Northern Saluki Chat Winter 2014
Winter 2014
Editors: J W & A Haddon, Caudle Meadows, Wigthorpe Lane, Worksop, S81 8BU
Tel/Email: 01909 731565 – john@ilsham.f9.co.uk
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL NSC MEMBERS

David’s Fish & Chip Walk at Earby

 

The Saluki Walk at Earby was held on Saturday 12th July this year at St.Peter’s Methodist Church in glorious summer sunshine. The sad thing was that some of our most stalwart supporters couldn’t come because of illness but we ended up with some 34 canines including two springer spaniels, two terriers, a collie, a sheltie and two pure bred sloughis and some 40 people including our hardworking church people and my local animal friends who willingly give up their Saturday to make people feel welcome both to Earby and to the chapel. It is surprising how many people they know by name now and greet as old friends. (As far as I recall the first walk was in 2007 but you may know better.)
As ever this year we have a lot of generous people to thank. The prizes for the fun classes and Reserve Best in Walk were donated by Cobbydog of Keighley where I buy my dog and cat food. Judith Ayrton of the Northern Saluki Committee not only ordered and gave all the rosettes but brought them to my house as well. The other prizes for the quiz and photograph competition were donated. Everyone brought lots of raffle prizes so many in fact that everyone had something and we had one left over –no one seemed to fancy a combined coffee maker and oven!
The day began as usual with refreshments and then inveigling people into judging classes and getting everyone to enter. Thanks to those who, under pressure, agree to judge. The results are below. Diana Martin was our super efficient steward ably assisted by Caroline Owen and first to fourth the winners got prize cards, rosettes and samples of dog food. After the raffle was drawn there was time for people to introduce their dogs and tell their story. Debs gave us Olly’s background from being a rescue puppy with me to being DNA tested and the results coming back as making him part Saluki part Hungarian Magyar Agar – which certainly would explain his size and substance. However the strange thing is there are no registered individuals of that rare breed in the UK –so where did those genes come from?
I persuaded Andrew and Margaret Hudson to introduce their imported Sloughis whose outgoing temperament impressed me greatly. To have them at our walk and be able to go over them was a privilege. There are three more at home and as it turns out quite local to me. Lynn Ingram then took over and compared the Sloughi’s confirmation to her own smooth Syrian desert bred Saluki for us. So we got some education and some new insights at our little gathering. Finally Wally’s history as full- bred feathered Saluki who didn’t like showing but has proved a fabulous
companion was related by Michelle. After all that intellectual stuff we broke for lunch but not until after I had reminded everyone that last year the nearby pub took two hours to produce a sandwich!
Back on time for the walk our photographer Ann Wilcock took the “official” photo of all present and we announced the winner of the quiz set this year by Gill and Greg McLatchie. Lynn Ingram got 9 out of 10 and three others got eight. We then set off on the walk led this year by myself though Ann and Michael Wilcock had previously checked and timed the route. This was a different excursion from the ones we had done before but included the usual difficult styles typical of this part of the north and a very narrow bridge over a beck. I did suggest to some folks that their hounds were taught to jump on command but they weren’t keen as they thought the dog might jump the fences at home which, although mine don’t, I can well understand their concerns. We walked through lovely countryside up hill and down dale, saw the local waterfalls and went through the charming, but expensive, village of Thornton-in-Craven. Several people asked about house prices which are relatively cheap in Earby itself but expensive in the surrounding villages. Who knows more Salukis might be moving in. On the way back John and Caroline met the grandson of one of the first guys to have Salukis in Earby. He was a friend of my dad’s and I met my first Saluki, a black fringed red called Jewel, at their house as a toddler. Kim Ingram had a GPS device which eventually showed we had walked for four miles and in a complete circle.
Back at church we had a welcome drink, a rest in the sunshine and freshened up whilst we awaited the delivery of the fish and chips. Presentations and thanks were given to the local helpers and everyone tucked in and enjoyed our local fare. This year folks were able to go home in the light and dry –unlike last time when the heavens opened just as everyone was saying goodbye. Although not the most important reason for holding the walk from my point of view the generosity of our visitors and donations from those who couldn’t make it raised £505 for Saluki Welfare with Deb’s Welfare stall taking another £80 on top. Thanks to all who took part.
David James Hartley
This is a great day out which I can recommend, if walking in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside is not your thing, just come for the fish & chips – they are very tasty. ED.
******************
BEST in WALK
Alfie owned by Deb Steel
Reserve Best in Walk
Soraya owned by Sue Snape
Dog in Best Condition
Lynn Ingram’s – Layl
Best Rescue Bitch
Sue Snape’s – Soraya
Best Rescue Dog
Deb Steel’s – Alfie
Bitch in Best Condition
Gill McLatchie’s – Lulu
Dog or Bitch the Judge would most like to take home.
Deb Steel’s – Alfie
Best Six legs
Deb Steel’s – Freya
Most Handsome Dog
Michael Dickens’s – Wally
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Now is the time to think about your adverts for the 2014 Results Book – a handy reference, all the Championship Show Results, plus the Breed Club Open Shows. Details of Champions made up in the year and the breeding of all the CC winners. Send your adverts to Mrs B Payne, Caudle Meadows, Wigthorpe Lane, Worksop.S81 8BU by
15th January 2015. Or email to haddon@ilsham.f9.co.uk Cost is just £10 per page.
THE QUIZ
WHAT WOULD THE ARAB VILLAGE PEOPLE
CALL A DOG THAT WAS NOT A SALUKI?
A. Mongrel B. Cross Breed C Kelb
WHAT WOULD A SALUKI BE EXPECTED TO
HUNT IN THE DESERT?
A Hare and Gazelle B Giraffe C Camels
WHAT YEAR WAS THE SALUKI OR GAZELLE
HOUND CLUB FOUNDED?
A 1913 B 1923 C 1933
WHAT YEAR WAS THE NORTHERN SALUKI
CLUB FOUNDED?
A 1958 B 1968 C 1978
SALUKI COURSING WAS PIONEERED IN
ENGLAND BY BRIGADIER AND MRS LANCE IN
WHAT YEAR?
A 1915 B 1925 C 1935
WHEN DID IT BECOME ILLEGAL TO COURSE
HARES WITH A SALUKI IN ENGLAND?
A 18 Feb 2003 B 18 Feb 2004 C 18 Feb 2005
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE LIFE SPAN OF A
SALUKI?
A 8-9 Years B 10-11 Years C 12-14 Years
WHAT IS THE EXPECTED RATIO OF SMOOTH
AND FEATHERED PUPPIES WHEN A PURE
BRED feathered SALUKI IS MATED TO A PURE
smooth Saluki ?
A All Feathered B All Smooth C A Mixture of Both
WHAT YEAR DID CHARLES CRUFT HOLD THE
FIRST CRUFTS DOG SHOW IN ISLINGTON
LONDON?
A 1881 B 1886 C 1891
HOW MANY D0GS DID THE FIRST CRUFTS
SHOW ATTRACT?
A Around 2000 dogs B Around 8000 dogs C Around
14000 dogs
Answers can be found later in the newsletter.