Page 69 - K9 News - Issue 15 - March2021

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I Sh Ch Gunalt De Ice at Stridview

The show world was shocked to hear of the untimely passing of
Weimaraner breed record holder Sh Ch Gunalt De Ice at Stridview,
just after his tenth birthday in February 2020, writes David Alcorn. It
would be remiss not to include a special tribute to Ice in this breed
feature. “Ice”, as he was affectionately known to all, was a super
character who excelled in both the showring and the field. Amassing a
total of 51 CC’s across his incredible show career, he was a consistent
winner from puppy until it was sportingly decided to retire him from the
ring.

Owned by Karen Whitehead, who also owned the previous breed
record holder Sh Ch Gunalt Harris Tweed, he was shown by Karen but
the majority of his successes were with his handler Jacqui Ward who
described him as a “legend” and with whom he had the most incredible
rapport.
Enjoying a successful puppy career, Ice was awarded his first
CC in May 2011 from Alison Gates at the Weimaraner Assocation
Championship Show, and gained his title at Leeds the same year
under Gary Scobell. He was Best of Breed at Crufts in 2013 (with
group 2), 2015 (with group 4), 2016 and once again in 2017. Bred by
Stephen and Patsy Hollings he was the 68th title holder for the kennel,
sired by the top stud dog Sh Ch Gunalt Unstoppable from Mianja and
out of Sh Ch Gunalt Delicious who herself was a top brood bitch and
also produced several title holders. The final, 51st, CC came at Crufts
from Mary Brennan when it was decided to retire him from competition.
In total Ice won 10 championship show groups and became the breeds
second male championship show Best In Show Winner when Christina
Chapman awarded him Best In Show at Belfast 2014.

Alongside tremendous showring success, Ice was a competent
working dog who took to local shoots with Karen’s husband Ben, an
area where he really excelled and where both he and Ben worked
incredibly well together and were a popular addition to the beating and
picking up teams in their local areas.

Ice was an unsurpassable show dog; a skilled working dog; a
treasured member of the Whitehead family; and the consummate
gentleman. Ice is still sorely missed by Jacqui, Karen, Ben, Molly and
Lucy, and also by each and every one of us who had the pleasure of
coming into contact with this unforgettable, lovable boy.

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MARCH 2021