Page 33 - Spring Newsletter2024

Onward and Upward… … or so to speak!

By Allan Wadmore

I have read David Mathews’ to find answers. Some way of
“It costs nothing to be nice” explaining this may be found whilst
in the last edition of this maga- reflecting on my own historic story.
zine. He is quite correct! Whilst
I understand other clubs may With the increasing age and ill health
experience poor behaviour at shows, of our first Keeshond, Akeela, we
let’s just tune our thoughts to our were keen to find a Keeshond puppy.
breed ringside behaviour. But he Luckily, we didn’t have too long to
needs to be careful what he wishes wait and were soon owned by a lovely
for. puppy dog. Fortunately Akeela
accepted the pup without hesitation;
Show numbers continue to fall across what a perfect relationship this
the hobby and there is a palpable lack proved to be. At six months our
of younger people joining us oldies. breeder invited all the puppies to
What sort of heritage will be passed meet at a championship show.
down if we don’t address some of the Naturally we took up the challenge
reasons why? Wikipedia describes a and were astonished to discover that
hobby as ‘a regular activity that is our boy had qualified for Crufts! We
done for enjoyment, typically during couldn’t believe our luck. And so
one’s leisure time’. I feel this began what we hoped would be a
definition may provide some clues as memorable new hobby. On the sad
to why show numbers in breeds have loss of Akeela we needed a friend for
declined dramatically over the years. the pup so we acquired a bitch as his
companion.
My introduction to the breed came
long before showing and I soon Bitten by the show bug we decided
appreciated what an exceptional that transport with accommodation
breed the Keeshond was. Beauty, on board was important if we were to
intellect, gentleness, and a loving realise even our basic needs. We
nature, just some of the adjectives purchased an old VW camper and
that bind us to this most adaptable were ready to hit the road with
of breeds; so what could possibly go fun-filled expectations! Driving
wrong? What is apparent however, home, after unremarkable days, we
is that these same attributes cannot would reflect on how lucky we were
always be used to describe show to have met many lovely people who
attendees. All too many of these always seemed so friendly and
seem to be breeders. Why is this? encouraging to us ‘newbies’.
Perhaps we don’t have to look too far

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