Page 76 - K9 News - Issue 14 - December 2020
P. 76
Jazz - Ch Merrybear
Jennah of Sheridel
Enzo - Ch Sheridel Nzo
putting heart testing in place. There was some
opposition to the idea at first but in time it
became the norm to have a cardiologist grade
heart sounds – usually at club events. These
days that simple test has become Doppler
Merrybear Jennah of Sheridel (breeders Gordon scanning of dogs’ hearts before breeding as it
Cutts and Paddy Galvin) joined the clan – and was realised that stethoscope testing only was
what a character she was! She won her title but not a reliable method of ruling out abnormalities.
like so many browns, she knew her own mind
Around the same time we began elbow scoring
and gave us plenty of challenges while showing
our dogs – our kennel and that of Christine
her! You would never guess that her sweet
Wilson’s (Ashness) began the same time. The
temperament was capable of utter stubbornness
BVA had not yet adopted this test so it was
when she decided not to cooperate! We had
a groundbreaking move for both of us. Again
hoped to get a brown bitch puppy from her and
this was met with disdain from many quarters
Macillon but Jennah did not really embrace
but now this is a routine health test for ethical
motherhood! Her several phantom pregnancies
breeders of Newfoundlands.
early on had convinced us she would be an
ideal mother but when she produced her While each and every one of our dogs have
one and only litter of two black girls, she was been special in different ways, I should mention
horrified that she was expected to clean them our one and only brown male – who became Ch
and feed them! We decided not to try again as it Harbourdeep Lauenbrau of Sheridel (breeders
was not an experience she enjoyed. Derek and Liz Gwynne) who won a Working
Group as well as other Group placings. He
In the early 90s we produced a litter where one
was sired by our Ch Ceilidh Auchentoshan of
male puppy was diagnosed with a severe heart
Sheridel (breeders John and Jenny Davie). He
murmur at his pre-homing vet check. We had
was a dog with a sense of humour and I will
been aware of developing heart problems in
always remember the look of embarrassment on
the breed and had always asked our vet to bear
Hedd’s face during a Ch Show BIS final when
this in mind. Naturally, we kept the puppy and
‘Jazz’ was intent of grabbing the ‘furry toy’ at the
he led a charmed life until almost 12 months
tip of the beautiful Standard Poodle’s tail!
old when heart failure occurred and we had
to make the kindest decision for him. Having Another one who should be singled out is Ch
heard of heartbreaking accounts by other pet Sheridel Nerissa of Alphabears JW, (owners
owners, Hedd (who was by then Chairman of Rob and Cheryl Hobbs) who is the current Bitch
the Newfoundland Club committee) set about Breed Record holder and was one of two UK
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / DECEMBER 2020
