reproduce in its entirety: MIKE GADSBY’S PRESENTATION TO KATHRYN SYMNS AND CAROLINE KISKO AT THE KENNEL CLUB - 28th March 2012 Comments on the Kennel Club veterinary examinations at Crufts 2012: Before we can consider a plan from which to move forward it is essential that we look back to Crufts 2012 and the Kennel Club’s health inspections. We must recognize and accept the fundamental failings of that launch, the outcome of which has had such a damaging effect throughout the world of dogs 1. Victimisation The Kennel Club elected to target only 15 breeds, and therefore from its conception a health initiative based on only a sample of breeds was fundamentally flawed. To suggest exaggerations which could have an impact on health might be limited to 15 breeds was naive and was bound to lead to justifiable complaints.

A group winner at the show with an exaggeration more severe than that which had exempted the Basset Hound and the Clumber Spaniel could be clearly seen. This one case alone demands that the current Health Initiative be suspended immediately until a more suitable replacement is agreed upon.

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2. Veterinary Checks Flawed in so many areas. At two health meetings and on a subsequent television interview the chairman Steve Dean gave assurances of how veterinary procedure would replicate a judge’s examination; this would of course exclude the use of any instruments. On the first day of Crufts Steve Dean stated in an broadcast interview with vet Nick Blaney that the BOB winners would be subject to a "superficial check in four areas" ... a dictionary definition of ‘superficial’ states 'not profound or thorough' !!!! Yet in each case those subjected to the process accused the vet of being overzealous, claiming the examination to be so intrusive as to cause distress to the exhibit and to the owner/handler.

In all cases the process far exceeded the time a judge would take to examine an exhibit and finally in several cases instruments were used to aid excessive eye examinations.

The fact that no one with authority was in place to ensure that guaranteed protocol was upheld was yet another serious flaw in the process.

3. Selection of vets The appointments were made at the eleventh hour, the closing date for applications being Friday 17th February 2012. Assuming the first opportunity to consider these applications would be Monday 20th and allowing a minimum of a week to organise interviews that left just ten days to make an offer before the first day of Crufts. In that same interview with Nick Blaney, Steve Dean said "we've spent a lot of time talking to the breeders, the organizers and to the vets doing the inspections" ....the reality was that there was an insufficient amount of time given to such a vital role in the same way that there was insufficient time given to ensure that suitable vets were appointed.

We formally request a copy of the briefs given to the appointed vets; if not forthcoming we can conclude that they were not formally briefed properly or indeed not briefed at all.

In view of the very late selections the vets could not have been vetted properly and nowhere on the application form was a requirement that any antagonistic views the candidates may have to the discipline of showing dogs be revealed.

Was it naive of the KC not to consider that those 'independent' vets who volunteered might be aligned with activists against our sport?

It was obvious that no training had been given and that the vets appeared to be unfamiliar with the breed standards for the 15 targeted breeds. The brief that 'excessive exaggeration which adversely affects the health and welfare of the exhibit' appeared either to be ignored or had not been sufficiently explained to the vets, as perfectly fit and functioning animals with no real welfares issues were excluded from further competition at group level.

Finally, and probably most damning, is the actual KC vet inspector’s report which says "I would like to state that I consider this dog’s eye anatomy to be relatively normal and that the inflammation is the main deciding factor in this case".

A second vet who examined the dog within five minutes of failing the official inspection states that the inflammation mentioned was simply the darkening of the conjunctivae caused by the exercise during BOB competition.

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4. Appeal Procedure One of the biggest indictments against the Kennel Club was the failure to have in place an appeal procedure with no ‘second opinion' that could be implemented on the spot, should an exhibit fail the initial examination. The Kennel Club therefore failed in its responsibility to represent fully the interests of their own exhibitors.

Four BOB winners were excluded for eye issues ... the Kennel Club had BVA eye specialists working throughout Crufts that could have been called upon had such an obvious appeal procedure been in place.

At Crufts 2009 a precedent was set. Ringside observers recommended the Pekingese BOB winner be vet checked, she was subsequently disqualified from appearing in the group. An appeal by a second vet led to the disqualification being overturned.

5. Empathy for the Exhibitors The exhibitors’, the Kennel Club’s paying customers, feelings were never taken into account.

And in an example of this contempt, presenter Claire Balding asked "what will now happen to the Peke and Bulldog BOB winners?" to which chairman Steve Dean responded "well they could stay and watch the groups (at which point he laughs)" but then again I don't suppose they'll want to".

It is incredulous that there could be a display of such appalling poor taste and amusement when the reputation of our sport and its exhibitors was being brought into disrepute.

6. Assured Breeders One of the breeds excluded was the Basset Hound winner, the breeders of which are one of the Kennel Club’s esteemed 'assured breeders'. This accolade is surely the 'jewel' in the Kennel Club’s PC crown, so how could it be, that with the high levels of scrutiny employed by the Kennel Club to police the quality of this scheme, that the very best of this particular breeders’ stock was considered to have 'exaggerations that adversely effected its health and welfare'? The Kennel Club endorses the puppies available from their assured breeders on one hand, feeding them to the wolves with the other. It is interesting to note that the term 'assured' means guaranteed; sure; certain!

On its website the Kennel Club states that 'the assured breeders scheme was introduced to raise the standard of breeding and to help puppy buyers ensure that they are given the best possible chance of buying a puppy that will lead a happy healthy life.’

Also interesting is the fact that there are over 230 Kennel Club assured Bulldog Breeders and yet during an informal lunch with health coordinators Steve Dean stated that he believed that no Bulldogs should pass the current vet health checks.

7. Press Releases Were more damning because of what they didn't say ... There was an understandable assumption that exhibits that failed the health inspections must have been unhealthy; after all the mantra from the Kennel Club was that dogs with exaggerations that affected their health and well-being would be excluded from group competition. The

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support that Steve Dean states he has received is based on this misrepresentation and it is interesting to note that the glorification of these results during broadcasting was confined to the first two days.

8. Inaccuracy Fosse Data were instructed to put in the online results that 'BOB was not awarded'.

This was not true as in accordance with the KC’s own regulation f(1) 3.61. 21L which states 'a judge’s awards will be final' - since in all cases the judge did award BOB - then this directive by the Kennel Club to Fosse Data was incorrect. This ruling also highlights the fact that the Kennel Club has broken its own regulations, thereby rendering the Crufts entry contract legally null and void.

9. Inconsistencies regarding the lighting in the vet pods Caroline Kisko stated that the eye instruments were used because the lighting in the pods was of poor quality. We have however photographic evidence to prove that the lighting inside the pods with the strip lights off was identical to the quality of light in the rest of the main hall. In fact this can be seen quite clearly on Day One of Crufts on 'More4' in the interview between Steve Dean and Nick Blaney when a Chow Chow is featured in the veterinary inspection pod. It is worth reminding ourselves at this point that the conditions for the vet inspection were supposed to be aligned with those of the judges.

10. Scarring Information on the Bulldog health inspection states that damage to the cornea caused by facial folds, distichiasis, ectopic cilia or poor eye lid anatomy will disqualify. It is not possible in many cases to determine whether scarring has been caused by one of the above or indeed by some physical trauma sustained as a result of the freedom of a healthy life which, as caring dog owners, we afford our pets. Indeed I have several dogs not on breed watch such as my Standard Poodles that have old eye injuries and blemishes. If damage to the eye is to be a disqualification and the health and welfare of our exhibits questioned as a result, then indirectly the Kennel Club is endorsing the practise of restricting the freedom of show dogs. It is vital that we treat our dogs primarily as companions and give them the freedom so essential for 'quality of life'.

An indirect endorsement of this nature could have welfare implications.

11. Integrity of the Judges This has been brought into question with the Kennel Club preferring to uphold the opinion of 'independent vets' rather than to support our leading judges. If indeed our judges (all of whom have been put through the most rigorous training and testing procedures) are incapable of determining 'exaggerations leading to health and welfare issues' then we must seek to withdraw their judging licences. On this note, what penalties have been applied to those judges who failed in this most important area of their role during Crufts?

12. The Kennel Club’s failure to react the moment that the massive failures in the process unfolded. T he urgency to attempt to minimize the damage should have been the priority from Thursday afternoon.

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Despite desperate attempts for dialogue we were told that results of the inspections would be considered the week following Crufts.

13. Timing The Kennel Club choosing to implement this new inspection at Crufts when obvious flaws had not been ironed out was at best questionable.

It was ludicrous not to adopt a 'softer launch' to sort out teething problems or, in this case, to rework the whole initiative.

The implications of Crufts 2012 have firmly brought our sport into disrepute. The public have been misinformed, whilst press releases and broadcast commentaries have upheld the hideously inaccurate views of PDE. Any support that Steve Dean has received for his veterinary inspections are based on misleading reports and failures within this initiative.

The Kennel Club requested changes and improvement to the 15 breeds on their health watch.

Steve Dean stated during broadcasting "my experience is where we've explained our intention, the breeders are reasonably content that what we’re doing is to the benefit of their breed".

The show breeders from the beginning have got behind the Kennel Club’s health initiatives and progress had been made with the relationship between the breeds and the Kennel Club. The ill conceived inspections at Crufts have obliterated that relationship as the assurances the chairman and the Kennel Club gave were proven to be false; the encouragement that was having such a positive effect has gone and been replaced with utter contempt for the 'grass roots' breeders and exhibitors.

Subtle changes that will be of benefit to our breeds cannot be achieved overnight, this takes breeding programmes at least a couple of generations before obvious results are achieved. There was already significant evidence that we were heading in the right direction for which our breeders should have been applauded. This one ill conceived act has now rendered this Kennel Club/breeder relationship unworkable and we are left with a justifiable mistrust of our governing body.

We are not here today simply to highlight the failures in this health initiative, but to insist that these inspections in their current format are ceased until a solution better suited to ensure fairness and openness is agreed. We need to demonstrate to the world that we are very serious about the health and welfare of our dogs not just 15 exhibits. We have to ensure that ALL our pedigree dogs have acceptable levels of health enabling them to lead happy healthy lives. The KC needs to reinforce and defend the actions of the vast majority of show breeders who have displayed for decades their resolve to breed with health and temperament as a priority.

Furthermore they must exclude and condemn those who fail to demonstrate positive breeding practises to achieve this ideal. They must once and for all address the puppy farmers and back street breeders whose puppies they happily register without care for their welfare.

(Ed. End of CA statement).

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A joint KC/CA statement was issued which made it obvious that the Kennel Club were determined to maintain the vet checks at championship shows for the fifteen breeds. This was very disappointing, indeed. Supporters of CA who were also KC members tabled a resolution at the KC Annual General Meeting held in May demanding that the vet checks should be suspended and made subject to review. This motion was defeated.

It seems that CA has still some considerable obstacles to overcome in its campaign for fairer treatment for the Basset Hound and the other discriminated HP breeds.

I understand that legal action against the KC is being considered by some parties.

So what is the consequence of all this? Well, I think that it is not overly dramatic to say that the Basset Hound as we know it is under threat.

After Crufts, Heather and Derek Storton announced that they have withdrawn from all further showing. So sad, they are superlative Basset Hound breeders.

I suspect that the KC’s actions will lead to a dramatic fall in Basset Hound numbers shown at all dog shows as established breeders realise that they are playing on an uneven playing surface. Some will move out of the breed all together, leaving greater opportunities for puppy-farmers and dodgy breeders.

My guess is that the Kennel Club will make further changes to the breed standard which will fundamentally alter the Basset Hound we all love. I am convinced the KC is prepared to jettison the fifteen high-profile breeds to pacify the various animal-rights lobbies that simply don’t approve of our low hounds.

The Basset Hound is generally a very robust and healthy breed that possesses wonderful temperament. It has far fewer inherited diseases than many others.

As an ancient dwarf breed, it has developed and altered over the centuries, in its modern form it has never been sounder.

At this time, a huge obligation falls upon all UK Basset Hound Clubs to do all in their power to promote the many virtues of the breed and counter the illinformed criticisms. We can only hope that they have the abilities and determination to address this challenge and do not let our beloved Basset Hounds down.

Finally, the Kennel Club issued this statement after Crufts 2012: ‘We are delighted to advise that the overall gate was 145,176 an increase on the 2011 figure of 138,000. This shows that despite the challenges over the last few years, Crufts is still the best canine events in the world’

BY TONY ROBERTS 16 | P a g e

For those of you interested in seeing the video recordings of the first CA meeting; interviews with the main personnel and read other details, Derek has uploaded a wonderful batch of items on our Branch website: www.southeastbasset.org.uk – please check them out.

To learn more about Canine Alliance visit their website: www.caninealliance.org The Basset Hound Health Group website is: www.bassetsrus.co.uk

2. CHRISTMAS LUNCH – 4TH DECEMBER 2011

The Branch Christmas Lunch 2011 was held at The White Horse in Ditchling – the same venue we use for our committee meetings.

Members gathered, many cutting a fine dash in party finery which was, no doubt, due to us not holding a walk beforehand and this resulted in leaving wellies and wax jackets at home.

Our Chairman entertained us with a short address – always very amusing – and presented the Branch Walks Trophy to Lin and John Plant - who accepted it on behalf of their hounds, Amelia & Alfred.

This was followed by the award of Lowdown’s Winnie’s Wheelbarrow Trophy to Jean Miller, for her contribution to the newsletter over several years.

Well done, ladies!

Although the luncheon service was very slow – I understand due to the inexperience in catering for such a large group – the food was delicious and the company lovely. We understand that these teething problems should be sorted out for this year’s event. Why not come along?

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3. OUR PRESIDENT & NEW HON TREASURER

A this year’s Branch AGM, Michael Errey, who has retired from being Hon Treasurer, was elected as the Branch’s first President.

Michael has been treasurer since the Branch’s inception over forty years ago and has graciously agreed to accept this honour.

The committee wanted to formally recognise this remarkable service to the Branch and breed - Michael had also been a distinguished Chairman of the Basset Hound Club for a number of years. He has an unsurpassed knowledge of Basset Hounds, both in the show ring and the hunting field.

The role of President is held for a period of five years.

Also at the AGM, Jayne Cooper was elected Hon Treasurer. Jayne, together with husband, Chris, joined the committee last year and has been a long-standing and enthusiastic member of the South East Branch.

The Branch committee is lucky to have such good people to call upon.

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ELGAR & BRONTE A love story

by Peter Robertson Â

In December 2011, my two wonderful Weimaraners, Krakow and Warsaw, who'd lived together for almost 10 years, died within three weeks of each other.

Officially it was a brain haemorrhage which claimed Warsaw though it's conceivable his heart was broken following the loss of his half-brother.

They certainly broke my heart. But I had a saviour.

Returning shattered from the vet after the loss of the second dog, someone with a suitably mournful face greeted me at the front door.

It was Elgar, my beloved Basset Hound.

One of the many reasons I'd bought Elgar last May was the realisation that my ageing Weimaraners may not be long for this World, and therefore I needed another beautiful four-legged friend to help me through the inevitable agony.

I was right. It worked. Elgar reached out to me with one of his chunky paws that sad homecoming, and had his limbs been long I'm sure he'd have wrapped them all around me.

Cynics will point out that dogs offer paws all the time anyway. But we owners of canines know "they know" how we're feeling at any given time.

They understand. And, best of all, they care.

Furthermore, Elgar made it clear there was little time to sit and mope with him requiring his own attention and love, not to mention food and water.

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It was as if he was saying to me: 'Come on, Dad, I know you're sad, I am too, but let's get on and get through this together'.

And we did. For a while anyway.

I cried occasionally, as one does for one's dear departed, though always finding comfort in a cuddle with the generously-coated Elgar for whom the word 'cuddle' could well have been invented.

But then a few nights on, after following the usual routine of putting him to bed downstairs and myself to bed upstairs, I was subjected to the most almighty racket from the living-room.

Elgar was yelping, barking, baying, and kicking furiously at the door. I went down to see what was up, and managed to calm him...only for him to do it all again the moment I returned upstairs. Ad infinitum. He could not face being alone. After all, he was then only 10 months old.

I believe that that night it dawned on Elgar that the two companions he'd grown up with thus far were never coming back. He was suddenly lonely. And I needed to get him a new buddy.

Did I mind? Did I heck! I'd been thinking about it from the moment he and I were left bereft.

I'd also been left, living in a detached house, without a guard dog.

Weimaraners, while stunning to look at and gentle to those they know, can appear and act scary enough to send the most determined intruders running in the opposite direction.

Conversely, even the baffling minority who "don't like dogs" would consider it worth smashing a stranger's door down just to stroke the wrinkly fleece of the absurdly endearing Basset.

So a second Basset was out of the question, much as I adore this one. And I vowed not to get another Weimaraner, because I wanted to remember the ones I'd had as the best of that breed.

There was another breed, however, which not only had I long desired but they can also seem as welcoming to burglars as nightclub bouncers are to drunks dressed in denims and trainers. The Great Dane.

After much research and consultation, I sought and found a harlequin Great Dane - whose distinctive black splurge patches on white make them resemble long-legged Dalmatians whose black spots have run in the rain.

I'd been widely advised to only bring a bitch into the home of my male Basset 20 | P a g e

and so I did. Though so feminine, graceful and pretty was this one that to use the word "bitch" with its modern alternative meanings seemed somehow wrong.

But the big issue was what I would actually call her.

The Weimaraners had been known as Krakow and Warsaw because I was then married to a Polish lady whom I wanted to make feel at home while living here.

As for the Basset, well I was on the long drive home with him to Sussex from the breeder in Nottinghamshire when Classic FM mentioned Elgar. I'm a firm believer in a dog's name comprising two syllables and being sufficiently different for no other canines (or humans, for that matter) to come running when you yell. And this one instinctively fitted like the kind of glove he's prone to pinching from unsuspecting passers-by and toddling off with. The choice of Elgar has been universally appreciated - other than by the hard-of-hearing who've thought I've called him Helgar - and prompted many a quip about Pomp, Circumstance, Variations and Nimrod. So I felt a female Great Briton 21 | P a g e

would be a perfect complement, hence my Great Dane became Bronte.

If I feared Bronte's arrival at the house might be met with indifference if not envy by Elgar, I needn't have. He warmed to her from the outset and the pair wandered into every room like a senior pupil showing a new girl round a school on her first day. They were immediately inseparable.

That night they needed to be parted, as I sleep new pups in a comfy cage while their house-training threatens to transform my lounge into a smelly re-enactment of The Somme.

But following their late visit to the garden, Elgar grabbed his basket in his teeth and edged it to an outside corner of the cage while Bronte nipped inside her friendly prison and settled in that same corner. They didn't just stare at one another through the bars; they licked one another. It was true romance.

The following day nothing changed, except that night Bronte swerved her cage door and lay right beside Elgar in his basket, refusing to budge. In my head I could imagine them chanting "We shall not, we shall not be moved!"

The loss of Krakow and Warsaw had not long before brought home to me what I'd always known but not always wanted to accept: that a dog's life is tragically brief. Who was I to break up this happy pair, even if I was to face a farmyard scenario come morning? So I dismantled the cage and let them be.

Most nights since Bronte has waited for Elgar to settle, then she's gently placed her head on the groove of his back above the hind legs, and they've slept harmoniously in that position ‘til sunrise.

And all day every day, they rest and play together...and occasionally chew things they shouldn't most recently my extremely expensive B&W speakers, which now need replacing but of course one guilty look from puppy eyes and all is forgiven.

I really believe Elgar is desperate to talk to Bronte.

Â

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Since Bronte's arrival, Elgar has grabbed every squeaky toy he can get his teeth into. They give him a voice...albeit only the voice of Joe Pasquale.

If I had a Bonio for every person who’s commented on the contrast between a Basset and a Great Dane, I'd already have a lifetime's supply. In fact they require similar amounts of exercise and are both famously good-natured.

After all, one once advertised a brand of casual shoes while the other portrayed Scooby Doo. Of course it's the differences in size and shape people are referring to.

Within a few weeks, Bronte had gotten taller than Elgar. Now she frequently leapfrogs him. Soon she'll look like Sophie Dahl standing beside her husband Jamie Cullum.

As Great Danes do, Bronte is growing at the sort of rate Alice In Wonderland did after consuming the cake labelled 'EAT ME'. I was advised to not let either breed upstairs, but Bronte's head may force its way through my bedroom floor by the Autumn. The love between Bronte and Elgar also continues to flourish, albeit in equal measure.

They are the furry Romeo & Juliet of Goring-by-sea, only I'm hoping their story is never-ending.

WORDS AND IMAGES BY PETER ROBERTSON©2012.

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Iggy – the passing of a much loved hound

by Geoff Alderton & Tony Roberts

Regular readers of Lowdown will remember reading about Branch member Geoff Alderton as being the owner of Mr Jeffries - at one time the dog with the longest ears in the world – according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Geoff also wrote a very moving piece about the passing of his other hound, Lil. .

Though living in Essex, Geoff takes a very keen interest in the Branch, always kindly phoning me to offer over-generous, but much appreciated, praise after each new publication of Lowdown that he receives.

Over recent weeks, Geoff and I have had several telephone conversations about Iggy - his much loved thirteen and a half year bitch.

Poor Iggy had suffered for a number of years from epilepsy and had been on an intensive, and very expensive, drug regime.

Of late, the aging girl who had acquired numerous lumps and bumps had also developed some odd behaviour connected with eating. She refused all food that Geoff put down for her, but would whimper and whine for hours on end because she was so hungry. Iggy would sometimes allow herself to be hand fed, but this was not a sustainable

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long-term regime. Her weekly visits to see her vet provided no answers; so rightly because of her age a decision was reached not do have any invasive investigations done.

Geoff is a more patient owner than many - he has had years of coping with her various illnesses - however, even he was at the end of his tether trying to cope with Iggy’s incessant whining and unrequited hunger.

There was a short reprise when she began to eat normally, but, after raising Geoff’s hopes, she very sadly relapsed again after a few days. It seemed that there were things going on within this old lady that would never be discovered.

Geoff had few options left. He bravely made the decision to release Iggy from her distress and she was put to sleep.

I know that it broke Geoff’s heart to make that last journey to the vet – dear Iggy wagged her tail thinking she was going for a walk. Sweet thing.

Geoff writes: First of all, through this magazine, I would like to express my most sincere and utmost thanks to Tony for all his help, guidance, and compassion over the traumatic weeks that culminated in Iggy passing away.

Some of you may have seem this following verse before; it was originally written for a cat, but I found it so touching I have altered the words to suit. I hope you forgive me. This is dedicated to Iggy, now reunited with Lil: Your favourite chair is vacant now, no eager barks to greet me.

No softly padded paws will run, ecstatically to meet me.

No plaintive whine or wagging trail will say it’s time for feeding.

I’ve put away your bowl and all the things you won’t be needing.

But I’ll miss you little friend, and I will always treasure the happiness you brought to me, the comfort and the pleasure.

But, since God put you here to share in earthly joy and sorrow, I’m sure there’ll be a place for you in heaven’s bright tomorrow.

Farewell, little lady; sleep well and thank you for seven and a half wonderful years. It’s been some journey. You’ll be desperately missed – but never forgotten. All my love.

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Many thanks, Geoff, for sharing this with us. I know that many of us who have had to make the decision to end a beloved pet’s life will sympathise with your pain and loss.

Soon after the passing of Iggy, Geoff was asked to look after another Basset Hound, a young lady called Daisy. As you can see from her photograph (below), Daisy is really pretty, but terribly underweight. This poor girl had been abandoned on the streets by her former owners and left to fend for herself for goodness knows how long. She had been picked up by a dog warden and eventually passed on to Geoff for temporary accommodation.

Geoff told me that she has the most lovely, sweet nature; but she was quite manic. Her long legs meant that she could easily access the worktops in his kitchen and found the baby-gate, which Geoff hoped would confine her in his open-plan home, no obstacle to her wandering and scavenging.

Geoff would have loved to have kept Daisy, but he was recovering from an operation and knew that his home was not suitable for this particular hound, so rightly felt that this was not possible. Luckily, through Basset Hound Welfare a family who had two other dogs came to view Daisy. It was love at first sight for both parties.

I know we all wish Daisy very best wishes in her new life.

BY GEOFF ALDERTON & TONY ROBERTS

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BRANCH WALK REPORTS Walk Leader any of ourMiller; walks then Walk attended Organiser - Jean – Chris Cooper;If you have not previously do Walk give them a Keeper try. Basset Record – JillHounds Malin. are naturally pack

animals and love the opportunity of ‘letting-off steam’ by chasing across the countryside together.

Their owners quite enjoy it as well – and come from far and wide!

MILLBROOK EAST CAR PARK (THE DUMPS), ASHDOWN FOREST: 26th November 2011 by Tony Roberts

Both Frankie and our Walks Organiser, Jean, were both unable to attend this walk. Our Secretary was working at Gatwick Airport, and Jean was nursing Cassius who was recovering from an operation.

Although I drove through pockets of quite dense fog on the way to the venue, the Forest itself was clear and sunny.

The prospect of a walk in these lovely conditions seemed to infuse both man and hound with tremendous enthusiasm for the ‘off’.

The group was honoured to be joined by two new members who travelled with their two hounds all the way from furthest Northamptonshire.

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Another very special guest at the walk was Amélie – Derek and Miranda’s granddaughter (together with mother and father - Johanna and John).

This lovely little girl seemed utterly fascinated to see so many of these strange, low hounds all in one place – some acting very strangely!

We set off down a wide track in high spirits.

At the bottom of this slope the leading group waited for the slower hounds and handlers to catch up.

Here, we have to traverse a muddy area before arriving at a junction with another track. While waiting, those of us at the front noticed another group – a Collie club - walk across our path. A few rogue Basset Hounds gave chase, but very quickly came back when called.

When the Collies had moved on, we turned the opposite way. After twenty or so yards that I turned around to check that the rearguard of our group was keeping up. Surprisingly, I saw our chairman and webmaster, with heads down and deep in conversation, walking in the opposite direction following the collies!

Now, call me old fashioned, but I would have thought that a fairly minimum

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expectation of anyone serving on the Branch committee would be that they can recognise their own breed. Even from the rear Basset Hounds and collies significantly differ from each other, don’t they?

Perhaps my expectations are too unreasonable - I don’t know.

Anyhow, our group watched in disbelief as these two figures continued into the middle distance. But, we were all laughing far too much to call out to these wayward walkers. Eventually - like strangers in a strange land - Brian and Derek realised where they were and, rather sheepishly I thought, retraced their tracks and rejoined the rest of us.

It was all very funny and nothing that happened on the rest of this very enjoyable walk matched this notable episode.

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GILL’S LAP CAR PARK– ASHDOWN FOREST: 22nd January 2012

by Derek Harris

Our walk was preceded by a phone call from Tony announcing that he was unable to attend because Frankie had taken his car keys with her to work and further that, as he couldn’t, I had to take photos and write a report.

Too late to detour east to collect Tony en route, we set off wondering at the lengths some people go to get out of doing what is expected of them and, in any case, why don’t they have a spare key like everyone else?

Our arrival was greeted warmly; rather the arrival of Grenadilla (see above), our new fourteen-week-old puppy, was greeted excitedly.

I was attracted by Chris’ idea that I should charge 50p a look but as ever I couldn’t get a word in edgeways to set it up although I did think he was underselling.

Along with a large gathering of two legged followers there were twenty six hounds, this is including Grenadilla, whom Jill thought ought to be counted as a half, however what she lacked in size she made up in spirit, taking the new

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experience in her stride, boldly walking up to each hound in turn.

Complementing the Basset Hounds were two black Labradors - a Petite Griffon Basset and a Greyhound.

It was a lovely sunny morning if a little chilly with an east wind. Soon forgetting this, and warming-up, we set off at an un-typically fast speed. Grenadilla, following Branch advice, was returned with reluctance to the car park with Miranda (not reluctant) after a short time.

A moment of excitement when a ‘former’ hunting Basset decided to set off in pursuit of a barely visible distant totally uncatchable deer. Followers enticed by her sudden burst of speed were soon left far behind. Thankfully she returned to her owners call without too long a delay. (No deer were hurt nor, I suspect, particularly bothered in the running of this event).

I forgot to ask her name! A notable new addition to our group - new to me at least – was an enormous hound with perhaps the most magnificently large head I have seen. Memory tells me his owner said he originated from somewhere near Folkestone. I hope that is right - I forgot to ask his name too - and why did I only photograph his back end?

I should have taken a notebook. Net result - a few fleshless anecdotes, no names to relate, and no hard facts.

Perhaps I’m not cut out for journalism. How do Jean and Tony do it?

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‘Whatever’ - another successful walk, hounds trotting along, running circles around each other and their two legged companions, an opportunity to chat if you want to, to just enjoy the spectacle, sun shining, good exercise - what more is there?

(Ed. I must apologise to everyone for my non-appearance at this walk. I can only blame poltergeist activity for the eleventh-hour disappearance of my car keys from their usual location and their – seemingly magical – transference to my wife’s dressing gown pocket - to be discovered only much later.

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I do have more than one set of car keys, but the back-up set were securely stored on Frankie’s jailer-like key ring and - at the time they were needed were being escorted around the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport.

The rather obvious flaw in this arrangement has been recognised by both of us and remedial action has been taken to correct it for the future.

I thank Derek for his excellent work as last-minute substitute cub reporter and photographer. There is always an empty desk for him in the Lowdown newsroom. But in truth, I would much prefer to have Fiona Bruce on it (!!!).

BROADSTONE CAR PARK – ASHDOWN FOREST: 26th February 2012 by Jean Miller.

Tony very kindly picked me, Annie, and Cass, up for the walk, and the weather couldn't have been better. It was a lovely spring morning, sunny and very warm for the time of the year.

When we arrived at the car park, with Frankie, Pablo and Nico following (in her very elegant new sports car), Jill, Brian, Barney, Leah and Chevy also parked up a couple of seconds afterwards.

Cars kept arriving until we practically filled the large car park. We were busy greeting members and their hounds, and when they were counted we had reached our target of thirty hounds, with a total of thirty-four hounds (plus four honorary Bassets).

After a group photograph was taken (see above) we all started off down quite a steep slope, unfortunately the slope continued sharply downwards into a stream running along the bottom. A few bassets rushed down into the water. Without a thought for himself, Eoin (Rose's Dad) was down the bottom shepherding the runaways and bringing them up to join the pack.

The walk continued, every so often the front runners stopping so that everyone caught up - I plead guilty to this. Some of the members split up and went up 33 | P a g e

another steep path to the top. Rose was lucky as she had a piggy-back. The rest of the party went the long way round and all joined up for the last ten minutes or so.

The Committee were very pleased to see several new members with their lovely Basset Hounds and hope they will try to come to some future events.

Well done everyone our next target will be forty hounds!

(Ed. Indeed, this was a brilliant walk helped in no small measure by taking place in brilliant sunshine. In fact, it felt quite hot as we headed up the several inclines which are unavoidable when walking in this part of the Forest.

The hounds’ enthusiasm at chasing each other and crashing around the landscape was a joy to behold. I think that the spirits of everyone were lifted by this wonderful day out together.) Â

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LONG CAR PARK -ASHDOWN FOREST: 25th March 2012 by Jean Miller. Â

What a lovely day for a walk in Ashdown Forest.

In keeping with most of the country we had wall to wall sunshine, most unusual for this time of the year.

The Long car park is just that - long - and cars (with Bassets in them) kept coming and coming. In the end, our party almost filled the car park. When counting numbers we had thirty-six hounds and four honorary hounds all with their owners. Dare we raise our target to fifty?

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It was a day of meeting families, as Jayne and Chris's Barnabas and Krishna had some of their relations on the walk; and Cass had one of his puppies.

Talking of puppies we had several with us. Needless to say they were watched carefully and went back after a little while.

As you probably know, Miranda and Derek now have puppy, Dill, and mum, Hope (see right).

Poor Hope. On the Sunday morning was on the ramp to get into the car when it collapsed and her nail was caught. When this happens there is a lot of blood and owners panic. Derek rushed her to the vet and, amazingly, she appeared on the walk with a little blue sock on the injury, and proceeded to keep an eye on Dill, walking as though nothing had happened.

Lin and John's Alfred has also been in the wars.

While out walking, he collapsed, and was rushed to the vet. They were told he had two options, one was to have two discs removed with a chance it would not be successful; and the other option was medicinal. They decided to take a chance and he had the operation. He is now recuperating and I know everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. Lin stayed at home with him on Sunday, while John and Amelia enjoyed the walk.

Thank you everyone for turning up. We had lost the hour for British summertime. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible on our Â

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future walks.

(Ed. Yes Jean, a great walk on a wonderful spring day. It was a real joy to see so many Basset Hounds, happy to be together chasing each other across the Forest. Just what the Branch is all about.

By far the best bit of the day for me was when new member, Lainey, turned up and addressed me as ‘Mr Roberts’. Now, that’s respect! Why don’t I get this from everyone else?

I learnt later that about the time we were leaving the car park a forest fire had broken out a few miles east from us.

Up to 50 acres of woodland caught fire in the Kings Standing area of the forest.

Eight fire engines and six Land Rovers and crew from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service tackled the blaze, which broke out at around 1.45pm. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the area. At its height, more than 100 firefighters from stations across the county were at the scene.)

AIRMAN’S GRAVE – HOLLIES CAR PARK – ASHDOWN FOREST: 15th April 2012 by Jean Miller

It was on this rather chilly, but dry, Spring morning that twenty-three hounds and their owners arrived at this very picturesque venue.

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After our record gathering last month, this number was a little disapointing – but several ‘regular’ walkers had good reasons not to attend.

Among these was our walks organiser, Jean, who was nursing ‘Annie’ – who was recovering from a nasty cyst on her back.

I was good to see two new members turn up and enjoy their first Branch walk.

Brian rang ‘Dusty’s bell’ and we set off along the wide track which led us down to the eponymous memorial.

A group photo was taken at this monument, the hounds happily posing at the front of the line-up, before dashing onwards towards the muddy stream ahead. For many of them this is the chief highlight of this particular walk.

Here, a simple wooden bridge allowed the more refined Basset Hounds to cross this water obstacle without getting wet and cold, while the rest enjoyably paddled through the mire.

The route here turned right and we began a long gentle climb out of the valley.

The wind picked up and blew extremely chilly. From here onwards we get distant views to the car park.

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The group began to get a little strung out as we climbed the incline and made our way back to the cars.

I was at the front – an somewhat insoucient scout - and suddenly noticed a familiar shape approaching. Derek, our distinguished webmaster, had belatedly turned up to meet the group with a rather wary, apprehensive Hope.

A sight for sore eyes. It was like Stanley meeting Livingstone - with his dog!

Hope, sweet girl, was a little wary when faced with the approaching ‘pack’ and all their strange owners (I know how she feels); and she walked back to the car park off the lead, but keeping very close to Derek’s side like the best trained dog in the world.

Many thanks to everyone who attended this very enjoyable walk.

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BUTCHERSHOLE CAR PARK – FRISTON FOREST: 20th May 2012 by Jean Miller

This week we seemed to have nothing but rain.

Everyone wanted to work in their gardens to get them up to scratch for the summer, but no chance.

Then we had a reasonable Saturday, and everyone crossed their fingers for a fine Sunday - until we heard the weather forecast.

Sunday would have rain!

Well, we have had walks before where we have got soaked! When I looked out early Sunday morning the pavements were wet and it was very cloudy, so wet weather gear was the order of the day.

However, when Frankie came to pick me up the clouds were lifting and it was quite warm.

We had quite a gathering in Friston with some members who had not walked before. Our total consisted of twenty-three hounds with their owners - including two lovely pups that had a special short walk (and thoroughly enjoyed it).

Anyone who has been on this walk before knows

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that normally we go right up across the horses' exercise run and down into the woods at the back. Unfortunately, this time the path was blocked off as the council were installing large water pipes, so we had to make a detour, meaning that we missed the dew pond where the dogs could have a drink.

Anyway, we managed to find ourselves back at the car park where everyone was very grateful for a drink. We then had a picnic in very pleasant conditions.

We really couldn't believe what a sunny and warm day this turned out to be.

Let's hope a few more are like this weather-wise.

Our next ‘meet’, the Midsummer Walk and Picnics at Gill’s Lap, Ashdown Forest, will be on Saturday, 16 June. We are meeting at 4.45 p.m. Contributions for the communal picnic will be greatly appreciated.

(Ed. I was very sorry to miss this walk and picnic, but I was fullfilling my obligations over at the Brighton Festival – introducing contemporary Fine Art to the confused and bewildered – like a sort of cultural mormon).

SWEET BESSIE BOO by TONY ROBERTS Sadly, just as I was putting this issue ‘to bed’, I heard from Sheila Williams that her lovely, sweet-natured, rescue hound, Bessie – often called ‘The Princess’ - had been put to sleep. She was a little over thirteen years old and her strength and abilities had been deteriorating for some time .

She was an amazing character who was a familiar and ever welcome visitor here at Hounds Lodge. Our ‘boys’ loved her staying with us, just as we did, and she had no trouble putting them in their places. Her very gentle nature guaranteed her absolute reliability with even the youngest children – whom she adored to be with. I will include a longer and more considered tribute to her in the next issue.

Sleep well, little one – you will be dearly missed! | P a g e 41

ME AND MY NEW LIFE

BY GRENADILLA ‘DILL’ HARRIS (seven months old!)

PHOTOGRAPH OF HOPE & DILL COURTESY OF FRANKIE ROBERTS©2012

I squealed all the way from my village, near Grimsby, to the Peterborough Motorway Service Station. I was nine weeks old and this was my ‘big day’. I travelled on a comfy lap, but I still squealed – this metal thing on wheels was a bit frightening.

My mum, aunties and uncles, came along with me – as they were having their eyes tested by a specialist in Peterborough. At the service station, I was handed over to my new people.

Miranda and Derek said they had chosen me because I was brown like my mum and granny.

They thought I might be a little bothered by my change of home - but I wasn’t at all. I wagged my tail vigorously to show my pleasure and then, during the journey to my new home, I looked soulfully into Miranda’s eyes until I fell asleep.

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My next big event was a puppy party at the vet’s, where I charged around inviting other puppies to play with me.

At first, I did miss the rough and tumble at my new owners, but then it suddenly dawned on me that Miranda came into the kitchen/conservatory for several hours each day and this provided me with her two moving trousered legs to sink my teeth into. She did squeal, but I wasn’t bothered. Other toys, a polar bear, a bird, a duck, and a pheasant kept appearing - but were not as good as those two moving legs.

Derek doesn’t like me biting his legs. He has a deep quiet bark and I understand what he is saying, but Miranda just squeals, “No” which means “Bite me again”.

I think she thinks it’s a good game.

At my first South East Branch Basset Hound walk I met my granny, Leah (she looks just like me); and my great-uncle, Barnaby. I enjoyed the walk very much, but I was only allowed to walk for fifteen minutes with the rest of the pack who paid me very little attention – not like all the humans, who thought I was just wonderful. Well I am! The hounds will realise that later – especially the boys.

Miranda was finding me a bit of a handful, so she took me to puppy school. I learned to sit, stand, and walk on a lead. I was very good at sitting. My puppy school prize was for finding the treat under the flowerpots was a squeaky plastic human foot – though it’s not as good as the real thing.

I had another surprise outing when I was taken again by car (I was used to it by now) to the Peterborough Service Station. Here, lo and behold, was my beautiful mum, Hope, and my bouncy outgoing dad, Ike or Eisenhower. Ike is a champion and I’m like him in character. It was good to see them again, although it was all a bit of a mystery.

Why were we all going for a stroll around Peterborough Service Station?

Then it all became crystal-clear. Mum was put in the back of our car; she was coming home with me. She was quiet; but then, she’s always quiet.

After a three hour journey, we arrived back home in Ditchling.

Poor mum, she did seem a little bewildered at first. But she has me to snuggle up to and lick her face – well, especially after she’s eaten and there are tasty titbits left on her muzzle.

Mum had been with us for about a month when Miranda and Derek took us camping in their caravan. They were going to Crufts and we were left at a nearby kennel for the day. It was probably not the best camping trip I will ever have – I’m sure hoping for better.

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The worst part of all was the return journey back to Ditchling, because about two hours from home, on the junction of the M25 and M4, the car broke down!

We were left marooned on a strip of land between the howling, deafening, noise of fast moving metal things that could be glimpsed through trees on either side. I could not hear myself think.

Mum, Miranda and I lay for four hours on one of my rugs, whilst Derek remained on lookout until the breakdown truck arrived. I was very well behaved – quite a strain.

We all travelled home in the most enormous monster, and the car travelled on the monster’s back, with the caravan pulled along behind on a lead, We finally arrived back in one piece – just about.

Mum has now been with us for almost three months. She used to quietly suppress the boisterous instincts I’ve inherited from dad with a quick quiver of her lip - so quick that Miranda and Derek didn’t seem to notice and wondered how she exercised such parental control.

Now, she has given in to my invitations to play. She charges at me all the way from the top to bottom of our very long garden. Sometimes, I have to dart away with my tail between my legs. She is very gentle, but oh so streamlined and fast – no match for me.

I have also been to ring-craft classes because Miranda thinks she may ‘show’ me – whatever that might mean.

Its all great fun and I get to meet a variety of very fine dogs – but, none like me. I do something called the ‘triangle’, where I’m walked in an odd way and get to say hello to all the other dogs around the ring. Then Miranda says, “Stand – stay stand”, whilst stuffing a treat into my mouth. I’m not sure what that is all about, but she and the trainer tell me that I’m beautiful. So, that’s OK. Ring-craft classes are way past my bedtime, so I get home exhausted. Upon my return my mum wonders what I’ve been up to.

I don’t think I remember much about my former home any more and, recently, my shy mum has started to come out of her shell.

Yes, we two tough Northern lasses have settled down ‘reet well’ into our new soft Southern home.

WORDS BY ‘DILL’; DICTATED (VERY SLOWLY) TO MIRANDA HARRIS. 44 | P a g e

EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

Our Branch Walks are great fun - if you have not recently attended one then please do come along – your hounds will love meeting our ‘pack’.

Locations of all our walks and other details can be found on our website southeastbasset.org.uk where you can also download TomTom co-ordinates, or print a Walks Map. For those without computer access, copies of the Walks Map are available upon request from the editor at the address on the back of Lowdown.

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Saturday*, 16th June 2012; 4.45pm - Midsummer Evening walk & picnic - Gill's Lap, Ashdown Forest. *Please note: this is on a Saturday, not the usual Sunday. (Please bring a contribution to the communal picnic)

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Sunday, 22nd July 2012; Chairman’s BBQ

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Sunday, 19th August 2012 – Fun Day Crowhurst Village Hall Full details will be sent on flyer

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Sunday, 16th September 2012; 10.45am – walk Abbott’s Wood, Polegate

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Sunday, 21st October 2012; 10.45am – walk Broadstone Car Park, Ashdown Forest

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Sunday, 18th November 2012; 10.45am Ashdown Forest

10.45am – walk

Sullington

Warren

&

– walk Airman’s Grave,

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Sunday, 2nd December 2012 – Christmas Lunch The White Horse, Ditchling Full details will be sent on flyer

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Sunday, 9th December 2012; 10.45am – walk Milbrook East (‘The Dumps’ ) - Ashdown Forest

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Sunday, 20th January 2013; 10.45am – walk Gill’s Lap, Ashdown Forest

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WINNIE’S

WHEELBARROW

HOME TO ALL THE ‘ODDS & SODS’ HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE MEADOW? Sheepdog trading is proving a lucrative business for some breeders and trainers as border collies are in demand from shepherds and farmers around the world.

A recent report said that prices have soared with some dogs fetching £6,000.

Apparently, farmers claim that the outlay may be costly, but a good, well trained, sheepdog is worth every penny. Are they being fleeced? Are the sheep worried?

YIN-YANG

Chairman Brian (as opposed to Chairman Mao) sent Lowdown this lovely photograph he had taken of his hounds sharing a bed. It imediately reminded me of Yin-Yang, the ancient Chinese Taoist symbol of the complimentary opposites. Sweet harmony, or what!

NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL The world’s oldest dog has recently died. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Pusuke, a fluffy tan mongrel was born on April 1st (!)1985.

Its owner, Yumiko Shinohara, said at her home outside Tokyo, that the dog suddenly fell ill and refused to eat. An equivalent life-span for a human would be one hundred and twenty-five years. Sayonara!

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New Hounds’ Gallery Meet some super new members of the South East Branch’s ‘pack’

MERLIN & ARTHUR BURRELL

ELGAR ROBERTSON Would Jubilee’ve it!

ELSIE MONKS

BELLA MONKS The Gnome Guard

WINTER 2012/13 ISSUE OF LOWDOWN IS DUE OUT IN EARLY DECEMBER Additional copies of LOWDOWN are available at £2.00 including p&p.

PLEASE SEND ARTICLES AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION TO LOWDOWN’S EDITOR TONY ROBERTS: lowdown.newsletter@tiscali.co.uk