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Sussex spaniel

ASSOCIATION

NEWS AND VIEWSWINTER 2013

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COMMITTEE OFFICERS 2012-13Patron - Mr Jeremy HackettPresident - Mrs Mavis LancasterVice-Presidents - Mrs Elaine Moore, Mrs E Bowe and Mrs LeslieChairman - Grace BrownTel 01939 291191 email browns@rangatira.freeserve.co.ukHonorary Secretary - Sheila ApplebyTel 02380 284131 email secretary@sussexspaniels.org.ukVice-Chairman - Daphne BaileyTel 01507 363804 daphne@daelyb.fsnet.co.uk (Breed Notes Writer)Treasurer - Christine SwietalskiTel 07967 387776 email c.swietalski@btinternet.comWorking Secretary - Bill CadwellTel 01872 863076 email +Cup Steward - Grace Shankland01548 550603 (Devon) grace.nyrrela@tiscali.co.ukCOMMITTEE MEMBERSDelia Gorse 01722 714651 (Wilts) deliagorse@hotmail.comKay Kenyon (Judges Lists Co-ordinator)01453 519059 (Glos) Kayekenyon@yahoo.co.ukJanet Moseley 01675 462922 (West Midlands)Chris Wakefield (Archivist)07932 848666 (W.Yorks) norriss.spaniels@hotmail.co.ukVicky Watts (SSA Shop) 01584 856276 (Shropshire) wvickywatts@aol.comHelen Boniface (Rescue - Main Co-ordinator)01332 880359 (Derby) helenboniface@hotmail.co.ukSally Vowles 01227 751927 (Kent) sallyvowles@hotmail.co.uk

FRONT COVERCynthia Stephenson asked me why I call our beloved Sussex BJ. For in case nobody knowsit is derived from the Latin 'Bigusbrownius Jobus'. Commonly known today as BJ or BrownJob. Now there are several wrong interpretations such as LBD, LBJ and what the 'L' else Idon't know...BUT let me put you all straight, "it is BJ". And to qualify this I will have to takeyou all back to my first ancestor "Bi...ll the Conk" who brought the first 2 BJ's across thechannel in 1066. These two wonderful specimens can clearly be seen today on the BayeauxTapestry with great uncle Bill (14 times removed) feeding an (anglo Saxon) liver treat tothose wonderful BJs. And further to that he started to build a Cathedral at Winchelsea, myvery home, (not the Cathedral of course) as a memorial to our wonderful breed. I hope thisclears up any lack of understanding for all you fantastic Sussex BJ folk. - from Greg Smith

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Dear Members,Some of you will have known me for decades, some won’t know me at all, but here is a briefresume of who I am and why I am looking forward to creating the News and Views for you.Our first Sussex came to live with us when I was about 17, Flash aka Fourclovers Shiki, hewasn’t the best brown job but he was a great stud dog and produced champion children, grandchildren etc etc and had a fabulous temperament. We had had Setters and Clumbers up untilthen and Std Dax too. I started showing when I was 6 (Dax) and then the Setters when I couldreach from nose to tail !! I started judging when I was 18, and now enjoy judging all theGundogs and Leonbergers too.Now nearly 40 years later, sadly I no longer have a Sussex as Rosie passed away at over 13earlier this year, but her brother owned by Gyl Sampson has made it to 14 and her daughterBrowney you all know.I have been lucky enough to judge both the SSA Open and Championship Shows and will becompleting the hat trick by judging at Crufts in 2015. The Open Show I did was held at thehome of Joy Freer and that was an amazing experience, as not only was this where Flash camefrom but her husband Jack had wonderful Welsh ponies, what they didn’t know about thehistory of the breed, no-one else does.For my sins we have Leonbergers, I let my husband choose what he wanted 18 years ago whenhis Goldie died and that is what he decided on - 70Kgs of love and fluff. I have been doingthe LCGB quarterly newsletter for many years, and do their biennial too, just about to start onthe 5th one in the new year.

So I hope you enjoy this edition of the N & V and look forwardto getting snippets and stories from you for the summer edition.Wishing you all a Happy and Peaceful 2013. Sarah Sevastopulo (oldholbans@hotmail.com)ps I don’t look this young any more but I love this pic of memaking Brown up - she was a Shiki child.

Page 4 Secretary’s ReportPage 6 Working Report & ResultsPage 8 Quinn’s StoryPage 9 Rescue ReportPage 10 Health Report & Survey ResultsPage 12 An Unexpected Night out.Page 16 Hips - Champions – Rally InfoPage 17 Seminar Report Website Winners Rescue a SussexPage 18 Coats & Collars Ball Ball

Page 20 SSA Championship Show CritiquesPage 24 Archie’s StoryPage 27 Annual Points TrophiesPage 28 2012 Championship Show ResultsPage 29 Discover DogsPage 30 Browney at the Beach in SeptemberPage 31 SSA Club Shop AdvertPage 32 Storm’s JauntPage 33 Date for Your DiaryPage 34 Open Show Judge’13Page 35 Major Show Dates for 2013

CONTENTS

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Secretary’s Letter

Welcome to our new Newsletter Editor, SarahSevastopulo, daughter of the late Ann Findlay. Sarahwas brought up with Sussex Spaniels and holds the wellknown ‘Oldholbans’ kennel name. Sarah and her familycurrently don’t have a Sussex Spaniel, but maybethey’ll be tempted back into ownership one day.

The SSA Championship Show last September wentvery well with Chris Hastings judging the CC classesand Linda Thorogood judging the Special classes.There was a good atmosphere with new members andvisitors coming along to join us. For those of you, whodon’t show your dogs, remember you are always welcome to come along with your SussexSpaniel and meet everyone and enjoy the Show. The judge’s critiques are further on in theNewsletter. The following month a Breed Seminar for judges was held and we now have somenew names to add to the Lists.

On the working side, the SSA held its annual Field Trial at Faccombe in Hampshire. BillCadwell (Working Secretary) organised this for us and although there was only a small entryof Sussex Spaniels, there were enough dogs for the Trial to be a success. On the day, Billattained a COM award with his Sussex Spaniel and daughter Kelly was able to make her ShowChampion Clumber Spaniel into a full Champion. Well done to the Cadwell’s and thank youto them for all their hard work.

Jeremy Hackett kindly invited a few of us to join him at the Battersea Dogs Home ‘Coats andCollars’ Ball in London last November. It was a very special and fun occasion for the luckyfew and you can see photos and read an article about our evening out further on in this issue.Many thanks indeed to Jeremy.

There is news of the 2012 Health Survey from Ann Moon (Health Co-ordinator). Thanks toSarah for the graphics. I’m disappointed that the number of responses was much less this time,down to 100 dogs compared to 155 dogs in 2009. It makes it quite difficult to make sensibleand detailed conclusions from an insufficient sample. The Committee will be discussing theHealth Survey at their next meeting. Breed Registrations at the third quarter total 71 puppies,with hopefully two more litters registered by the year end. We also have the latest Rescue Newsfrom Helen Boniface.

John has created a Members area for the Association’s website. If you wish to be added, thencontact me as per the instructions on the website. Presently available to view are 2 previousyears newsletters and shortly there will be this issue, plus after the Committee meeting, theHealth Survey. In time there will be other documents which are for the Members only. As manyof you know we have a thriving Facebook page and quite a number on there are not ‘official’SSA members, though we do invite folk periodically to join up.

Last November, the time came for me to ask the Committee to discuss succession planning fora future Secretary. I’m hoping that we could train up a new person to take over from me in ayear or two, perhaps 2014. Already we have had some interest. I enjoy the Secretary’s jobwhich I’ve done for almost 7 years, first joining the Committee in 2002 and learning the ropes

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over time. These days it’s a job where being computer and smart phone ‘savvy’ is a must. Thisis a very ‘hands on’ Club, you have to be there for the members and be organised. The job doeshave its moments, but we get there, it’s a hobby after all but still a responsibility. The SSAalways needs to move forward and be dynamic. We also need younger, active people to comeonto Committee and to take part in the running of the SSA.

After 6 years as Chairman, Grace Brown has decided to stand down at the AGM in April. Gracehas really worked hard and been completely dedicated to the SSA, having previously been onthe Committee for many years and no doubt she will continue in that role. I’d like to thankGrace most sincerely for working with me during this time; she’s made my job so much easier.

As you know a successful Fun Weekend was held at Vicky Watts home in 2012. We will notbe there in 2013, as we are busy making plans for a big Fun Weekend in 2014. This will beheld over 3 days at Vicky’s - Note the dates 13-14-15 June 2014. This will be part of thecelebrations for the 90th Anniversary and set to be a fantastic year for the SSA. Chris Wakefieldand his team are hard at work with plans and any good ideas are most welcome. In 2013 wewill have our Open Show, Championship Show and Field Trial and including the usualpromotional country events throughout the year.

Thank you to all those folk who contribute their time and efforts for the SSA. I’m hoping tomeet up with everyone throughout the year enjoying life with their Sussex Spaniels.

Sheila Applebysecretary@sussexspaniels.org.uk

Club ShopVicky Watts now runs the Club Shop and please contact her for items you wish to purchase.Thanks to our Treasurer Christine, it’s now possible to order Club merchandise from Vickyand make payment via PAYPAL. Check the website for details of how to do this.

Email for club merchandise: wvickywatts@aol.comhttp://www.sussexspaniels.org.uk/

SSA Calendar 2014Kat Edge will again be producing our Calendar for 2014.Please send your photos to her, for possible inclusion in the Calendar before the end ofApril/early May. Don’t forget that we need you to send photos in a large size j.peg. Noless than 500kb and of good clear quality. As you know the best photos are taken by acamera rather than a mobile phone. Send your photos to Kat: ssacalendar@yahoo.co.uk

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The Sussex Spaniel Association All Age Stake Any Variety Spaniel Except Spaniel(Cocker) and Spaniels (English Springer). Field Trial Saturday November 17th 2012.

On a very fine and warm morning we all met at the Faccombe Estate in Hampshire, 17 dogsand handlers all ready to take part in the Sussex Spaniel Association Field Trial for minorbreeds. A total of 5 Sussex Spaniels and 12 Clumber Spaniels had arrived to take part in thetrial on this wonderful Estate.

After a very warm welcome from Bill Cadwell the Working Field Trial Secretary from theSussex Spaniel Association he introduced the two judges for the day Mr Chris Thurston (APanel) and Mr Chris Taylor (Non Panel).

We moved off in the Estate’s beating wagon to the ground that had been selected by the EstateManager, and on arriving we found that the ground which we were going to use was a smallwooded area with ferns and small amounts of brambles leading on to a small field of long grassand then to another area of wood which was made up of a mixture of trees with brambles &ferns on the floor of the woods.

It soon became apparent that there were going to be a good number of birds in this area butthey were well spread out. This was very good for both dogs and handlers as it gave everyonethe opportunity to hunt their dog for a good time before flushing a bird. It also took a whilefor the guns to warm up and bring the first birds down.

The trial came to an end at around 13:30hrs and we assembled back at the Faccombe villagehall for the results. The comments from the judges on the day were very encouraging, inparticular the comments from Chris Taylor as this had been his first time judging minor breeds.He has been used to winning championships with ESS and judging spaniel trials. He was veryimpressed with the way the dogs moved and said that they should not be compared to ESS orCockers when judging them.

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The results and congratulations to the winners were as follows.First Place……………... Not AwardedSecond Place…………. .James Darley with Venaticus Henrietta (Clumber).Third Place……………..Val Maskell with Coedcollen Snow of Mervalyn. (Clumber).Fourth Place……………Not AwardedBest Sussex…………….Bill Cadwell with Jubilwell Malteaser(Sussex).Best Novice………….. . Not AwardedCOM……………………Bill Cadwell with Jubilwell Malteaser(Sussex).Guns Choice…………. . James Darley with Venaticus Henrietta (Clumber).The working Gundog certificate was also awarded toKelly Jefferies with Sh Ch Jubilwell Whole Lotta Rosie (Clumber).

............................................There was a very successful Field Trial at Faccombe Estates on the 17th of November againmany thanks to Mr Harper the estate manager for letting us hold the trial there, thanks also toall those that enter and support the trials without them this part of our sport would cease toexist we are already struggling with numbers as it is.Above is a competitors eye view of the trial and thanks to Grayham for his contribution.

Bill Cadwell - working secretaryPS:Another Field Trial award for the beloved Sussex Spaniels! Jess aka Jubilwell Phoenix won a 3rd prize at the Field Spaniel Field Trial on Friday.

Owned by Mr & Mrs Cadwell & Handled by Bill .............................................

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Hi Sarah,I just wanted to write to youabout my Sussex, Quinn.Our rescue Sussex, came tous 3 years ago as the firstspaniel in our family kennels,after years of retrievers. Heproved to be much moredifficult to train; stubborn,independent and, at times,exasperating. Withperseverance, though, he hasturned from a spectator intoan asset to the team, pickingcock pheasants with relativeease.

In the home, where he lives with me and my better half, he is a cheeky chappy who seemshappiest when sleeping or chasing shadows; we love our" spaniel TV". All in all, more thananything I have enjoyed watching the insecure, scared Sussex Spaniel turn into my happy,bouncy, loving brown boy.

From Sara Jackson.

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Nine Months of Rescue ... Saving Our Sussex Spaniels!“We have plans for you” was a comment made when I announced my intention to take an earlyretirement and they weren’t kidding! Within six months I had not only been elected on to theCommittee but found myself with the reins of Rescue. One can either feel ‘a mug’ or flatteredthat others have the confidence in your ability to do a good job. For self preservation, I havechosen to think the latter! My daughters obviously have faith in the fact that I am to be blessedwith the gift of this role for some considerable time, having purchased a suitable registrationplate for my birthday: K999 SSA!

My first experience of a home visit was to a distraught man who due to circumstance, felt aneed to rehome his dog. A surge of responsibility in representing the Breed came over me.Experience has taught, in times of uncertainty the strength in dressing appropriately. Not Imight add achieved on this occasion, when I realised that I resembled a Twycross Zoo attendant,complete with clipboard! I arrived at the house to be greeted by a handsome brown spanielwho by no means even remotely resembled a Sussex and so after breaking the news to theowner, spent the afternoon counselling the poor chap. At least that is a skill of many yearsexperience I do have to draw on.

Since then it has all been true Sussex. So far requests for the need to rehome dogs have beenmade every couple of months, strangely often one followed closely by another unrelated calland always dogs, not bitches. Often through advice and guidance of experienced owners, thosewith young dogs have managed to weather teenage tantrums, but for others we have foundnew homes. The waiting list of prospective homes grew over the first few months to the extentthat I devised a data base to assist in selecting potential homes to meet the needs of theindividual dog. This enables easy communication with fellow co-ordinators, keeping them upto date.

I am sincerely grateful to all members who have supported rescue in their kind offers to assesshomes and dogs in their area. Also to all the breeders that have shown such dedicated concerntowards their offspring. That empathy was demonstrated by one such individual when theygave a mature Sussex to a bereft lady whose fourteen year old companion had died suddenly.Coincidently the replacement was the niece of her lost bitch, what a comfort for her. We havehad to kennel one dog this year and are thankful to Mark Boswell who enabled this, not onlyin providing affordable accommodation at short notice but also in assessment of the dog.

Gratitude is extended to the donations received for Rescue most recently we have benefitedfrom the estate of the late Mrs Eiko Foxall in memory of her Sussex ‘Hobbes’ who had alsopassed away earlier in the year.

Last month those of us involved with Rescue were afforded the privilege of accompanyingJeremy Hackett at the Collars and Coats Charity Ball on behalf of Battersea Dogs and CatsHome. A very grand event, that we all thoroughly enjoyed.

Well, I can hear Mavis saying “not more than one side of A4” so I will sign off but not withoutthanking you all for your support and friendships which mean so much to me.

From Helen Boniface.

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HEALTH REPORT DECEMBER 2012

As you will see the recent health survey is printed in this edition of News and Views. Just tosay that this time around we had less of a response than last time. We managed to claw ourway up to one hundred responses whilst last time we had closer to one hundred and fifty. Wepresently have two hundred and fifteen members so that is less than fifty percent took part inthe survey.

I did receive one or two comments that “my dog has nothing wrong with it”. Well that is greatnews but your perfectly fit dog would have been a welcome addition to the survey. We don’twant just problems reported to us – we also want the good news! Please bear in mind that itwould be very easy for the Kennel Club to add new breeds to “that list” (breeds which areperceived to have health problems) and it takes and lot of time and effort to be removed fromthat list.

Ear problems were numerous in the survey – do we make an effort and explain to our puppybuyers that a common cause is lack of ventilation and that the clipping of the inside of the earshelps in this respect? Another problem mentioned was impacted anal glands – again this ismanaged fairly well with an increase of fibre in the diet so the anal gland sac is expressed ondefecation.

Just to remind you the current number of litters registered per bitch is now four and only twolitters are permitted to be born by Caesarean Section. The KC has also tightened the rules reinbreeding and such matings as father/daughter are no longer accepted for registration.

Ann Moon (Health Co-ordinator)

SSA Health Sub-Committee Members

Anne Moon – Breed Health Co-ordinator email: ann-moon@talktalk.netGrace Brown email: browns@rangatira.freeserve.co.ukSheila Appleby email: secretary@sussexspaniels.org.ukChristine Swietalski email: c.swietalski@btinternet.com

Daphne Bailey email: daphne@daelyb.fsnet.co.uk

Sussex Spaniel Health Survey 2012 - 100 Dogs in TotalMales Males Females FemalesEntire Neutered Entire Spayed

28 15 38 19

Problems

Skin 24Ears 39Gastro-Intestinal 4Orthopedic 8Eyes 14Genito-Urinary 8Cancer 12Heart 4Hernia 41Other 5

Deaths in Last 5 years 29Cancers 14Old Age 5Kidney Failure 2Others 8

Breeders Questions

Have You Hip Tested Before Breeding Yes -25 No - 0Any Other Testing 7What Tests 6 - PDP1 1-Syringomyelia All ClearPuppies Heart Tested 29

Caesareans 12Causes of CaesarsPrimary Inertia 7Secondary Inertia 2Whelping Problems 3

MalesEntire,

28

MalesNeuter,

15

FemalesEntire,

38

FemalesSpayed,

19

01020304050

Problems reported

05

1015

Num

ber

Cause

Deaths in last 5 years

PrimaryInertia

58%

SecondaryInertia

17%

WhelpingProblems

25%

Causes of Caesars

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An Unexpected Night Out

It all started out quite normally. A call went out about a search in Siskiyou County, California.K9 Unit members called each other to see who was available and on this day Josephine Countywould be sending Monica and her air scent dog Mara and then myself and my dogs Beryl (airscent) and Winston (trailing). Two more SAR members were available to serve as flankersand we had a dedicated driver to get us there and back safely. And, off we went.We arrived at base, the Green Valley Store along Highway 3 in the beautiful Scott Valley,just past noon. Teams were briefed. A lost hiker, 57 year old Spence Palmer who set out fora day hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mt. Etna to Kidder Creek. The hiker hadbeen due to finish his day hike Saturday afternoon but today was Monday. A search team hadlocated his footprints along the PCT as they left the trail to try and avoid a snow field that wasblocking the way.As we received our assignments, I knew that this day, this search, was going to be differentfrom most. I was asked to deploy with my trailing dog from the last-known-point (LKP) andto try and determine a direction of travel of the lost hiker or locate any further clues. As weleft base, I instinctively grabbed one of those infamous SAR sack lunches, often put togetherwith prison help, and stuffed it in my 24-hour pack. My flanker Bill, Winston and I were thendriven to the Mt. Etna trailhead about 12 miles further up the road; a team that had alreadybeen in the field over 24 hours was there awaiting a ride back to base. As we exited the vehicle,we were hit by the wind, gusting probably 30mph. I stuffed an extra wool cap in my packwhile Bill grabbed a heavier jacket. I said goodbye to Beryl who sat in her crate in the backof the vehicle, and waited for the CHP helicopter to land on the road and ferry us to the LKP.I’ve flown in helicopters before—mostly in the jungles and mountains of South Americaduring a former life—but this was my first ride with my K9 partner by my side. He jumpedin, took his place between myself and Bill and looked out the front window like he had flownover the Marble Mountains all his life. Bill took a few pictures. The pilot added power as wepassed over the ridgeline and were met with a downdraft; the pilot then expertly turned thehelicopter into the strong gusting wind and gently set us down on a narrow ridgeline at 6,700feet. We were safely out and the helicopter gone in less than a minute. As we surveyed oursurroundings, a scree slope dropping precipitously to the west and snow covered slopes fallingaway sharply to the east, I knew we were in for a tough search and, that more than likely, wewould be spending the night “out there” and not in our own beds. It was now 1400hrs.A lone man sat under a tree. We went to check-in and he introduced himself and said he wascommunications relay for teams being ferried into the area. He looked at Winston and asked,“is he a Clumber Spaniel?” “Nope, a Sussex Spaniel,” I explained. “I love spaniels,” he saidsmiling. I don’t remember his name but instantly I liked him.After introductions, I walked Win to the LKP and asked him to take scent from the scent articleI had collected earlier, and then whispered “find’em.” Win worked along the scree slopeheading northwest and then slowly pulled us into the Big Creek drainage. He quarteredmethodically back and forth across the now treed covered slope; he wasn’t working a trail butrather a wide and faint scent cone that had no current “source.” As we dropped down belowa rock face and reached a flattish vine maple-choked section of the North Fork of Big Creek,his pace quickened and his body language changed; he encountered a small scent pool. Heraised his head and worked the wind, blowing hard now from the west. He looked across thecreek several times, but the slope on the other side was snow covered and near vertical. We

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weren’t crossing the creek. At about this time it started to sleet with a mix of snow and thenfinally it changed to all rain. Winston showed no other scent interest beyond this point. It wasnow 1600hrs.There were two teams ahead of us further down the drainage, an air scent canine team and thecomms-relay team that had decided since the helicopter was now grounded due to weather,they would walk out via the Big Creek drainage. We had two options, go back up to the PCTor continue to go down and since there is something comforting in knowing others are in thesame area, we chose to head downhill and walk out as well. Maybe we could link up?As we started down the drainage it quickly became clear that “merely walking out” wasn’tgoing to be so simple. We moved cautiously as the slopes became steeper, thick brush anchoredthe slippery shale in some places, but in many places the slopes were just a jumble of looserock; one of these rock filled gullies reached almost all the way back to the ridgeline. Welooked at our GPS and realized we had only gone one mile in 4 hours but had dropped near2,000 feet in elevation. If I remember my high school algebra correctly (S=Rise/Run) thatwould be about a 38% grade. The slopes we were traversing, however, were near 50% grade.A tricky balancing act for two tired searchers and one search dog. So, at 2000hrs we decidedwe needed to stop. We could see the campfire of the teams ahead of us further down the drawbut we knew we couldn’t reach them before dark.So, we put our overnight survival training to the test: collected a large pile of fire wood, builta shelter using our tarps (thankfully it had stopped raining), and settled in for the night. I owea lot to Bill for really taking charge of the fire and despite our rocky, brushy thicket perchedabove the raging creek, we did have the warmth of a roaring fire and that is something reallynice. I had the better trioxane fuel so I boiled us water for hot coffee and tea, another comfortthat is seemingly a small thing but does amazing things for the spirit. We attempted to drysocks and other gear. Winston and I shared the prison packed bagged lunch. Didn’t matter thatthe sandwich was soggy, we both agreed it tasted great. Winston also had some kibble that Ialways carry in my pack. He was tired and alternated between sitting by the fire with us andlying down in the nice hole he dug under a nearby bush. At some point we signed off the radioto save batteries; another comfort was having such a cheerful voice on the other end of theradio and knowing that there was someone there if we needed them and that they knew wherewe were and that my teammates back at base were looking after “Beryl.” At just past midnightwe were tired enough that we thought we might be able to sleep. Coincidently we both had asimilar bivvy sac (from Adventure Medical) and with all my clothes on, a fleece cap and neckwarmer, I crawled into my survival bivvy. Winston snuggled up as close as he could but hestill shivered most of the night. He also dreamed and I felt his dreams through his twitchingbody several times and wondered what he was dreaming about.The fire flickered to life at 0430 and I got up—not that I had ever really slept, more likeddozed—and joined Bill at the fire. As we watched the dark sky lighten with the emerging dawn,we both knew that at some point we had crossed an invisible divide and we were no longer insearch-mode but we were in survival-mode. I drank a hot cup of cocoa, ate a hard-boiled egg(part of the sack lunch), shared some potato chips with Win and then fed Win his breakfast ofkibble. According to the map, we still had about 2 miles to go before we would reach the NorthFork of the Salmon River where we would be rewarded with a well-travelled trail. It wouldtake us over 6 hours!

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The first challenge we had to tackle was crossing the North Fork of Big Creek. The creek wasflush with snowmelt and the current was extremely strong. The creek cascaded down themountain slope, lined by large boulders and steep sides. Bill had just taken a swift water rescuecourse and that gave me some comfort. We both felt a little wobbly this morning as we pickedor way carefully down to the creek. He crossed first by taking one giant step from one largeboulder to another; packs were then then handed across the creek with each of us standing onboulders, feet spread wide for balance. The current was too strong for Win to swim across andit was too awkward to safely balance on the rocks and hand him across the creek. We couldn’tjust pull him across; he looked a little nervous and I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t slip his harness.So, out of options, I tossed the end of his long-line to Bill, picked Win up and with all mystrength tossed him across the swiftest part of the current and Bill reeled him in like a bigbrown fish before he was carried away and swept over the small waterfall just below. I satdown on the boulder and shook a little bit and shed an emotional tear. I was responsible forhim; he trusted me and I had just had to throw my best buddy into a cold unforgiving streamin the middle of nowhere. Deep breath.Win shook off the cold water and looked back at me waiting for me to cross. I stood on thatboulder a long time before taking the giant step-small leap to get across safely. That creekcrossing drained me while at the same time energized me. I was ready for this little adventureto be over. Safely on the other side, we pulled our way up the steep muddy bank and into thickbrush and heavy deadfall. Not a game trail to be found. This was the one area where Winstondecided to show-off his stubborn side, which ironically makes him a good trailing dog. Winstonwas very useful for keeping us on track; after we made our decision to “follow” the teamsahead of us down the draw the day before, Winston took that new task to heart and he trailedthe teams doing a fair share of the navigating for us. But we had now crossed the creek notwhere the other teams had and Win had no scent to follow and was not pleased with the pathwe chose. I admit, it was pretty awful. After about ¼ mile and two hours of fighting our way

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through the brush, we cut the other teams trail and all was well again in Winnie’s mind. Wenext found ourselves above the confluence of the North Fork and the South Fork of Big Creek.This creek crossing wasn’t as terrifying, maybe because we were both now extremely tired.We just did it: Bill crossed first, packs handed across, Winnie tossed across current and reeledto shore, I cross. Packs back on. One foot in front of the other. The forest opened up a bit andwe did manage to locate a faint game trail and Winston confirmed we were following thecorrect trail. After four more hours we made it to the Salmon River and the trail back to MuleBridge. We hiked the last 5 miles along the trail in about 2 hours, admiring the crystal clearNorth Fork Salmon River as we walked. The sight of the old green steel and wooden bridgeand SAR personnel brought the biggest smile to my face! We were out, had done it, and wegot news that our missing hiker had been found alive just moments earlier.

We were driven down the road to a clearing where a Blackhawk helicopter waited. We wereair lifted back across the mountains we had just descended and back to base. Winnie laid downbetween the seats and promptly fell asleep bringing a warm smile to the Army sergeant’s facewho was manning the door. Upon exiting the aircraft, we saw Monica and Lynda standingthere smiling and waving. Lots of hugs all around. Lynda took Winston, Monica my pack,another K9 handler offered lemonade, a third enquired if I needed dog-food for Winnie. Nope,he was having one (or maybe two) of the chicken burritos being made up by the Siskiyouchaplain who was manning the improvised kitchen. It felt so good to be “out.” Skills put tothe test; not a training exercise but the real thing and we had done good. from Ann McGloon

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Kennel Club & British Veterinary AssociationHIP DYSPLASIA SCHEME

Sussex Spaniels hip scored during 2011Taken from the Kennel Club Breed Records SupplementThe Score is given for each hip (right: left) and a total.The lower the score the less degree of hip dysplasia.

Quintic The Countryman 11:11 = 22Quintic Vogue of Bowswizzler 7:11 = 18Tawynkya Totally Nutmeg 5: 6 = 11Yorkham Beaujolais 31:30 = 61Kykesow Cracklin Rosie 24:24 = 48Sovaroma Solstice 18:21 = 39Sovaroma Spring Loaded 12:14 = 26For more information regarding the scheme:http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/313

THE KENNEL CLUBMaking a difference for dogs

28 September 2012Dear Ms S Appleby

The Kennel Club is delighted to announce the newest addition to its group ofcanine activities with the launch of Rally on 01 October 2012.Rally challenges a dog and handler to work as a team to successfully negotiate a course byfollowing signs and completing set exercises. Handlers are encouraged to talk to and providetouch rewards to their dogs during these exercises. There are three levels of competition withtwo classes at each level and the top dogs achieve the Kennel Club recognised title of'Excellent'. Rally has its roots in Obedience and competitors only need a basic level of petobedience to start practising for Rally.If your club is interested in holding training sessions or competitions for this exciting newactivity or would like further information please take a look at the Kennel Club websitehttp://www.thekennelclub.orq.uk/item/4561 or contact the Canine Activities Team atcat@thekennelclub.orq.uk or 0844 463 3980 ext.330.

New Sussex Spaniel Champions in 2012.Sh Ch Jubilwell ThorSh Ch Jubilwell Mars at Nyrrela ShCMSh Ch Jubilwell Mashona at PindaniSh Ch Meggamooch Jester at Narddamway ShCMSh Ch/Ir Ch Glenbrows Scrumpy JackSh Ch Belcam Percy Verance ShCM

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SEMINAR REPORTA breed specific seminar was held in October and was very well attended with 15 people atthe morning session where Sally Leslie gave a very informative talk on the breed standard ablyassisted by “Tog” as a live model. Kay Kenyon provided a professional booklet and pack as pre reading and we had four dogsand mentors for the hands on and question session. We were treated to a delicious hot lunchand afterwards got down to the exam part of the day.Each candidate went over five dogs and submitted a written critique. Congratulations to thosewho passed Wendy Manning, Beth Holt, Lesley Nesbitt, Tracy Harris and the two whoachieved the highest standard of credit passes, Jane Eyeington and Linda Thorogood.A huge thanks to all those who brought dogs and helped on the day, Liz Bowe, ChristineSwietalski, Pat Leslie, Emily Kenyon, Grace & John Shankland, Dee Ashcroft, Shani Hastings,Helen Boniface.

Chairman Grace Brown

Find a Rescue SussexIf you are interested in offering a home for a Sussex please contact Helen Boniface,Hill Cottage, Horsley Lane, Coxbench Derby DE21 5BH,Main Co-ordinatorMrs Helen Boniface Tel: 01332 880359 email: helenboniface@hotmail.co.ukRegional Co-ordinatorsScotland – Mr & Mrs Miller Tel: 0131 664 9228 e-mail: Joydust1@aol.comSouth East – Mrs Moon 01622 744334 Kent e-mail: ann-moon@talktalk.netWest & South Wales – Mrs Kenyon Tel: 01453 519059(Gloucester) e-mail: Kayekenyon@yahoo.co.uk

In the Midland Counties/Dog World Website Competition,3rd prize in the Gundog category, went to the SSA

well done to the website team

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Coats and Collars BallJeremy Hackett hosted a table at the recent ‘Coats and Collars’ Gala Ball held by BatterseaDogs Home in London. He invited Sheila & John Appleby, Kay Kenyon, Ian Smith, Liz andKen Bowe, Sally Vowles and Helen and Hannah Boniface to join him for this special evening.We made our plans to stay at the same hotel and weren’t we lucky as it was a great hotel, bigluxury rooms, even TV in the bathroom and not as expensive as we’d thought it might be.Being South of the Thames made the difference. We met up for coffee in the afternoon andthen the girls took a peep at each other’s dress before setting off to change. We were all veryexcited. It was Sally’s birthday too, so a special day for her.At 6pm we met up with Jeremy for drinks before leaving for the Ball. We all arrived by taxicourtesy of Jeremy and we were welcomed outside by the Battersea dogs all sporting Batterseablue coats along with their handlers. They were so sweet so we all had a cuddle and a chat withthem. Hannah dashed off to have her photo taken with a pug, she loves Pugs! Rafts ofphotographers were taking photos of thecelebrities, some with their own dogs andwhilst we waited for Jeremy to bephotographed and interviewed we stoodwatching and ‘celebrity spotting’. Therewas a great buzz of excitement in the air.Once inside we were invited to the VIParea for champagne, canapés and a mingleround. Then downstairs to dinner and wewere seated at a beautiful table not farfrom the stage. Everyone received aGoodie bag, the cover of which showeda picture of Jeremy’s Browney sportingUnion Jack bunting. She looked so cute.The evening began; silent auctions,raffles, lots going on, on stage with PaulO’Grady, Amanda Holden and David Gandi. A contest for everyone to participate in with aluxury holiday as a prize. ‘Heads and Tails’ it was called and Liz Bowe was in the last fivewho chose correctly. Then a doggy fashion show with dogs wearing dog coats designed by thefamous in the fashion world, including Julien Mc Donald (seated behind us!), Zandra Rhodes,Vivienne Westwood and a great cheer from our table when a dog came down the catwalkwearing a Hackett’s Jubilee tweed dog coat. These were then auctioned. We all met HilaryAlexander who came to our table to see Jeremy.Ethel the Staffie was highlighted on stage, she had had a recent operation for cancer and wasin great need of a home though the prognosis for a long life was doubtful. Yes, she found ahome later that evening, and they also announced that Pet Plan would donate full insurancecover throughout the rest of her life. In the silent auction John was successful and won a boy’sday out at the Caterham F1 factory. In the raffle, Sally won a much admired BIBA bag andKay won a Tea for Two at Stoke Newington. There was a very moving video showing the needfor Battersea to raise funds for training nurses and staff and it brought tears to many eyes. Thenthey made a request for people to stand and donate a huge sum each, to help in support of themuch needed funds for Battersea. Our own Ken Bowe stood up and he was followed by Jeremy.We were so proud of them.

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Then a special on-stage auction was held with 10 luxury items, holidays, sculpture, books etcand this was way out of my league. Bids were made and the money rolled in. During the eveningwe had been served our lovely dinner with any amount of wine we wished. We didn’t go mad,we were just enjoying the evening’s events. The music was very loud and we were all a littleworried about the dogs who, bless them, were calm throughout. Then came the first of the livemusic acts and Joss Stone sang for us first, to be followed by Jamie Cullum. The time camefor Jeremy to say goodbye to us and he commented - “I have to work tomorrow!” John and Ileft a little later and Iunderstand that Sally,Ken and Liz stayed onfor the dancing. We allmet up the nextmorning, for a fullbreakfast and had a fewlaughs together. Wewere all lookingremarkably bright andbreezy. Such a greattime we’d had. We werevery lucky and ourthanks to Jeremy. It wasall over too soon and itwas time to head home.Sheila Appleby

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SSA Championship Show 2012I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge this wonderful breed,it was a delight to have some lovely dogs to go over. There was a real depth of quality,especially in the Dogs, with Limit Dog being a real headache to judge. I was looking for thecorrect size of dog, with a good level topline which is missing in too many of the present daydogs. I may be accused of having rose coloured spectacles, but we did have more depth ofquality in the breed 25-30 years ago, sadly we won't see their like again.

Veteran Dog 7-9 years( 3 )1st Bennett's Sh Ch Nyliram Captain Morgan for Sovaroma. Nice solid looking dog, with goodleg length and good deep ribs. Would like a touch more bend of stifle, and coat colour couldbe a tad lighter, moved ok. 2nd Alderson's Meggamooch Legend Another strong dog with a nice head. Well boned, goodlevel topline which he held on the move. Coat colour better than 1, but a little higher on theleg. 3rd Gasher's Narddamway Mack the Knife Good head and powerful front, level topline, justlooking a little tucked up today.Special Veteran Dog (0)

MPD (0) PD (1) AbsJun D (2)

A difficult class with two nice dogs of different types. 1st Perkins Quintic the Farmer Well developed head, good strong neck, strong well bonedlegs. Good length of back and level topline. Although he played his handler up a little, heshowed good drive from strong hindquarters.

Best In Show & BCC - Kenyon and Smith's Jubilwell Mashona atReserve Best In Show, BOS and Dog CC - Basey's Yorkham Beaujolais Of VandadinBest Puppy In Show - Boswell's Marquell Question Mark, Handled by Viv Wakefield

Best Veteran - Sh Ch Waldmeister Sammie of Meggamooch

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2nd Nesbitt's Yorkham Fred Bear from Charbourille Another one I liked. Good head with nicesoft expression, strong neck and a straight front. Well developed ribs, strong back, level topline.Moved true fore and aft, just lacking body for his frame, which will come as he matures. Coatjust a tad dark at the moment.Yearling Dog (1) & Debutant Dog (1)

1st Sampson's Rangatira Ivanhoe I liked this dog as he entered the ring. Well developed headwith a soft expression, good strong body on short powerful legs. He did play his handler upon the move, which made assessing his movement difficult, but a promising dog and a worthywinner.Grad Dog (1)

1st Basey's Yorkham Beaujolais Alone in this class, but this is the type of dog I'm lookingfor, he just shouts Sussex at you. Lovely head, with a wonderful soft expression, powerfulneck, strong level body, with a good topline, powerful hindquarters which he used to greatadvantage on the move. He moved with a good roll and coat colour was pretty good in therather bad lighting at this venue. He would look better for just losing a little bit of weight, buta lovely dog. CC, and RBIS and BOS.Limit Dog (8, 1 abs)

This was a lovely class with the first 3 being really good typy Sussex, and all deserve to gaintheir titles.1st Vowles Jubilwell Beast of Bodmin at Vorbrook The dog was in good hard condition. Strongneck on well placed shoulders. Strong short legs, well padded feet, good well muscledhindquarters. a good workmanlike dog Res CC. 2nd Smith/Murray's Norriss Northern Torpedo I have seen this chap from the ringside, andcannot understand why he hasn't been placed higher! For me he's all Sussex, and has all theattributes of the winner, the only thing that separated them today was I preferred the shoulderplacement of 1. 3rd Wakefield's Julius of Tonispada at Norriss Another lovely dog, again great type and Iwas struggling to split these 3, just today I thought this dog's coat wasn't in it's best condition.Open Dog (4, 2abs)

1 Shankland's Sh Ch Jubilwell Mars at Nyrrela ShCM A dog with the correct proportions.Pleasing head, well constructed front assembly. He was just a little light over the loin today. 2nd Alderson's Meggamooch Ozzy Osbourne Good masculine head, strong neck, well bonedlegs. Well filled body without being fat and has good length. Just a little high on the leg forme.Special Working (2)

Thank goodness that the Sussex hasn't split into the show/working divide that so many otherbreeds have. 1st Moon's Deanway Storm Warning Nice head, strong neck, deep chest, strong back andmoved well. 2nd Judge's Deanway Dark Sky at Opalreef Nice type, but a little bit low to ground, and wouldlike to see a little more drive behind.Special Veteran bitch 7-9 years (1)

1st Moon's Millcroft Firefleur at Deanway. Sound bitch, in good hard condition, moved outwell with drive.Special Vet Bitch 9 and over (3)

This class showed just how well this breed carries it's age. 1st Alderson's Sh Ch Waldmeister Sammie of Meggamooch. Feminine head, strong body withan excellent coat and colour. BVIS and winner of Best Coat and Colour.

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2nd Edge's Niriti Lady's Mantle of Tawynka. 10 year old girl, who was in hard condition.Straight front, deep chest, good length of back and correct leg length, just lost out to 1 on coatcolour. 3rd Appleby's Quarr Tanywood Another 10 year old looking well. Nice head and expression,good eye, well muscled. Just moved a little close behind.Minor Puppy Bitch (0)Puppy Bitch (3) 1st Boswell's Marquell Question Mark Raw baby, with a lot of promise. Correct type, femininehead, good front and rear angulation. When she settled she moved well. BPIS 2nd Watts Stoweridge Strike it Lucky Another promising bitch. Well developed for age, correcthead proportions, nice lay of shoulder, good length of back and good rear angulation. On theday she seemed unsettled but I would like to see these two in a couple of years time. 3rd, Boniface's Marquell Quickstep Sweet expression, nice length of body, but needs to developin stifle.Jun Bitch (2) 1st Brown's Yorkham Bear me in Mind Well made girl, lovely shaped head, good shoulders,but wouldn't want her legs to be any longer. Well bodied for age, needs to drop underneath tofinish the picture, moved well. 2nd Moon's Trevallisse Eye of the Tiger Preferred this bitch for size and leg length. Goodhind angulation, could be a bit tidier behind.Yearling Bitch (4,3) 1st Bennett's Sovaroma Spring Loaded Pleasing head, strong neck which she carried correcxtlyon the move. Nice short strong well boned legs, just a little proud of her tail.Debutant Bitch (1) 1st Brown's Yorkham Merlot Good sound mover, correct hight to length ratio. Straight front,good shoulders and strong hindquaters. Moves well behind, just needs to mature in body.Grad Bitch (3)1st Edge's Tawynka Totally Nutmeg Well boned legs, well padded feet, level topline, movedout well, just needs to mature in body. 2nd Wakefield's Norriss Northern Cassandra Well constructed bitch, level topline. Betterheight than 1, but not as well boned. Moved out well. 3rd Lark's Belcam Calypso Happy little soul, but too high on the leg for me and she moved alittle close behind.PGB (0)Limit Bitch (2) 1st Appleby's Quarr West With the Night Just the type of bitch I like. Feminine head, goodlength, well boned. Good coat colour and moved out well. 2nd Chambers Jessemyn's Arun Victoria Very nice bitch. Good front, level topline. Coattexture good, but little darker than 1. 3rd Judge's Deanway Foxtail Lily at OpalreefOpen Bitch (4,1)

1st Kenyon and Smith's Jubilwell Mashona at Pindani. Lovely feminine head, strong neck anda deep chest. Well filled loin, and good strong well boned legs. Muscular thighs and movedout with drive, a good old fashioned Sussex, my type of girl. CC (her 3rd) and BIS 2nd Mulder's Sovaroma Amber Daze by Quarr Very unlucky to meet 1, as I liked them bothvery much. The difference on the day was she just needed furnishings to complete the picture.Res CC and deserves her title.

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3rd Mulder's Quarr Tiger's Eye Nice size bitch, just not as positive on the move as 1 and 2.Special Working Bitch (2)

1st Edge's Sh Ch Tawynka Golden Caramel Good type of correct size. Nice hard condition.Worthy title holder, but it would be nice to see her lose the show part off of the beginning! 2nd Judge's Deanway Foxtail Lily at Opalreef.

Chris Hastings (Judge)

Sussex Spaniel Association Championship Show September 2012Awards Classes

Thank you to the SSA for inviting me to judge their Special Awards Classes. It was lovely tohave the opportunity to judge this lovely breed and I must comment on how fit the exhibits are.Special Yearling 5/7.

1. Perkins’ Quintic The Farmer A well balanced young lad with a lovely head andexpression. He has a good lay of shoulder and is well angulated. He moved well andwas presented in excellent condition. He is maturing nicely and I shall watch him withinterest.

2. Sampson’s Rangitira Ivanho A young boy who needs to settle when standing. Lovelycoat, good bone and well presented. He will come into his own once he has matured.Not as balanced as 1.

3. Moon’s Trevallis Eye of the Storm. A delightful exuberant young lady who likes towriggle! She has all the attributes, a feminine head and sweet expression, good boneand lovely coat colour and moves so freely.

Special Post Graduate 2/3 1. Boniface’s Belcam King’s Ransome for Glenbrows. A well presented lovely mature boy of 5 years. He has a good front and excellent bone. A lovely outline on the move and covered the ground well. He is in excellent hard condition. 2. Currah’s Kykesow Rita Meter Maid. A young lady who enjoys life. She needs to settle when standing. She has a lovely feminine expression and should mature well. She moved well once she had calmed down.Special George Lancaster Memorial Stakes 8/8Well, what a cracking class. Thank you very much for the entry. I was spoilt for choice andsplit hairs in the end. 1. Vowles’s Jubilwell Beast of Bodmin at Vobrook. Well what a super boy in beautifulcondition and excellent presentation, such a gleaming coat with the “golden” tips. He ismaturing well and is in hard and muscled condition. Such a well balanced head and kind eye.A true mover fore and aft and great profile on the move. (I understand he was awarded RDCCtoday, well done). 2. Watts’ Sh Ch Jubilwell Teazer of Stoweridge. Another lovely feminine exhibit who is mature and so sound. A happy girl on the move with excellent shoulder and angulation. A joy to watch. 3. Mulder’s Sovaroma Amber Daze by Quarr Another happy girl who had travelled a few miles to be here. She has a well balanced head, and good bone. She was beautifully presented and moved well.

Linda Thorogood (Judge)

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2012 Rescuing an Old Dog Successfully – or Old Codgers Together – from David LearmonthARCHIE 9 Year old dog needing new home. Suffers extreme separation anxietyWe made contact with the SSA rescue scheme this April after we decided we were in a positionto help. Two of us running a busy holiday business. Were we right to have a dog now at ourage? Sane or insane?. Could we cope, never mind the dog? His owner said he was “destructive,suffering from extreme anxiety, howling lots and very grumpy”We had Sussex earlier in our lives, showing and breeding. At that time, we were also showingand breeding Irish setters, as well as holding down two busy careers. In the 80’s we donatedthe Trovilea Tankard for Best Maiden Bitch to the Club’s inaugural Championship Show.Ivor Willaims judged all those 32 years ago. To our eyes, Sussex were the easy and interestingbreed. We also took our Sussex with us to Germany, where we worked and also broughtthem back through quarantine, as we could not cope with the idea of leaving them.Now we are in Devon in a wonderful old thatched farmhouse, right next to the beach in a verybusy tourist destination. Our doubts were in some ways lessened by a visit from the rescuescheme. As we still had pictures of our Sussex on the walls, plus our happy memories of theirfoibles and delights, they were happy for us to have 9 year old Archie. No other dog orchildren, just the two of us with a lot of tourists. Would it be fair on an older dog to be placedin this situation? But we must have passed the test and got the go ahead. Thank you, Kay andIan!!Archie’s owner was feeling both guilty and uncertain about letting her 9 year old dog go. Shefelt she had let him down if he went from her and it did not work. Yet she was also feeling shecould no longer cope with a long loved friend, her only dog. After much heartsearching, atransfer was agreed, so we arranged to pick up the dog at a half way point at a motorway servicestation and have a coffee together when we met. Our cars were parked close in the car park,but when the exchange happened, the owner was so upset she had to leave immediately aftertransferring dog and all his things to our car. Fortunately, the transfer was physically simple,so Archie got in to our car easily. But the owner’s heartache, as she drove off, was immense,as she left immediately, unable to speak.

The journey back to Devon was simple, with no mishaps.When we got into our car park, Archie had decided it washis car, not mine , but got out quickly, wagging his tail andapparently glad to be in the open air again. No way backfor any of us by now.As we had been given copious notes by his owner aboutfood and other basics, it was easy to stick with what he wasused to. So when Archie stood staring at his food, ratherthan eating it immediately, we knew all we had to do wassay “EAT” to get him to do so. As we had always had morethan one dog, this was quite funny for us, as any food wouldbe wolfed down before it was eaten by a different mouth.We had been told that he had been used to sleeping outsidehis owner’s bedroom and yowling Sussex wise, we madesure Archie could have that reassurance, as well as clearlydefined personal space of his own, in the form of basketsand duvets, as well as all the toys he had brought with him.Even though we had to move him away from this space

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when preparing breakfasts for our guests, Archie quickly picked up the needs for these routinesand never transgressed. What a wise 9 year old!We made sure Archie got regular exercise thrice daily 6 am, 10 am then late afternoon, but hedecided how far we went and at what pace As a 9 year old, he knew what he needed far betterthan we did. In fact, he was in charge, grinning and wagging his tail, both on the beach and onthe downs overlooking Croyde Bay.We got him off lead whenever possible. He was extremely obedient and quickly picked upwhere we were likely to take him. As he had already been trained well, he was very obedientand quite happy to sit and stare, looking about him with an experienced eye. No problems atall with stock in the fields – beneath his consideration. Other dogs also passed without fuss.On lead, he would get on heal very quickly, as well as showing his paces by setting a fast andregular Sussex gait. Soon he showed his brain by returning home after I lost him amongst thesand dunes. We were running through the dunes off lead when we got separated, so I startedshouting to find him. No luck. More searching and shouting drew a blank. I was panickingbadly until I returned home to find him sitting waiting for me, looking very disdainfully at mylimitations as a keeper.

Whenever summer comes for our Sussex, wehad all of them clipped all over very short,almost boxer like, so Archie soon becameArchiebald. As he had never had this done tohim, we were not sure how he would take tothis. However, he behaved immaculately whenhe was shorn. He certainly felt cooler in thesummer heat, as well as delighting in his beachexcursions more as his short coat dried veryquickly. Archie is far too sensible to swim, sogets great fun from charging at the waves tillhe suddenly realises they are bigger than him.He’s far more sensible than most of the surfersout there!

As far as damage or misbehaviour from Archie, we have had none. He’s clearly a veryintelligent dog, so he loves people, but has learnt how to cope with a wide variety of situations.We took him out around our very busy tourist village, into the pub and post office and outdown our very busy road and at all times he behaved immaculately, responding to eachsituation with sense and care. As he wagged his tail so much and looked so unusual, he quicklybecame well known and popular with all he came across.His owner had been concerned that he might be destructive or unclean. In fact, Archie hasbeen perfect, careful about his ablutions and has damaged nothing. We also learned from hisowner that he enjoyed hoarding soft toys in his basket, even if they belonged to another dog,so when he started to increase his collection ,the behaviour was very funny,as he tried to sneakmore small squeaky things in. His main pleasure seemed to be in ensuring they squeaked foras short a time as possible, then looking for another another one to crush.When Archie came, he was supposed to be my wife’s dog. However, Archie quickly decidedthat a male would be the centre of his universe, so we found very quickly that he wanted to bewith me rather than her. Whenever he had to move away from me, he yowled. So we simplyfitted that into our normal routines. The only comment from one of our guests who mistookhis early morning yowling for a cuckoo! We all rise early before 7, then make sure Archie getsa walk off our premises. Then I walk him through the village at about 10 to get a newspaper.

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After our day gets more peaceful, Archie then gets out for a long walk. He seems happy tosleep quite a lot. His favourite place for doing that is behind our till and counter in the shop,where I go most days. This goes very well, so we are careful to ensure he feels secure andcustomers don’t come too close to him This has worked very well and again he has becomea feature of our shop. Everybody wants to know what he is and love his silky liver coat. So,from being a dog left for long hours on his own, he is with people 24/7 and loving it.We have also been able to reassure his owner throughout this difficult time by sending e mailsand pictures, so she can see her dog and read about what he’s doing. This has been donepromptly whenever she has sent an e mail. That seems to be good for her, reducing her anxietyand allowing Archie to adjust quietly to his new situation. Quite a few digi pics have beensent to reassure . Isn’t technology wonderful?We have contacted her when Archie has been to the vet’s for any treatment. Fortunately,Archie’s previous vet provided our vet with a complete set of notes on all his treatment. Thishas been reassuring for all, especially as Archie is their first Sussex Spaniel. However, he hasalso charmed the lot of them with his smile.We are now working on treatment for his Sussex Spaniel ear infections and are making goodprogress with this. We are looking forward to the autumn and winter months with less crowdsHis crew cut is rapidly growing back, restoring his wonderful golden liver colour, so he willbe fully equipped with all that feathering to face any winter round here. Our last Sussex livedto over 14 and his mother to 12. We know our time with Archie may be short, but that makeshim all the more precious.

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ANNUAL POINTS TROPHIESThese trophies are awarded each year at the SSA AGM. Please let Grace Shanklandhave a list of your wins in plenty of time for verification. This year we have a PUPPYOF THE YEAR award. Wins are from 1st January – 31st December 2012

WIGG SALVER – Sussex of the YearPoints are awarded in Breed Classes only at Open and Championship Shows.

1st Open Show – 1 point1st Champ Show – 3 pointsBOB Open Show – 2 points

BOB Champ Show – 4 pointsCC - 3 points

BIS SSA Open/Champ Show – 15 pointsBOS, RBIS SSA Open/Champ Show – 10 points

BP SSA Open/Champ Show 10 pointsThe Margaret Scarr SHIELD for Variety Sussex of the Year

Points are awarded for 1-3rd place in VARIETY classes at any level of Show. Extra points are awarded for BIS, RBIS, BPIS

1st – 3 points2nd – 2 points3rd – 1 point

BIS - 50 pointsRBIS - 25 pointsBPIS – 25 points

Open & Ch Show Group 1 – 50 pointsOpen & Ch Show Group 2 – 25 pointsOpen & Ch Show Group 3 – 15 pointsOpen & Ch Show Group 4 – 10 points

GEORGE SHEPHERD MEMORIAL TROPHY for Junior Sussex of the YearPoints are awarded in BREED classes only at any level of show, won while the dog

is eligible for Junior classes i.e. 6-18 months for 1-3rd places1st - 3 points2nd - 2 points3rd - 1 point

PUPPY OF THE YEARPoints are awarded in BREED Classes only at any level of Show, won while the dog

is eligible for Puppy classes i.e. 6-12 months for 1-3rd places1st - 3 points2nd - 2 points3rd - 1 point

Please send points to:Grace Shankland, 72 Elmwood Park, Loddiswell, Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 4SD

Tel: 01548 550603Email: grace.nyrrela@tiscali.co.uk

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RESULTS 2012 CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS

DOGS BITCHES BEST PUPPYManchester CC Jubilwell Thor * CC Sh Ch Meggamooch Yorkham BadKay Kenyon Lucky for Torshca ShCM Bear for Bardings

RCC Jubilwell Mars at RCC Sh Ch NyliramNyrrela Old Peculiar ShCM

Crufts CC Sh Ch Belcam Willie CC Sh Ch Meggamooch Nyliram LastCarole Coode Gofar Sh CM * Lucky for Torshca ShCM Request

RCC Jubilwell Mars at RCC Sh Ch NyliramNyrrela Ruby Tuesday

WELKS CC Belcam Percy CC Jubilwell Mashona at Yorkham BadTony Jury Verance * Pindani Bear for Bardings

RCC Belcam Over to You RCC Sh Ch Meggamoochat Nyliram Lucky for TorshcaShCM

Birmingham CC Sh Ch Jubilwell Thor* CC Jubilwell Mashona at Yorkham BadNational Pindani Bear for BardingsGeorge Clarke RCC Belcam Over to You RCC Sh Ch Marquell

at Nyliram Jibby Bean

SKC CC Sh Ch Jubilwell Mars CC Sh Ch MeggamoochRussell Mosedale at Nyrrela * Lucky for Torshca ShCM

RCC Sh Ch Belcam Willie RCC Nyliram Final FlingGofar ShCM over Bethyrn

3 Counties CC Sh Ch Belcam Willie CC Sh Ch Nyliram Old * Stoweridge StrikeBrenda Banbury Gofar ShCM Peculiar JW ShCM It Lucky

RCC Sh Ch Nyliram Night RCC Jubilwell Mashonaon the Tiles JW ShCM at Pindani

Southern Counties CC Sh Ch Belcam Percy CC Sh Ch TawnykaDi Arrowsmith Verance * Golden Caramel

RCC Sh Ch Jubilwell Mars RCC Jessemyns Arunat Nyrrela Victoria

Windsor CC Sh Ch Meggamooch CC Sh Ch TawnykaColin Woodward Jester at Narddamway * Golden Caramel

RCC Sh Ch Belcam Percy RCC Millcroft FirefleurVerance at Deanway

East of England CC Sh Ch Glenbrows CC Belcam Miss Kykesow ZiggyJenny Miller Scrumpy Jack * Demeanour Starman

RCC Quintic the RCC GlenbrowsCountryman Patience at Springcurl

National Gundog CC Sh Ch Nyliram Night CC Jessemyns Arun Stoweridge StrikeJill Holgate on the Tiles Victoria * It Lucky

RCCSh Ch Belcam Percy RCC Sh Ch Nyliram OldVerance ShCM Peculiar JW ShCM

Championship Show Results for 2012

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WKC CC Sh Ch Belcam Willie CC Sh Ch Nyliram Old Stoweridge StrikeLiz Harper Gofar ShCM * Peculiar JW ShCM It Lucky

RCC Sh Ch Nyliram RCC Sh Ch MeggamoochOld Ember at Daelyb Lucky for Torshca ShCM

City of Birmingham CC Belcam Over to You CC Sh Ch Jubilwell Stoweridge StrikePatsy Hollings at Nyliram Teazer of Stoweridge * It Lucky

RCC Julius of RCC Papplesett RemyTonispada at Norriss Martin to Narddamway

Richmond CC Sh Ch Belcam Willie CC Sh Ch MeggamoochChris Bexon Gofar ShCM Lucky for Torshca ShCM *

RCC Sh Ch Jubilwell RCC Sh Ch Nyliram OldMars ShCM Peculiar JW ShCM

SSA Champ CCYorkham Beaujolais CC Sh Ch Jubilwell * Marquell QuestionChris Hastings of Vandadin Mashona at Pindani Mark

RCC Jubilwell Beast of RCC NL Ch SovaromaBodmin Amber Daze by Quarr

Midland Counties CC Sh Ch/IrCh * CC Sh Ch Meggamooch Marquell QuestionJoy Hartley Glenbrows Scrumpy Jack Lucky for Torshca ShCM Mark

RCC Sh Ch Belcam Percy RCC Quarr TopazVerance ShCM

Championship Show Results for 2012 continued.

A Huge thank you to all the SussexSpaniels and their owners who tookpart in Discover Dogs in November.They did the Breed proud and thispicture of their booth shows 3 of theteam in action !!

Kat Edge and Sally Vowles with theirdogs Pebbles, Tansy, Nutmeg andWrigby represented Sussex - welldone to them on the hard workinvolved.

Discover Dogs November’12

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Browney at Camber Sandswith Jeremy - having a ball.

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CAR STICKERS - with SSA logo £1.50

PENS - with SSA logo £1.00

NOTECARDS - packs of 5 £4.00

RING CLIPS £4.00

PURSES/WALLET £6.50

PLAYING CARDS £3.00

LAPEL BADGES - with SSA logo £3.00

PHOTO KEY RINGS, Sussex photo £2.00

POSTCARDS £0.50

CHAMPIONS BOOKS 2000-2009 £7.00

SWEATSHIRTS - Green, Blue, Red, Black £17.50

Please check with Vicky Watts for pricing and P&P.

Postage and packing is not included in these prices.

Telephone: 01584 856276 OR email wvickywatts@aol.com

The SSA Club Shop

Here are a few of the items available from the Club Shop including

the 2013 Calendar

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STORM’S JOLLY JAUNT (or not)!

Back in July I was “volunteered” to help set up show jumps for our local riding club at a supervenue about two miles from home. It was one of those wet and miserable summer afternoonsand I thought I would take the dogs along for a ride in the car and a quick stroll round the fields.The venue is huge, at least two big fruit farms back to back and probably the best part of athousand acres in all.

Several other dogs were mooching about and I let Storm and Rosie my Irish setter out to helpput up the jumps. I thought I would let Fleur out in about thirty minutes or so and would takeLaura the youngster for a walk a bit later on. Storm and Rosie mooched about and mingledwith the other dogs and were no trouble at all. After about 15 minutes I realised I could notsee Storm, however the back of my car was open so he was probably in the back. Another fiveminutes and I did have that niggling feeling that perhaps I should check – looking in the backof my car it was empty. At that point I had a minor panic attack and began asking people butno-one had seen Storm.

I glanced up and all I could see were fields of standing corn, huge orchards and dark greenwoodland – where did I begin. I drove around the immediate perimeter (having gathered upRosie) and no sign of Storm. I then asked my sister in law Hilary to drive back to my houseto see if he had gone home – Hilary was not over impressed with this but kindly went to look.I then drove out on to the road and turned right and went down the road, I met our chairmancoming into the farm and asked her if she had seen one of my Sussex, “no not seen any dogsat all” was her reply. I turned around and drove the other way up a steep hill. I met threeforeign fruit pickers and asked if they had seen a brown dog, but again they had seen nothing.

Hilary then phoned, no Storm was not at home. She was making her way slowly back to thefarm checking small turnings and driveways etc. I drove round a huge orchard slowly peeringinto every avenue of trees – nothing, then went around a recently cut hay field again nothing,I wondered about driving up to a nearby reservoir and decided that would be my next place tolook. I then drove back to where the helpers were still setting up the show jumps.

As I drove into the field I saw a very smart black fourwheel drive with the back open only afew yards from where my car had been parked and guess what – looking very happy in therewas a very relaxed Storm who told me he had watched me drive off and leave him and whatdid I think I was playing at!! However he was quite comfortable in this nice car and could weplease take this one home!!

My relief at finding him safe and sound was indescribable!.

From Ann Moon.

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Dates for your Diaries

CRUFTS - Gundog Day 9 March 2013

AGM & OPEN SHOWSaturday 13 April 2013To be held at Baginton Village Hall, Baginton Nr Coventry CV8 3ABJudge Bill Bunce (Adurni)Contact the Secretary for more information

SUSSEX AT THE SUSSEX15-16 June 2013 Parham Park, Storrington, W Sussex RH20 4HSTickets from the organisers: http://www.countrymanfairs.co.uk/sussex-game-and-country-fair

CLA GAME FAIR 19-21 July 2013The Breed will be represented on all three daysTickets from the organisers: http://www.gamefair.co.uk/

PICNIC IN THE PARK 28 July 2013Grimsthorpe Castle, (see below)All members are welcome. For further information please contact Catey BatesTel:01223 870867 or email: Chris.Bates@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk

CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 28 September 2013Judge Dee Ashcroft (Torshca)At the Grange Hall, Southam, Warks CV47 1QAContact the Secretary for more information

THE ASSOCATION WILL BE CELEBRATING IT'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2014Chris Wakefield and his team are already making plans for special events in 2014If members have any ideas or would like to offer sponsorship of any kind please letChris knowTel: 07932 848666 or email: norriss.spaniels@hotmail.co.ukTHE FUN WEEKEND IN 2014 WILL BE HELD OVER 3 DAYS - 13/14/15 JUNE 2014This will be at Downton Castle Estate, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 2LQ

See also inside back cover for major show dates.

Catey Bates is trying to organize a Sussex get together on July 28th 2013

at Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0LY.

This is a very nice place with Castle, park & gardens to look round & have a picnic.

For more information contact Catey 01223 870867

email Chris.Bates@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk

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Sussex Spaniel Open Show Judge for 2013

MR W.E. BUNCE (KC JUDGES ID:4906)

CURRICULUM VITAE

Bill has been involved with dogs since 1965 when at the age of seventeen he ownedhis first dog, a Golden Retriever called Benedict of Windytrees.

In 1983 Bill became secretary of the Home Counties American Cocker Club, a positionhe held for seven years and during which time the ciub gained Championship status. Onretirement as secretary he was made an Honorary Life Member and is now the Club President.He was the Dog World American Cocker breed note writer for over twenty years andcurrently writes the notes for Our Dogs. He is the breed proof-reader for the Kennel ClubStud Book and judged American Cockers at Crufts in 2008, where his Best of Breed wonthe Gundog Group.

In 1987 Bill was elected to the membership of the Kennel Club. From 1989 until 2001he was secretary of Eastbourne & District Canine Society and is now a Vice President. Heserved as a committee member of the South of England Gundog Club between 1990 and1998, in which year he was elected to represent the South East & East Anglia region on theKennel Club Liaison Council (Shows Council), a position he held for 12 years. In 2002 hejoined the committee of Southern Counties CA, taking on his current role as Chief Stewardfor its Championship Show seven years later.

Bill started judging dogs in 1982. He has since officiated in all parts of the UK, and inIreland, France, Finland, Hong Kong, and South Africa.

He first awarded Kennel Club Challenge Certificates and CACIB's in AmericanCockers in 1988, since when he has been passed by the KC to give CC's in Cocker Spaniels,Flat Coated Retrievers, Gordon Setters and Welsh Springers. He is approved to judge theGundog Group at Championship level. He awards Irish KC Green Stars in American Cockers,Cockers, Golden Retrievers and Labradors.

At Open shows he has judged all seven Groups many times, and Best in Show on thirtyone occasions.

With Margaret his wife, Bill has held the Adurni affix since 1982, successfully breedingCC winning American Cocker Spaniels. Apart from that breed, they have also ownedPomeranians, a Great Dane, a Border Terrier and a Pointer, together with Cocker, Sussexand Welsh Springer Spaniels. They are also currently domineered by three mischievousPugs.

W.E. BUNCE (Adurni,)

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter contains articles and letters written by membersand non-members of the SSA and on occasion the editor may make commentor reply. The Club wishes to make it known that the inclusion of material inthis newsletter in no way indicates approval or reflects the opinions of the Clubor Editor

JUDGES FOR 2013

Manchester – Grace Brown – 20th January’13

Crufts – Gail Hay – 9th March’13SSA Open Show – Bill Bunce - 13 April 2013 at Baginton

WELKS – Sally Leslie – 26th April’13

Birmingham Dog Show - Carol Williams – 10th May’13

Scottish Kennel Club – Andrew Brace – 18th May’13

Southern Counties – Ifor Williams – 31st May’13

Three Counties – Zena Thorn-Andrews – 9th June’13

Windsor – Gordon Haran – 27th June’13

East of England – Gordon Talbot – 7th July’13

National Gundog – Jane Graham – 4th August’13

Welsh Kennel Club – Frank Kane – 18th August’13

City of Birmingham - Sue Alderson – 1st September’13

Richmond – Kay Kenyon – 8th September’13SSA Ch Show – Dee Ashcroft - 28 September 2013 at Southam

Midland Counties - Kathy Gorman – 27th October’13

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Sussex spaniel association

www.sussexspaniels.org.uk