Page 77 - K9 News - Issue 14 - December 2020

Champions, one International Champion and
one CC winner in that litter (Nzo, Nunavut and Saska - Sheridel
Neona). To become a breed record holder and Sasquehanna
having had time out of the ring to have a litter
shows how impressive she (and other bitch
record holders) had to be. She also impressed
in Group competition – no mean feat against so
many ‘show-off’ male dogs.

Our most recent title holder was Ch Sheridel
Acara Acadia (breeders John and Chris
Bodman). From both Sheridel parents, she was
meant to be a ‘stud fee puppy’ for Jim and Helen
Johnston who owned her sire, Irish Ch Sheridel
overseas influence in the second generation –
Penworthy, but they and the Bodmans insisted
Ch Sheridel Inxess at Sealake, Ir Ch Sheridel
that the puppy should be ours – such a kind
Kentucky, Ch Sheridel Kyo, Sheridel Kavanagh,
gesture.
S Limelight, and S Luciano of Acara are a few
We had also come full circle to having another examples of this.
white/black in 2001 – Storytime Madisondance
In 2008 Hedd, having stood down from the
of Sheridel from Doug and Barbara Henry, who
Newfoundland Club Committee where he
were one of the ‘oldest’ active UK kennels at the
had been Chairman for many years, found
time. At present we have her granddaughter,
that he was missing club work and decided
Sheridel Sasquehanna, also a wh/bl and a CC
to start another club – namely the Southern
and RCC winner, and her great granddaughter,
Newfoundland Club. This was an ideal way
Sheridel Tapdance, who takes part in working
to give something back to the breed and its
events rather than the showring. The working
followers as well as create numerous events for
ability and fitness of our dogs has always
those in the ‘bottom half’ of the UK. As the result
been important to us so we have attempted
of a dedicated team, this is now a respected
to keep our hand in when time allows. A few
club within the dog world.
of our Champions have also passed their
relevant water and draught tests too, so it is And, while he busied himself at the helm of
gratifying to know they are not just ‘pretty faces’. the SNC, I leaned more towards the working
Currently, a few of our dogs take part in Scent aspect of the breed, becoming a Good Citizens
Discrimination tests, and Mantrailing (Missing examiner, and, of course, enjoying training our
Persons Searches) – a great discipline for those dogs in Mantrailing.
who enjoy seeing their dogs using their amazing
scenting powers. Goodness knows where we found the time
but our judging careers have taken off with
Naturally, judging automatically crept in at an Hedd being a Ch Show Working Group judge
early stage and we have been lucky enough as well as being approved to award CCs in 7
to judge all over the world, and helped us to Working and 2 Pastoral breeds in the UK, while
appreciate other lines from a ‘hands-on’ stance, I award CCs in 3 Working Breeds. Up until
rather than from posed photos of overseas dogs. 2020, almost every weekend was taken up with
To this end we have included many overseas judging, showing, seminars, working events or
lines in our pedigrees. Itemising these lines and some dog related activity. If only that beautifully
countries would probably look like an entry in a groomed white&black dog who leaped out of the
Michael Palin itinerary, but suffice to say, there grooming parlour knew what he had started!
are great dogs in most countries. Even our
litters from UK sires and dams tended to have www.sheridel.co.uk

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / DECEMBER 2020