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Contents
Contents
February 2019
Opinion
Personality profile
4 On my mind
8 An enjoyable hobby
6 Viewpoint
Health matters
Chairman of the Kennel Club Steve Croxford reflects on the lead up to the world’s biggest dog show
If dog shows are to survive, it’s vital we project a caring image, says Simon Parsons
10
Political progress
Brexit, fireworks, shock collars and dangerous dogs
Art & culture
7
Book corner
Brain teasers and weight loss feature in two new books recently added to the Kennel Club Library shelves
14
Variety’s the spice of life for exhibitor, breeder, judge and show steward John Purnell
11Is it Alabama rot — or not?
Skin lesions don’t necessarily mean Alabama rot; there are many other possible causes
8
John Purnell
Special features career spanning 14 Afiftyphotography years
18
Dog photographer Sally Anne Thompson shares memories of an illustrious career
Judges’ choice
Judges’ choice
18The German Wirehaired Pointer The breed standard, the GWP as the ultimate, versatile hunting dog, breed experts pick their three favourite dogs, plus a closer look at the working side of the breed
Sally Sal lly Anne T Thompson
The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB www.thekennelclub.org.uk
Chairman: Steve Croxford Vice Chairman: Tony Allcock MBE Chief Executive: Rosemary Smart Secretary: Caroline Kisko Customer services: 01296 318540 Petlog Main Number: 01296 336579 Petlog Lost & Found: 01296 737600 Library/Gallery: 020 7518 1009 Insurance Enquiries: 0800 369 9445 Editor: Carrie Thomas Editorial Manager: Sara Wilde Editorial Panel: Bill Moores (Chairman), Terrie Cousins-Brown, Ian Gabriel, Philippa Gilbert, Robert Greaves, Revd. Bill King, Gay Robertson
Editorial enquiries: kennel.gazette@thekennelclub.org.uk The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB Subscriptions: 020 7518 1016 subs@kennelgazette.org.uk Kennel Gazette is published monthly on behalf of the Kennel Club by Warners Group Publications Plc www.warnersgroup.co.uk To advertise contact Andrea Walters andrea.walters@warnersgroup.co.uk Printed by Warners Midlands Plc Kennel Gazette is the monthly publication of the Kennel Club. Views and opinions expressed within the Kennel Gazette are the personal opinions of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kennel Club. /The KennelClubUK
Cover photo: ‘Timo’, German Wirehaired Pointer Sh Ch/Ir Sh Ch/Ned Ch/Ger Ch/Int Sh Ch/US MBISS GCh Timo II V.Bockenhagen at Kimmax, CGC VX MH UT Prize 1 Euro Winner 2009, All Star Winner 2010, BS 2008, BS 2011. He is an imported Deutsch Drahthaar from Germany who also won Crufts Best of Breed in 2012. Bred by Mr HA Kohues and owned by Mr PF & Mrs M McCullough Peter told us: “Timo (aka Mr ‘T’) shortly after arriving in the USA disappeared over a fence only to return minutes later to present his prize - a Possum (unharmed, playing dead and somewhat bemused). So typically, Timo - just had to be done.” Photo: ©Lisa Croft-Elliott
@thekennelclubuk
@TheKennelClubUK
The paper used for this publication is a recyclable and renewable product. It has been produced using wood sourced from sustainably managed forests and elemental or total chlorine-free bleached pulp. This magazine can be recycled either through your kerbside collection, or at a local recycling point. Log on to www.Recyclenow.com and enter your postcode to find the nearest sites.
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On my Mind
By Steve Croxford
Are you ready?
an event and all it represents. Over the years I have been involved with Crufts I have seen the main ring schedule grow from its fairly humble beginnings in Hall 3 into a slickly run series of competitions, demonstrations and events, all aimed at keeping both the general public (TV audiences) and specialist dog people captivated, enthralled and entertained throughout the day, leading up to the group judging during the evening ‘performance’. The main ring has something for everyone interested in or who owns a dog, be it a pedigree or a rescue or a highly trained canine athlete. It is always interesting to see and feel how the atmosphere in the main ring changes during the day. The respectful interest and comprehension of the skill and timing involved in developing and performing an error-free heelwork to music routine, and the tension of waiting for the judges scores to come on to the screen; an appreciation of the dynamism and athletic skills of the agility dog and handler followed by enthusiastic and appreciative applause from those watching in awe.
Photo: Flick.digital/The Kennel Club©
at the National Exhibition Centre and, I am told, comparable with some of the biggest sporting events we hold on this small island of ours. Any event of this size relies on great organisation and teamwork. It never ceases to amaze me how, by 8am on a Thursday morning in early March, everything falls into place, a testament to the logistical and planning skills of the professional staff and a dedicated band of volunteers who make up the Crufts Committee. Speaking of volunteers, as with every other big sporting event, we rely on an army of people who give up their time to be involved in this very special event. Whether its handing out poo bags to exhibitors on the way in from the car parks in the early hours of the morning every day, to the stewards who staff the breed rings, or the volunteers who help in the Discover Dogs booths day-in-day-out, or the ring crew in the main ring and the obedience ring, it would be impossible to see how any of this could happen without their support and enthusiasm for Crufts as
Photo: Flick.digital/The Kennel Club©
I
began writing this article over the Christmas period which, I am constantly being reminded, is ‘the best time of the year’. This holiday period is a time for family and friends to celebrate and spend some quality time together. The other ‘best time of the year’, for all of us involved in dog activities of all shapes and sizes, is Crufts, where the Kennel Club’s family and friends gather together to celebrate all that’s good about our canine companions, whether it is showing and exhibiting, competing in the many and varied finals and competitions, demonstrating and promoting responsible dog ownership, or just having a great time with dogs. Crufts is the one time of year dog people can gather together in one place to share their profession, hobby or passion for dogs with other dog people and the general public. Crufts goes from strength to strength every year and is the Kennel Club’s shop window to the world. Not only is Crufts the world’s biggest dog show, it has also become one of, if not the biggest consumer show held
Photo: Flick.digital/The Kennel Club©
The lead up to the world’s biggest dog show
With a packed audience watching in awe, the main ring has a busy schedule; from agility to the Golden Retriever display, there is something for everyone
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Photo: ©Heidi Hudson/The Kennel Club
Photo: Flick.digital/The Kennel Club©
On my Mind
Photo: Flick.digital/The Kennel Club©
Crufts is one of the biggest consumer shows held at the National Exhibition Centre
Photo: Flick.digital/The Kennel Club©
STEVE CROXFORD
Crufts is a place where we can share our passion and love for the dog
taking home the Crufts Best in Show title. A walk around the show at peak times can be a challenge at the best of times but it does give you a feel for the popularity of our canine companions and, as the saying goes, we all take the best dog home (or arrive at home to be welcomed by the best dog in the world) whatever our particular interest. Whether handlers are performing in the show ring, demonstrating their ringcraft skills, or making a technically difficult handling manoeuvre look easy, I always get a feeling for the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes and the empathetic relationship the very best handlers have for dogs under their care. I am not too proud to say all this brings a tear to the eye sometimes. What is not to like about it? It truly is ‘the best time of the year’. ●
Photo: Flick.digital/The Kennel Club©
We can look forward to the fun, excitement and colourful demeanour of the flyball teams, not to mention the precision of the various dog display teams and the skills involved in canine sports, which are usually confined to a specialist audience, such as working trials, field trials and Bloodhound trials. We get a sense of the professionalism of our armed forces and police as they put their dogs through their paces, and have a sense of wonder at the therapeutic effect that our canine friends have on people with disabilities or those who have suffered trauma in their lives. This all culminates in the drama and excitement of the Best in Show where the knowledgeable and often partisan crowd cheer on their favourites for the prestige of
Leading up to the ultimate accolade — Crufts 2019 Best in Show
Steve is married to Yvonne and he lives in Leicestershire but was born in Surrey and arrived in Leicestershire via Kent and Warwickshire. Steve has been a member of the Kennel Club since 1998 and was elected to the General Committee in May 2005. In May 2015 he was elected as Vice Chairman of the General Committee, and in November 2018 he became Chairman of the Kennel Club. He has served on the Agility Liaison Council, the Activities Sub-Committee and the Disciplinary Sub-Committee, which he also chaired for a short time. He ranks the setting up of the Activities Health & Welfare Sub Group as one of his major achievements. In his business career, he began working for the international arm of a major UK bank in 1974 and finished this part of his business career after 28 years. During his time working for the bank, he gained experience of people management, business operations, product management and marketing and managed large projects across the group both in the UK and in continental Europe. He also worked on a number of cross-banking industry projects and with the Bank of England. Steve is a Kennel Club Accredited Instructor at the specialist level for agility and was the first to achieve this award. Steve has been a regular competitor in agility for over 25 years and has been a professional agility trainer since leaving banking in 2003. He is a championship agility judge and he has judged all of the Kennel Club’s prestige agility events. He has also judged at the FCI European Open Agility competition, the first person from the UK to have done so.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint By Simon Parsons
S
omething I often wonder about when spectating at shows is whether exhibitors realise how they may appear to the ringside. Thankfully, instances of actual harsh handling in the UK show ring are so rare as to be virtually unknown, and you can be sure that in today’s social media-dominated days any such cases would be well publicised and probably videoed, too. However, sometimes one does wonder whether a few handlers, and not only inexperienced ones, could display a little more sensitivity in the ring. Most show dogs by definition have pretty robust temperaments but even so a gentle touch is surely not only the way to bring out the best in the vast majority of dogs, but also looks so much better and kinder. I appreciate that you have only a few seconds to get your dog to display its outline to the optimum, but kind hands do this just as well as manhandling the dog into place or exerting significant pressure on the lead. The Kennel Club has rightly taken a
firm line on some specific examples of undesirable handling styles, most notably extreme examples of ‘stringing up’ on the move so that the dog’s legs scarcely seem to touch the ground, and, of course, the practice of lifting dogs, especially terriers, by lead and tail. I dare say that with a nice, thick tail no harm is done but there is no doubt that this doesn’t look at all good. Here Britain, the country of origin of most of the terrier breeds, is setting a valuable example to the rest of the world. Other examples of less than sensitive handling may not be quite so easily classified but may still look somewhat unkind — take a look next time you are watching a big class and ask yourself honestly whether someone looking in from outside would consider that every dog was as gently handled as it might be. If in doubt, take a video of yourself in the ring or practising at home and see what you think. Some dogs, of course, benefit from a firmer touch than others. But the best handlers manage to be firm and gentle all
at the same time and this shows in their calm, unflustered style with even the most difficult charge in the ring. Some of us, without this magic touch, are more than happy to hand over the job to someone more skilled! Thankfully, there are many brilliant handlers, young and not so young, who are more than capable of helping us out. It’s all a question of how we are perceived, and if dog shows are to survive it is essential that we all project a caring image as well as being caring in reality. And dare I suggest that the same also applies to the other disciplines in which Kennel Club-registered dogs compete. ●
SIMON PARSONS Simon Parsons has owned a variety of breeds but his first loves are the Corgis. He worked for Dog World newspaper for 39 years and awards Challenge Certificates in 13 breeds. In 2014 he instigated the revival of the Kennel Gazette
Photo: ©Laura Kolbach/The Kennel Club
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Book review
Book corner
Boo off the k shelf If y
The Kennel Club Library is Europe’s largest collection of canine literature and these two books are recent additions to its shelves
Brain Teasers for Dogs
ou’ve r book th ead a dog at like to t you would ell our r eaders about, p lease le t our editor k now
By Christina Sondermann (Quiller)
Reviewed by Terrie Cousins-Brown
A
colourful, soft cover 112-page book which claims to have a puzzle for every dog — whether beginner, intermediate, or experienced (that’s the dog and not you). The author Christina Sondermann’s main focus is on finding easy to implement, suitable for everyday use, game ideas. This she certainly achieves and undoubtedly her methods are both dog and human friendly. This book looks like the fun book it says it is. The whole premise is that mental stimulation for a dog is as important as the daily walk; all of the games use equipment you will already have in your own home and
they are all quick and easy to set up. So while it will stimulate and entertain your dog, it will also provide lots of fun for you, too! Being a slight sceptic about this sort of thing, I decided to start off as recommended and find out what sort of puzzle-solver my dog was — not a very good one was the short answer. So simple games for us then. Each ‘brainteaser challenge’ summarises the aim of the game, lists the household equipment you will need, any preparation required and then step-by-step instructions for you and your dog. Each challenge was nicely illustrated with photographs of various breeds eagerly employed in solving
the puzzle and they certainly captured the moment. However, most games seemed to be a take on 'find the food', get the food and 'eat it'. Each game did offer a number of variations to make it more challenging so you could bring your dog on to be a more accomplished puzzler. In truth I found the whole thing quite repetitive. Having said that, the book is simply and clearly written and set out and it is very easy to understand what the owner and the dog needs to do to achieve the task.
The Lucky Dog Weight Loss Plan (why you never see a fat wolf) By Vicky Marshall (Head of Zeus) Reviewed by Philippa Gilbert
A
s Crufts approaches thoughts gather as to that special outfit exhibitors count on to bring them luck in the show ring. But if some over indulgence has crept in, many of us turn to various diet organisations and their plans. The same could be said for our four-legged friends, who have their waistlines not so trim. Vicky Marshall (co-founder of Honey's Real Dog Food and author of ‘The Lucky Dog Weight Loss Plan’) may well have the answer for them, if not for us. In her easy-to-read book she explains why processed dog food can have the effects it does on a dog's body/physic and how by switching to a biologically appropriate diet, the weight will literally drop off.
Vicky's studies, together with her business acumen, has meant the family run company, based in Wiltshire, combines animal welfare with ethically produced butchers' ingredients, to provide a nutritionally balanced diet for dogs. She explains clearly and straightforwardly what dogs should eat, how their digestive systems work and why they become obese, (if not caused by an underlying health issue), and offers a way to get them back on track. In as little as two weeks, the diet suggests that a meaningful weight loss can be achieved (this is fat and not muscle too, it states), although generally results are seen between six - 12 weeks. The book has good-sized text and is laid
out in easy to read sections, which cover areas such as dietary plans, menus/ shopping lists, feeding information for health and ageing issues, 'end result motions' and helpful ongoing plans to aid and maintain your dog’s healthy weight. Also, discussing the truths and myths about modern and raw feeds. In all, a good little read for those who have an overweight dog or owners considering a different form of feeding. The reader can DIY the diet, or Vicky's company offers a delivery feeding plan together with support. Bon appétit!
COMPETITION Book on the January cover ‘The Detective Dog’ by Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie was reviewed in the November 2016 edition of the Kennel Gazette by one of the Kennel Club’s younger members. It is an ideal and popular book for young readers, about a boy called Peter who takes his dog, Nell, into school, where Nell listens to the stories Peter and the other children read to her. However, one day the books disappear and it’s down to Nell and her powerful sense of smell to find them. The Kennel Gazette is very grateful to Macmillan Children’s books, which is kindly providing three copies as a competition giveaway. If you would like to receive a free copy for a young person in your life, please send a postcard to Sara Wilde, The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB or email sara.wilde@thekennelclub.org.uk Deadline for the competition is Friday, 22nd February.
January 2019 £5 00 £5.00
A look inside the Kennel Club’s Bark & Read project
The official publication of the Kennel Club
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Personality profile
An enjoyable hobby From judging to stewarding, John Purnell has enjoyed a full and varied life in dogs By Terrie Cousins-Brown in 1974 and joined my local canine society — Earlstown & Newton-Le-Willows, becoming a committee member in 1976 and then the chairman of the club for over 30 years, stepping down when the club de-registered in 2015.”
What breeds of dog have you owned? “I have owned Labradors, Whippets, Dobermanns and Miniature Pinschers. Showing was never a big thing for me; work commitments made finding time difficult but I tried to support my local societies as much as I could.”
As a judge, breeder, show administrator and steward, which role in dogs have you found the most challenging and which the most rewarding?
Photo by Terrie Cousins-Brown
“I have really found organising and running shows more enjoyable than exhibiting. I owned a garage recovery business and worked for the police force, attending and recovering at road traffic accidents; this was a 24-hour a day, seven days a week job, so very busy and very intense. My opportunities to travel far to exhibit were limited; being self-employed and with a family to support I had to do the hours. I was not really that interested in judging but the then president of Earlstown, the late Bill Marsh, who was a championship show Terrier Group judge, would not take no for an answer. He was very persuasive and persistent! He secured my first open show invitation in 1987 and then whenever Bill was invited anywhere to judge, he made sure I was included on the judging panel, too.”
Stewarding at South Wales Kennel Association in 2018
When did your interest in dogs first begin? “My father and mother had Airedales and Labradors. I bought my first Dobermann
Photo courtesy of Merseyside Toy Dog Club/Jane Thomas
J
ohn Purnell is one of those dog people who has been involved in every aspect of the pedigree dog show world — as an exhibitor, breeder, judge, show society manager, committee member and steward. Last year, his 40 years of stewarding expertise was acknowledged when he was awarded the Pawscars Steward of the Year Award in 2018. I first met John in 1996 when he was sweeping up nails and screws off a freshly laid concrete floor! We had both been invited to judge at Ardagh all breeds show in Eire and the Irish Kennel Club had just finished building the show centre in Cloghran, Dublin — literally. John was wielding a large broom and offered me a dustpan. I have been privileged to call him my friend ever since.
How did you feel winning the Pawscars Steward of the Year Award? “I was delighted and honoured to be nominated and was in very good company so I was genuinely shocked when they read out my name. I first stepped into a ring to steward at Manchester Championship
John at Merseyside Toy Dog Club
Show in 1978, so on reflection, after so many continuous years of stewarding, it did feel right.”
What are the challenges of stewarding? “Trying to ensure that the ring runs correctly, politely suggesting that the judge takes notice of other judges waiting to come in the ring and trying to manage those awkward situations when the judge carries on talking to the winners long after signing the cards! You see the club official loitering ringside with the clipboard and the next judge looking impatient; you have to be tactful but I’ve never really had any problems or bad experiences.”
Any memorable stories from your times stewarding which you would be able to share with our readers? “I have had many memorable occasions having stewarded for most of our well-known judges, some of whom I’m sorry to say are no longer with us. There were some large personalities in the centre of the ring – Joe Braddon was possibly the
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Photo by Lynne Jones
Personality profile
most knowledgeable, along with Terry Thorn, Bobby James and Percy Whitaker; all characters in their own right.”
Any words of advice for people starting out stewarding? “Attend to your job on the day, focus on your ring, not others around you, no talking ringside and learn from more experienced stewards and judges. You’ve also got to keep updated with changing rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the ring.”
Anything you would still like to achieve or aspirations for the future? “I have never really had any aspirations when it came to pedigree dogs; there’s no grand plan, it’s an enjoyable hobby for me. I let other people decide my worth when it comes to judging or stewarding. I just
sit back and go where I am pushed. Having been invited to judge abroad in a number of countries over the years and having enjoyed the opportunity to judge many, many times in the UK, I guess I must be doing something right. I’ve been invited to judge in Pakistan next year and that’s something that I’m really looking forward to. “My aim has always been to run a good show and I think I’ve achieved that. I’m still very busy helping outside the ring too. I’m president of St Helens & District Canine Society and an honorary life member of the North Eastern Counties Dobermann Society and Ashton-in-Makerfield Canine Society. So I’m still seen sweeping the floors!” Thank you, John, for your time, it’s been a pleasure to talk to you and I’m sure there’s a very large number of show secretaries who have been very grateful for your services and support and will continue to be so for many years to come. ●
Photo by RBT
Judging Dobermanns at Birmingham National Championship Show on 7th May, 2016
Winning the Pawscars Steward of the Year Award in 2018 and Simon Luxmoore who presented the trophy
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Political progress
Political progress
By Ed Hayes Brexit
Political debate and the news agenda continues to be dominated by Brexit. There are a number of ways in which Brexit might impact upon UK dog owners, although perhaps the most direct effect is likely to be on our ability to travel to and from Europe with our dogs. To be clear, regardless of whether we exit the EU with or without a deal, dog owners will continue to be able to take their dogs to Europe. However, in the event of a ‘no deal Brexit’ it is possible that additional steps would be required before travel, increasing costs and the time needed to prepare. From the perspective of ease of travel, in the worst case scenario, dog owners would need to visit their vets at least four months ahead of travel. This outcome remains a possibility, and therefore the Kennel Club strongly advises all pet owners planning to take their pet to the EU after March 2019 to contact their vet at least four months before travel and visit www.gov.uk on a frequent basis to check the most up-to-date information from Defra. The Kennel Club has held multiple discussions with Defra officials to convey our views regarding pet travel. We have raised our concerns regarding the abuse of the existing scheme by puppy importers but also highlighted the benefits it has provided to dog owners holidaying and competing in canine events and shows across Europe. We will continue to monitor the situation, but would encourage dog owners to check online for the latest information.
Fireworks In the lead up to fireworks night, the Kennel Club hosted a drop-in session in the House of Commons to highlight the impact of fireworks on dogs to MPs. The event was jointly hosted with Dogs Trust, Battersea, Cats Protection, Blue Cross, the British
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Veterinary Association, Children’s Burns Trust and PTSD UK. Bringing together a coalition of animal and human welfare organisations sent a strong message to the 40 MPs who attended the drop-in session and signed a pledge board to request a review on existing firework legislation and the controls on their use. Following our drop-in session, a separate campaigner launched a Government e-petition, which received over 250,000 signatures in a matter of weeks and triggered a parliamentary debate. During the debate, the Government indicated that it was not planning on reviewing fireworks legislation. We will continue to work with partner organisations to keep the pressure on the Government. There has been better news emanating from Scotland, with the Scottish Government pledging to review the use of fireworks within Scotland.
Scottish shock collar guidance published The Scottish Government published updated, strong guidance on electronic shock collars in October 2018. The guidance is clear that “training devices that the Scottish Government does not condone are: electronic shock (static pulse) collars, electronic anti-bark collars, electronic containment systems, or any other method to inflict physical punishment or negative reinforcement.” The guidance continues: “These techniques compromise dog welfare, as they may lead to aggressive responses and worsen the problems that they aim to address by masking or aggravating underlying behavioural issues.” While the guidance is strongly worded, we’ve been concerned with some of the communications from the Scottish Government following its launch. We have
held discussions with fellow animal welfare organisations and key political stakeholders to consider next steps.
Meeting with policymakers in Scotland Following the publication of a consultation on reforms to dog breeding legislation by the Scottish Government, the Kennel Club arranged to meet with a number of MSPs, including the animal welfare minister, Mairi Gougeon to discuss the proposals and highlight elements we welcome, such as a risk-based system that rewards breeders who breed to higher welfare standards; recognition of the Assured Breeder Scheme within the licensing system; and updated powers to address licensed breeders who do not meet required welfare standards. We also highlighted our areas of concern, including the increased burden on local authorities as a result of the proposed reduction of the licensing threshold.
Dangerous dogs We warmly welcomed the publication of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Select Committee regarding the failings of dangerous dog legislation and its inability to protect the public while harming animal welfare. The Select Committee comprises MPs from across the political parties, and after receiving evidence from experts, including the Kennel Club, it made a number of recommendations to Government. These included a full and transparent review of breed-specific legislation; the introduction of a central database to record information on dog bite incidents; and the consolidation of dog control legislation. We strongly support these suggestions, and now await the Government’s response to the Select Committee’s report. ●
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Health matters
Is it Alabama rot – or not? part two
Skin lesions: Shared symptoms often have a more common explanation
By Laura Holm BVM&S CertSAM MRCVS of the anal sacs, pyoderma, or poor skin ventilation causing yeast infection. The resulting acute moist dermatitis, or ‘hotspot’ is an area of disrupted skin and discharge, which can appear similar to CRGV in some cases.
Hotspot: More correctly termed acute
Immune-mediated skin disease:
moist dermatitis, or pyotraumatic dermatitis, this is caused by superficial skin damage, as a result of self-trauma and secondary invasion by bacteria. The selftrauma commonly occurs due to itchiness, which can be the result of many underlying causes such as ear infection, fleas, irritation
For example; Pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, systemic lupus erythematosus. The immune system is designed to fight off infections; however, sometimes the immune system can go wrong, and instead of fighting off infection, it can attack normal parts of the body. In immune-mediated skin disease,
Photo courtesy of Laura Holm
T
here are many possible reasons dogs develop skin lesions. Below are some examples of skin lesions which could have a similar appearance to cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV).
Facial CRGV lesion by the ear with a very similar appearance to a ‘hotspot’
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Health matters
Tongue ulcers which were not caused by CRGV, but by immune-mediated skin disease
Contact allergy/irritation: Bare (non-haired) skin is most commonly affected, and as this can mean footpads, muzzle and the dog’s belly, this type of problem can have a similar distribution to CRGV. Again, the history of where the dog has been and what it could have been exposed to should help to determine if a contact allergy or irritation is likely.
Pododermatitis: Inflammation and infection of the skin and underlying tissues affecting the feet is called pododermatitis. It can occur secondary to foreign material in the feet (such as grass seeds); allergic skin disease; infection with bacteria, fungi, mites; immune-mediated disease; occasionally cancerous problems and sometimes secondary to internal organ (liver) problems. As CRGV frequently results in foot lesions, these conditions can be challenging to differentiate based on appearance alone, but further tests such as hair plucking, skin scrapes, blood tests and skin biopsy can often be very helpful.
Courtesy of Ewan Fergusan RCVS Diplomate in Veterinary Dermatology
Photo: David Walker, American and European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
Vasculitis: Vasculitis refers to inflammation and damage to the blood vessels in the body. It can occur as a primary immune-mediated condition, but can also occur secondary to a wide range of other illnesses, and occasionally due to drug administration. As CRGV lesions also occur due to damage to the lining of blood vessels, these lesions can appear very similar. The lesions are commonly an area of ulceration, with surrounding redness, swelling and bruising.
Bruised/excoriated stopper pads:
Photo courtesy of Laura Holm
Dogs exercising vigorously on hard or rough surfaces can cause trauma to their stopper pads. This can be difficult to differentiate from CRGV lesions as it tends to result in a superficially ulcerated appearance with surrounding bruising. The history of exercising vigorously, combined with the location of the exercise, can help to give clues as to this being the cause. Symmetrically affected stopper pads (as opposed to lesions elsewhere on the feet/ limbs) can also help to differentiate CRGV lesions from traumatic lesions.
Cuts and grazes: CRGV lesions can
Tongue ulceration caused by CRGV
certain components of the skin are attacked by the immune system, causing damage. There are differences in the location of the damaged skin on the body and the exact appearance according to which disease process is present.
Snake bite: Although snake bites occur relatively infrequently, when they do happen, bites are frequently to the face, limbs, or undercarriage. Bites cause a lot of inflammation and tissue necrosis (death). This means snake bites can have a similar appearance and location to CRGV lesions, with bruising and swelling surrounding an area. One major difference, however, tends to be time of year, with snake bites occurring more commonly during the warmer months of the year.
occasionally appear like a graze, or area of traumatic damage to the skin, especially on the feet and around the pads and nails. As the CRGV lesions can also quite frequently appear infected (with discharge coming from the area) they can sometimes be difficult to differentiate from cuts and grazes. Careful assessment of the lesion after clipping away the fur and cleaning the area, as well as examining the rest of the dog’s body and oral cavity, can help to determine whether the lesion is due to CRGV or due to trauma.
Foreign body: During the summer months, dogs can get things like grass seeds stuck in their feet. As this can cause irritation, lameness, licking, swelling and infection, this can appear similar to CRGV lesions affecting the feet. Again, the time of year may help to determine which condition is more likely, with grass seeds occurring more frequently over the summer and CRGV occurring more frequently over winter/spring.
Eosinophilic folliculitis affecting a dog’s muzzle
Folliculitis/furunculosis: Dogs can also develop deep bacterial infections, or allergic skin disease affecting their muzzles. As above, this could be hard to differentiate from CRGV based solely on appearance. Further investigations, such as skin scrapes and biopsy, again may be helpful.
Neoplasia: Some forms of skin cancer can cause marked redness and also ulceration. Prevention of CRGV: Much has been made about walking routes and whether areas in which CRGV cases have been identified should be avoided by other dog walkers. As the cause of this illness remains unknown, it is extremely difficult to advise about prevention — and about the need for avoiding affected areas. Since cases have been reported from much of the UK, it is becoming increasingly difficult for dog owners to avoid affected areas while still being able to enjoy walking their dogs in the countryside. One suggestion has been to wash the mud off dogs after walks, using warm water
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Health matters
and (if needed) a suitable mild shampoo — again it is not known for sure if this is either necessary or beneficial. We do know however that harsh chemicals should be avoided and can be harmful rather than helpful. Another question which arises frequently is whether dogs can ‘catch’ CRGV from places like the vet’s surgery, or the dog groomer’s? There is no evidence so far to say that dogs can either spread it directly between each other, or that they can catch it from an environment which a case has contacted.
For now, the advice for dog owners remains: ● Be aware that CRGV is overall a rare disease (confirmed case total = 171 since November 2012) ● Dogs which get CRGV are more likely to be affected by skin lesions than kidney failure ● Any dog developing skin lesions, or other signs of illness, or injury should be assessed by their own vet in the first instance If you missed the first part of, ‘Is it Alabama rot – or not?’ from the January Kennel Gazette, it is available to view here:
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/our-resources/ publications/the-kennel-gazette ●
LAURA HOLM Laura graduated from Edinburgh in 2001, and worked in first opinion small animal practice, attaining the RCVS Certificate in small animal medicine. Laura has worked at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists since 2007 and has played a key role in CRGV (Alabama rot) investigations
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Special feature
A photography career spanning fifty years
Photo courtesy of Sally Anne Thompson
“Dog photography can be considered as a cross between portraiture, sports photography and photo journalism” — Sally Anne Thompson
A
t the last Crufts I had the opportunity to meet up with the legendary dog photographer Sally Anne Thompson, when she shared memories of her illustrious career as a freelance dog photographer. For those of you who may not have heard of Sally Anne Thompson, she was an early pioneer in dog photography. She started as a photographer at the age of 21 and was born into the profession; her father, John de Forest Thompson was head of a renowned fashion studio, Scaioni’s Studio in Marylebone, London. At the time of Sally’s career, she fought against being bound to the traditional ways of photographing breeds and wanted to find new ways of portraying their qualities and character. Sally has often said that she always
held a certain respect and love for the dog. Sally often took cover photos for the Kennel Gazette in the 1970s and 1980s and among her favourite dog photographs (although she says it was difficult to choose from thousands of her favourites) were two Crufts Best in Show photographs. She recalls the many Best in Show photocalls where all the freelance dog photographers would jostle for their position and everyone would get quite ‘vocal’ with one another in the short time allowed until the final call of ‘wrap up’ was announced. Sally’s favourite was this 2005 Best in Show photograph, taken at Crufts, of Coco the Norfolk Terrier, positioned in the Keddell Memorial Trophy with Peter Green. Being a terrier the dog was difficult to photograph, as it wouldn’t sit still and kept
Photo: ©Sally Anne Thompson
By Heidi Hudson
Crufts Best in Show 2005 winner Elisabeth Matell, Pam Beale, Stephanie Ingram, and Beth Sweigart’s Norfolk Terrier Ch/Am Ch Cracknor Cause Célèbre, ‘Coco’, with handler Peter Green
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Special feature
Photo: ©Sally Anne Thompson
taking photos at Crufts and she loved to walk around the benches and photograph all the dogs, which most photographers do today. In 1959 when Crufts was held at Olympia, Sally ran a stand to promote her dog photography and she enjoyed meeting all her clients at the show. She reminisces fondly of her past career and remembers in particular, friend and fellow dog photographer Diane Pearce, who was featured in the April 2018 Kennel Gazette, as well as Thomas Fall photographer Barbara Burrows, all working at achieving the same thing — great dog photographs.
Equipment
Sally’s second favourite photo of Standard Poodle Gibbs’ Ch Montravia Tommy Gun which won Crufts Best in Show in 1985
Ch Montravia Tommy Gun, which won Crufts Best in Show in 1985. The dog was photographed naturally running as if in flight, and it looks like it was walking on water. Sally has many favourite memories of
Photo courtesy of Sally Anne Thompson
Photos courtesy of Sally Anne Thompson
jumping out of the trophy but Sally achieved the shot which was used by other featured publications. Her second favourite photograph was taken in Frensham Pond, Surrey near the Gibbs’ home and of the Standard Poodle
In the early days, Sally started with an Agiflex camera and then moved to Hasselblad and never looked back. She told me that she never worked in digital and only used film throughout her entire career. She also used a 150mm lens on the Hasselblad for most of her dog photography and occasionally a shorter 80mm lens. During her career Sally, has received a few ‘gongs’ — prestigious awards for her photographic work. One which meant a lot to Sally was receiving an award from the Dog Writers’ Association of America in 1993, below, for her colour photograph of a Pointer on the Yorkshire Moors.
Sally’s stand at Crufts in 1959 when it was held at Olympia
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Courtesy of Sally Anne Thompson
Special feature
Sally Anne Thompson was commissioned to provide the following Kennel Gazette front covers: December 1979 - Komondor Sally Anne Thompson in the early days taking photographs outside the studio, which was uncommon at the time
July 1984 - Gordon Setter December 1984 – Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) June 1986 – Retriever (Labrador) October 1986 - Ibizan Hound January 1987 – Collie (Smooth) July 1987 - Great Dane April 1989 - Basenji
Courtesy of Sally Anne Thompson
October 1989 – English Springer Spaniel Crufts 1991 - West Highland White Terrier September 1996 - Border Collie January - 1998 Maremma Sheepdog At one time there used to be a Crufts calendar and Sally chose the dogs and took all the photos
The dog and the outdoor setting both complemented each other and helped Sally achieve worldwide success and acknowledgement for her ‘natural’ dog photographs, which are often adopted
Courtesy of Sally Anne Thompson
What makes Sally Anne Thompson’s work different and stand out was her skill and ability to get the best out of top dogs in an outdoor setting. It was uncommon at the time to take dog photographs outside the studio as the weather and outside distractions could be despairing for the dog photographer, but Sally was different and achieved great success by composing beautiful portraits in natural settings.
She was last interviewed by the Kennel Gazette in July 1986
Sally photographed top dogs for the then Kennel Club Chairman, Sir Richard Glyn’s book ‘Champion Dogs of the World’
outdoor dog portraits. Many dog photographers learned from Sally by studying her photographs. She published a book in 1989 called ‘Photographing Dogs’ which was extremely popular and young, avid dog photographers were keen to learn her techniques and style. One of these photographers was Alice van Kempen who credits Sally’s book for her early study in dog photography. I spoke to Alice recently and she told me that many years ago, when she was visiting London she bought a copy of ‘Photographing Dogs’, and it became her dog photography bible. She said that “every photo in Sally’s book showed the love and understanding of each photographed dog.” Alice took this to heart and started photographing other breeds as well as Bull Terriers. In 1962, Sally received a call from the then Kennel Club Chairman, Sir Richard Glyn, about producing photographs for a book about champion dogs. She jumped at the
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Photo: ©Heidi Hudson/The Kennel Club
Special feature
Sally and husband Ron taken at Crufts in 2018
“Many dog photographers learned from Sally by studying her photographs”
Photo: ©Sally Anne Thompson
of Wight. Sally has been involved with rescued hounds for many years now since retiring from her dog photography in 2000. Over the years, Sally has done a tremendous amount of rescue work with Greyhound
Rescue West of England, rescuing at least 12 Greyhounds. Two of Sally’s previous rescues were Emma and Rosy, which came from Greyhound Rescue West of England, and their current rescue dog is Greyhound Gus from Essex Greyhound Trust. Sally is very passionate about rescue and continues to promote it wherever and whenever as she says: “there are so many wonderful dogs who are needing homes.” There have been very few photographers who can lay claim to such a great career in dog photography, and the Kennel Club is grateful for her work, which will continue to be appreciated by many aspiring dog photographers. ●
Photo: ©Sally Anne Thompson
chance to photograph top dogs from kennels around the world, as this was the first time a book such as this was being produced. It was released in 1967 and became one of the best-selling dog books at that time. It was also important that photographers safeguarded their work and Sally was an astute business woman as she retained the copyright to all the images taken for the book thus giving her a great archive for her picture library; www.animal-photography.com Animal Photography is still going strong and not only houses her large collection of dog and wildlife images but it also represents other commercial animal photographers. Sally now lives with her husband, Ron Willbie and rescue Greyhounds on the Isle
Sally’s book ‘Photographing Dogs’, a copy of which is available in the Kennel Club Library
Sally’s current rescue Greyhound Gus, pictured on his first day by Sally on the beach
Two of Sally’s previous rescues were Emma and Rosy, which came from Greyhound Rescue West of England
Fall photographer Barbara Burrows, who was a friend of Sally’s, features in the current exhibition taking place in the Kennel Club Art Gallery: ‘Promoting the pedigree through photography’: Thomas Fall, in partnership with Mary Evans Picture Library. It runs until 29th March, 2019. For enquiries and bookings, telephone 020 7518 1064 or email artgallery@thekennelclub.org.uk
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German Wirehaired Pointer breed standard
Photo by Peter F McCullough
German Wirehaired Pointer breed standard
Breed standard
Photo by dogsinpictures by Ines Oebel
A
larger, more rugged version of his smooth haired cousin, the German Wirehaired Pointer has a harsh, bristly coat to give him protection in rough cover and rough weather. The German Wirehaired Pointer was developed from several wire-coated pointing breeds popular in Germany in the 19th century. It has been suggested that French Griffon blood was also used. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a rugged and indefatigable worker.
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German Wirehaired Pointer breed standard
● GENERAL APPEARANCE Medium-sized hunting dog, with wire hair completely covering skin. Overall should be slightly longer in body, compared to shoulder height.
● CHARACTERISTICS Powerful, strong, versatile hunting dog, excels in both field and water. Loyal, intelligent, sound temperament and alert.
● TEMPERAMENT Gentle, affectionate and even tempered. Alert, biddable and very loyal.
but not out of proportion to the rest of the body; ribs deep and well sprung, never barrel-shaped nor flat, back rib reaching well down to tucked up loins. Chest measurement immediately behind elbows smaller than that of about a hand’s breadth behind elbows so that upper arm has freedom of movement. Firm back, not arched, with slightly falling back line.
● HINDQUARTERS Hips broad and wide, croup falling slightly towards tail. Thighs strong and well muscled. Stifles well bent. Hocks square with body, turning neither in nor out. Pasterns nearly upright. Bone strong but not coarse.
● FEET Compact, close-knit, round to oval-shaped, well padded, should turn neither in nor out. Toes well arched, heavily nailed.
● TAIL ● EYES Medium sized, oval, hazel or darker, with eyelids closing properly, not protruding nor too deep-set.
● EARS Medium sized in relation to head, set high, when brought forward should reach corner of lips.
● MOUTH Teeth and jaws strong, with perfect regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws, with full dentition.
● COAT Outer coat thicker and harsh, no longer than 4cm (11/2in) long with a dense undercoat (undercoat more prevalent in winter than summer). It should not hide body shape but it should be long enough to give good protection. Coat should lie close to the body. Hair on head and ears thick and short, but not too soft. Bushy eyebrows, full but not overlong beard.
● COLOUR Liver and white, solid liver, black and white. Solid black and tricoloured highly undesirable.
● HEAD AND SKULL Balanced in proportion to body. Skull sufficiently broad and slightly rounded. Moderate stop, skull and muzzle of equal length with no overhanging lips. Nose liver or black.
turning neither in nor out. Definitely not a hackney action.
Previously customarily docked. Docked: Approximately two fifths of original length docked. Continuing the line of back, carried horizontally or slightly upward. Neither too thick nor too thin. Undocked: Continuing the line of back, carried horizontally or slightly upward. Neither too thick nor too thin. Reaching to the hocks and carried straight or slightly sabre-fashion.
● GAIT/MOVEMENT Smooth, covering plenty of ground with each stride, driving hind action, elbows
● SIZE Ideal height at shoulder: dogs: 60 – 67cm (231/2 – 261/2in); bitches: 56 – 62cm (22 – 241/2in). Weight: dogs: 25 – 34kg (55 – 75lb); bitches: 20.5 – 29kg (45 – 64 lb).
● FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Ch/Ned Ch Freddy vom Kapellenhof at Bareve, German Wirehaired Pointer CC record holder with 46 CCs
● NECK Strong and of adequate length, skin tightly fitting.
● FOREQUARTERS
Photo by Siguid Wilberg
Shoulders sloping and very muscular with top of shoulder blades not too close; upper arm bones between shoulder and elbow long. Elbows close to body, neither pointing outwards nor inwards. Forelegs straight and lean, sufficiently muscular and strong but not coarse-boned. Pasterns slightly sloping, almost straight but not quite.
● BODY Chest must appear deep rather than wide
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Breed perspective
The ultimate, versatile hunting dog By Peter F McCullough — Chairman of the German Wirehaired Pointer Club
T
he German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP) started in the UK through early enthusiasts, such as the late Major George Wilkinson, who had been exposed to the Deutsch Drahthaar in Germany and saw its unique potential as a truly versatile hunting dog. He called an initial meeting of early enthusiasts in February 1976 to form a breed club and the German Wirehaired Pointer Club was recognised by the Kennel Club in May 1981. The origins of the Deutsch Drahthaar go back to the 19th century when feudalism gave way to land becoming public domain and hunting no longer a privilege restricted to nobles. While versatile hunting dogs existed at that time, their numbers were limited and it was not uncommon for matings to be across breeds, focused purely on performance in the field. In the 1870s, things started to change with the rise of the early breed clubs and a focus on physical conformation standards. Concerned about the focus on beauty, a new movement began to create an all round, versatile hunting dog, capable of working in the field, in the forest and in water. In May 1902 the Verein Deutsch Drahthaar (VDD) was formed and brought together four breeds, taking lines that had proven field performance, to create the Deutsch Drahthaar.
● Deutsch Stichelhaar — this was the oldest of the German rough haired breeds; a medium-sized but powerful and sturdy dog with a coarse coat and heavy beard. This breed was prized for its tracking abilities and water work ● Griffon — thanks to Eduard Korthals influence, this breed had a reasonably uniform conformation and coat texture/ length. It was included for its trainability, intelligence and retrieving manner ● Pudelpointer — as its name suggests, this breed was formed from Poodle and Pointer crosses with other German hunting breeds. It had good conformation, excellent pointing and retrieving, a courageous spirit and a desire for water work ● Deutsch Kurzhaar — the German Shorthaired Pointer was chosen for its abilities in the field, intelligence and nose, rather than its forest and water performance Following the principles laid down by Sigismund Freiherr von Zedlitz and Neukirch, otherwise known as Hegewald, the VDD set out performance requirements for breeding and inclusion in the Hunting Dog Stud Register. Over the next few decades, the Deutsch Drahthaar became the most successful breed in German field tests. Today, the VDD breeding principles, which include mandatory field tests, conformation and health tests to be eligible
for breeding, are expressed in its motto: ‘Leistung Zum Typ’ which translates as ‘Performance to the Standard’. Every year, around 200 of the most promising young Drahthaar’s from around the world pre-qualify for the honour of taking part in the VDD’s annual ‘Internationale Hegewald’, the breed’s international showcase of performance. This is one of Europe’s largest field events, with field, water and conformation tests running over three days, involving over 100 judges, 50 hunting grounds and six large waters. Today, the Deutsch Drahthaar is Germany’s third most popular pedigree breed overall, prized as a hunt, point, retrieve dog in the field and forest on furred and feathered game and a superb all-round water dog, yet equally valued as a deer and boar blood tracking dog — all attributes tested in the German Jagdgebrauchshundverband, the hunting dog association (JGHV) test system. Here in the UK, we are fortunate that, as a breed, while we still have breeders whose first focus is either field performance or show conformation, most top breeders continue to strive to maintain the dual purpose GWP, fit in form and for function. When competing at the highest level, this is something that is not easy to maintain. Finding the time to breed, show and train dogs capable of achieving top honours in the
The 2018 winners of the Verein Deutsch Drahthaar’s annual ‘Internationale Hegewald’ — the breed’s international showcase of performance. This is one of Europe’s largest field events, with field, water and conformation tests running over three days, involving over 100 judges, 50 hunting grounds and six large waters
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Breed perspective
Photo by Peter F McCullough
working and show arenas. However, for some, the ultimate accolade in our breed is to produce a dual champion (a show champion and a field trial champion) and in May 2014, Dual Ch Tickencote Talk Tonight, gained her third CC to become the breed’s only such dual champion. Field trial success is not the only measure of a good working GWP, for many enthusiasts of the GWP it is a stalking/blood tracking dog, working on deer and boar. Many owners work with clubs such as the Bavarian Mountain Hound Society of Great Britain, which runs training and tests so we can measure our dogs’ abilities in blood tracking, much along the same lines as in German tests, since no formal Kennel Club tests exist for this. Our breed will have to continue to adapt to the changing pressures of UK society, but the GWP Club will continue to support the focus of our community where performance in the field, good conformation, correct harsh coat, sound temperament and good health are paramount. ●
field tests, in the USA’s AKC Master Hunter system and the NAVHDA Utility test system as well as gaining his Versatile Excellent (VX) title. The dedication to a dual-purpose breed is probably most evident in that the breed’s two most prominent show kennels, Kimmax and Bareve, which in the last 10 years have won over 68 per cent of all the breed’s CCs and RCCs, remain committed to field excellence and have achieved 19 of the breeds 31 full champions between them, 12 Bareve and seven Kimmax (show champion with a field trial award or SGWC). But inevitably, for the leading field trial kennels which rarely if ever show, such as Trudvang, Moorrunner and Bryantscroft, the focus remains on field performance as the dedication, access to ground and experience required to progress to the top levels is extreme. This focus on field performance has produced 10 field trial champions to date. The breed’s tracking and athletic abilities have also been recognised in the past with two working trial champions, one of whom, WT Ch/Sh Ch Benreeda Wolfgang of Jacinto was the breed’s first ‘dual’ champion in
Peter McCullough rough shooting with his first Hegewald Drahthaar, Kira Photo by Peter F McCullough
show ring or in field trials is hard enough but to be able to combine them in a single dog is a challenge. Despite this, many of the breed’s enthusiasts have remained committed to both for decades. Our top show dog, the breed CC record holder with 46 CCs, is Ch/Ned Ch Freddy vom Kapellenhof at Bareve, an imported Deutsch Drahthaar from Germany. He won BOB at Crufts five times consecutively from 2006 – 2010 as well as several field trial awards. In fact, in the last 10 years, the Crufts GWP BOB has been won by an imported dog on nine occasions. The dog on the cover, Timo (Sh Ch/Ir Sh Ch/Ned Ch/Ger Ch/Int Sh Ch/US MBISS GCh Timo II V.Bockenhagen at Kimmax, CGC VX MH UT Prize 1 Euro Winner 2009, All Star Winner 2010, BS 2008, BS 2011) is another imported Deutsch Drahthaar from Germany and won Crufts BOB in 2012. He is fourth in the all-time GWP top show dog list, having won 24 CCs and 37 RCCs, more combined than any other GWP. While he holds UK, German, Dutch, International and US show champion titles, he has proven his field credentials in the German JGHV
Photo courtesy of Peter F McCullough
Malin Hewins on a blood track training day with her German Wirehaired Pointer, Loki
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German GermanWirehaired WirehairedPointer Pointerjudges’ judges’choice choice The Kennel Gazette asked a number of breed specialist and all-rounder judges to pick their three favourite German Wirehaired Pointers which they have judged in the ring. The dogs could be from the past or the present and from anywhere in the world Barbara Stamp ■ Tynsil
Pam Blay ■ Stablaheim
My second choice bitch who I judged at Midland Counties in 2004, is the breed d record-holder in bitches. I was also pleased to award her her 40th CC. She was the most beautiful of bitches when on top form. She had fabulous movementt which won her many of her CCs. She is also the only GWP to win BIS at an all-breed championship show in the UK. Sadly, she only had one litter so was not able to make a great impression on the breed’s d’ ffuture.
3Sh Ch Normbar Valhalle
I fell in love with this dog when he first arrived as a puppy from Germany in 2015 and was lucky ucky enough to judge him at Paignton in 2016. He was in open and was still young but what a mover; he was textbook. Excellent body proportions, s, a correct coat and an excellent type, he had so much to offer this country for he worked as well as showed and in fact produced ed litters which contained full and d show h champions. h i
2Sh Ch Bareve Beverley Hills At one time this was the breed record-holder and she set the standard. Again, she was a super mover with correct body proportions. She was very feminine and not overlarge; excellent construction which carries through to today’s stock from this kennel.
3Sh Ch Bareve Brenna Photo by Ronnie McKenna
My third choice, who I also judged at Midland Counties in 2004, was the male breed-record holder until Sh Ch/Ned Ch Freddyy vom Kapellenhof at Bareve took over the title. He won over 30 CCs and contributed to the breed stampingg a lot of his traits on his offspring, including his lovely temperament.. It was a pleasure to judge both him m and Biwindi at the same show and it was a hard decision who I gave the BOB to, as both were fabulous examples of our breed.
1Ch/Ned Ch Freddy vom Kapellenhof at Bareve
In a record entry of 133 dogs at the club show in 1998, my choice for the BCC was Brenna. I wrote “no mistaking her sire or sex” (she was sired by Wittekind a Matter of Money at Bareve). She was an excellent type of the correct size; so very feminine but again using her strong hindquarters to cover the ground with ease.
Photo by Alan V Walker
2Sh Ch Bareve Biwindi JW
Photo by Marc Henrie/The Kennel Club©
My first choice dog, who I judged at Three Counties in 2008, is the most titled GWP in the UK, winning championships throughout the countries he competed in. I was pleased to award him his third CC in this country beforee he went to America for two years where he also became a champion. He continued winning CCs in this country when UK, well hen he came home to the UK into veteran. He has produced many winning offspring and is behind quite a few of today’s champions.
Photo: ©Alan V Walker
occke kenh nhag agen en aatt Ki Kimm Kimmax mmax ax 1Multi Ch Timo II V.Bockenhagen
Photo by Ruth Dalrymple courtesy of Sharon Pinkerton
My involvement with German Wirehaired Pointers began in 1978 when we purchased our first bitch, Jolly Quirta of Stablaheim. We campaigned the breed and, in particular were involved in the start of the breed club, where we are proud to be among the founder members. We showed regularly all over the country in the early days to get the numbers up enough to be passed for CCs, which we achieved in 1986. My first appointment was at Crufts in 1987, when I decided that I would stop showing, although we did go on to produce a couple of litters which were successful in both the show, but mainly in the working field. I was honoured to judge the breed again in 2000, the centenary show and have now judged the breed 15 times with CCs.
Photo by David Dalton
I have been in the breed since 1990 and have bred three show champions including the only German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP) puppy to go BPIS at an all-breed championship show and the first solid liver show champion bitch. I have awarded CCs in the breed since 2004 and I am currently the breed education co-ordinator having been on the German Wirehaired Pointer Club committee for over 10 years.
Please note that judges are asked to make sure that all information supplied is factually correct. This information is again checked when submitted, but please note that unfortunately errors may still occur.
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German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice Claire Sharp ■ Hapsberg/Wassetwire
Maxine McCullough ■ Kimmax My passion for German Wirehaired Pointers began in 1989, with my foundation bitch, Rosie (Terrington Spurge-Laurel at Kimmax). Back in the early 1990s the lack of genetic diversity was an issue, so in 1994 I was the first to import a dog via the then newly created Balai Directive. My Dutch import, Isaac, (Sh Ch Femke’s Footsteps Isaac at Kimmax), was also my first show champion but sadly disappeared, believed stolen, shortly after gaining his title. Since then we have imported over 15 dogs, mainly from Germany, including several bitches in whelp. We have won 152 CCs, 240 RCCs having made up 22 UK title holders with seven full champions, numerous field trial award winners and several international multi champions, including the irrepressible Timo. Our dogs have also gained overseas field awards in many different systems both in Europe and the USA, including the multiple appearances at the breed’s most prestigious international field event, the Hegewald. I first gave CCs in our breed in 2016 but have a much wider perspective internationally, which is why I have included some of what I consider the most stunning and typical Drahthaar’s from Germany in my choices.
Born in 2005, I judged this gorgeous boy as a puppy and, in time, I watched him grow into a beautiful, strong, typical GWP ultimately proving he was truly dual purpose by gaining his full champion title. He had the most appealing head and alert expression, excellent coat and his movement was effortless, with powerful reach and drive, never putting a foot out of place.
Photo by Seamus Gettings Photo by Seamus Gettings
3Ch Abbotsbourne Piccadilly
Photo by Siguid Wilberg
Ch Timo II V.Bockenhagen 2Multi at Kimmax
Photo by Lisa Croft-Elliott
My second choice is this dog from Peter and Maxine McCullough, who I judged at Windsor in 2014. Another impressive male, who was beautifully constructed he covered the ground like he owned it. Like Freddy, Timo excelled in coat texture, too. Used at stud only eight times, I was later to award his son Kimmax Kristian Laboutin, BPIS at a club show.
Beechillawn Wired for Sound 2IrCWSh‘17Ch/CIE Jnr Ch, JD A very typical bitch of the correct size who I awarded the CC to at Paignton Championship Show in 2016. She is of the correct body proportions, has a super-harsh wire coat and flows harmoniously with excellent reach and drive. Her sire is one of my all-time favourite males, Ir Sh Ch/CIE Kimmax Keltic Kelvin for Beechillawn CJW ‘11 CW ’11, ’12, ’14, Jun Ch, JD.
My first choice of favourites es II’ve ve judged would have to be this dog from Sharon and Barbara Pinkerton. Indeed this boy was the first dog I ever awarded a CC to at Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland in 2007. He was an outstanding example of the breed and his profile movement was superb; you could really appreciate his tremendous reach and drive. He was a dual purpose dog, winning in the field as well as the h show h ring i and d he h also l sired i d progeny who did likewise, though he was only used at stud six times in his lifetime.
Kimmax Koming Home 3Ch at Gerstenfeld ShCM My third choice is my BIS winner at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club Championship Show in 2016, owned by Sara Clarke. A great-granddaughter of Timo. I first saw her in an ‘any variety not separately classified’ class at a show and I had to reach for my catalogue to see who she was. Her qualities were evident from very early on, she was a beautiful bitch; workmanlike while retaining femininity. She was balanced, well-constructed and was another who was wonderful to watch on the move. She has brains as well as beauty and is a full champion. To my knowledge, there are no plans for this girl to be bred from which is a shame.
Photo by Sara Clarke
Watz vom Liether-Moor has never taken part in a dog show, however I consider myself to have still judged him as I saw him with his breeders and have watched him at several events he has appeared at in Germany — field events and breed stud shows. This dog epitomises the breed, from his perfectly shaped, very handsome head to his exceptional, harsh, tight-fitting wire coat and everything in-between. He was bred by Ute and Dieter Jochims in 2007 and we were fortunate to use him at stud on one of our full champion bitches and therefore, thankfully, have his bloodline here in the UK. I also greatly admired his beautiful litter sister Winnie vom Liether-Moor she was another who I would have loved to have owned.
1Ch/Ned Ch Freddy vom Kapellenhof at Bareve
Photo by dogsinpictures by Ines Oebel
1Watz vom Liether-Moor
My parents owned a German Shorthaired Pointer but I was always more drawn to the German Wirehaired Pointer and begged them for a dog of my own. I was given a GWP puppy when I was 13 years old (in 1985). He became a full champion — winning six CCs and a field trial award. Picking three is hard as the breed has a plethora of dogs that I’ve enjoyed. I’ve also found it impossible to place them in the order I preferred them so I’ve chosen to list them in the order I judged them chronologically. I also awarded all three of these dogs Best of Breed.
February 2019 - Kennel Gazette 23
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so n
Di Arrowsmith ■ Fleetapple Gundogs
Ruth Martin ■ Sunhouse
My interest in the German Wirehaired Pointer goes back to the late 1970s with the first imports from Holland into this country by Mineke Mills de Hoog. To complement her line she imported from Sweden of Mr Allround of Wittekind. It was this addition to the gene pool that sparked our interest in the breed and encouraged my late husband and I to invest in a bitch puppy which came from the very first Bareve litter whelped on 12th February, 1980 for Sharon and the late Barbara Pinkerton. I have maintained an avid interest in the breed from that time.
I owned my first German Wirehaired Pointer in 1979 and, with him, I won the first ever CC and BOB at Crufts in 1986. He went on to become the UK’s first show champion in the breed after winning five of the eight CCs on offer that year. He retired after winning his sixth CC and BOB at Crufts in 1987. I went on to breed/own a further seven title holders in the breed.
My first choice is owned ned by Sharon Pinkerton. n. I was fortunate to judge dge her in the group at Crufts rufts in 2016 and bring herr in to an exceptionallyy strong shortlist. I loved ved her balance and type,, her quality and femininity. ty. She presented a classic sic outline, so typical in skull proportions, everything flowing together ogether with such grace and style. She had correct furnishing, excellent coat and so very sound on the move as her ideal construction determined.
Photo by Michelle Ansell
Ch/Dut Ch E Esmee smee Dra Dragon ago gon from o Rho Rhona’s onaa’ss Hom Home o e 1Shat Bareve
2Sh Ch Bareve Baracouda at Bethersden Photo by Sigurd Wilberg
Ch Freddy vom 2Ch/Ned Kapellenhof at Bareve My second choice is a grand stallion of a dog and so much has already been written about him. He is the breed record-holder with 46 CCs, multiple group awards and top all breeds in 2006. I was fortunate enough to not only judge him on the bench but also in the field where he gained 10 awards, nine at open level. It was a pleasure to go over him and give him the group win at Border Union in 2006.
3Ch Jayah of Tickencote
Sired by Sh Ch Normbar Valhalle ex Sh Ch Bareve Bukavo JW, I judged this dog at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club Show in 2008 and gave him BIS. Another male very typical of his breeding at the time and very much a medium-sized hunting dog. He had d a classic head with beautiful neck and shoulders, well balanced body proportions, correct bone, and wass a very sound moving dog. He had a superb coat. Everything to see with no exaggerations. Superb sound movement, in profile and fore and aft. I loved everything about him, although he would probably be classed as an old-fashioned type in today’s scenario. He went on to win three CCs all with BOB and six RCCs. Unfortunately he was never used at stud.
j y 3Sh Ch Amicaro Iowa at Karlejay Photo by John Hartley
My third choice is Peter Howard’s Ch Jayah of Tickencote, son of the American import Desert Mills Henry Tickencote. I gave him the CC at National Gundog in 1989. He was not a big dog but he was well within the standard. A compact, balanced dog of correct proportions, he excelled in head and expression, clean neck and ideal fore and rear angles and was very positive on the move. He was one of the first to carry a sound harsh coat that did not detract from his typical outline. He was the breed record-holder in his time with 10 CCs and eight RCCs. He also gained numerous awards in field trials, qualifying out of novice and competing well at open standard.
Sired by Ch Danish Ambassador dor of Gavic ex Sh Ch Normbar Hexe, I judged this dog at National Gundog in 2001. I thought him a stunner — breed type personified, balanced all through with correct body proportions. He had excellent head and expression, not over done in bone, and built to do a day’s work, (he was regularly used as a beater’s dog on local shoots). He excelled on the move with his ground-covering action, i both b h fore f and d aft, f with i h superb b profile movement. He had excellent coat texture. He went on to win over 30 CCs and a Group 3. He sired numerous show champions in his lifetime.
Photo by Ronnie McKenna
1Sh Ch Normbar Valhalle
Photo by John Bennett
p im
Sired by Sh Ch Normbar Valhalle ex Gavic Dee, I judged this bitch at the GWP Club Show in 2008 and gave her RBIS. One of the best bitches of her time, she was correct type; oozed character. I loved her for her type; beautifully constructed, balanced, nothing overdone about her. Excellent body proportions moved soundly with a ground covering stride. Winner of nine CCs, five with BOB and went on to produce two show champions and an Irish show champion.
Photo by Ronnie McKenna
yS
Photo by
Pen n
German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice
24 February 2019 - Kennel Gazette
22-26 Judges Choice.indd 24
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German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice
Photo: ©Alan V Walker
2
Winner of nine CCs, owned and bred by Karl O’Connor, he was sired by Wassetwire By ‘Eck its Harvey ex Sh Ch Amicaro Iowa at Karlejay ShCM. This was my BOB at Crufts and he has contributed to the GWP gene pool. A good example of breed type, this boy is medium-sized with strong boned legs and depth of chest, correct length of back. He had a dense coat with harsh wire texture covering the body. Masculine head and darkest of eye with that look at me expression; a well-muscled powerful moving dog that commanded your attention.
3Ch Danish Ambassador of Gavic Photo: ©Alan V Walker
eo ge 3Sh Ch Kimmax Kurious GGeorge
Bred/owned by the McCulloughs, I judged him at Manchester in 2018. He is masculine with a grand head, and d correct skull, clean cheeks, and power in muzzle. He is muscular, well-bodied and topped by a closee harsh coat. He really powers round the ring, never losing his shape and driving from strong quarters. I have seen this kennel produce decent, well-proportioned GWPs over the years. Their commitment has paid off as this young (rising three) quality dog proves. I am sure, with time, his progeny will, as with the two above, prove to be an asset to the breed.
The winner of 40 CCs, the only GWP to win BIS and winner of nine Group 1 placings. Owned and bred by Barbara and Sharon Pinkerton in 1999, sired by Sh Ch Geronimo’s Bullet Warrior at Bareve ex Bareve Barrakuda. I gave this bitch the CC and BOB at Gundog Breeds Association on of Scotland in November 2003. This bitch was so feminine and had that ‘look at me’ attitude. She covered the ground with such a long stride and was sound fore and aft. She had a classic head and dark eye with keen expression; harsh coat texture with the desired double coat, excellent neck and shoulder and good body proportions. She looked a picture stacked with well-turned stifle and presented a picture of elegance and strength. A real showgirl and an all-round top notch bitch.
ou u ve Got Mail JW 2Sh Ch Karlejay Gump You’ve
Ch/Ned Ch Freddy vom Kapellenhof at Bareve
Again one of the Pinkertons’,’, this dog impressed me when I gave him BOB at Crufts, in 2009. Later that day he finished fourth in the group. He had size and proportion, with the eyebrows and beard, which meant, in silhouette, he could be no other breed. Broad d clean skull, well fitting oval eye, correct stop and strength in muzzle, with a sensible confidence in his demeanour. He also had quality bone, and strong, athletic lines, topped by a harsh, dense coat. He used himself with ground-covering gait, displayed beautifully in the Crufts big group ring.
1Sh Ch Bareve Biwindi JW
Photo by the late Dave English
In first place my immediate choice is the classic, Pinkertons’, Sh Ch Bareve Biwindi JW, handled by Sharon. I awarded her the BCC and BIS at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club Championship Show in 2002. A really sophisticated bitch, she combined substance with h strong, clean, feminine lines. She dry Sh had h d a beautiful b tif l head, h d strong t d neck through classic shoulder angulation, straight front, well-boned legs and padded feet. She had depth and spring of rib which, rightly, lead well back, allowing the correct length of back, to height. She had a width to rump and muscular quarter, with strong hocks provided the drive. A close, harsh coat with furnishings to display added type, particularly to the head.
I have been involved with the breed since 1986 when we purchased our first German Wirehaired Pointer Ch Sunhouse Elena Mistalai of Normbar from Ruth and Doug Martin. She was the foundation bitch of the Normbar GWPs. I have bred and owned numerous show champions and also owned the breed record-holder and top stud dog Sh Ch Normbar Valhalle who figures in top pedigrees of today. I pride myself on breeding a dual-purpose dog that is fit for function without losing the essence of the breed.
Winner of three CCs, owned by the late Paul Robinson and wife Gloria, he was sired by Hjortlund’s Louis ex Havreballegaard Luna. This was my best male at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club Open Show w in October, 1998. I used this dog on two different bitches and he threw Sh Ch Normbar Stella Artois and, in the other, the breed record-holder Sh Ch Normbar N b Valhalle. V lh ll This Thi dog was top stud in 2000 and left his mark on the breed for show and working. He was a medium-sized but powerful dog and he passed on his temperament and working ability. This dog was such an honest boy, with that lovely coat and such a sound mover. He had a masculine head and strong neck and was an all-round good example of the breed. He figures in many of today’s pedigrees.
Photo by Rayner
1Sh Ch Bareve Biwindi JW
Photo by Carol Ann Johnson courtesy of Sharon Pinkerton
I first awarded CCs in German Wirehaired Pointers at Driffield Championship Show in 1985. The great ones then, stand the test of time, but I feel the overall soundness, has improved over the years. Strong hindquarters were a bonus in the past, whereas now they generally are the norm. It is always good to see a breed improve.
Photo by Carol Ann Johnson courtesy of Sharon Pinkerton
Norma Ellis ■ Normbar
Patsy Hollings ■ Gunalt
February 2019 - Kennel Gazette 25
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German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice
Sharon Pinkerton ■ Bareve
2Ch Jayah of Tickencote
Owned by Peter Howard, it was a great pleasure to award him the DCC/BIS on my first ever CC appointment — his second CC from the 10 he was awarded, including two from Crufts. He was also the 1989 top GWP and gained many field trial awards at all levels. Another lovely quality dog, with great conformation, balance and as expected from Peter’s dog an exemplary temperament. Another
ideal, masculine size with th the desired bone and substance; a lovely quality ity headed dog with those desired dark eyes, a coatt with excellent texture and w nd lying close to the body and with correct furnishingss w — functional correct coat oat which is what we should w d all be aspiring to. A super er sound-moving dog and had he been campaigned d more in the ring, he would have won a lot more but Peter’s preference was field fi ld trials i l and d this hi is i where h this hi true dual-purpose dog excelled. He sired one litter for us and produced one of mum’s favourite dogs Sh Ch Bareve Baton Rouge, who in turn helped produce some of our next generation of winners.
wa at Ka Karl Karlejay rlej ejjayy 3Sh Ch Amicaro Iowa Owned by Karl O’Connor or and a daughter of Valhalle, I awarded her CC/BOB at Bath in 2004. A typical bitch of quality with great conformation and overall balance showing that desired ed longer than high proportions. ns. Once again, she had the lovely vely head and expression from dark eyes, thick textured coat and nd floated around the ring with h great drive.
Photo by Ronnie McKenna
Bred/owned by Norma Ellis. He demanded attention from the first time he came into the ring with his lovely conformation, on, balance and character. cter. I awarded him CC// BOB at Richmond in 2002, one of his CCs. Cs. He was top winning ng GWP male of his time ime and was the male breed record-holder er until 2008. He wass a super quality dogg of ideal size with bone and substance. He had a super head with the he darkest of eyes (a feature the breed no longer seems to have in great numbers), and the best of textured coats with undercoat. He was the soundest of movers. He was also a great producer with many CC winning progeny. Although we used him with one of our champion bitches, we didn’t get the overall quality we were looking for, so this particular combination of bloodlines didn’t gel, compared to other litters sired by Dyson. This was a disappointment for us both.
Photo by Ronnie McKenna
baar Valhalle Va 1Sh Ch Normbar
Photo by John Hartley
Our first German Wirehaired Pointer joined us in 1977 — nine years before the breed gained CC status in 1986. As founder members of the German Wirehaired Pointer Club, we owned the first ever show champion bitch, we bred the first full champion bitch, bred and owned the first championship group winner — the first of our 10 different group-winning GWPs and the first and only all-breed championship BIS winner. Our kennel has now produced 62 title holders, including 12 full champions, winning in excess of 500 CCs and over 30 championship first in groups. My mum’s first CC appointment was National Gundog in 1987 and mine was the GWPC in 1989. I’ve judged some lovely GWPs but for the purpose of this feature I have listed UK dogs which I have had the pleasure of judging and showing alongside, so I have seen these dogs regularly.
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26 February 2019 - Kennel Gazette
22-26 Judges Choice.indd 26
16/01/2019 13:46
German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice
This information is correct at the time of going to print, however appointments may change due to unforeseen circumstances
Championship Show Judges German Wirehaired Pointer 2019 Crufts
Mrs RML Thompson
M
Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd
Mr F Kane
M
Scottish Kennel Club
Mrs Janet Kirkwood
M
Bath Canine Society
Mr M Armstrong
M
Blackpool & District Canine Society
TBC
Windsor Dog Show Society
Mr T Pearson
M
German Wirehaired Pointer Club
Mrs BE Rigby
M
Leeds City & District Canine Association
Mr DW Shields
M
National Gundog Association
Miss A Friar
M
Welsh Kennel Club
Mrs CA Coode
M
Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd
Mr R McMaster
M
Driffield Championship Dog Show
Mrs LS Trow
M
Crufts BOB Winners German Wirehaired Pointer 1986-2018 1986
SH CH WIGGMANSBURG LEONARDO OF SUNHOUSE
2003 SH CH NORMBAR VALHALLE
1987
SH CH WIGGMANSBURG LEONARDO OF SUNHOUSE
2004 CH KIMMAX KENNEDY
1988
SH CH BAREVE BEVERLEY HILLS
2005 CH BAREVE BAILLENOMASNA
1989
SH CH BAREVE BEVERLEY HILLS
2006 CH FREDDY VOM KAPELLENHOF AT BAREVE (IMP DEU)
1990
SH CH BAREVE BEVERLEY HILLS
2007 CH FREDDY VOM KAPELLENHOF AT BAREVE (IMP DEU)
1991
SH CH BAREVE BEVERLEY HILLS
2008 CH FREDDY VOM KAPELLENHOF AT BAREVE (IMP DEU)
1992
CH BAREVE BRAMBLE
2009 CH FREDDY VOM KAPELLENHOF AT BAREVE (IMP DEU)
1993
SH CH BAREVE BERTOLD BRECHT
2010
CH FREDDY VOM KAPELLENHOF AT BAREVE (IMP DEU)
1994
SH CH BAREVE BACALL
2011
CH TROLLANGENS RUNAR AT BAREVE (IMP SWE)
1995
CH BLACK PRINCE
2012
SH CH TIMO II V.BOCKENHAGEN AT KIMMAX (IMP DEU)
1996
SH CH BENREEDA WOLFGANG OF JACINTO
2013
CH TROLLANGENS RUNAR AT BAREVE (IMP SWE)
1997
KIMMAX KNIGHT ERRANT OF BURNHEATH
2014
CH TROLLANGENS RUNAR AT BAREVE (IMP SWE)
1998
SH CH RUDISHAW RUMOUR HAS IT
2015
SH CH KARLEJAY GUMP YOU’VE GOT MAIL
1999
KIMMAX KOOL DUDE
2016
SH CH ESMEE DRAGON FROM RHONA’S HOME AT BAREVE (IMP NLD)
2017
SH CH ESMEE DRAGON FROM RHONA’S HOME AT BAREVE (IMP NLD)
2018
SH CH ESMEE DRAGON FROM RHONA’S HOME AT BAREVE (IMP NLD)
2000 SH CH BAREVE BUKAVO 2001
SH CH NORMBAR VALHALLE
2002
SH CH NORMBAR VALHALLE
Assured Breeder Scheme
Further information can be obtained from the Kennel Club Health and Breeder Services Department abs@thekennelclub.org.uk or call 01296 318540 Breed-specific requirements and recommendations, including health screening for the German Wirehaired Pointer under the Assured Breeder Scheme: Breed
Requirements for Health Screening of Breeding Stock Last updated September 2018
Recommendations for Health Screening of Breeding Stock Last updated September 2018
German Wirehaired Pointer
1) Hip scoring 2) Genetic status of breeding stock with respect to vWD should be known, either by direct DNA testing or by inference from parental DNA test results
None
February 2019 - Kennel Gazette 27
22-26 Judges Choice.indd 27
16/01/2019 16:39
The working German Wirehaired Pointer By Trevor Rigby, German Wirehaired Pointer Club Field Trial Secretary Why then choose a German Wirehaired Pointer? Here is a breed that can fulfil most of the needs of the general rough shooter, the deerstalker, the falconer or austringer and those passionate about wild fowling. The breed’s construction combines strength with power. Just by observing the neck and head, it is clear that here is a dog that can handle heavy quarry. It has innate speed as well as endurance. The GWP is, quite simply, indefatigable. The breed is an instinctive pointer even from an early age. It is a natural retriever, in my experience, rarely if ever baulking at picking fur or feather. With this comes a tireless desire to find its quarry, making the breed an ideal rough shooters companion. It rarely seems to have any anxiety around shot even as a puppy. GWPs appear natural swimmers, boldly entering any water, be it river, lake or reservoir and will swim with great power and eagerness. What I admire most about the GWP is the depth of bond it develops with its handler. Whereas other HPRs ally themselves to several people, the GWP recognises one person in principle. They are a joy to be with and certainly deserve our trust and friendship. The wire outer coat, the thermal undercoat and the webbing between the toes means the breed is more impervious to inclement weather conditions, which makes it ideal for the wildfowler either inland or on the bleak foreshore in winter.
Photo: ©Ian Weir
T
he group of gundogs that hunt, point and retrieve, known as HPRs, are the largest of the four gundog groups recognised by the Kennel Club. Any potential owner/handler can select a breed from Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, even Slovakia. The choice of breed from which ever country will be based upon what the handler requires the dog to do in the wide panoply of British country sports. I do not intend to offer a trainers manual of how these breeds are trained in relation to wind patterns and shooting but rather concentrate on the character, personality, strengths and weaknesses of the German Wirehaired Pointer, (GWP). Any reader wishing to extend their knowledge of the training aspects of HPRs, including the GWP, can find such information in any of the breed books that deal with the working side of the breed. As Peter McCullough alluded to in his article on the history of the GWP in the working arena, tracking skills were, and still are, highly prized by the continental hunters — be it large quarry such as deer or wild boar or small feathered quarry. The continental hunters have always been highly pragmatic in their approach to the breeding and working needs of their breeds. Not for them a pointer that is not required to retrieve but rather an all-purpose gundog combining the ability to hunt, point and retrieve.
Trevor Rigby with his dogs
28 February 2019 - Kennel Gazette
28-29 Working Side.indd 28
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Trevor, in the red scarf, acting as chief steward at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club spring Pointing Test at Grinton Moor, Yorkshire in March 2018
If the GWP comes with so many positive and instinctive characteristics are there any adverse elements? The only problem to consider here is that it often lacks a set of brakes! It remains the overriding object of any owner of the breed to instal steadiness
at all times and whenever the situation presents itself. For working in the shooting environment this is obligatory. The golden rule for all gundog breeds must remain that the role of the handler is to recondition the reflex to chase into the reflex to sit. Achieve
Photo by Peter F McCullough
Germanus Great Expectation for Dorntanza on point to a brace of English partridge
Photo courtesy of Trevor Rigby
Breed perspective
this and any country sportsperson will be set up for many years. Throughout its evolution the capacity to track wounded quarry has been highly prized and bred into the breed. Through this breeding the GWP can be placed in an ‘obsessional’ category. When its obsession to find comes into contact with strong scent its determination can be hard to overcome — ‘selective deafness’ springs to mind! In order to overcome this behaviour, it is best for the handler to mould this to his advantage when the dog is very young and does not generally challenge the handler. Do not be lulled into an amiable puppyhood with no boundaries then selecting an age for commencing training as is sometimes advocated in gundog training books. With GWPs, by the age of 12 months if no training has commenced it can become a curative strategy and not a preventative one. The introduction of fresh blood from abroad to improve bloodlines has invigorated working ability bringing new impetus to the breed. However, these new bloodlines often intensify the qualities of the GWP making training harder and often frustrating. In principle, where continental bloodlines have been introduced, the handler can disregard the age of the dog and concentrate on its ability. Here the trainer needs to train the GWP at the rate it wants to learn rather than the rate the trainer is comfortable with. This means discarding the normal gundog training manuals and entering a vastly different level of assessment which will direct its training, not the age of the dog. In my opinion the GWP is probably the best HPR there is. However, it may not be the best for the raw novice trainer. With an appropriate approach in training and experience, the GWP will reward its trainer and companion with intense loyalty and high performance levels in whatever sphere it is used. It will, however, be challenging! Life is never boring or dull when working your German Wirehaired Pointer. ●
Any first in a young breed trying to establish itself in the working arena is iconic. I was fortunate to see this outstanding bitch towards the end of her competitive life and I asked her owner Rory Major for a few words on how she began her career in the field. “She was my first HPR and I bought her because she reminded me of my crossbreed who had just died. I really did not know what she was meant to do and trained her the same way I trained my spaniel. My first field trial was an embarrassment and I lasted two minutes but the judge, Brian Botterman, took time at the end of the day to talk me through what I was meant to do. She won six open stakes and in her last season she won all six trials she ran in (three open, three all age) and got third in the HPR championship, a record that to date has not been beaten.”
Photo courtesy of Rory Major
FT Ch Velia of Andesheim
February 2019 - Kennel Gazette 29
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German Pointer judges’ choice WorkingWirehaired German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice The next three judges have provided their three favourite German Wirehaired Pointers that they have judged from the working side of the breed Peter Howard ■ Tickencote I acquired my first German Wirehaired Pointer, Wittekind Fraulein from a very ambitious and skilful breeder, Mrs Mills de Hoog, in 1979. In 1982 we imported a dog from America, bred by the late Helen Case-Shelley, Desert Mills Henry Tickencote to add substance, pigment, coat quality and above all else to improve temperament. He and his two sons Ch Tekson of Tickencote and Ch Jayah of Tickencote did that in no small measure. I was always interested in the work and show principle and all three won many field trial awards. My professional work took me to Australia in 1994 and all canine activities ceased once my CC judging appointments had expired. I returned on a part-time basis in 2008 where I recommenced my field trial judging career starting from scratch achieving A panel status in 2017. In 2014, I made up the breed’s first and only Dual Champion Tickencote Talk Tonight at the tender age of three years 10 months (bred, owned, trained and handled by me). I have judged the German Wirehaired Pointer Club show twice, my last being in 2017. I have based my selection on lasting memory and influential milestones in my own career in this wonderful dual-purpose breed. In compiling my selection, dogs may not have achieved stardom but performed aspects of their work which will stay with me forever and could make valuable contributions in the future development of the breed. Finally, they are what I want to see in a GWP or what I should look for going forward.
1FT Ch Trudvang Gefjon
trial back from Australia and it was interesting to see the progress of the breed in the working side in my 16-year absence. Hunting a river bank, the dog came onto a very stylish point whereby she was given the command to flush. A hen pheasant lifted and was shot across the narrow river but the dog remained on point on its original find. The dog was again given the command to flush, which it duly did and flushed a single partridge which was also shot. I enjoyed the way the bitch ran, its style and drive, its tenacity on point. The bitch duly went on to win the stake.
My most favoured memory of a GWP I have judged was of FT Ch Trudvang Gefjon in August 2012, at Craig Castle Grouse, Scotland. The Trudvang lines are noted for their long groundcovering stride and Gefjon was no exception. The ease with which she covered the ground, may look almost lazy to some but the endeavour and the deceptive speed always attracted. On this occasion, she came onto a covey and held them staunchly, producing on command, very steady to flush shot and fall of two grouse. Both retrieved smartly and tenderly to hand. While her second run was by comparison, uneventful, only having one further find, point and retrieve, the job was done and she won the day. A very competent, no frills out and out game finder and bag filler.
2FT Ch Trudvang Tandgnost
Photo courtesy of Chris Gray
My second memorable GWP was Chris Gray’s young bitch who ran in a GWPC novice trial I was co-judging in 2008. This was my first
This GWP represents everything I have always wanted to see in our breed and is the dual purpose and versatile Ch Bareve Blaauboskom, bred by the very clever mother and daughter duo, the late Barbara and Sharon Pinkerton. This bitch was running in a field of sugar beet eet in a Lincolnshire trial with alarming pace, level topline, massive strides — a delight to watch. Too fast we thought, but no, the dog stopped on scent and immediately pointed. What is interesting here is that what one sees in the show ring regarding movement and head carriage manifests in the field to achieve the desired result. In this case I was pleasantly surprised. Sadly, on this occasion, after being steady, the bird was not shot and the dog was later sent for a blind retrieve which the bitch could not be handled out to and received nothing that day.
Photo by Chris Wilson
osk os kom 3Ch Bareve Blaauboskom
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30 February 2019 - Kennel Gazette
30-31 Judges Choice (Working).indd 30
14/01/2019 16:10
Working German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice
Costas R Wilkinson ■ Matravers
Rory Major ■ Bryantscroft
After much searching I got my first German Wirehaired Pointer, in 1983. With her I had a fair degree of success, including a first in novice and all aged stakes plus placings in open stakes, and a BOB at Peterborough before CCs were on offer for the GWP. Since then there has always been a GWP presence in the household, often more than one or two — always keen to please, often a handful, but never giving less than 100 per cent commitment. My involvement with the HPR in general reaches back to the early days. I served for many years as the field trial secretary for the Weimaraner Club of Great Britain (WCGB) and for a short period as the WCGB and Weimaraner Association representative on the Kennel Club Field Trial Liaison Committee. Currently I represent the WCGB, at the Hunt, Point, Retrieve Field Trial Association where I am chairman. I have been actively involved with the working HPR, having run training classes for many years. I still fill in occasionally at a local club, the Norfolk and Suffolk Hunt, Point, Retrieve Field Trial Club. I have been an A panel judge for the Kennel Club for 20 years. In the course of which I have had a number of good GWPs come under me. Some placed some not, but all enjoyable to watch. Three German Wirehaired Pointers come to mind. All confident and typical of the breed, and its work ethic.
My father always had Labradors for shooting and they were trained to a high level of obedience. I used to watch him train his dogs and learned a lot. As a teenager I got into ferrets, lurchers and terriers, then I got my first spaniel in the 1970s which I trained with the help of Peter Moxon’s books. I believe that they are still the best gundog training aids that you can buy. I purchased my first German Wirehaired Pointer, in 1981 from Major Wilkinson. She was Velia of Andesheim who went on to become the breed’s first field trial champion, and since then I have gone on to make up a total of three GWP field trial champions, three Brittany champions and field trial champions and a Large Munsterlander field trial champion. I have won trials with a Hungarian Vizsla, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla, Flat Coated Retriever, two Irish Setters and a Pointer and have won awards with German Shorthaired Pointers, a Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer and Italian Spinoni (I had the top field trial Spinone for two years). I have taken show champion Brittanys, Large Munsterlanders, and Italian Spinoni through to their full champion status.
1IR FT Ch Cisko Folgate
I gave this dog a first in an all aged take at Heanton, Devon, in January 2011. A good coated and well-proportioned GWP, this dog impressed with its boldness, presence, and game sense. He worked his allocated beat thoroughly, effortlessly, needing little direction from his handler. In the course of his run, he completed the best water retrieve that I have seen with the river Torridge in spate. I saw this dog subsequently and was always impressed by his work ethic.
Marksman 2FT Ch Moorrunner Marksman
Another GWP on the scene at present, that has impressed. A nicely proportioned smaller bitch, I have had this dog before me twice on different terrain each time. I like the way she works unfussed and unrushed. She’s not fast or flashy but easy to watch, in contact with and working for her handler. First time seen for a Certificate of Merit, second time before me for third place — the highest award on the day. My feeling at the time — since proved correct, was that she could only get better.
He achieved second place in an open on a very difficult ground up and down a nearly 45 per cent slope. A medium-sized dog working with pace and without hesitation on a hard ground which he covered well. A confident dog in control of the situation he was presented with, and at open level, which a judge wants to see.
3Trudvang Trud
(Dog in front)
Photo by David Tomlinson
3FT Ch Bryantscroft Ballygar
Photo by Sara Clarke
2Ch Kimmax Koming Home at Gerstenfeld ShCM
Bred by Jackie Hay out of a bitch she had trialled a bit but ut had proved a bit of a handful. His sire was litter brother to Trudvang Trud. He was a precocious youngster and made field trial champion before he was two and a half, winning four open trials, when you only need to win two to become a field trial champion. One of his wins was a point on a single snipe on a vast area of moorland, picking it out from a long way out and then taking the guns up to it so they could shoot it. Much like Trud, he was a fast, wide-ranging dog and always looked at his best on the open hill but was controllable enough to do well on grounds where you needed to keep your dog closer in.
Owned and bred by Chris Gray. Trudvang Trud was the first dog Chris Gray of the Trudvang kennel competed with. She was sired by his first Danish import, Kragborg Mako of Trudvang, out of a British bitch whose sire was also Danish bred. She was the start of the new style of GWP that we had nott seen before b f with ith her tremendous drive and style, fast, wide-ranging, with a great nose. Most of our GWPs until that time were great workers and game finders but tended to be more workmanlike. She won her first novice trial on snipe and went on to be top dog in her first open trial and gained many other awards. Although she did not make field trial champion she was always an exciting dog to watch and the start of several great dogs from the Trudvang kennel.
Photo courtesy of Chris Gray
1Tickencote Manhattan
Photo courtesy of Jackie Hay
Bred in England by Andy Daly, owned in Ireland by Wim Gillissen, I judged this dog in this country and was very impressed with his pace, his skill around his birds and his biddability working with his handler. He qualified for the HPR championship but could not get back over here to run in it. I was so impressed with him I brought his daughter over from Ireland and she produced my third field trial champion.
February 2019 - Kennel Gazette 31
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DUAL CHAMPION TICKENCOTE TALK TONIGHT The first and only German Wirehaired Pointer to attain both UK Field and Show Titles
3 C.C., s 2 Open F.T. wins and many other awards. Achieving the ultimate title with 18 shows and 16 Field Trials. Retired from competition but not from work, losing none of her excellence and fitness. Dam to three litters, all following her illustrious paw prints. Marksman litter 1. 4 ½ years; Tickencote A Night Like This B.; 2 All Aged FT wins, 2nd. and 3rd in Opens, UK & World Championship FT Qualifier. Bisto Babes; 2 yrs. 3 months Tickencote Fight t’ Moonlight B.; Res. CC; World Championship FT Qualifier Tickencote One Way Ticket D.; 1ST. Novice FT, C.of M. All Aged C.of M. 4th. Open FT. Shows; Winner last 4 Limit classes. Charmer Litter 9 months; Tickencote Moon and Back D. 1 Ch. show Best Puppy Dog. Tickencote Tears of Pearls B. 1 Ch. show Best Puppy in Breed. Tickencote Truly, mad Deeply D. 1 Ch. show 4 point major, Best of winners. (USA) Tickencote Fire in the man D. 1 Open show Best Puppy & Best of Breed. All blessed with the fabulous Tickencote temperament and Health
TICKENCOTE
The only tr uly successful Dual Purpose G WP kennel
We just do it.
Contact Peter Howard: phoward@acteuro.com Una Russell: unaj92@icloud.com Peter Howard2.indd 1
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German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice
DUAL CHAMPIONS
WORKING TRIAL CHAMPIONS
FT CH/SH CH TICKENCOTE TALK TONIGHT
2014
WT CH BRAITHWAITE HANKY PANKY
2000
WT CH/SH CH BENREEDA WOLFGANG AT JACINTO
1996
WT CH/SH CH BENREEDA WOLFGANG OF JACINTO
1994
FIELD TRIAL CHAMPIONS FT CH TRUDVANG LARA
2016
FT CH TICKENCOTE TALK TONIGHT
2013
FT CH MONKEY BUSINESS AT MOORRUNNER
2016
FT CH BRYANTSCROFT BALLYGAR
2013
FT CH TRUDVANG GEFJON
2014
FT CH MOORRUNNER MARKSMAN
2009
FT CH BIRKEMOSEN’S PETRAAT TRUDVANG (IMP DNK)
2014
FT CH BRYANTSCROFT ALLSPICE
2006
FT CH TRUDVANG BALDER
2013
FT CH VELIA OF ANDESHEIM
1986
CH KIMMAX KOMING HOME AT GERSTENFELD
2016
CH BAREVE BEESTERKRAAL
2008
CH TICKENCOTE TALK TONIGHT
2014
CH PAULINE II V.BOCKENHAGEN AT KIMMAX (IMP DEU)
2007
CH BAREVE BONZABAAI
2014
CH BAREVE BONNABEE WITH SASHAL
2007
CH HELYDON ALLIANCE
2012
CH KIMMAX NO KOMPROMISE FOR KLANCRAIG
2005
CH BAREVE BAILLENOMASNA
2012
CH FREDDY VOM KAPELLENHOF AT BAREVE (IMP DEU)
2005
CH TROLLANGENS RUNAR AT BAREVE (IMP SWE)
2011
CH KIMMAX KENNEDY
2004
CH BAREVE BLAAUSBOSKOM
2011
CH JUST JOKING FOR KIMMAX
2003
CH BAREVE BATAKA
2011
CH BAREVE BANDARI
2003
CH BAREVE BELLABINI FOR SASHAL
2009
CH KIMMAX KWITE ‘A’ KUTIE
2002
CH ABBOTSBOURNE PICCADILLY
2009
CH KIMMAX ROCK THE KASBAR AT CHIPARUS
1999
FULL CHAMPIONS (31)
To see the complete list of full champions please see the German Wirehaired Pointer Club website www.gwpcuk.club SHOW CHAMPIONS (147) SH CH KIMMAX MISS KONGENIALITY
2018
SH CH KIMMAX BLISS
2014
SH CH KIMMAX KRYSTAL KLEAR OF BEECHILLAWN
2018
SH CH KARLEJAY THE GUMP RAND
2014
SH CH KIMMAX KOZ I KAN
2018
SH CH KARLEJAY FORRESTS GUMP AT WIREDUCK
2014
SH CH GERMANUS BLACK N’GOLD
2018
SH CH BAREVE BONTEBOKSKRAAL
2014
SH CH BAREVE BRUEVINKA
2018
SH CH TICKENCOTE TALK TONIGHT
2014
SH CH BAREVE BOSCHKLOOF
2018
SH CH BAREVE BONZABAAI
2014
SH CH KIMMAX KURIOUS GEORGE
2017
SH CH BAREVE BOSMANSKLOOF
2013
SH CH KARLEJAY GUMP GUINEA BISSAU WITH WIREDUCK
2017
SH CH BAREVE BAARDESO
2013
2017
SH CH ARIELLE VOM GLINZEGRUND MIT HELYDON (IMP DEU)
2013
SH CH CHARMER V D TUINDERSHOF WITH GLENQUIN (IMP NLD) SH CH ESMEE DRAGON FROM RHONA’S HOME AT BAREVE (IMP NLD)
2016
SH CH KAVACANNE INFREDIBLE
2012
SH CH BAREVE BRYLUEN
2012
SH CH KIMMAX KOMING HOME AT GERSTENFELD
2016
SH CH HELYDON ALLIANCE
2012
SH CH NORMBAR UPSYDAISY
2015
SH CH NORMBAR LINDSAY
2011
SH CH BAREVE BUNDORAN
2015
SH CH KIMMAX BOURBON
2011
SH CH BAREVE BOKHALVA TO SASHAL
2015
SH CH KIMMAX ANTON
2011
SH CH BAREVE BARDHEK AT EDHENKY
2015
SH CH BAREVE Y’N BAN AT EDHENKY
2011
SH CH BAREVE BARBARA GRACE (A.I.)
2015
SH CH TROLLANGENS RUNAR AT BAREVE (IMP SWE)
2011
To see the complete list of show champions please see the German Wirehaired Pointer Club website www.gwpcuk.club
February 2019 - Kennel Gazette 33
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German Wirehaired Pointer judges’ choice
Breed clubs and societies take the welfare of their breeds very seriously and work tirelessly to provide help, support, and homes for dogs in need.
Mr R Geary - Secretary
Tel: 07510 686410 robert@gwpcuk.club www.gwpcuk.club GWPC – German Wirehaired Pointer Club Mr T Rigby – Field Trial Secretary
Tel: 07769 608698 trevor@gwpcuk.club
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
German Wirehaired Pointer Club Rescue Ms J Boden
Photo: ©Ian Raper (Photocall North East)
German Wirehaired Pointer Club
NEXT MONTH
Tel: 01623 740352 (please do not ring after 8.30pm) jay@gwpcuk.club
Breed Education Co-ordinator Mrs B Stamp Tel: 07715 030332 barbara@gwpcuk.club
For further information on rescuing a dog and list of breed rescue contacts in your area, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/findarescuedog or contact Anita Tabrett, welfare relationship manager on 020 7518 1048 or email: anita.tabrett@thekennelclub.org.uk
For advertising opportunities within Judges’ Choice please contact andrea.walters@warnersgroup.co.uk
The German Wirehaired Pointer Club Key Events 2019 Open Show - 12th May 2019 (in conjunction with Birmingham National Championship Show)
The GWPC Weekend - 6th-7th July 2019 (Walford Campus, Baschurch, Shropshire - includes the GWPC Championship Show, fun show, ‘have a go’ working events, meet the breed and education events)
Open Show - 23rd September 2019 (Shirland Village Hall, Shirland, Derbyshire)
GWP Club
plus 3 Spring Pointing Tests & 5 Field Trials
for full details and membership enquiries, visit:
www.gwpcuk.club breed education | member events | supporting rescue
34 February 2019 - Kennel Gazette
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OBC.indd 1
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7-10TH MARCH 2019 THE NEC, BIRMINGHAM
BUY TICKETS NOW crufts.org.uk *when accompanied by a full paying adult.
Crufts.indd 1
Follow us on social! @crufts 18/12/2018 12:26