News

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Congratulations to the Irish Water Spaniel Team who won the Minor Breeds Working Test at Shrewsbury held on 15. June 25. Coming first by 19 points and also top dog. They also narrowly missed out on Judges choice after a run off. Well done to all of them and their dogs.👏👏👏👏🏆🏆🏆🏆

The event is on every year in June so you all have a year to train and you too could be part of a team. Anyone interested in working towards this event in the future please get in touch with the Working Test Coordinator  Nichol Watson on nichol.watson@btinternet.com

 Appeal for funds to prevent closure

 Appeal for funds to prevent closure

 BOGDOGS AT THE BLACK RABBIT – Sat 11 November 2023 

 Would you like to join fellow IWS-lovers for an autumnal riverside walk at Arundel, a beautiful West Sussex town overlooked by the mighty Arundel castle.  

Walk starts at The Black Rabbit pub on Arundel’s outskirts, along the banks of the river Arun, to the tiny hamlet of South Stoke, and back to the pub for drink/lunch.

DATE: Saturday 11 November
TIME: 10.30 to set off at 10.45
MEETING POINT: Park at the far end of the the Black Rabbit pub carpark, Mill Rd, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9PB.

Although there’s plenty of outside seating for people and dogs, we’ve reserved tables in the pub bar area where dogs are allowed, in case the November weather isn’t nice enough to sit outside.

So please let Debbie Robinson know if you’re coming along and would like lunch, so we can let the pub know if we’ve filled the tables they are keeping for us. Email debsrobuk@yahoo.com or call on 01243 389005. 

CANTERING ROUND COWDRAY

Why not blow away the winter blues with your IWS at our next mingle – ie walk, with a pub lunch too if you fancy it? We’ll be walking in the lovely grounds of Cowdray Park, near the market town of Midhurst in West Sussex. You may recognise the name of Cowdray – it’s a polo match venue, but their season doesn’t start till later in the year.

Join us on Saturday 25 March 2023, and afterwards at the Royal Oak, just outside Midhurst, if you wish.

To register interest, please email Debbie Robinson on debsrobuk@yahoo.com or phone 01243389005 and more information will be circulated nearer the time.

The Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club will be having a training weekend with Dorothy Wallis-Duffin on 10th & 11th September at The Barn, Sandy Lane, Fillongley CV7 8DD.

Over the years the club has attended training with Dorothy who is an very experienced Gundog trainer. The training caters for all levels so if you have a puppy , a youngster or if you want you older dog to learn new skill or enhance the ones they have bring them along

If you would like to know more about Dorothy you can further information on https://www.grangemeadlabradors.co.uk/

Members and non members are welcome to come along and attend for two days or only one it is up to you. It will be a fun and enjoyable experience and if you haven't seen a lot of Irish Water Spaniels all in one place before now's your chance.

Camping will be available on site and is including in the price

Members One Day £30

Members Two Days £50

Non Members One Day £40

None Members Two Days £60

There will also be the opportunity for non members to become members of the Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club on the day too £15.00 single, £20.00 joint per annum.

If you would like further information or would like to speak to us please contact Susan Sheehan-Watson and Nichol Watson on nichol.watson@btinternet.com

The Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club will be having a training weekend with Dorothy Wallis-Duffin on 10th & 11th September at The Barn, Sandy Lane, Fillongley CV7 8DD.

Over the years the club has attended training with Dorothy who is an very experienced Gundog trainer. The training caters for all levels so if you have a puppy , a youngster or if you want you older dog to learn new skill or enhance the ones they have bring them along

If you would like to know more about Dorothy you can further information on https://www.grangemeadlabradors.co.uk/

Members and non members are welcome to come along and attend for two days or only one it is up to you. It will be a fun and enjoyable experience and if you haven't seen a lot of Irish Water Spaniels all in one place before now's your chance.

Camping will be available on site and is including in the price

Members One Day £30

Members Two Days £50

Non Members One Day £40

None Members Two Days £60

There will also be the opportunity for non members to become members of the Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club on the day too £15.00 single, £20.00 joint per annum.

If you would like further information or would like to speak to us please contact Susan Sheehan-Watson and Nichol Watson on nichol.watson@btinternet.com

DEVON TRAINING WEEKEND - 23/24 APRIL 2022
at
ASHRIDGE ESTATE DEVON
With IWS trainer
GRAHAM WEST
******
Graham is a well respected trainer; who once owned an IWS so has excellent knowledge of working and training the breed. He is both a Retriever and Spaniel Field Trial ‘A’ judge.
Graham provided training for the SIWSC many years ago which is still talked of today with fondness and fun by those who attended. Today he works in partnership with Kayleigh Snell, who will be organising the puppy training over the weekend.
The training provided will be for ALL ages as RETRIEVERS.
We will have access to the Ashridge Estate’s beautiful surrounding fields and pond.
Prices for whole training weekend: Members £60.00 Non- Members £70.00
FACILITIES
Access to a very large barn which is currently in use as a wedding venue; it provides,
• Kitchen facilities with sinks and kettles (we have a couple of hot plates available as well) and furniture for meals and indoor activities (up to 50 people)
• All utilities
• Bathrooms are also available in the Barn
STAY THE WEEKEND
There is hard standing access for caravans and space for tents (most likely in the farmyard at the top of the hill, there is bathroom access in the barn).
Prices for caravans/camping for the whole weekend is only £10.00
This is a wonderful venue and an excellent way to visit Devon and see its wonderful ‘rolling’ countryside. We hope you can join us and perhaps partake of a Devon Cream Tea or two!
All enquires and bookings to: Mr Melyvn Hurst, SIWSC Secretary by 22nd March 2022: E MAIL: meldenkirkmarsh@gmail.com
Ashridge Court,
North Tawton,
Devon,
EX20 2DH
Website: Ashridge Court | Wedding Barn Venue Devon (ashridge-court.co.uk) 

DEVON TRAINING WEEKEND - 23/24 APRIL 2022
at
ASHRIDGE ESTATE DEVON
With IWS trainer
GRAHAM WEST
******
Graham is a well respected trainer; who once owned an IWS so has excellent knowledge of working and training the breed. He is both a Retriever and Spaniel Field Trial ‘A’ judge.
Graham provided training for the SIWSC many years ago which is still talked of today with fondness and fun by those who attended. Today he works in partnership with Kayleigh Snell, who will be organising the puppy training over the weekend.
The training provided will be for ALL ages as RETRIEVERS.
We will have access to the Ashridge Estate’s beautiful surrounding fields and pond.
Prices for whole training weekend: Members £60.00 Non- Members £70.00
FACILITIES
Access to a very large barn which is currently in use as a wedding venue; it provides,
• Kitchen facilities with sinks and kettles (we have a couple of hot plates available as well) and furniture for meals and indoor activities (up to 50 people)
• All utilities
• Bathrooms are also available in the Barn
STAY THE WEEKEND
There is hard standing access for caravans and space for tents (most likely in the farmyard at the top of the hill, there is bathroom access in the barn).
Prices for caravans/camping for the whole weekend is only £10.00
This is a wonderful venue and an excellent way to visit Devon and see its wonderful ‘rolling’ countryside. We hope you can join us and perhaps partake of a Devon Cream Tea or two!
All enquires and bookings to: Mr Melyvn Hurst, SIWSC Secretary by 22nd March 2022: E MAIL: meldenkirkmarsh@gmail.com
Ashridge Court,
North Tawton,
Devon,
EX20 2DH
Website: Ashridge Court | Wedding Barn Venue Devon (ashridge-court.co.uk) 

We were recently contacted about helping with an article on the IWS for a magazine.  To be sure of some facts regarding IWS field trial champions, a call was made to Eddie Lennon in Ireland concerning his two FT Champions that were made up in the 1980s. The Irish have a points system which requires certain points from both bench and field to become a FT Champion. The conversation prompted Eddie to think that another of his IWS had perhaps gained enough points to be made up to a FT Champion.

We are delighted to announce that earlier this week after being contacted by Eddie, the Irish Kennel Club have confirmed that his bitch Ch  Mearog of Lisnabrogue is now Ch & FT Ch Mearog of Lisnabrogue, some 35 years after she should have been made up.

Congratulations to Eddie, now 3 Irish Field trial champions.

Ch & Ft Ch Mearog of Lisnabrogue is litter sister to FT Ch Cruiscin of Lisnabrogue and dam to Lisnabrogue Derg, who starred as Maria in the 1980s tv series "The Irish RM" starring Peter Bowles.

UPDATE ON CANINE HEALTH SCHEMES AS ENGLAND ENTERS SECOND NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

In light of the national four-week lockdown that began in England yesterday (5 November), the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and The Kennel Club (KC) have announced the following changes to the Canine Health Schemes (CHS) in order to follow the new guidelines and restrictions, and also continue to process submissions. 

As of Thursday 5 November the CHS office will be closed and the team will be working remotely.

England: As part of BVA’s guidance to veterinary practices, how practices are able to operate and which services they will be able to offer in terms of health testing will be dependent on individual practice factors such as staffing levels, building layout, as well as the vets’ professional and clinical judgement, and we would urge all owners to respect their individual vet’s decisions in this matter.

Wales: During the firebreak lockdown (23 October - 8 November) veterinary practices must only undertake essential and urgent services and practices may need to delay x-rays and eye screenings. At the end of the firebreak lockdown, practices in Wales will be able to deliver veterinary services in line with Covid-safe requirements. However, during the England national lockdown, CHS is only able to process online submissions to the Hip and Elbow Schemes (see below).

Scotland and Northern Ireland: Veterinary practices are able to deliver veterinary services in line with Covid-safe requirements so x-rays and eye screening can go ahead. However, during the England national lockdown, CHS is only able to process online submissions to the Hip and Elbow Schemes.

In England, under the new guidance for the national lockdown, group screening cannot take place. In Scotland, NI, and Wales (after the firebreak lockdown) group screenings can go ahead but Panellists must adhere to additional requirements to work in a Covid-safe manner.
Some CHS Eye Panellists may be able to offer eye screenings as long as government guidance on working safely, practice polices, and any local restrictions are adhered to.

We are asking all animal owners and breeders to respect their vets’ clinical and professional judgement and be patient during this time. The list of eye panellists offering testing can be found at: www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/eye-scheme/find-an-eye-panellist/ 

• Hip      and elbow submissions can be made by a veterinary surgeon via the CHS online      portal
• The      CHS team can process and score online submissions, however, online scoring      is slower than in-person scoring, and this means there will be reduced      capacity for scoring during the lockdown
• Unfortunately,      this will further impact turnaround times and both BVA and The Kennel Club      ask for your patience

• CHS      cannot score postal submissions during the national lockdown in England
• CHS      can process postal submissions, ready for them to be allocated to      an in-person scoring session after the national lockdown. Unfortunately,      this will impact turnaround times, which CHS are unable to estimate until      the office reopens
• CHS      is asking veterinary practices to assist by not sending postal submissions      during lockdown as there is already a significant backlog of submissions      that are unable to be scored until the offices reopen. Consequently vets      are advised to hold on to submissions if at all possible 

Anyone presenting dogs for hip or elbow x-Ray for submission to the Canine Health Schemes at this current time is advised to confirm that their vet is able to submit these via the online portal.

Turnaround times

Due to the uncertainty caused by the national lockdown in England, the CHS team are currently not able to provide accurate turnaround times. The team is working hard to process and score online submissions in order of date received and is unable to fast-track any submissions.

BVA and the KC is asking all owners and breeders to please respect the CHS team and their vets’ clinical and professional judgement and to be patient during this time.

CHS is unable to take payment until the submission is received, so please wait for at least two weeks before calling to make payment.

To make a payment by card for postal submissions, please call the office on 020 7908 6380 (please note that this line is for payments only).

When calling please provide the following information: Date of radiography; Kennel Club/microchip number; name and address of the veterinary practice.

For all non-payment related enquiries, please email chs@bva.co.uk and if possible include the dog’s Kennel Club or microchip number, date of radiography, and the name and address of your vet practice. The team will get back to you as soon as possible.

The BVA, Kennel Club and CHS teams thank you for your patience and understanding in these exceptional circumstances.

For the latest guidance and advice on Covid-19, please visit the BVA coronavirus information hub: www.bva.co.uk/coronavirus/. If you have any questions or concerns relating to canine health and welfare, please email health@thekennelclub.org.uk 

ENDS

[xxx.20]

5 November 2020

For journalists who would like further press information, images or interview requests please email press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk

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Notes to Editors

The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Its objective is to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with responsible owners.

BVA and the Kennel Club (KC) work in partnership to provide a number of health screening programmes - the Canine Health Schemes. The Canine Health Schemes enable breeders to screen for a range of inherited diseases so they can make informed decisions as to whether those dogs should be included in breeding programmes. For more information on all of the Canine Health Schemes visit www.bva.co.uk/Canine-Health-Schemes/ 

BVA is the largest membership community for the veterinary profession in the UK. We represent the views of over 18,000 vets and vet students on animal health and welfare, and veterinary policy issues to government, parliamentarians and key influencers in the UK and EU.

Following the government and Kennel Club advice it has been decided that all Test and Training events have been cancelled until the end of June.

Any changes with regards to the coronavirus advice, will be posted in the future.

 https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/press-releases/2020/march/statement-on-kennel-club-events-and-coronavirus-covid-19/ 

Melvyn

Secretary